Áshildur

*"No. These wounds are not of our world. This distempered spirit will ride again. It wields a hungry blade."*
―Áshildur[src]
**Áshildur** Hofgythja is a temple priestess of Freyr and Freyja who serves Fjölnir at Freysdalur.

## Biography

### The Chieftains' Feast

Áshildur attends the Chieftain's Feast alongside her assistant, Hallur Freymundur. She witness a game of knattleikr in which five of Fjölnir's slaves face five of Hákon Iron-Beard's slaves. During the game, Fjölnir and Gudrún's young son, Gunnar, runs out onto the field and takes that ball before being attacked by Thórfinnr Tooth-Gnasher. One of Fjölnir's slaves, Björnulfr, saves his life by tackling Thórfinnr to the ground and headbutting him to death.

### In the Temple

*"The servants of Freyr. Lay them before our lord's feet."*
―Áshildur to Björnulfr[src]

Upon returning to Freysdalur, slaves are ordered to carry barley into the temple. Once the arrive, Áshildur orders them to lay the barley before the statue to Freyr. Fjölnir, in his role as the high priest, stands before the effigy and shakes an iron rattle as he prays.

### Murders of Freysdalur

*"Black she-spirit, abate. Bear this offering to your mistress. Abate, and sheath your rageful corpse-hound!"*
―Áshildur[src]

The next morning, the bodies of Hersveinn Battle Hard and Hjalti Battle Hasty are found dismembered and nailed to the barn in the shape of Sleipnir. Thórir accuses the Christian slaves and Finnr the Nose-Stub wonders if he is right. Áshildur examines the corpses and concludes that they were left by otherworldly means. She determines that the distempered spirit will ride again and wields a hungry blade. She tells Fjölnir and Gudrún that she will perform a sacrifice to sate the spirit's bloodlust.

Later that night, Áshildur and Hallur enter the temple and prepare to sacrifice Melkorka the kitchen slave, who is bound and gagged. However, they are distracted when they hear a distant howling. An intruder enters the temple and frees Melkorka, castrates and disembowels Hallur and binds and gags Áshildur with his intestines. The intruder hangs Hallur's body from the ceiling above Áshildur, causing his blood to drip down upon her face. She is later discovered by Fjölnir and Thórir, who order Finnr and Hallgrímr Half-Troll to free her.

### Thórir's Murder

Áshildur is present when Thórir is found murdered with his heart cut out. His killer is soon revealed to be Björnulfr, who reveals himself to be Gudrún's son Amleth, long though dead, and declares his intention to avenge his father, King Aurvandil. Amleth is soon captured and funeral rites are performed for Thórir. During the ceremony, Áshildur sacrifices one of the slaves, Kormlöth, by bringing her onto the funeral ship and giving her a horn to drink from before stabbing her in the chest three times.

### Hel's Gate Opens

*"Hel has but opened her solemn gates. The merciless hostess makes ready to receive our murdered ones."
"Rich have we made her hoard."
"How all living men do fear entering her kingdom."
"And so they should. A woman rules its high seat."*
―Áshildur and Gudrún[src]

Áshildur and Gudrún watch as Mount Hekla erupts. Gudrún asks what dread omen it is and Áshildur replies that it is no omen, but that Hel has opened her solemn gates and makes ready to receive their murdered ones. Gudrún replies that they have made the horde rich and Áshildur tells her that all living men fear entering Hel's kingdom. Gudrún replies that they should, for a woman rules its high seat.

Gudrún tells Áshildur that when the warriors feast in the mountain hall, her death goddess Freyja will welcome her as a sister. Áshildur asks if she is a warrior and Gudrún replies that she is a queen, for which Áshildur expresses hope that Freyja will embrace her as one. Gudrún prays to Hel to close her lap and let no more of her house's lives be unbirthed.

### Death

*"Show mercy. By my gods!"*
―Áshildur begs the slaves to spare her[src]

Amleth, who escaped the farm during the funeral, later returns under cover of darkness. He slaughters the soldiers before killing Gudrún and Gunnar, after which Fjölnir rides to Mount Hekla. Freed from their oppressors, the slaves burn the farm to the ground and killing Áshildur for sacrificing their fellow slaves.

## Personality

Áshildur is dedicated to serving her gods and will go to any lengths to appease them. The slaves eventually retaliate and kill her once Amleth frees them, before which she begs them for mercy.

## Religion

Áshildur is a devout worshipper of Freyr and Freyja and often ritually sacrifices slaves in an attempt to appease them.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Eggers, Robert; Sjón, *The Northman*, Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022
2. ↑ Eggers, Robert; Sjón, *The Northman* Deleted Scene: "Hel's Gate Open", Focus Features, USA, April 22, 2022