Nithud

Overview

After learning that Volund lives alone, Nithud sends men to seize him, takes his sword and ring, and confines him on an island to make things for the royal house.

Key facts

Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.

Relationships

• Volundcaptures

  Nithud sends men to seize Volund while he sleeps.

• Volund's Island Workshopuses as a prison

  Nithud places Volund on an island in the lake and compels his smithing for the royal house.

• Volundflies beyond his control

  Volund flies beyond Nithud, leaving consequences the king cannot retrieve.

Story appearances

• The Lay of VolundCaptor and one who loses

  Nithud seizes Volund and ultimately faces irretrievable loss within his household.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Anonymous, Poetic Edda, Volundarkvitha, Bellows stanzas 1–41: Volund and his brothers, the swan-maidens, Nithud's captivity, Bodvild and Volund's escape