Stories

The Greenland Ballad of Atli

A falsified warning, two wives’ counsel, and a journey that will not turn back carry the Giukings into the trap at Atli’s home and its revenge.

Chapters

01
A Warning Changed on the Road
Guthrun makes runic warning for her brothers; Vingi falsifies it for Atli.
Atli Gudrun Vingi Gunnar Hogni
02
Kostbera Reads Danger
Hogni’s wife sees in damaged runes and dreams that this is no friendly invitation.
Kostbera Hogni Vingi
03
Glaumvor Sees the Journey’s End
Gunnar’s wife tells dreams of gallows, serpents, and the dead; Gunnar says the journey is fixed.
Glaumvor Gunnar
04
Sons at the Fjord
Snaever and Solar leave with their father Hogni, while the households can only part by the fjord.
Hogni Snaever Solar Kostbera Glaumvor
05
Vingi Reveals the Trap
On arrival, Vingi admits the invitation concealed a trap; the brothers’ party kills him.
Vingi Gunnar Hogni
06
Guthrun Takes a Sword
Guthrun greets her brothers, says she tried to keep them home, and then takes a sword into the fight.
Gudrun Gunnar Hogni Atli
07
The Brothers’ Last Sounds
Atli orders Hogni and Gunnar killed; Hogni endures his death and Gunnar sounds a harp with his feet.
Atli Hogni Gunnar
08
A Death-Feast for Atli
Guthrun kills her two unnamed sons by Atli and makes him learn the truth at the feast.
Gudrun Atli
09
Hniflung Joins the Revenge
Hniflung, Hogni’s son, plans with Guthrun and kills Atli; this is the poem’s source-scoped ending.
Hniflung Hogni Gudrun Atli

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