Hljod

HljodorLjod(Old Norse:Hljóð[ˈhljoːð]) is ajötunninNorse mythology.She is the spouse ofVölsung,the daughter of the jötunnHrímnir,and the mother ofSigmundandSigny.

Name

TheOld NorsenameHljóðhas been translated as 'howling'.

Attestation

In the first chapter ofVölsunga saga,Hljóð is portrayed as the daughter of the jötunnHrímnir,and as a 'wish-maiden' of the godOdin,which could be interpreted as 'Valkyrieof Odin'.

Völsunga saga: Þat er nú sagt, at Frigg heyrir bæn þeira ok segir Óðni, hvers þau biðja. Hann verðr eigi örþrifráða ok tekr óskmey sína, dóttur Hrímnis jötuns.

It is now said thatFriggheard their prayers and toldÓðinnwhat they prayed. He was not without resources and took hiswish-maid,the daughter of the jötunn Hrímnir.

Hljóð then assumes the shape of a crow and provides the apple of fertility to the childlessRerir,who eventually begets Hljóð's own husbandVölsung.

Völsunga saga: Nú þá er hann var alroskinn at aldri, þá sendir Hrímnir honum Hljóð, dóttur sína, er fyrr er getit, þá er hún fór með eplit til Reris, föður Völsungs.

Now when he was fully come to man's estate, Hrimnir the giant sends to him Ljod his daughter; she of whom the tale told, that she brought the apple to Rerir, Volsung's father.

References

Bibliography

• Clunies Ross, Margaret(1994).Prolonged Echoes: The Myths.University Press of Southern Denmark.ISBN978-87-7838-008-1.
• Orchard, Andy(1997).Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend.Cassell.ISBN978-0-304-34520-5.