outwardly, with gold. Loki is sent to procure the ransom. With a net
borrowed from the sea-goddess Ran he catches at the waterfall the dwarf
Andvari in form of a fish and compels him to supply the required gold.
Andvari tries to keep back a ring, but this also Loki takes from him,
whereupon the dwarf utters a curse upon the gold and whosoever may
possess it. The ransom is now paid to Hreidmar; even the ring must, on
Hreidmar's demand, be given in order to complete the covering of the
otter's skin. Loki tells him of the curse connected with the ownership of
the gold. When Hreidmar refuses Fafnir and Regin a share in the treasure,
he is killed by Fafnir, who takes possession of the hoard to the
exclusion of Regin. In the form of a dragon Fafnir dwells on Gnita Heath
guarding the hoard, while Regin broods revenge.

From Odin is descended King Volsung, who has a family of ten sons and one
daughter. The eldest son is Sigmund, twin-born with his sister Signy.
King Siggeir of Gautland sues for the hand of Signy, whom her father
gives to Siggeir against her will. In the midst of King Volsung's hall
stood a mighty oak-tree. As the wedding-feast is being held there enters
a stranger, an old man with one eye, his hat drawn down over his face and
bearing in his hand a sword. This sword he thrusts to the hilt into the
tree, saying that it shall belong to him who can draw it out again; after
which he disappears as he had come. All the guests try their strength in
vain upon the sword, but Sigmund alone is able to draw it forth. He
refuses to sell it to Siggeir for all his proffered gold. Siggeir plans
vengeance. He invites Volsung and his sons to Gautland, and returns home
thither with his bride Signy, who before going warns her father to be
upon his guard.

At the appointed time King Volsung and his sons go as invited to
Gautland. In spite of Signy's repeated warning he will not flee from