Myths and Legends 427: Norse Legends: Wither or Not
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Jan 28, 2026 A prince suspects his new stepmother of witchcraft and follows a mysterious string into giant-inhabited cliffs. He wrestles giantesses, drinks an enchanted horn, and recovers magic items from a forbidden vault. A daring escape on a magic horse leads to a rescue, unexpected revelations about heritage, and a surprising wedding.
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Widower King Marries Too Fast
- King mourns at his wife's burial mound for two years while his son Sigurður urges change.
- The king impulsively declares a new marriage after meeting Ingibjörg, shocking Sigurður and starting the tale.
Stepmother Revealed As A Giant
- Sigurður spies on his stepmother and discovers she is a Jotun (giantess) with a giant sister.
- The sister curses Sigurður to be "half scorched and half withered," forcing him on a quest.
Follow The String And Gift Rings
- Ingibjörg gives Sigurður three rings and a ball of string and instructs him to follow the string to the cliffs.
- She tells him to give rings to progressively larger sisters and to wrestle each, using a horn to gain strength.
