d.

3. There they stayed seven winters through; but all the eighth were
with longing seized; and in the ninth fate parted them. The maidens
yearned for the murky wood, the young Alvit, fate to fulfil.

4. Prom the chase came the ardent hunters, Slagfid and Egil, found
their house deserted, went out and in, and looked around. Egil went
east after Olrun, and Slagfid west after Svanhvit;

5. But Volund alone remained in Ulfdal. He the red gold set with the
hard gem, well fastened all the rings on linden bast, and so awaited
his bright consort, if to him she would return.

6. It was told to Nidud, the Niarars' lord, that Volund alone
remained in Ulfdal. In the night went men, in studded corslets, their
shields glistened in the waning moon.

7. From their saddles they alighted at the house's gable, thence
went in through the house. On the bast they saw the rings all drawn,
seven hundred, which the warrior owned.

8. And they took them off, and they put them on, all save one, which
they bore away. Came then from the chase the ardent hunter, Volund,
gliding[45] on the long way.

9. To the fire he went, bear's flesh to roast. Soon blazed the
brushwood, and the arid fir, the wind-dried wood, before Volund.

10. On the bearskin sat, his rings counted, the Alfar's companion:
one was missing. He thought that Hlodver's daughter had it, the young
Alvit, and that she was returned.

11. So long he sat until he slept; and he awoke of joy bereft: on
his hands he felt heavy constraints, and round his feet fetters
clasped.

12. "Who are the men that on the rings' possessor have laid bonds?
and me have bound?"

13. Then cried Nidud, the Niarars' lord: "Whence gottest thou,
Volund! Alfars' chief![46] our gold, in Ulfdal?"

14. "No gold was here in Grani's path, far I thought our land from
the hills of Rhine. I mind me that we more treasures possessed, when,
a whole family, we were at home.

15. Hladgud and Hervor were of Hlodver born; known was Olrun, Kiar's
daughter, she entered into the house, stood on the floor, her voice
moderated: Now is he not mirthful, who from the forest comes."

King Nidud gave to his daughter Bodvild the ring which had been taken
from the bast in Volund's house; but he himself bore the sword that
had belonged to Volund. The queen said:

16. His teeth he shows, when the sword he sees, and Bodvild's ring
he recognizes: threatening are his eyes as a glistening serpent's: let
be severed his sinews'