Hámund Hjörrsson (born c. 850), also called Hámund Hel-hide (Old Norse: Hámund Heljarskinn) due to his dark complexion, was a Viking who lived during the 9th century. He was the older twin brother of Geirmund and the son of Ljuvina and Hjörr.
Biography[]
Early life[]
In 850, Ljufvina gave birth to Hámund and Geirmund prematurely while Hjorr was away. After seeing that the twins resembled her people and not at all their father, Ljufvina was scared, thinking that Hjorr would believe she married him already pregnant. Ágáða, a thrall that had given birth around the same time understood this and they traded children. For four summers, Ágáða raised Geirmund and Hámund as her own children. Bragi Boddason made Ljufvina admit to the subterfuge, and the children were traded back. Along with this, Ljufvina freed Ágáða from slavery and Hjorr gave her and her husband land to live in, though also prohibited Geirmund and Hámund from meeting with her for some time.[1]
The hunting trip[]
One day, Hámund and Geirmund tracked a deer to the outskirts of the village of Olund, near the frontier with Hordaland. It began as a simple hunt for small animals near Avaldsnes, but then changed into a three day expedition for bigger prey. Hámund shot the deer, but the arrow failed to kill it instantly, allowing it to scream and leave a trail of blood before it died, catching the attention of a wolf pack. Hámund proposed leaving the deer to the wolves, but Geirmund considered the prizes: meat, pelt, and antlers. The wolves surrounded the brothers and they readied for the attack: Hámund with his bow and Geirmund with a sword and an axe. In the fight that followed, they managed to kill six of the wolves before the pack retreated, though not without injury. The brothers decided to make camp as the night fell.[2]
Hámund had difficulties lighting the campfire, though he managed to get it going. He stumbled as he stood up and fell on the ground. Geirmund ran to his brother, finding a bloody injury Hámund had concealed from him. Geirmund then proceeded to use his axe to cauterize Hámund's injury, heating it on the fire and then pressing it on him to close the wound. Geirmund bandaged Hámund and set to work making a sleigh to take him back to Avaldsnes for a healer, so grave was his state. He used pelts from the wolves they killed and used his axe to chop down a couple of trees for it. He tied Hámund and their weapons to the sleigh, leaving behind the rest they'd brought and some of the deer meat as well, then set off for Avaldsnes during the night.[2]
Geirmund dragged the sleigh for two days, only taking minimal breaks to check on Hámund, cook the deer meat and nap twice. The exhaustion and pain was strong at the dawn of the third day and by noon, Geirmund could take no longer. He stopped by a small lake and collapsed onto wet leaves. Geirmund checked on Hámund, finding him pale, though without a fever. Geirmund allowed himself to sleep and when he opened his eyes again it was night. Finding him awake, Geirmund released Hámund from the sleigh so he could relieve himself and offered some of the deer meat on his return.[3]
Geirmund retied Hámund to the sleigh, though this time Hámund asked his brother for his sword, expecting his own death. Geirmund assured him his destiny wasn't over, and that their father would go fetch him from Valhalla if it happened, but gave him the sword anyway. Hámund thanked him and they set off once again. It began to rain just before sunrise and Hámund asked his brother to cover his face, which Geirmund did, taking note of how strongly Hámund held the sword.[3]
The rain was heavy and soaked them, with the mud making the trek even more difficult and making the brothers fall. On the third fall, Hámund asked about shelter and upon learning there were none nearby, he begged his brother to leave him and find a healer, but Geirmund refused to leave his side. He pressed on, though doubt clouded his mind.[3]
They heard horses approach and voices curse the muddied roads and the rain. Steinólfur was accompanied by his charge, Skjalgi, and other four men from Avaldsnes. The men started to remove the sleigh ropes from Geirmund, as he explained what happened during the hunt near Olund. One of the men, Egil, offered to take the older twin on his horse, as it was the strongest. Steinólfur sent the men off, staying behind with Skjalgi to check on Geirmund's wounds.[3]
After arriving at Avaldsnes, Hámund was treated by the seer Yrsa[4] and two other healers, who informed Geirmund that Hámund would live and still have full use of his drawing arm.[5]
Guthrum visits Avaldsnes[]
Hámund's shoulder healed well, though slowly. Come winter, Hámund had the the wolf pelts cleaned and made a public gift of them to his father, dedicating his victory over the beasts to him and excluding Geirmund's contributions entirely. After hearing of Guthrum's coming visit, Geirmund invited Hámund to go fishing, wanting to talk to him about going raiding with the Dane and to ask for his help to convince their father to give them a ship for raiding. Hámund said that he would do what he could.[6]
Six days later, Guthrum arrived at Hjorr's hall. After a feast, they retired to the council room. Guthrum's request for men and ships were denied by Hjorr, who was careful to not send away his forces as a possible war with Harad of Sogn approached, and the discussions heated up before Guthrum excused himself. Geirmund then informed his parents he would sail with Guthrum and that Hámund supported him in this. Questioned by his father, Hámund said that though he did support Geirmund, his mind was changed by meeting Guthrum. Geirmund, incensed by his brother's betrayal, swore off his family relations and left the longhouse.[6] Before Geirmund could sail away with Guthrum the following day, Hámund left his sword with Steinólfur to give to his brother.[7]
The whale roads[]
Some time after Geirmund's departure, Hámund told his parents that he wanted to make his own way and took to the whale roads, trading and forming alliances.[8] In 878, he returned to Jorvik to see his mother after the death of his father at the Battle of Chippenham.[9] After Geirmund discovered that Alfred of Wessex and Guthrum were working together, he and his company, the Hel-hides, left England and joined Hámund at sea, where they gained fame and fortune.[10]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 23
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 2
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 3
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 4
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 5
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 6
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 24
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 31
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga – Epilogue
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