The Half-Troll, Or The Three Swords

Once upon a time there was a blacksmith, "and many people are," as all fairy tales say begin. He had finished his spring work, and was going out into the woods to chop wood for a coal-mila. When he had eaten breakfast and was ready to go, he said to his wife: "you will surely come to me with dinner, out by the pine grove?” The woman promised to do as her husband had said. The blacksmith then went to the forest, and began to cut. When it now suffered against dinner, his wife, as it seemed, came to him with food. The man ate. Then he went to bed to "rest for dinner", as is the custom summer time, and slept for a while on the woman's arm.
When they had slept a wink, the wife got up and went on her way, but took the blacksmith's ax with him. "What are you going to do with the axe?" asked the blacksmith. »Hang there four axes at home on the ax hanger?» The woman did not answer, but continued his journey. This seemed strange to the man; but he thought: »hon put the ax by some bush, where I can find it again.» The blacksmith then again began to pile up wood for his coal mile.
After a while, the blacksmith's wife came walking to her husband dinner meal. She asked: »don't you want to eat your dinner? it's already long the suffering of the day.» The blacksmith was amazed and retorted: 'eat now? What is that for eating?' "Yes," the wife excused herself, "of course I have come to." linger over time; but still I have not been idle. I have baked, that you would get bread, I have churned, that you would get butter.» Then the blacksmith was even more amazed, and thought to himself that must have been badly ordered. He then sat down to eat what he had ability; but did not speak, but seemed to him best to let everything be as it was.
About seven years after this event, it happened that the blacksmith one evening stood on his wood-shed and chopped evening wood. Then there came a »here» (boy), who carried an ax on his arm. The blacksmith asked: »What is missing from your axe? Should it be boiled (cooked) or poached?» The boy did not answer. The blacksmith now took the axe, and examined her very carefully. He said: »the ax is wrong nothing; but shame on me! isn't that _my_ axe.» Then the army said: 'if it is your axe, so is J and my father.' The blacksmith must now be felt his son, as he had felt by his axe, therefore went much troubled in to his wife and told that a little boy had come, who he wanted help in the forge. But the wife would not listen there is talk of some addition to the household, which, she said, was already there before big enough. Only after many prayers did the man succeed in persuading her. The boy was then brought into the cabin, given food and clothes, and followed days his father in the forge.
It now suffered some time away. Heren was both quick-witted and willing, and besides mighty strong, because she was _half Christen and half Troll_. But he was also very heavy-handed, and had 'such a good food heart', that in the end his father did not see fit to give birth to him anymore. The blacksmith therefore went one day to the royal court and asked, if not the king's head chef wanted a boy to help him in the kitchen. »Yes», ​​melted the cook, »I need him now more than ever. Let the arrow come here, right the sooner, the better.” Then the blacksmith was happy, and thought to himself: "If my son comes to the royal court, he'll probably learn to eat himself at some point." measured." The man then went home, and told how his business had turned out.
When the lord heard these papers, he said: "Father, now is my request, that J forged me three swords: one that weighs three lis pounds, one that weighs six pounds, and one weighing twelve pounds. Besides, J is going to get me three _linen-coats_, one for each sword. Done J this as me pray, I want to win so much money that J will never have to forge more for emergency turf». The poor blacksmith had great trouble to collect so much iron and steel, which were forged into the three swords; but he did not dare make his son against. Now that everything was ready according to the boy's request, it weighed third sword not more than eleven pounds; for a pound of iron had been burnt away in the hearth. Then the lord became angry, and said: "were not my father, as J it is, J myself would be allowed to try your work. Now stands hard, if I can thus do myself some good.” When the blacksmith saw his son's anger became he afraid, and kept silent; but he thought to himself: "The sword must stay." you heavy enough to handle, even though you are strong. I know what trouble it cost me to lift it from the hearth to the anvil." -- The boy took so the three swords and the three linen robes, and hid them under an earthen firmament Stone. Then he went with his father to the king's court, and entered service at the cook's, as promised.
It happened once that the king, who ruled over the country, was out in management. Then there was a fierce storm and sea-going, so that everyone believed it the ship, with all that was on it, would perish in the sea. But the hard one the weather was caused by three sea trolls; and they would not let go the king ashore, unless he brings them his three beautiful ones promised to them daughters. Now when the king came home to his place, he had an edict issued, that if there was any man and fighter who wanted to risk his life and save them the three princesses, he would get one of them to wife, and stay there king over half the kingdom. But no fighter was so angry that he consoled a fight against the terrible sea-trolls, except for one tailor, who stood very bold, and promised to do all he could.
When the time came for the king's daughters to be left out the sea troll, became a general mourning and lamentation over the whole kingdom; but the king and his consort, the queen, mourned the most. The oldest the princess was thus brought down to the sea with much state, and all the people followed her on the road. When they had now reached the sea's edge, the crowd began to line up on the white sand, resting hand against cheek, and shed brave tears. But the manly tailor forgot his big words, and crawled up in one tall tree, which grew in the same place.
Meanwhile the army went to his master, and was asked leave to go out the city and get lost for a while. The cook granted his request, but asked him not long gone. The boy then ran home, took the sword, who weighed three pounds, pulled the linen coat over his clothes, attracted his dog, and walked the way forward to the sea shore. When he came to the place where the king's daughter sat, he went forward, greeted her in a courtly whisper, and asked: »why is the beautiful maiden sitting here so alone and sad?” The princess retorted: 'I must be sad; my father have been in distress at sea, and promised me to a cruel sea-troll. I was afraid, it will soon take me, poor maiden.' The boy asked: »is there then in all your father's kingdom there is no man and warrior who can save your life?' 'Well,' answered the princess, 'there is a tailor sitting here in this tree. He has promised to do what he can.' At this point the army turned around and looked everywhere the tailor sat high in the fir-top, he smiled, saying: »Virgin! the ways do not trust such a fighter. But if J will heal me for a while, I will save your life." This seemed to the king's daughter to be a bold one request; but in her great distress she did not dare to refuse. Then the boy spoke his dog: »little _Faithful_, sit faithfully on guard!» then he put his head on the maiden's lap, and she healed him. The tailor sat in silence the fir tree, and looked up there. But the king's daughter pulled out a red silk thread his shirt, and plaited unnoticed into his long locks of hair.
At the same time, a strong roar and noise was heard from the lake, the waves went high up on land, and out of the depths came a hideous sea-animal, which had three heads. The troll's dog was as big as a year-old bull-calf. The wonder asked: "Where is the king's daughter, who was promised to me?" The boy retorted: 'she's sitting here. But you must go so close that we get spoken at.' The troll said: "Do you intend, little booty, to run errands along?" me?" 'No,' replied the knight, 'I have come to fight for the young man the princess.' "Yes, well," said the troll, "but then we will let our dogs go." drawn first.» 'I am satisfied with that,' said the knight.
The boy and the sea troll now incited their dogs to battle, and there it was an angry fight between them. The game ended so that the boy's dog, the little Faithful, bit the troll's dog's neck until the blood ran out and The sea dog was left lying dead on the sand. Then the gentleman said: »now you see what treatment your dog has received; it will be the same for you.» He went then forward to the troll, drew his sword, which weighed three lispounds, and struck, so all three of the troll's heads dumped (fell) into the lake. This became the sea troll's bane. When the maiden saw this journey, she exclaimed along great joy of the heart: "now I am saved!" She prayed so that the stranger the warrior would follow her home to the king's court, and there receive honor and reward for his great service. But the army denied this and said, that his assistance was a small and shabby thing, which was not worth it to talk a lot. The boy then seized some beads and ornaments, which the sea troll had carried, took a courtly farewell of the king's daughter, and walked hurriedly on his way.
While this was going on, the manly tailor sat in the fir-top and awaited the outcome of the battle with great fear. Now that the danger was past, crawl he hurried down, drew his sword, and forced the king's daughter to lay down ed, he and no one else had been the one who saved her. Then went they gather at the king's farm, and learn where one might well know what joy there was, when the princess came back unharmed. The king immediately obeyed prepared a great feast, but the journeyman tailor was set by his side, and was considered the best fighter by the whole court.
On the second day the middle princess was to be taken out to the sea troll, and there was now the same sadness as before. But like the brave tailor had saved the eldest king's daughter, many thought that he and would save her sister. They therefore put a lot of trust in it the journeyman tailor, and he himself did not allow big and proud words to be missed. The young princess was then taken down to the sea, and all the people accompanied her on the way. When they now arrived, the king's daughter sat down down on the sea-shore, and wept bitterly, so that her tears fell on the white sand. But the tailor did not think it advisable to stay there he was, but climbed up the tree, and hid himself between its branches, as last time.
While this was going on, the knight went to his master and said: "Master! given me leave to go out into the city and lose myself. Yesterday I barely had time to look around." The chef replied: 'if the tailor wins victory over the troll, there will be a greater number of guests here today than yesterday, and I prepare the food alone. Over there stands a vessel, which holds aderton sows water; I have no one to help me get a single one in bucket.' Then the lord asked if he could go away, since he had filled the water tub. The cook agreed to this, and thought to himself, that it would surely be evening before the tub could be filled. But the boy got it large tub between his hands, ran to the well, and brought it up like that full, that the water played over all the brims. In addition, he took out some beautiful pearls, and thrust his master into the hand, which he accepted well please. When the cook perceived the boy's immense strength, he did not dare further refused his prayer, but said: "Go in peace, but do not tarry long." away!" The boy then ran home after the sword, which weighed six pounds, drew the linen coat over his clothes, lured his dog, and walked the way forward against the sea.
When he came to the place where the king's daughter was sitting on the lake shore and wept, the tailor was overjoyed, where he crawled up the spruce top. But the boy did not allow himself to be noticed, but walked up to the princess, greeted her in a courtly whisper, and asked: "beautiful maiden!" whi sitting here so sad and alone?' The queen's daughter replied: 'I may well be sad; my father has been in distress at sea and has promised me away a naughty sea troll. I'm afraid, it will soon come and take me, arma Virgin.' The boy said: "There is not a man in all your father's kingdom." and warrior, who can save your lives?' 'Well,' replied the princess, 'that a manly tailor sits here in this fir tree. He has promised salvation me, as he saved my sister.' At these words the army turned, and saw where the tailor sat at the top of the tree. Then the boy smiled, and said: "Virgin! do not put your trust in such a fighter. But if J will delete me for a while, I will save your life." This seemed to the king's daughter be a bold request, but in her great distress she consented to do as he prayed. Then the lord spoke to his dog: "Little Faithful, sit faithfully." on guard!" Then he laid his head on the maiden's lap, and she cured him. The journeyman tailor sat quietly in the tree and looked up. But The king's daughter pulled a black silk thread from her cloak, and braided it unnoticed into her long hair.
At the same time, Trogen began to bark, and there was a strong growl and roar into the lake, so that the waves rolled high up on the sand. Now emerged from deep a huge sea troll, who was naughty to look at and had sex the head. The troll's dog was as big as a ten-year-old ox. The wonder asked: "Where is the princess who was promised to me?" The boy retorted: 'she is here, but you must get close enough that we can be spoken to.' The troll said: "Perhaps you want to fight with me, little prey?" Heren retorted: 'it is why I have come here.' The troll spoke: "Yesterday hit." you kill my brother; today I will be your boss. However, we will let our dogs are drawn first.» 'I am satisfied with that,' said the knight.
They now incited their dogs to battle, and a furious fight ensued between them. The game was so successful that the boy's dog, little Trogen, bit the troll's dog in the throat, until the blood ran out and he lay dead at the lake. Then the gentleman said: "You see what a deal your dog has gotten; now shall May it be the same for you.» He then walked towards the troll, swung his sword, which weighed six pounds, and cut, so that all the trolls six heads tumbled into the water. This became the sea troll's bane. When When the king's daughter saw this journey, she was overjoyed and exclaimed with it the heart's desire: "now I am saved!" She then asked that the stranger the fighter would accompany her to her father's farm, and there escape honor and reward for his great service. But the here denied this and said that his assistance was a small thing, which would not be worth much mention. The boy then seized some pearls and ornaments which the sea troll had worn, took a courtly farewell of the king's daughter, and went hastily on his way.
While the battle was going on, the tailor, up in the fir-top, was almost half dead for anxiety and fear. When all danger was over, he quickly crawled down of the tree, drew his sword, and forced the king's daughter to swear, it he and no one else had been the one who saved her. The princess was not very willing to this; but she feared for her life, and dared not refuse. The tailor then brought her to the king's court, where they were received with great joy and honour. Then an even more excellent one was arranged guest offer, than what had been the day before. The journeyman tailor was set closest to the king, and was held in great honor and reverence by all. Self he spoke many proud words, and highly praised his manly exploits.
On the third day the youngest king's daughter was to be brought out to the sea troll. Then there was an even greater sadness than the one caused, not just over the king's court, but over the whole kingdom; for all loved the princess, for her beauty and gentleness. Many now put their trust in it the manly tailor, that he would save the king's daughter, as he did save her sisters; but the princess herself would not be comforted, but wept bitterly. She was then taken to the sea, and sat on sea ​​beach. But the journeyman tailor forgot all his great promises, and crawled up the tall fir, as he was wont to do.
During all these hours the cook-boy went to his master and said: "Master! gave me permission to once again lose myself in the city. I won't soon ask you for permission to go out." As now the chef knew the boy's prodigious strength, and in addition his liberality, he did not want to refuse such a small prayer, but said: "Go in peace!" but stay not long gone. If the tailor wins, here today will be a lot bigger guest offer than ever added.» Heren then took out some golden ones jewels, and stabbed his master in the hand, which the cook agreed to Please, if the story doesn't lie otherwise. Then the boy ran away, and fetched the third sword, which should have weighed twelve lis pounds, but weighed only eleven. When he swung it in his hand and noticed how easily it where, he became angry again, and said to the blacksmith: "were not my father, as J it is, J myself would taste it. Now it's up to me to get lucky return or get my bane.» Heren then tied the sword to his side, drew the linen coat over his clothes, lured his dog, and walked the way forward against the sea.
When he came to the place where the king's daughter sat and wept sea ​​shore, the tailor rejoiced up in the fir-top. But heren sounded did not notice, but went up to the princess, saluted in a courtly whisper, and asked: "beautiful maiden!" hvi sat J here so sad and fell tears on the cheek?” The king's daughter answered: 'I may well shed tears; my father have been in distress at sea and promised myself away to a sea-troll. I was scared it will soon take me, poor maiden.' When the journeyman saw hers sadness, the heart was moved in his chest, for he had never turned a corner like that seen added. He asked: »is there then in all your father's kingdom no one man and warrior who can save your lives?' 'Well,' said mön, 'there is one sitting manly tailor up in this fir tree. He has promised to save me, as he saved both my sisters.' At these words the lord turned round, and saw where the tailor sat at the top of the tree. Then he smiled, and said: »noble maiden! do not put your trust in such a fighter. But if J will heal me for a while, I will risk my life for you.» 'It wants I would like to do it,' said the king's daughter; for she loved the journeyman, for his for the sake of speed. Then the lord spoke to his dog, and said: "Little Faithful, stay faithfully on guard!” Then he laid his head in the maiden's lap, and slept a wink, while she released him. But when the king's daughter became aware the threads which her sisters had plaited in the boy's hair, it occurred to her strange before; she then drew a silken thread out of her scarlet cloak, and tied it unnoticed among the journeyman's curls.
At the same time, Trogen began to bark, and a strong growl was heard from it the sea. Then the knight said: "It is time to get up." Beautiful maiden! given me your apron, we should be able to benefit from it.» The queen's daughter did as he prayed, and the journeyman cut the garment into twelve pieces with his sword. Now there was a violent tumult in the water, so that the waves were thrown high up on the dry land, and there came a terrible sea-troll, who had twelve the skulls, one more naughty to look at than the other. The troll's dog was big, like the biggest bull. The wonder asked: »where is the princess, who Was I promised?” The boy retorted: 'she is here; but you must go so close that we can be spoken to.' The troll spoke: "perhaps you will, small change! kill me today, as you killed my brothers before?” Here answered: 'that is why I have come here.' The troll said: "bide! this is where you meet your boss. However, we will let our dogs be pulled first." 'I am satisfied with that,' replied the army.
They now incited their dogs to battle, and a furious fight ensued. But the play came to a hasty end, for the troll dog seized the lord's dog with its teeth, and devoured him in one mouthful. This became Trogen's bane, and seemed to be a bad omen. Heren, however, was not intimidated, but went forward, and slashed manfully with the sword, so that all the troll's twelve the head fell into the lake. But the troll had a strange species, for when one head was cut off, and came into the water, it came back to life, jumped up and immediately remained seated as before. When the army perceived this, he cried out to the king's daughter and said: "noble maiden! now good advice is expensive. Lay a flap of your apron at the neck-end, as soon as I cut off the head, otherwise, it will wobble again.» The journeyman then cut the second cut, so that a head fell to the ground; but the king's daughter was at once ready, and did as he had said. Heren then cut the third cut, and oh nyo fell a head; but the princess was ready again, and folded a tab of his apron over the neck-end. Also the fourth cut. When the army having thus cut off seven heads, the troll began to pray to himself, and said: "quiet your sword, for I would like to leave the maiden in peace, only I can draw the insult.” But the army was angry, and said: "No." may you think to get out of here alive, since I have once won victory over you." At the same time he swung his sword, and cut heavily to, so that one head fell to the ground after another; but The king's daughter was always ready, and put a cloth-flap on the wound. The did not light until the journeyman cut off all the troll's twelve heads; and this became the sea troll's bane. But in the meantime the tailor sat up in the fir-top, and did not dare to move because of anxiety and fear.
When the battle was over, the king's daughter exclaimed with the joy of her heart: "Now am I saved!” Then she thanked her fighter for his manly assistance, and asked him to accompany her to her father's farm, that he might be honored there and reward. But the army refused her request, and meant not to Deserved words are said about the little service he was able to do. He then grabbed a few of them the troll's jewelry, took a fond farewell of the fair king's daughter, and took their journeys.
When the boy had gone, the journeyman tailor quickly climbed down from the tree, drew his sword, and threatened the princess with death if she did not want to swear that he, and no one else, was the one who saved her from the sea troll. This seemed to the king's daughter a bad sign, for her heart played to the young fighter, who looked so manly to her risked his life. In her distress she nevertheless did not dare to refuse, but promised make according to the tailor's request. They then walked together towards the king's farm. The princess was discouraged, and said little; but the tailor walked by her side with proud steps and great efforts, as had he had been the bravest fighter. When now the king noticed from afar their arrival, he was very happy, because he had not thought to see them again her daughter with her life. He thus drew them to meet his whole court, as well as great honors. And there was joy in the king's court, that the three princesses were saved; and a great reputation for the manly the tailor went out over the whole kingdom.
It was now approaching the hour that the banquet was to begin; but no food was presented on the tables. Then the king was disappointed, and sent his youngest daughter to ask why the meal was not ready. The chef apologized himself, that his servant has been away, so that he alone must arrange The food. The princess returned with such a message. When she passed by the cook-boy, it struck her strangely, that he turned away, and when she looked at him more closely, she recognized the brave fighter, who had just fought for her. Now the king's daughter was happy, and ran hurried in to her sisters to tell what she had heard and seen.
While the princesses were talking about this, the king, their father, came and got hear what they said. Then he marveled, and sternly commanded his men daughters, to openly confess how everything had turned out. The youngest The king's daughter now told everything, as it was, from the beginning end, and the older princesses confirmed her speech. But the king stayed very angry at the tailor's falsehood, and at the same time was glad to know retaliate the right fighter. He then sent word that the chef-svenner would immediately come in for him.
When the message arrived, there was great wonder among all the king's servants and little journeymen. But the cook-boy did not want to go, but said: "How shall it be?" I come before the king; I am a small man and dressed in small clothes." Budet replied that he did the best in obeying the king's will. Then went the army boldly up into the hall, whence the king sat at table with all their guests; and the tailor had his place by the king's side. When now the journeyman tailor saw the brave fighter who had saved the princesses, he faded to earth; but the king turned to the cook-boy, and asked in a loud voice: "Is it you who saved my three daughters?" Here replied boldly: 'everyone knows that not I, but the tailor have done it.' "No," cried the king's daughters in unison, "it was you who saved us, and here sit the three silk threads that we braided into your hair, the day you lay on our lap.» The princesses ran looked forward, embraced the journeyman cook, and each sought out his silken thread sometimes his long curls. Now everyone understood that it was true, as it were the king's daughters had told. But the king said: "if it was you, who save the princesses, you shall also have wages for that. I give you mine youngest daughter, and in addition half my country and kingdom.»
Now there was great excitement and excitement over the whole royal court, and the wedding party was celebrated with joy and gusto. But the manly tailor slipped away disgraced away from the guest house, and the saga tells us nothing about his future masterpiece.