Volsung

King of the Huns. Volsung was the son of Rerir.

Volsung's mother died giving birth to Volsung. Volsung experienced no infancy because his mother's pregnancy lasted for six years. Volsung could already talk when he was born. His childhood was short; he rapidly grew as huge and strong as any man. Volsung succeeded his father and became king of the Huns.

Volsung married Ljod (Hljod, Hljóð), daughter of the giantess Hrimnir. Ljod was probably a Valkyrie ("wish-maiden"). Volsung became father of the twins, Sigmund and Signy, and nine other sons. By the time Signy was old enough to marry, Volsung had incredibly fought in six score battles (120 battles) during his reign as king, and had never been defeated. But this was soon to change.

Volsung agreed to marry Signy to the Siggeir, king of the Goths. He did not believe his daughter's premonition that Siggeir was treacherous (or he believed her but chose not to let fear make him a coward), ignoring her pleads not to come and visit her in Gothland. As Volsung and his sons reached Siggeir's territory, they were ambushed. Volsung died in the fighting while all his sons were captured. Only Sigmund survived to avenge him and his sons.