The divine smith, a legend of vengeance
The divine smith shared by Germanic and Norse legend, matchless in craft. Captured by the greedy king Níðuðr, hamstrung and imprisoned on a lonely island, he was forced to forge treasures for the king day and night. Völund’s vengeance was cold and complete: he killed the king’s two sons, set their skulls in silver as drinking cups and gave them to the king, and at last forged a pair of wings and flew off over the sea — the humiliated craftsman won back freedom and honor with his own hands.
Hamstrung and imprisoned on the island, Völund feigned obedience while secretly plotting. He lured and killed the king’s two sons, made their skulls into cups, their eyes into gems, and their teeth into ornaments, and gave each in turn to the unknowing royal house. His vengeance complete, he put on the wings he had forged, rose into the air, told the king all before his face, and flew away — the most chilling craftsman’s revenge in Norse legend.
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.