Now whenas Sigmund is loosed and the stocks are
broken, he dwells in the woods and holds himself there; but Signy sends
yet again to wot of the tidings, whether Sigmund were alive or no; but
when those who were sent came to him, he told them all as it had betid,
and how things had gone betwixt him and the wolf; so they went home and
tell Signy the tidings; but she goes and finds her brother, and they take
counsel in such wise as to make a house underground in the wild-wood;
and so things go on a while, Signy hiding him there, and sending him such
things as he needed; but King Siggeir deemed that all the Volsungs were
dead.
Now Siggeir had two sons by his wife, whereof it is
told that when the eldest was ten winters old, Signy sends him to Sigmund,
so that he might give him help, if he would in any wise strive to avenge
his father; so the youngling goes to the wood, and comes late in evening-tide
to Sigmund's earth-house; and Sigmund welcomed him in seemly fashion,
and said that he should make ready their bread; "But I," said he, "will
go seek firewood."
Therewith he gives the meal-bag into his hands while
he himself went to fetch firing; but when he came back the youngling
had done naught at the bread-making. Then asks Sigmund if the bread
be ready --
Says the youngling, "I durst not set hand to the meal
sack, because somewhat quick lay in the meal."
Now Sigmund deemed he wotted that the lad was of no
such heart as that he would be fain to have him for his fellow; and
when he met his sister, Sigmund said that he had come no nigher to the
aid of a man though the youngling were with him.
Then said Signy, "Take him and kill him then; for why
should such an one live longer?" and even so he did.
So this winter wears, and the next winter Signy sent
her next son to Sigmund; and there is no need to make a long tale thereof,
for in like wise went all things, and he slew the child by the counsel
of Signy.