Saga of Aslaug
The Saga of Aslaug (known in Chelti as Áslaug Insahtuáis) is the fifth of the fourteen sagas within the Orkanan religious text, the Scriptures. This saga narrates the story of how the burial mound of Aldo and his wife Alda—the first couple in Orkanan beliefs—becomes infested by the monstrous Waldwyrm, the first among the children of the fire giant Wald. The Waldwyrm defeats all efforts to remove him and cleanse the mound, until Aslaug, the youngest daughter of the House of Ingulf, enlists the aid of the twin friendly giants, Sviksemi and Innsúðn, to use trickery and finally end the curse. Declared a hero, Aslaug travels south, marries the King of the Southern Ocean, and decades later, faces the dragon Gurthog, a child of the Waldwyrm. Though she kills the dragon, Aslaug is mortally wounded and dies. Her son, Valdemar Helgand, cremates her and erects a great tower on the site of her victory.
Traditionally, the saga is attributed to Exemplar Valdemar Helgand, but recent scholarship suggests it was written in two distinct parts. The first part, dealing with the killing of the Waldwyrm, is believed to be based on oral and written traditions from the early days of the Orkanan Realm of Stoldavia. The second part, which deals with Aslaug's later life and her battle with the dragon, is thought to have been added during the height of the Greater Stoldavic Empire's power in the 5500s, during a period of rapid expansion.
Anisoran critic Giulia Pastore, in her commentary on the Fourteen Sagas, notes that the Saga of Aslaug is unique within the Orkanan canon for portraying the natural world as something to be feared as well as loved. The oldest surviving copy of the manuscript was destroyed during the Pan-Anarian War, but copies exist in Uöstvallen, Aschgæt, and Pena.
Structure
The saga is structured as a diptych—a story told in two parts—with scholarly debate about the exact division. The division could occur directly after Aslaug carves her legendary spear or following her marriage to the King of the Southern Ocean. Regardless of the precise split, the first half of the saga focuses on Aslaug's quest to defeat the Waldwyrm, while the second half deals with the repercussions of that act on her later life.
The saga is written as an epic poem, with each half divided into roughly nine chapters of varying lengths. Each chapter is further subdivided into numerous verses. There is also a prologue that explains how the Waldwyrm came to infest the tomb, and an epilogue describing how Aslaug's son Valdemar mourned her and buried her.
Summary
The saga begins with the fire giant Wald brooding in his workshop, envious of humanity's exalted place in Vind's grand design. Dismissing human potential, Wald bets with the sternward Sigu that he could create something truly glorious, superior to humanity. After several failed attempts, including the creation of the salamander and the phoenix, Wald produces an egg. Sigu, sensing Wald's anger and obsession has tainted the egg, recoils. Wald, however, is initially proud until the egg hatches to reveal the coiled scales of the Waldwyrm. Realizing Sigu was right, Wald abandons his creation, and the Waldwyrm, now left to its own devices, grows monstrous in the fires of Hel.
As the Waldwyrm becomes too powerful and even frightens Wald, it is banished from the realm of fire and takes residence in the realm of men. It claims the hallowed burial mound of Aldo and Alda, the first couple, as its lair and begins terrorizing the surrounding countryside. All attempts to dislodge the creature fail; it can breathe fire and use a hypnotic gaze to enchant would-be heroes.
Part One
The saga's first part details how the chief of the House of Ingulf, Alfdan Alfwinsson, issues a call for the bravest warriors to assemble and confront the Waldwyrm. After many fail, Aslaug steps forward, demonstrating both courage and cunning. With the help of the twin giants, Sviksemi and Innsúðn, and through a combination of bravery and clever tactics, she manages to defeat the Waldwyrm, thereby cleansing the sacred mound and earning herself great honor.
Composition, Authorship, and Genre
Scholars widely agree that the saga's composition reflects its dual structure, with a clear break between its two halves. The first half, focused on the mythical elements and the quest to defeat the Waldwyrm, is considered more archaic, reflecting earlier oral traditions. The second half is more political and strategic, showcasing the later period's focus on expansion and consolidation.
The saga's genre is primarily epic, blending mythological elements with heroism and adventure. It draws on a wide range of sources, from oral histories and earlier texts to contemporary political concerns during its time of compilation.
Themes
Key themes in the saga include the duality of nature—both a source of life and a realm of fear—the power of cunning and intellect over brute strength, and the consequences of past actions influencing future generations. The story's portrayal of Aslaug as a female hero stands out within the broader context of the Orkanan canon, offering a nuanced depiction of heroism that combines both martial prowess and wisdom.
Conservation
The oldest known copy of the Saga of Aslaug was lost in the Pan-Anarian War, reflecting the often-troubled history of the Orkanan texts. Surviving copies, carefully preserved in various centers of learning and religious study, continue to be a vital part of Orkanan literature and are still studied for their rich historical and cultural insights.
Interpretation and Criticism
Critics have long debated the saga's unique portrayal of nature and its ambivalent attitude towards the natural world, which departs from more traditional Orkanan depictions that focus on harmony with nature. Scholars like Giulia Pastore argue that this reflects a transitional period in Orkanan thought, where older beliefs were being reconciled with newer, more expansive views brought about by the Greater Stoldavic Empire's growth.
See Also
Notes
- The precise division point in the saga remains a subject of scholarly debate.