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.