Fenrir (Old Norse: Hróðvitnir; meaning: fen-dweller) is a giant, monstrous wolf and the son of Loki and the Giantess Angrboda. He is the brother of Hel and Jörmungandr.
Biography
When he was born, Fenrir looked like a puppy, and since Odin already had two wolves as companions, the gods brought the wolf cub to Asgard. But the cub grew and became larger and more fearsome than any wolf or dog. Soon, the gods became afraid of it. Only Týr had the courage to feed it. The gods saw that Fenrir was growing rapidly every day and the prophecies foretold that Fenrir was destined to cause great sorrow among them, so they decided to bind him. First came Odin with the thick rope Leyding and suggested that the wolf should test his strength with it. Fenrir broke the rope with ease. The gods then came with a new fetter called Dromi. They told Fenrir that he would achieve great fame if he was able to break the chain they had brought. Even this fetter was broken.
The god Freyr sent a servant to the dwarves in Niðavellir to see if they could make a fetter that could trap the beast. From the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird the dwarves formed the fetter Gleipnir. The gods brought the fetter to Fenrir and asked him to test his strength with it. The gods said that not even they could break the fetter. When Fenrir saw the silken thread, he who had his father's cunning, said that such a small ribbon would not bring any man any glory for breaking and that he feared a treasonous intent with such a test. Fenrir than said to prove that the gods where not trying to trick him, one of them should put their hand in his mouth. Týr volunteered to put his left hand in Fenrir's mouth. Then the gods placed Gleipnir around Fenrir's neck and the beast found himself stuck. The gods laughed at him, all but Týr, for he was now one-handed.
In Vikings
Fenrir is often mentioned in the tales told through the series. When the Seer tells the story of Ragnarok to Athelstan, he includes Fenrir's role in the ultimate battle. The story of how the gods bound Fenrir in magical chains is recounted by Floki and King Horik when Floki visits Horik to discuss possible compromises between Horik and Jarl Borg.
Quotes
| “ | Fenrir, the giant wolf, could not be constrained by any means known to man, so the dwarves forged a chain, but not from metal. Nothing made by man could constrain Fenrir, so they forged it from the things we cannot see and the things we cannot hear. | ” |
–Floki to King Horik, All Change | ||