Hermod and Hadvor
by Andrew Lang · from The Yellow Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, there was a prince named Hermod. He was kind and strong. A Queen wanted him to marry her daughter. Hermod said no. The Queen was very angry. She used bad magic to change him. By day, he was a lion. By night, he was a man. He lived on a faraway island. Only Hadvor could free him.
Hadvor was sad. Her friend Olof came to help. Olof was a kind maid. She told Hadvor the truth. The Queen was a mean person with magic. She had a plan. Her brother, a big, scary giant, would come.
Hadvor was brave. She listened to Olof. The giant came up through the floor. She poured hot, sticky stuff into the hole. It stopped the giant. He could not come out.
The Queen was very angry again. She used magic on her brother. He looked like a handsome prince. She told the King a lie. She said Hadvor hurt the prince. The King was sad. He sent Hadvor to a dark place.
Olof helped Hadvor. She gave her a green magic cloak. "Wear this," said Olof. "Be brave." In the dark, Hadvor was clever. She got magical shoes. They let her go anywhere. She flew away.
Hadvor crossed the sea. She found the island. She was very tired. She fell asleep on the sand.
In her dream, a kind woman helped her. She gave Hadvor a rope and string. She also gave her a belt. "These will help you," the woman said.
Hadvor woke up. It was all true. She used the rope to climb the cliff. The magic string showed her the way. She found a cave. She hid inside.
Later, a lion came. It was Hermod! At night, he became a man. He went to sleep. Hadvor was brave. She used a fire to break the magic. She burned the lion skin.
Hermod was free! He was so happy to see Hadvor. "You saved me!" he said. They held hands. They needed to go home.
They found a kind witch. She had many sons. She gave them a boat. "Be careful," she said. "A big fish will come. Say my name if you need help."
Hermod and Hadvor sailed away. Soon, they saw the big fish. It was the giant! They were not scared. They knew they could ask for help. Being brave and loyal helps you win. Hermod and Hadvor were happy together. They knew they could face any problem with courage and love.
Original Story
Hermod and Hadvor took but little notice of the Queen and her
daughter, but, on the other hand, Hadvor and the Queen’s maid, whose
name was Olof, were very friendly, and Olof came often to visit Hadvor
in her castle. Before long the King went out to war, and no sooner was
he away than the Queen came to talk with Hermod, and said that she
wanted him to marry her daughter. Hermod told her straight and plain
that he would not do so, at which the Queen grew terribly angry, and
said that in that case neither should he have Hadvor, for she would
now lay this spell on him, that he should go to a desert island and
there be a lion by day and a man by night. He should also think always
of Hadvor, which would cause him all the more sorrow, and from this
spell he should never be freed until Hadvor burned the lion’s skin,
and that would not happen very soon.
As soon as the Queen had finished her speech Hermod replied that he
also laid a spell on her, and that was, that as soon as he was freed
from her enchantments she should become a rat and her daughter a
mouse, and fight with each other in the hall until he killed them with
his sword.
After this Hermod disappeared, and no one knew what had become of him;
the Queen caused search to be made for him, but he could nowhere be
found. One time, when Olof was in the castle beside Hadvor, she asked
the Princess if she knew where Hermod had gone to. At this Hadvor
became very sad, and said that she did not.
‘I shall tell you then,’ said Olof, ‘for I know all about it.
[Illustration: The King Finds the Queen of Hetland]
Hermod has disappeared through the wicked devices of the Queen, for
she is a witch, and so is her daughter, though they have put on these
beautiful forms. Because Hermod would not fall in with the Queen’s
plans, and marry her daughter, she has laid a spell on him, to go on
an island and be a lion by day and a man by night, and never be freed
from this until you burn the lion’s skin. Besides,’ said Olof, ‘she
has looked out a match for you; she has a brother in the Under-world,
a three-headed Giant, whom she means to turn into a beautiful prince
and get him married to you. This is no new thing for the Queen; she
took me away from my parents’ house and compelled me to serve her; but
she has never done me any harm, for the green cloak I wear protects me
against all mischief.’
Hadvor now became still sadder than before at the thought of the
marriage destined for her, and entreated Olof to think of some plan to
save her.
‘I think,’ said Olof, ‘that your wooer will come up through the floor
of the castle to you, and so you must be prepared when you hear the
noise of his coming and the floor begins to open, and have at hand
blazing pitch, and pour plenty of it into the opening. That will prove
too much for him.’
About this time the King came home from his expedition, and thought it
a great blow that no one knew what had become of Hermod; but the Queen
consoled him as best she could, and after a time the King thought less
about his disappearance.
Hadvor remained in her castle, and had made preparations to receive
her wooer when he came. One night, not long after, a loud noise and
rumbling was heard under the castle. Hadvor at once guessed what it
was, and told her maids to be ready to help her. The noise and
thundering grew louder and louder, until the floor began to open,
whereupon Hadvor made them take the cauldron of pitch and pour plenty
of it into the opening. With that the noises grew fainter and fainter,
till at last they ceased altogether.
Next morning the Queen rose early, and went out to the Palace gate,
and there she found her brother the Giant lying dead. She went up to
him and said, ‘I pronounce this spell, that you become a beautiful
prince, and that Hadvor shall be unable to say anything against the
charges that I shall bring against her.’
The body of the dead Giant now became that of a beautiful prince, and
the Queen went in again.
‘I don’t think,’ said she to the King, ‘that your daughter is as good
as she is said to be. My brother came and asked her hand, and she has
had him put to death. I have just found his dead body lying at the
Palace gate.’
The King went along with the Queen to see the body, and thought it all
very strange; so beautiful a youth, he said, would have been a worthy
match for Hadvor, and he would readily have agreed to their marriage.
The Queen asked leave to decide what Hadvor’s punishment should be,
which the King was very willing to allow, so as to escape from
punishing his own daughter. The Queen’s decision was that the King
should make a big grave-mound for her brother, and put Hadvor into it
beside him.
Olof knew all the plans of the Queen, and went to tell the Princess
what had been done, whereupon Hadvor earnestly entreated her to tell
her what to do.
‘First and foremost,’ said Olof, ‘you must get a wide cloak to wear
over your other clothes, when you are put into the mound. The Giant’s
ghost will walk after you are both left together in there, and he will
have two dogs along with him. He will ask you to cut pieces out of his
legs to give to the dogs, but that you must not promise to do unless
he tells you where Hermod has gone to, and tells you how to find him.
He will then let you stand on his shoulders, so as to get out of the
mound; but he means to cheat you all the same, and will catch you by
the cloak to pull you back again; but you must take care to have the
cloak loose on your shoulders, so that he will only get hold of that.’
The mound was all ready now, and the Giant laid in it, and into it
Hadvor also had to go without being allowed to make any defence. After
they were both left there everything happened just as Olof had said.
The prince became a Giant again, and asked Hadvor to cut the pieces
out of his legs for the dogs; but she refused until he told her that
Hermod was in a desert island, which she could not reach unless she
took the skin off the soles of his feet and made shoes out of that;
with these shoes she could travel both on land and sea. This Hadvor
now did, and the Giant then let her get up on his shoulders to get out
of the mound. As she sprang out he caught hold of her cloak; but she
had taken care to let it lie loose on her shoulders, and so escaped.
She now made her way down to the sea, to where she knew there was the
shortest distance over to the island in which Hermod was. This strait
she easily crossed, for the shoes kept her up. On reaching the island
she found a sandy beach all along by the sea, and high cliffs above.
Nor could she see any way to get up these, and so, being both sad at
heart and tired with the long journey, she lay down and fell asleep.
As she slept she dreamed that a tall woman came to her and said, ‘I
know that you are Princess Hadvor, and are searching for Hermod. He is
on this island; but it will be hard for you to get to him if you have
no one to help you, for you cannot climb the cliffs by your own
strength. I have therefore let down a rope, by which you will be able
to climb up; and as the island is so large that you might not find
Hermod’s dwelling-place so easily, I lay down this clew beside you.
You need only hold the end of the thread, and the clew will run on
before and show you the way. I also lay this belt beside you, to put
on when you awaken; it will keep you from growing faint with hunger.’
The woman now disappeared, and Hadvor woke, and saw that all her dream
had been true. The rope hung down from the cliff, and the clew and
belt lay beside her. The belt she put on, the rope enabled her to
climb up the cliff, and the clew led her on till she came to the mouth
of a cave, which was not very big. She went into the cave, and saw
there a low couch, under which she crept and lay down.
When evening came she heard the noise of footsteps outside, and became
aware that the lion had come to the mouth of the cave, and shook
itself there, after which she heard a man coming towards the couch.
She was sure this was Hermod, because she heard him speaking to
himself about his own condition, and calling to mind Hadvor and other
things in the old days. Hadvor made no sign, but waited till he had
fallen asleep, and then crept out and burned the lion’s skin, which he
had left outside. Then she went back into the cave and wakened Hermod,
and they had a most joyful meeting.
In the morning they talked over their plans, and were most at a loss
to know how to get out of the island. Hadvor told Hermod her dream,
and said she suspected there was some one in the island who would be
able to help them. Hermod said he knew of a Witch there, who was very
ready to help anyone, and that the only plan was to go to her. So they
went to the Witch’s cave, and found her there with her fifteen young
sons, and asked her to help them to get to the mainland.
‘There are other things easier than that,’ said she, ‘for the Giant
that was buried will be waiting for you, and will attack you on the
way, as he has turned himself into a big whale. I shall lend you a
boat, however, and if you meet the whale and think your lives are in
danger, then you can name me by name.’
[Illustration: Hadvor Burns the Lion’s Skin.]
They thanked her greatly for her help and advice, and set out from the
island, but on the way they saw a huge fish coming towards them, with
great splashing and dashing of waves. They were sure of what it was,
and thought they had as good reason as ever they would have to call on
the
Story DNA
Moral
With courage and loyalty, even the most formidable enchantments can be overcome, and true love will find a way.
Plot Summary
When Hermod rejects the Queen's daughter, the Queen curses him to be a lion by day and man by night on a desert island, only to be freed by Hadvor. With the help of the Queen's maid, Olof, Hadvor thwarts the Queen's plan to marry her to a three-headed Giant by killing him. Framed for the Giant's death, Hadvor is buried alive but escapes using magical shoes made from the Giant's skin. She travels to Hermod's island, finds him, and breaks his curse by burning his lion skin. Reunited, they seek a Witch's help to return home, preparing for a final confrontation with the Giant, now transformed into a whale.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects common motifs in Northern European folklore, including shape-shifting, magical assistance, and trials of endurance for lovers.
Plot Beats (14)
- Hermod rejects the Queen's daughter, leading the Queen to curse him to be a lion by day and man by night on a desert island, only to be freed by Hadvor.
- Hermod curses the Queen and her daughter to become a rat and mouse, fighting until he kills them, then disappears.
- Olof, the Queen's maid, reveals the Queen's true nature as a witch, her curse on Hermod, and her plan to marry Hadvor to her three-headed Giant brother.
- Hadvor, following Olof's advice, pours blazing pitch into the floor opening, killing the Giant as he attempts to emerge.
- The Queen transforms her dead brother into a beautiful prince and frames Hadvor for his death, convincing the King to bury Hadvor alive with him.
- Olof instructs Hadvor on how to escape the burial mound: wear a loose cloak, demand information from the Giant's ghost, and use his skin for magical shoes.
- Hadvor successfully escapes the mound, obtaining magical shoes from the Giant's skin that allow her to travel over land and sea.
- Hadvor crosses the strait to Hermod's island, where she falls asleep from exhaustion.
- Hadvor dreams of a tall woman who provides a rope, a magical clew, and a belt to help her find Hermod and sustain her.
- Hadvor uses the magical items to climb the cliffs and follow the clew to a cave where Hermod resides.
- Hadvor hides in the cave, waits for Hermod to transform into a man at night, and then burns his lion skin, breaking the curse.
- Hermod and Hadvor joyfully reunite and plan their escape from the island.
- They visit a friendly Witch who provides a boat and warns them that the Giant, now a whale, will attack them.
- Hermod and Hadvor set sail, encountering the Giant-whale, and prepare to call upon the Witch's name for help.
Characters
Hermod ★ protagonist
Strong, handsome
Attire: Fine tunic and trousers, leather boots, perhaps a cloak
Brave, loyal, steadfast
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his late teens with tousled sandy blond hair and determined blue eyes. He wears a forest green tunic with leather lacing over a cream linen shirt, sturdy brown trousers, and knee-high leather boots. A dark woolen cloak is clasped at his throat with a simple bronze brooch. He stands confidently on a misty forest path at dawn, one hand resting on the pommel of a sheathed sword at his hip, his posture alert and ready for adventure. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Hadvor ★ protagonist
Beautiful princess
Attire: Elegant gown, cloak, shoes made from soles of feet
Resourceful, determined, loving
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with determined eyes and a resolute expression, her long chestnut hair braided simply down her back. She wears a practical tunic of forest green over brown leggings, sturdy leather boots, and a worn traveler's cloak clasped at her throat with a simple bronze brooch. She stands in a ready posture, one hand resting on the hilt of a short sword at her belt, the other holding a worn leather satchel. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Queen ⚔ antagonist
Beautiful but cruel
Attire: Richly embroidered gown, jeweled accessories
Malicious, power-hungry, manipulative
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal woman in her late 40s with sharp, angular features and a cold, calculating expression. Her raven-black hair is swept up into an elaborate, severe updo adorned with a jagged silver crown. She wears a high-collared, floor-length gown of black velvet with intricate silver embroidery and sharp, structured shoulders. Her posture is rigid and imperious, standing tall with one hand resting on a dark, obsidian throne and the other holding a slender, menacing scepter. The setting is a vast, shadowy throne room with towering stone pillars and a faint, ominous glow from a distant fireplace. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Olof ◆ supporting
Helpful maid
Attire: Maid's dress, green cloak
Loyal, clever, brave
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his early twenties with a kind, open face and short, neatly combed brown hair. He wears a simple, earth-toned tunic with rolled-up sleeves, sturdy brown trousers, and worn leather boots. His posture is relaxed and slightly bowed forward in a welcoming, helpful manner, with one hand gently extended as if offering assistance. His expression is warm and attentive, with a gentle smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Giant ⚔ antagonist
Three-headed, large and imposing
Attire: None (initially), later a prince's attire
Brutal, easily manipulated, vengeful
Image Prompt & Upload
A towering, muscular giant with weathered skin and a menacing scowl. He has wild, dark hair and a thick beard, wearing rough animal hides stitched together as a tunic and crude leather boots. His posture is aggressive, leaning forward with clenched fists, standing on rocky ground with a stormy sky behind him. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Witch ◆ supporting
Wise woman
Attire: Simple robes, perhaps a shawl
Helpful, knowledgeable, mysterious
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a long, crooked nose, deep wrinkles, and sharp, intelligent eyes. She wears layered dark robes of patched black and deep purple velvet, adorned with subtle silver celestial patterns. A tall, pointed black hat sits slightly askew on her wild, grey-streaked hair. She stands with a slight hunch, one hand resting on a gnarled wooden staff, the other holding a glowing, open spellbook. Her expression is one of quiet, knowing amusement. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Hadvor's Castle
A castle where Hadvor resides, with a floor that can open to the Under-world.
Mood: tense, expectant
Hadvor pours blazing pitch into the opening floor to thwart the three-headed Giant.
Image Prompt & Upload
Perched on a jagged cliff edge, Hadvor's Castle looms under a brooding twilight sky filled with swirling storm clouds. The castle's architecture is a masterpiece of dark, weathered stone, featuring high towers, pointed arches, and fortified walls that seem to absorb the fading light. A subtle, otherworldly luminescence in shades of sickly green and deep violet seeps through fissures in the castle's base, suggesting the hidden gateway to the Under-world below. The surrounding terrain is rugged and desolate, with gnarled, leafless trees silhouetted against the horizon, and a low-hanging mist that clings to the ground. The atmosphere is heavy with mystery and ancient power, colors dominated by slate grays, midnight blues, and the eerie glow. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Grave-mound
A large mound of earth prepared as a grave for the Giant, intended to trap Hadvor.
Mood: claustrophobic, terrifying
Hadvor bargains with the Giant's ghost to learn Hermod's location and escapes the mound.
Image Prompt & Upload
A freshly dug, massive earthen mound dominates a desolate clearing at twilight. The sky is a bruised purple and grey, with low-hanging mist clinging to the ground. The mound's dark, rich soil is loose and piled high, with deep shovel marks visible. A few gnarled, leafless trees with twisted roots claw at the air around it, their branches like skeletal fingers. The lighting is low and dramatic, casting long, deep shadows across the uneven ground, with a single, ominous shaft of fading light illuminating the top of the grave. The atmosphere is heavy, silent, and foreboding, with an unnatural stillness in the air. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Desert Island Beach
A sandy beach with high, unclimbable cliffs.
Mood: desolate, lonely
Hadvor receives magical aid (rope, clew, belt) in a dream, enabling her to ascend the cliffs.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon sun casts long shadows across a pristine white sand beach, the turquoise ocean gently lapping at the shore. Towering, sheer cliffs of dark, weathered rock rise abruptly from the sand, their surfaces striated with ochre and rust-red layers, utterly impassable. Sparse, windswept tufts of deep green grass cling to the cliff tops against a clear, fading blue sky. The warm, golden light highlights the texture of the sand and the dramatic, vertical scale of the cliffs, creating a scene of profound isolation and raw, untouched nature. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cave on Desert Island
A small cave with a low couch.
Mood: eerie, tense
Hadvor burns the lion's skin, freeing Hermod from the Queen's enchantment.
Image Prompt & Upload
A secluded desert island cave at sunset. The entrance, framed by weathered sandstone and hanging vines, opens to a view of a pristine white sand beach and gentle turquoise waves. Inside, the cave is dimly lit by the golden hour light filtering in, illuminating a low, rustic wooden couch draped with soft, sun-bleached linen. The cave walls are smooth, with subtle striations of amber and rust. Outside, a few leaning palm trees cast long shadows on the sand. The atmosphere is tranquil, warm, and isolated. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
