The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson
"The Broken Sword" is a fantasy novel that weaves together elements of Northern European folklore, featuring a rich tapestry of mythical creatures including elves, trolls, and dwarfs. The narrative unfolds in the mystical land of Faerie, hidden from most humans, and begins with Orm, a Viking settler who becomes cursed by a witch after wrongfully seizing her lands. This curse leads to the abduction of Orm's true son, Skafloc, by an elf, and the introduction of a changeling, Valgard, who is raised as Orm's son. The story explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the consequences of vengeance as Valgard, who inherits both elf and troll blood, becomes a tragic figure.
As the plot thickens, Skafloc emerges as a formidable warrior trained in magic, while Valgard's violent nature leads to familial tragedy and conflict. A war between trolls and elves escalates, with Skafloc caught in a cycle of love and loyalty that ultimately reveals a shocking familial connection between him and Freda, the woman he loves. The narrative culminates in a dramatic battle, where Skafloc wields a powerful, cursed sword to confront the trolls and face Valgard. The story explores the complexities of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the tragic consequences of their intertwined fates, culminating in a poignant conclusion that underscores the moral weight of their actions.
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The Broken Sword
First published: 1954
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—high fantasy
Time of work: The time of Alfred the Great (849-899)
Locale: The realm of Faerie (primarily the British Isles and Northern Europe)
The Plot
The Broken Sword is populated with elves, trolls, dwarfs, and other creatures of Northern European folklore and myth. It is set in the land of Faerie, which is part of the known world but invisible to most humans. The story begins with Orm, a Viking settler in the Danelaw (northern and eastern England). Orm is cursed by a witch after he seizes her family’s lands. She swears that Orm’s son will be stolen and that he will rear a beast instead. Orm ignores her, building and marrying on the lands taken from the witch.
Orm’s first child is indeed stolen, by an elf-earl named Imric. It is replaced by a changeling created from Imric’s union with a captive female troll. The changeling is named Valgard and is reared as Orm’s son. Orm’s true son is reared by Imric in Faerie. He is called Skafloc.
On Skafloc’s naming-day, a messenger of the gods gives the child a “broken sword” of iron. The elves cannot touch iron, and they bury the sword. Skafloc grows rapidly and is trained in warfare and magic. He learns to change shape. Valgard, the changeling, also becomes a great warrior, but he is wild and violent.
One day, Ketil, another of Orm’s sons, stumbles on the witch, who appears to Ketil as a beautiful woman. Valgard discovers them together and murders Ketil. Orm finds out about the murder, and Valgard then kills his father.
After Valgard flees back to the witch, she explains his heritage as half elf and half troll. Valgard becomes a tragic figure and turns his back on humanity to join the trolls. To sever all ties with his old life, he kidnaps Orm’s daughters, Asgerd and Freda, and offers them to Illrede Troll-King.
The elves know that the trolls are planning a war, and Skafloc leads a raid against Illrede. He is amazed to see Valgard. He rescues Asgerd and Freda, unaware that they are his sisters. Valgard counterattacks, killing Asgerd, but Skafloc and Freda escape. They fall in love. Imric keeps Freda’s identity secret.
The trolls invade England with an army of goblins, imps, dwarfs, and others. Skafloc fights Valgard again, but neither can kill the other. The elves are beaten, and Imric is captured. Valgard becomes leader of England’s trolls while Illrede invades the mainland to conquer the elven king. Skafloc and Freda become outlaws. Skafloc retrieves the broken sword. To find out how the blade can be remade, he calls up the dead, who also reveal that Skafloc and Freda are brother and sister. Freda runs away in shame.
Skafloc convinces a giant to reforge the sword, which was made originally by sorcery. Legend says that the blade must kill every time it is drawn and that it will eventually turn on its user. Skafloc rides to save the elven king, only to find the elves nearly defeated. He uses his new sword to kill Illrede and drive the trolls back to England. He and Valgard meet a third time, and Skafloc is wounded. Freda, who cannot forget Skafloc, arrives on the battlefield at that moment. Skafloc is distracted, and Valgard seizes the great sword and stabs him. As Valgard lifts the sword for a last blow, it escapes his grip to pierce his own throat, killing him. Skafloc dies in Freda’s arms.