Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson
"Three Hearts and Three Lions" is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Holger Carl-sen, a character who transitions from a World War II setting in Denmark to a parallel Earth steeped in medieval lore. After being shot while fighting against the Nazis, Carl-sen awakens in a world where he encounters a variety of supernatural beings, including elves, sprites, and witches. Tasked with finding Duke Alfric, an elf, to return home, he is guided by a dwarf named Hugi and later joined by Alianora, a shape-shifting swan-may. The narrative unfolds within a conflict between the forces of Law, represented by humans, and Chaos, supported by the Faerie Folk.
As Carl-sen engages in battles against mythical creatures and confronts the dark sorceress Morgan le Fay, he learns of his true identity as Holger Danske, a legendary hero destined to return in times of peril. The story weaves themes of heroism, love, and the struggle between good and evil, culminating in Carl-sen's realization of his role in both the magical realm and his home world. Ultimately, the novel reflects on the interconnectedness of personal and collective battles, highlighting Carl-sen's dual existence as he returns to confront the Nazis, symbolizing Chaos in his own reality.
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Three Hearts and Three Lions
First published: 1961 (serial form, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, 1953)
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—high fantasy
Time of work: The 1940’s on Earth and an undefined medieval period after c.e. 814 on a parallel world
Locale: Earth and a parallel world
The Plot
Three Hearts and Three Lions opens with an author’s note introducing the protagonist, Holger Carl-sen. It describes him as gigantic, with yellow hair and blue eyes, and says that he was abandoned as a child in Denmark. It tells how Carlsen returns to Denmark in 1941 to join the anti-Nazi resistance. He is shot and knocked unconscious in a battle. The story then switches to Carlsen’s point of view.
Carlsen awakes on a parallel Earth. Nearby is a warhorse carrying weapons and clothing of medieval style. Carlsen rides until he finds the cottage of Mother Gerd, a witch. This is near the border of Faerie, where supernatural beings such as elves and sprites live. To return home, Gerd says, Carlsen must enter Faerie and find Duke Alfric, an elf. She offers him a dwarf named Hugi as guide.
Hugi explains that this Earth is divided between Law (supported by humans) and Chaos (supported by the Faerie Folk). Chaos has been driven back but is now arming for war. Hugi’s sympathies are with Law, as are those of a swan-may named Alianora, a shape-changer who soon joins them.
Morgan le Fay, King Arthur’s evil sister, awaits them at Alfric’s castle. She tells the elves to trap Carlsen, but he fights free. Le Fay visits him later. She says that they knew each other before and that he should join her in fighting for Chaos. Carlsen refuses.
With Alianora and Hugi, Carlsen seeks out a human magician for help. Along the way they meet a dragon, a giant, and a werewolf, all of which Carlsen defeats. The magician thinks Carlsen is one of the “chosen” warriors of Law. As a way of getting rid of him, Carlsen was turned into a child and sent to Earth. The magician tells Carlsen to find a magic sword, Cortana, that might restore his memory of the magical world.
The magician cloaks Carlsen with an illusion because someone called the Saracen is looking for him. They meet the Saracen, who is named Carahue and who decides to accompany them. He clearly suspects that Carlsen is the man he wants, though why he wants him is unclear.
Many adventures follow. Le Fay tries again to convince Carlsen to join Chaos. They face water sprites, an attack by hillmen, and a troll who cannot be destroyed by weapons. They burn the troll, but Hugi is killed. By this time, Alianora and Carlsen have fallen in love.
The Chaos army is marching, but when Carlsen finds Cortana and touches it, his memory returns. He is a hero named Holger Danske who fought with Charlemagne. Legends say that he will always return when his native land is in danger. Carahue is his friend. With that knowledge, Carlsen rides out to face the Chaos army.
An author’s note at the novel’s conclusion tells of Carlsen’s return to Earth. He scattered the Chaos army but then found himself in Denmark fighting the Nazis, the representatives of Chaos in the known world. He won that battle as well but could not get back to Alianora.