Editing Göndul (section)

===''Sörla þáttr''===
In ''[[Sörla þáttr]]'', a short late 14th century narrative from a later and extended version of the ''[[Ólafs saga Tryggvasonar (Flateyjarbók)|Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar]]'' found in the ''[[Flateyjarbók]]'' manuscript, a figure by the name of Göndul appears and instigates the meeting of the kings Hedinn of [[Serkland]] and Hogni of [[Denmark]] and, by means of seduction and a memory-altering draught, provokes a war between the two.

In the work (chapter 5), Hedinn and his household enter a wood in his realm. Hedinn is separated from his men and enters a clearing. He sees a tall, beautiful woman sitting on a chair, and he asks her what her name is, and the woman replies that her name is Göndul. The two talk, and she asks him of his great deeds. He tells her of his deeds and asks her if she knows of any king who is his equal in accomplishments and stature. She says that she knows of one named Hogni of [[Denmark]], who also rules over no less than twenty kings. Hedinn says that they two must compete to find which is better. Göndul comments that Hedinn should now go back to his men, for they are searching for him:
<blockquote>
:"Then whot I," said Hedinn, "that we shall try it which of us twain is foremost."
:"Now will it be time for thee to go to thy men," said Gondul; "they will be seeking thee."<ref name=MORRIS132>Morris (1911:132).</ref>
</blockquote>
In chapter 6, Hedinn travels with his men to meet Hogni in Denmark and there the two test their skills in swimming, archery, fencing and by other means and find their skills to be evenly matched. The two make an oath of brotherhood and halve all their possessions between themselves. Hogni soon leaves to go warring and Hedinn stays behind to guard their combined realm. 

On a day with beautiful weather, Hedinn goes for a walk in the woods and, like back in Serkland, loses his men and finds himself in an open meadow. In the lawn sits the same woman, Göndul, in the same chair, and yet she seems more beautiful than before. His heart yearns for her. In her hand she holds a [[drinking horn]], shut with a lid, and she tells the king to drink. Hedinn is thirsty from the heat, and drinks from the horn. The drink causes Hedinn to forget his oath of brotherhood with Hogni.<ref name=MORRIS133-134>Morris (1911:133-134).</ref>

Göndul asks if Hedinn has tried his prowess against that of Hogni, as she had suggested. Hedinn says that he has done this and that, indeed, they found themselves to be equal. Göndul says that he is mistaken, they are not equal at all. Hogni asks her what she means, and she responds that he no bride, yet Hogni has a noble wife. Hedinn says that he will marry Hogni's daughter [[Hildr]], and that Hogni will surely approve. Göndul replies that it would be more glorious for Hedinn to take Hildr and to slay Hogni's bride, specifically by placing her on a ship and then to kill her before launching it. Influenced by the draught he drank, Hedinn leaves with only this plan in mind.<ref name=MORRIS134>Morris (1911:134).</ref>

After Hedinn has executed the plan as Göndul suggested, he returns alone to the wood in Serkland and again sees Göndul sitting in the same chair. The two greet one another and Hedinn tells her that he has completed the plot. With this she is pleased. She again gives him the horn, from which he again drinks, yet this time he falls asleep in her lap. Göndul draws away from his head and says "Now [[hallow]] I thee, and give thee to lie under all those spells and the [[wyrd|weird]] that Odin commanded, thee and Hogni, and all the hosts of you."<ref name=MORRIS135>Morris (1911:135).</ref>

Hedinn wakes up and sees the ghostly shadow of Göndul. She has become black and huge, and he remembers everything. Great woe comes over him.<ref name=MORRIS135/>