The Norwegian king Hjörvarðr and Sigrlinn of Svávaland had a son, who was a silent man and to whom no name could be given. One day when he was sitting on a hill, he saw nine Valkyries riding, of whom Sváva was the most beautiful one. She gave him his name Helgi, and asked him if he wanted a gift with his newly-given name (which was customary), but Helgi replied he wanted nothing if he could not have Sváva herself. She then informed him of the location of a great sword engraved with snakes and magic runes. Thereafter during his battles, she was always there for him, shielding him from danger.

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Hjörvarð and Sigrlinn had a son, mighty and of noble stature; he was a silent man, and no name stuck fast to him. He sat on a hill, and saw nine Valkyries riding; one of them was the fairest of all. She spoke:

"Late wilt thou, Helgi, | have hoard of rings,
Thou battle-tree fierce, | or of shining fields,--
The eagle screams soon,-- | if never thou speakest,
Though, hero, hard | thy heart may cry."

Helgi spoke:
"What gift shall I have | with Helgi's name,
Glorious maid, | for the giving is thine?
All thy words | shall I think on well,
But I want them not | if I win not thee."

The Valkyrie spoke:
"Swords I know lying | in Sigarrsholm,
Fifty there are | save only four;
One there is | that is best of all,
The shield-destroyer, | with gold it shines.

"In the hilt is fame, | in the haft is courage,
In the point is fear, | for its owner's foes;
On the blade there lies | a blood-flecked snake,
And a serpent's tail | round the flat is twisted."

Eylimi was the name of a king, whose daughter was Sváva; she was a Valkyrie, and rode air and sea. She gave Helgi this name, and shielded him oft thereafter in battle.

Helgi spoke:
"Hjörvarð, king, | unwholesome thy counsels,
Though famed thou art | in leading the folk,
Letting fire the homes of heroes eat,
Who evil deed had never done thee.

"Yet Hróðmar' still the hoard doth hold,
The wealth that once our kinsmen wielded;
Full seldom care the king disturbs,
Heir to dead men he deems himself."

Hjörvarð answered that he would give Helgi a following if he fain would avenge his mother's father. Then Helgi got the sword that Sváva had told him of. So he went, and Atli with him, and they slew Hróðmar, and they did many great deeds.

- From Helgarkvida Hjörvarðssonar, The Lay of Helgi the Son of Hjörvarð