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Fenris

In Norse mythology, Fenris was a wolf who was the son of Loki and the giantess Angerboda.

The Aesir learned that Fenris was prophesied to be responsible (along with his family, the rest of Loki and Angerboda's spawn) for the destruction of the world. Fenris was locked in a cage, fed by Tyr, the only god willing to do so. The gods, once Fenris had become full-grown, decided to trick him into allowing himself to be chained by insinuating that he wouldn't be able to free himself. Fenris agreed to be chained to prove he could break out; he was correct, he was able to break the chains that bound him. The gods then ordered the dwarves to make a chain that could hold Fenris. The dwarves made Gleipnir, a strong, thin ribbon. Fenris agreed to attempt to break Gleipnir, as long as one of the gods was willing to keep his hand in the wolf's mouth during the experience. Tyr was the only volunteer to agree. Fenris could not escape and Tyr lost a hand. Fenris was chained to a rock called Gioll deep beneath the earth, with a sword between his jaws to keep him from biting.

Fenris will remain bound until Ragnarok when he will join forces with those opposing Odin and will devour him. Vidar, Odin's son, will kill Fenris. Until Ragnarok, three chains tie the dread wolf down: Loding, Dromi and Gleipnr.

Alternative: Fenrir, Fenrisulfr, Fenrisúlfr

Also called Fenris Wolf, Fenrir.


Fenris Ulf is one of the White Witch[?]'s servants, an enormous wolf, in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. His name, and to some extent his characterization, is derived from the mythological Fenris.



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