The novel “The Broken Sword” by Poul Anderson was published for the first time in 1954 and in a revised edition in 1971.

Orm kills a witch’s family to take over their lands. In revenge, the witch allies herself with the elf Imric and helps him kidnap Orm’s newborn son. The child is exchanged for Valgard and taken to the land of the elves, where he grows up under the name Skafloc.

The switch has significant consequences for the growth of the two children, whose destinies become part of events larger than their own. A war between trolls and elves and plans advanced by gods unfold, with a sword broken—for good reason—by Thor as a potential tipping point.