Which legendary smith hero was captured and forced to make treasures for King Nidung? Völund is the answer.
Völund—also called Völundr or Wayland the Smith—is the master craftsman at the center of the Old Norse Völundarkviða and related Germanic legends. In the story, King Niðhad or Nidung captures him after learning of his extraordinary skill. The king takes Völund’s sword and hamstrings him so that he cannot escape, forcing the smith to work under royal control.
Völund responds through ingenious and ruthless revenge. He secretly makes wondrous objects for the king and his court, then kills the king’s sons and uses their remains to create grisly treasures. He also deceives the king’s daughter, Böðvild, before escaping in a flying device or feathered garment, depending on the version.
The name can cause confusion because the same legendary figure appears under several forms: Völundr in Old Norse, Wieland in German tradition, and Wayland in English tradition. Andvari, Regin, and Sigurd are also connected with legendary smithing or treasure, but they are different figures.