At the extremity of the beautiful valley of Espelund, in the parish of
Mo, there rises a wood-covered mountain known as Bergåsa Mountain, from
the distance looking like a giant cone; three sides presenting frowning
precipices, the fourth (and southern) fortified by a large wall of
boulders, which is said to have surrounded, in former times, a king’s
castle, called Grimslott.
Here, in times gone by, lived a mountain king named Grim. He was, like
the rest of his kind, ugly and crafty, and robbed mankind of whatever
fell in his way.
For this purpose he had two hats, one of which was called the Dulde
hat, and was so endowed that when the king put it on his head both he
and his companions became invisible; and the other was called the Hålde
hat, which possessed a power making all things plainly visible to the
wearer that were before invisible.
It happened, during these days, that a farmer of Grimland, preparing a
wedding for his daughter, invited guests from near and far to the
festivities. Pretending, however, not to know the mountain king, he did
not invite him. The latter apparently took no offense at this, but, on
the wedding day, putting his Dulde hat upon his head, set out to the
wedding feast, followed by all his people, except the queen, who was
left at home to watch the castle.
When the wedding guests sat themselves at table everything that was
brought in vanished, both food and drink, to the great astonishment of
all, as they could not understand where it disappeared; but a young
peasant suspected the Trolls were at the bottom of it, and, springing
upon a horse, rode straightway to Borgåsa Mountain. On the steps stood
the mountain queen, so beautiful and fine, who inquired of the rider
how things were going at the wedding feast in Grimland.
“The food is salt and the oil is sour,” answered he. “That stingy
farmer has hidden the wine and meat in the cellar where no one can find
it. Now, your husband sends greeting, and requests that you give me the
Hålde hat, that he may be able to find its hiding-place.”
Without mistrust the queen gave him the enchanted hat, whereupon the
young peasant hastened back to the festivities. Entering the hall, he
donned the hat and saw at once the mountain king and his followers
sitting among the guests, seizing upon everything as fast as brought
in. The peasant drew his sword, and commanded the others to do
likewise.
“Stab as I stab and cut as I cut,” cried he, and began to slash around
the table. The other guests followed his example and slew the mountain
king and all his followers. From that time, so says the story, the
castle upon Borgåsa Mountain has been untenanted.