from http://www.rhi.hi.is/~eybjorn/mjo.html
Actually there are three versions of the Rydberg Edda:
1. The earliest one seems to be SEJRSSVÆRDET (SWORD OF VICTORY),
published in Danish in 1885. This is a prototype, containing some
interesting variants.
2. FÄDERNAS GUDASAGA (MYTHIC SAGA OF THE ANCESTORS), published in
Swedish in 1887. This is Rydberg's Edda proper, including a complete,
annotated index of proper names.
3. The synopsis (roughly translated here) contained in Vol. 2 of
UNDERSÖKNINGAR I GERMANISK MYTOLOGI (REASEARCHES IN TEUTONIC
MYTHOLOGY), published in Swedish in 1889. Although only a very
concise synopsis, it is basically identical to the 1887 version.
The most interesting variants have to do with the timing of the
three deaths of Gullveig.
STRUCTURE:
I (1-8) CREATION OF THE WORLD
II (9-14) PRIMAL AGE OF PEACE
III (15-23) THE SWITCH FROM PEACE TO WAR
IV a (24-62) AGE OF WAR - before Fimbul-winter
b (63-84) AGE OF WAR - Fimbul-winter
c (85-95) AGE OF WAR - Fimbul-winter finishes
d (96-106) AGE OF WAR - Svipdagur and the Sword of Revenge
e 107-148) AGE OF WAR - War between Æsir and Vanir
V (149) HISTORICAL TIME
VI (150-152) RAGNARÖK
VII (153-154) RENEWAL OF THE WORLD
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: As the plot thickens, and the various sub-epics are born,
a lot of the different story-lines are taking place at the same time.
Where I think it is necessary I've included some pointers to help the
reader. So if you see "(go to 68)", this means that the current story
is taken up again in section 68.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I. CREATION OF THE WORLD
1) GINNUNGAGAP (Void). THE THREE WELLS. YGGDRASILL (World Tree).
There was a beginning to the world. Three forces were at work in
the primeval emptiness of Ginnungagap: the forces of Cold,
Heat, and Creative Power, which sprang up from three Wells, the
sources of which are unknown and hidden. After creation has taken
place these Wells have their place in the World, their names being:
Hvergelmir, Urðarbrunnur, Mímisbrunnur. To the north of Ginnungagap
space was enveloped in an icy mist, which rose from Hvergelmir, but
to the south warmth welled up from Urðarbrunnur. The elements were
formed by the clashing of Cold and Heat in Ginnungagap. In the very
middle of Ginnungagap was situated the Well of Creative Power, and
in the unknown depths underneath it was the seed of Yggdrasill.
2) PRIMAL BEINGS
The first living creature which quickened in the Primal Void was the cow
Auðhumla. She licked out of the primal rime-rocks the ancestor of the
Gods, Búri, and by the four rivers of milk, which streamed forth from her
udder she nourished the primeval Giant Ýmir, who was formed out of the
elements. From Ýmir's limbs came the clan of the Giants: from his left
armpit came that clan of Giants which is friendly to the Gods, among
them Mímir, his sister Beisla, and the Norns. Ýmir's two feet begat on
each other the monstrous clan of misshapen Hrímþursar (Frost-Giants).
3) THE UNDERWORLD. BORR'S SONS.
The Underworld, or Jörmungrund, was the first created world. Mímir, who
is the original smith, there guards the Well of Creative Power, but the
Well of Heat is guarded by the Norns, Urður and her sisters. Borr, the
son of Búri, took as wife Beisla, Mímir's sister. Their sons, Óðinn,
Hænir and Lóðurr are the ancestors of all the Gods.
4) CREATION OF THE EARTH
Yggdrasill grew to a great height, and was taken care of and watered
by Mímir and the Norns of Fate. Miðgarður (Middle-Earth) rests in
the branches of Yggdrasill. There lived through long ages Ýmir and the
vile offspring of his feet, the Frost-Giants.
5) ÓÐINN'S SELF-SACRIFICE
Óðinn, while still young and inexperienced, was determined to rule
the earth, but realized that he would need help in order to get rid
of the ghastly brood. He climbed Yggdrasill, dwelt there for nine
nights without food and water, wounded with a spear, sacrificing
himself to himself, praying for the power he needed. Mímir gave
him a drink from the Well of Creation, and taught him runic poems
and lays of might (fimbulþulur).
6) THE FROST-GIANTS DEFEATED
Óðinn and his brothers slaughtered Ýmir. The Frost-Giants drowned in
his blood, and their souls migrated down into the northernmost part
of the Underworld, the dark and foggy Niflhel. A few of the youngest
Frost-Giants barely escaped, and crawled onto the beach of the
northernmost part of the Earth, which is called Jötunheimur (Giants'
World).
7) THE WORLD MILL
Mímir's craftsmen built a huge mill on top of Hvergelmir in the Under-
world. The mill regulates the flowing of waters, revolves the dome of
heaven, and grinds the flesh of Ýmir and his kinsmen into fertile soil.
8) CREATION CONTINUES
The soil of Ýmir's flesh covers Middle-Earth, which Borr's sons raised
out of the ocean of Ýmir's blood. The smiths, who built the mill, were
created by Mímir and Durinn (Mímir's first son, the eldest of Dwarves)
in accordance with the Gods' decree. Furthermore they created the
heavens out of Ýmir's skull, mountains from his bones, etc. Also they
crafted all of nature's adornments. Mímir's daughter, Night, and all
her kinsmen were made Gods. The roads traveled by Day and Night, Sun
and Moon were laid down. The Æsir and the Vanir defined their separate
roles. The Vanir preside over the regulation of the fixed processes of
the world; the Æsir watch and guard all of creation. The marvellous
Ásgarður was built for the Gods in the very top of the World-Tree. A
bridge called Bifröst connects Ásgarður to the Underworld.
II. PRIMAL AGE OF PEACE
9) CONFEDERATION OF PEACE
All creatures formed a covenant of peace, and exchanged hostages. The
Vanir gave Njörður and his children, Freyr and Freyja, as hostages to
the Æsir. óðinn married Frigg, Njörður's sister. Óðinn and Mímir
exchanged pledges. Giant youngsters Gullveig and Loki were admitted
to Ásgarður. Gullveig became favoured by the Goddesses; Óðinn and Loki
entered into sworn brotherhood. Óðinn sent his son Týr to be fostered
by the giant Hymir, and his son Þórr he sent to the giant Vingnir and
his wife Hlóra.
10) TREASURES OF THE GODS
In Mímir's smithy, where his sons worked side by side with Ívaldi's
sons, many precious treasures were crafted for the Gods. Mímir's sons
made Brísingamen for Freyja, and a magical chess-board for all the Gods.
Ívaldi's sons forged the spear Gungnir for Óðinn, the ship Skíðblaðnir
for Frey, and for Njörður they crafted an axe which can break any lock
and open any door. Most importantly Ívaldi's sons made for all the Æsir
the elixir vitae, which is preserved in Ásgarður by their sister Iðunn.
Njörður sent his son Freyr to be fostered by the sons of Ívaldi.
11) CREATION OF MAN
Now the world was finally created and regulated, but still there were
no human beings to grace the beautiful Miðgarður. Óðinn, Hænir and
Lóðurr created the first human beings from two trees that grew on the
seashore in Aurvanga-land, Askur and Embla (Ash and Ivy).
12) HEIMDALLUR, THE ORIGINATOR OF CULTURE
The descendants of Askur and Embla led a dreary, culture-less life.
But one day a boat drifted towards their shores, and in the boat
a little boy slept, lying on a sheaf of corn, surrounded by all
manner of treasures and tools. The boy was none other than Heimdallur,
sent by the Gods. The humans accepted him gladly, and raised him.
He taught them to kindle the holy fire, instructed them in runic
wisdom, taught them workmanship and handicraft, organized their
society, and originated and stabilized the three classes of men.
13) HEIMDALLUR, FIRST ANCESTOR
Heimdallur lived long as a man among men, and the age of his rulership
was a golden age of peace and prosperity. When he died, his boat
returned to take him back. The sorrowing humans laid his corpse in
the boat, and surrounded it with his treasures and weapons. The boat
then sailed back to Vanaheimur, where Heimdallur was stripped of his
aged human shape, regained his eternal youth and was taken into Ásgarður.
14) SKJÖLDUR/BORGARR, SECOND ANCESTOR
He became ruler of Aurvanga-land after Heimdallur. In the golden age of
Middle-Earth men multiplied and migrated as far as Svarinshaugur (Svarin's
Mound) in Svíþjóð (Sweden). In the northern settlements Ívaldi (Svigðir)
became a ruler of men.
(go to 68)
III. SWITCH FROM PEACE TO WAR
15) MAGIC RUNES AND THE FIRST BURNING OF GULLVEIG
The clan of the Frost-Giants, Ýmir's foot-brood living in Niflhel and
Jötunheimur, passionately hated mankind, which the Gods created and
protected. They also hated the holy rune-poems, which Óðinn learned
from Mímir, and all the benevolent knowledge that Heimdallur brought
mankind. The purpose of the Giants is to bring the world to ruin,
and recreate the chaotic anti-existence of Ginnungagap, out of which
they were born. Gullveig and Loki were their secret agents in Ásgarður.
Gullveig devised a perversion of the lore of Heimdallur, the evil
sorcery (seiður) and powerful black magic runes. In Ásgarður she was
one of Freyja's handmaidens, and she actually tried to convert the
Goddess of Love over to her unique type of evil sorcery. Fortunately
the gods found out, and judged Gullveig to be burned to death. When
the holy white fire of the Gods touched Gullveig, it became
contaminated by her vileness, choked by smoke, so that it was not
powerful enough to burn her heart.
16) BIRTH OF MIÐGARÐSORMUR (The Serpent of Middle-Earth)
Loki found and swallowed the half-burnt heart of Gullveig, became
pregnant and bore Miðgarðsormur, whom he threw into the ocean.
Miðgarðsormur grows in direct proportion to the evil in the world.
17) ÞÓRR'S FIRST GIANT-SLAYING
Vingnir and Hlóra planned to betray Óðinn's trust and kill Þórr,
being awed by his overwhelming size and power, which grew every day.
But Þórr realized their intentions, and killed the pair, while still
a lad. He returned to Ásgarður and took with him the magical stone-
hammer, which belonged to Vingnir. At that time the clan of giants
living in Jötunheimur was quite numerous, and they were divided into
many powerful families (ættir).
(Of interest: Please note that this is the very first breaking of the covenant
on behalf of the Gods. But see above - Gullveig's crime and execution.
Ideally, it can be argued forever who is the REAL covenant-breaker,
since Vingir's and Hlóra's sin is only an intent to kill, but Þórr
actually kills. This kind of ethical conundrum is inherent throughout
the rest of the Rydberg Edda. Re: Gullveig's sin - it seems obvious
that Freyja was credulous enough to at least test Gullveig's methods,
thus sexual magic. So Gullveig's crime is theoretical, whereas Freyja
makes it practical. Interesting?)
18) STRONGHOLD OF THE GODS AT ÉLIVOGAR
(Please note Élivogar is usually spoken of as a river, but it
is really a narrow stretch of ocean separating Miðgarður proper
from Jötunheimur in the north. This arrangement exactly parallels
the Underworld geography: Niflhel is separated from Hel proper by
mountains (and perhaps a narrow stretch of underworld ocean as well).
There are passages connecting Jötunheimur to Niflhel. Jötunheimur
contains the Giants that survived the blood-flood, Niflhel the
souls of the Giants that drowned. Thus: Jötunheimar (plural), meaning
Jötunheimur (above) and Niflhel (below).)
Since oaths had been broken, a Giant hostage burnt to death
in Ásgarður, and the inviolability of foster-parents forfeited by
Þórr, the original covenant of peace was no longer valid. Now the
Gods feared an invasion of Giants into Miðgarður. Therefore they
built a citadel south of Élivogar, strategically placed to keep
an eye on the Giants. This citadel (probably "Ýsetur") belonged
to Þórr, but he handed it over to the King of the Elves, Ívaldi,
who ruled it with the assistance of Egill his son, and a multitude
of Elven soldiers. Ívaldi, a ruler of Sweden and Finland, was the
best of all spear-heroes. Egill was the foremost of archers and
skiers. Egill's brother, Völundur, was a master of smiths
and craftsmen, who studied under Mímir himself, and was thought to
be an equal to Mímir's sons, if not better. Ívaldi, his sons and
kinsmen swore oaths of allegiance to the Gods.
19. THE SECOND BURNING OF GULLVEIG
Gullveig was reborn in Jötunheimur, and made her way towards
Miðgarður, where she travelled in her new incarnation under the
name of Heiður. She taught her evil runes to men, trying to wean
them away from Heimdallur's sacred runology, and did whatever she
could to spoil mankind with her evil tricks. But as before, she was
caught in the act, and the gods deemed that she should burn at the
stake. And so she did, but again Loki ate her heart and spawned the
Fenrisúlfur (Fenris-Wolf), a monster which Loki actually convinced
the gods to raise as a pet in Ásgarður.
(In FG Gullveig's second burning is placed differently. But
chronology is the least of our worries. For the chron(olog)ically
interested, let me state that according to FG section 46 should
be replaced by this (19).)
20) GIANTS WORRY ABOUT ÞÓRR'S STRENGTH
The Giants with Loki devised a scheme in order to find out how
strong Þórr really was, how dangerous an opponent he might prove to
be. Loki tricked Þórr into visiting the Giant Fjalarr, and even
accompanied him. On their way and in Fjalarr's hall they were tricked
and deluded by Fjalarr, who was strong in magic. The competitions
Þórr participated in all ended with his defeat, but these were just
magical delusions devised by Fjalarr. Actually Þórr had shown an
awesome power, much feared by the Giants.
21) ÞJÁLFI AND SVIPDAGUR
Egill and his wife Gróa adopted an orphan boy named Þjálfi, who
grew up in Egill's citadel, proving himself as a clever and hardy
warrior. Later Gróa bore Egill a child, a radiantly handsome boy,
whose name is Svipdagur (Óður). (See also 75)
22) ÞÓRR AND HYMIR.
The Giant Hymir owned the bull Himinhrjótur. He also had a huge
brewing-kettle, which was necessary to the Gods, because of the
mead that Ægir, the Ocean-Giant, made for them. Þórr went to Hymir,
accompanied by Týrr, who was Hymir's foster-son. Þórr left his goats
with Egill in Ýsetur, and crossed Élivogar into Jötunheimur. Hymir
invited Þórr to go fish with him, since both had experience fishing
for whales. Þórr tore the head off Himinhrjótur for bait. Miðgarðs-
ormur (The World Serpent) took the bait. Hymir had to cut the
fishing-line, in order to save the two of them from the serpent's
jaws, but the huge serpent insisted until Þórr wielded his hammer,
leaving a huge dent in Miðgarðsormur's head. Hymir was impressed.
Returning to Hymir's abode, Þórr's might was still to be tested,
but he just stole Hymir's kettle and escaped with Týrr. Hymir's
kinsmen followed, but the Æsir slaughtered them. Thus Hymir's
kettle entered Ásgarður.
23) LOKI AND ÞJÁLFI.
While Þórr was at Hymir's, Loki came to Egill's citadel and tricked
Þjálfi into breaking a leg of one of Þórr's goats, last night's
dinner. However Þórr forgave Þjálfi, and made him a foster-son.
IV a. AGE OF WAR - BEFORE FIMBUL-WINTER
24) ÞÓRR GOES TO GEIRRÖÐARGARÐAR
Inescapably, Gods and Giants were now at war. Egill could only just
manage to defend the Élivogar straits. The daughters of Geirröður
devised a scheme with Loki in order to undermine the strength of
Egill's and Þjálfi's defenses, and the vigilance of their Elven
warriors. Loki tricked Þórr into a campaign against the giant
Geirröður. Þórr, Egill, Þjálfi and their legions entered Jötun-
heimur. They were ambushed, and Egill and his champions were almost
drowned at the Élivogar ford. After a battle with the Giants inside
the stony halls of Geirröður, Þórr and the Elves slaughtered Geir-
röður and all his clan.
25) THE THEFT OF ÞÓRR'S VINGNIS-HAMMER
While travelling with Loki, Þórr's hammer was stolen. The Giant
Þrymur buried it deep in the ground, and refused to part with it
unless in exchange for the goddess Freyja. Þórr went to Þrymheimur
disguised as Freyja, wearing bridal finery, carrying Brísingamen
around his neck, accompanied by Loki disguised as a bridal maid.
At the climax of the wedding, the hammer was ceremoniously carried
into the hall in order to sanctify the wedding, and placed in the
"bride's" lap. Þórr then grabbed his hammer, and thereupon killed
Þrymur and all his kinsmen.
26) THE CITY WALLS OF ÁSGARÐUR
The age of peace was now at an end, so the Gods had to build battle-
ments around Ásgarður, to guard them from the sworn enemies of the
regulated universe. The only builder available wanted Sun, Moon and
Freyja as payment. However, he was prevented by Loki to finish the
job on time, and thus forfeited his payment. Being a Giant he did
not like this, so he went into a giant-tantrum, and had to be killed
by Þórr. Loki had metamorphed into a mare in order to seduce the
Giant's horse, and soon after gave birth to the eight-footed steed
of Óðinn.
27) LOKI CUTS SIF'S HAIR
Later Völundur Ívaldi's son made her a golden wig, which caught root
and grew as normal hair.
28) LOKI CONTRIVES COMPETITION OF MÍMIR'S AND ÍVALDI'S SONS
(!!! This is a crux. We've had dissonances before, but this is the
one that makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE! What happens here is going to
resonate throughout the rest of the myth.)
Loki devised a plot, which seemed to benefit the Gods, but was
intended to create enmity between the Gods and the smiths of all
nature, as well as causing a rift between the two groups of smiths.
(i.e. Dwarves/Mímir's sons versus Elves/Ívaldi's sons.)
Loki bet his head to Brokkur Mímir's son, that Sindri, the most
artistic of all Mímir's sons, would not be able to craft treasures
to beat the treasures of Ívaldi's sons: i.e. Sif's golden hair,
the spear Gungnir, the ship Skíðblaðnir. Brokkur, who liked the idea
of beheading Loki, accepted the bet. His brother Sindri created
the boar Slíðrugtanni for Freyr and Freyja, the ring Draupnir for
Óðinn, and a new hammer for Þórr, a hammer which would be impossible
to steal, because it would always return to it's owner. The only
possible judges in this competition would be the Gods themselves,
after having tried out the various treasures, and passed judgement
onto them.
(go to 37)
29) GIANT HRUNGNIR IN ÁSGARÐUR
Óðinn rode his hose Sleipnir into Jötunheimur in order to meet the
Giant Hrungnir, who claimed his horse Gullfaxi to be the best of all
horses. Hrungnir fought verbally with Óðinn unto Ásgarður.
In Ásgarður Hrungnir was politely offered a drink, but soon he
became abusive and started threatening his hosts. When Þórr entered
the hall, he regretted his brawl and started claiming the immunity
resulting from Óðinn's invitation. Since he carried no weapon, he
offered to fight Þórr in a duel at Grjóttúnagarðar. Þórr accepted.
30) THE TRIAL OF MJÖLNIR
Þórr went to fight Hrungnir. He had expected Egill to accompany him,
but when he reached Élivogar, he found out that Egill had just
entered Jötunheimur to fight an army of Giants. Therefore he took
the young Þjálfi along, in order to participate in a fight of epic
proportions. During the fight Þórr fell to the ground, but threw his
hammer, which crushed Hrungnir's skull into tiny pieces, whereupon
the hammer boomeranged back to Þórr. Þjálfi proved his worth by
slaying Hrungnir's golem-like servant Mökkurkálfi.
31) ÞÓRR SAVES EGILL'S LIFE
On their way back Þórr and his companions were met by a violent
snowstorm and a freezing cold. Þórr saved Egill from a certain death
and carried him over the Élivogar straits from Jötunheimur to the
citadel of the Elves.
32) EGILL'S STAR (ÖRVANDILL'S TOE)
During the trip Þórr did not notice that one of Egill's toes was
exposed. It froze, so Þórr broke it off and cast it up into the
heavens, where it still stands as the star called Örvandil's Toe.
33) GRÓA'S MAGIC CHANT
When Þórr brought Egill back, his wife Gróa was there waiting. She
sang a magic runesong to cure her husband, but such was her happiness
at seeing her husband alive that she faltered and was not able to
retrieve her husband's lost appendage. However she was quite happy to
see her husband's toe transported to the heavens.
34) THE MEAD AND THE MOON
In Ívaldi's kingdom a well was discovered, and named Byrgir, probably
directly connected with Mímisbrunnur, conferrring on it's imbibers a
gift of poetic power and ecstacy. Ívaldi tried to keep this secret,
and sent two of his children in the dark of night to empty out the
well and bring back the mead. (Note: The two children, Hjúki and Bil,
are perhaps better known as Jack and Jill.) Nepur the Moon-God spied
the youngsters on their way back home with a pail full of mead, and
abducted them and the mead. From this mead he allowed the Gods to drink
as much as they wanted.
35) ÍVALDI TURNS AGAINST THE GODS
In his fury Ívaldi ambushed Nepur as he travelled through the Under-
world, overcame him and took back the mead, which he considered to
be his by right. In order not to lose the mead again he gave it to
the Giant Fjalarr for safekeeping in the deepest underground chamber
of his rocky palace. He entered into an sworn friendship with Fjalarr,
which involved Ívaldi's marriage to Gunnlöð, Fjalarr's daughter.
36) ÓÐINN VISITS FJALARR. THE SLAYING OF ÍVALDI.
On the day before the wedding Óðinn visited Fjalarr's palace, and had
taken upon himself the likeness of Ívaldi. He went to bed with the bride,
and in the night he exposed his true identity to her, and with her help
stole the mead, which he carried to Ásgarður in the shape of an eagle.
Meanwhile Ívaldi was slain in an ambush arranged by Fjalarr's door-
keeper.
37) THE GODS JUDGE IN THE BET OF LOKI AND BROKKUR.
After witnessing the slaying of Hrungnir, the gods judged that the
iron-hammer Mjölnir was the best of all treasures, Sindri a better
smith than Völundur, and thus Brokkur had won the bet. Furthermore
they supported Loki's claim that Brokkur could only have his head,
and might not harm his neck. Thereby the Gods had offended both the
sons of Ívaldi and the sons of Mímir. Brokkur sewed Loki's lips
together with his brother's awl.
38) VÖLUNDUR AND LOKI.
Óðinn, Hænir and Loki travelled in the wilderness. Völundur, having
taken the shape of an eagle, carried Loki away, and forced him to
agree to help smuggle Iðunn out of Ásgarður with the Gods' elixir of
eternal life. Völundur was resolved on revenge for his father's death
and his own honour, and decided to ruin the Gods and all of their
creation.
39) IÐUNN ABDUCTED.
Loki enticed Iðunn out of Ásgarður with the elixir of life. She was now
prisoner of the Gods' enemies.
(go to 44, go to 67)
40) FREYJA DISAPPEARS FROM ÁSGARÐUR.
Loki, at Völundur's behest, devised a plot with the help of his devious
sister Gullveig, and together they managed to abduct Freyja. Völundur
gave Freyja to the clan of the Giant Beli.
41) FREYR GIVEN OVER TO THE GIANTS.
Völundur and Egill also handed Freyr, their fosterson, over to the
same Giant-clan.
42) NJÖRÐUR SEEKS RECONCILIATION.
Njörður hastened off, taking Höður and Baldur with him, seeking out
Ívaldi's sons. Reaching Élivogar he found that Völundur and his
brothers had left the citadel of the Elves, leaving the place
unguarded. Njörður and his companions finally found the brothers in
the northernmost wilderness of the world. An attempt at reconciliation
totally failed, and resulted in an archers' duel between Höður and
Egill. Egill proved himself to be superior, but Höður was not hurt.
43) ÍVALDI'S SONS AS OUTLAWS
Völundur, Egill and Slagfinnur, the third son of Ívaldi, chose to
become outlaws, and travelled all the way to the northernmost edge
of the world, to Úlfdalir (Wolf-dales), where Gods never go.
(go to 63)
44) DÍSIR (Minor Goddesses) OF VEGETATION
of the clan of Ívaldi left the Gods, and flew as swans to their kins-
men in the Úlfdalir.
(go to 67)
45) MÍMIR'S SONS RESIGN
as the master-smiths of the Gods. Even so they still supported the
order of the universe, which was now endangered by the hostility of
Ívaldi's sons.
46) THE THIRD BURNING OF GULLVEIG.
It was discovered that one of Freyja's handmaidens was guilty of
having betrayed Freyja into the hands of Giants, and that she was
yet a new incarnation of the monstrous Gullveig. Þórr in his rage
attacked her with his hammer and felled her; thereupon she was burnt
one more time. Those of her bodily remains not destructible by the
holy fire were removed to the Underworld and buried in holy ground
in order to render them scatheless. However Loki still managed to
eat her heart.
(see 19, perhaps better placed here, in which case 46 should accompany
62, see)
47) BROTHER BETRAYS BROTHER
Höður was hunting in Járnviður (Iron-Wood) and stayed overnight in a
cave, where a witch welcomed him, and bewitched him with a magical
potion, so that he was tricked into swearing an oath to gain the love
of Nanna, Baldur's betrothed. The magical potion filled Höður's heart
with a burning love for his brother's fiancée. When he woke up the next
morning he was filled with shame, but nevertheless he was bound by his
oath to betray his brother.
48) HÖÐUR JOINS THE GIANTS.
After Egill left the Elves' citadel at Élivogar, many Giants crossed
the border. Höður joined these, and organized them to do battle with
the Gods, but was defeated. Baldur brought his repenting brother back
to Ásgarður.
49) BALDUR'S DESPAIR.
Baldur was now beset by evil dreams and frantic despair. Various
prophecies seemed to foretell his death. Ásgarður was depleted and
Miðgarður declining. Three major powers were lost to the Giants:
Freyrr, the God of Vegetation; Freyja, the Goddess of Fertility;
Iðunn, the Goddess of Eternal Youth. One clan of nature-smiths had
stopped serving the Gods; the other clan were now enemies. The Dísir
of Vegetation had joined the enemies of Ásgarður. But while Baldur,
the God of Peace, still lived, at least there was still hope that
the forces of eternal winter could still be held back.
50) ALL LIVING CREATURES
swore never to harm Baldur. Not even the Giants wanted him dead. But
there were exceptions: Gullveig, Loki and Völundur the Avenger, who
now had taken the name of Þjazi, and deformed into a ghastliest of
Giants.
51) THE MISTLETOE
In the Iron-Wood there grew a sapling, which had been overlooked when
all the creatures swore their oath not to harm Baldur. Loki discovered
this, found the sapling, and took it directly to the Wolf-Dales, where
Völundur (Þjazi) wrought from it a deadly arrow, which would never swerve
from its mark.
52) BALDUR'S DEATH
After oaths of allegiance to Baldur had been sworn, the Gods made a
sport of shooting at Baldur, and hewing at him with all manner of
weapons, knowing he could not be harmed. Höður joined in the sport
with his bow. Loki surreptiously put the deadly mistletoe-arrow into
his quiver, knowing that Höður was the only one of the Æsir, who
could possibly be suspected of wishing to harm Baldur. Höður shot
Baldur with the mistletoe, which looked exactly the same as his usual
arrows, and Baldur fell dead.
53) THE DUTY OF BLOOD-REVENGE
is inescapable, even to the Gods, but no one could be found within
Ásgarður, who would slay Höður, and thus deprive Óðinn of another
of his sons. Thus the Gods were in danger of being unable to fulfil
their duty of revenge.
54) ÓÐINN'S EXCURSION TO THE UNDERWORLD
Óðinn saddled Sleipnir and entered the Underworld from the north,
passing through Niflhel towards the kingdoms of Mímir and Urður.
In Niflhel he sought out Hrossþjófur, Gullveig's brother, who made
a prophesy that he would beget upon Rindur in the West Halls a son,
who would be his brother's bane. A hellish giant dog, foaming with
blood, followed Óðinn all the way to the borders of Mímir's realm.
Óðinn sought out Mímir and asked the Ruler of the subterranean
Paradise to answer his burning question: Did Baldur's death mean the
end of all creation?
55) ÓÐINN'S EYE IN MÍMIR'S WELL.
In exchange for an answer to this riddle, Óðinn had to sacrifice of
himself. The answer was hidden at the bottom of the Well of Wisdom.
Then Óðinn tore out one of his eyes, and threw it into the well,
whereupon his eye saw the future of the world. Even so Óðinn chose
to have Urður confirm the vision he had seen.
56) ÓÐINN AT GULLVEIG'S MOUND.
Óðinn rode on, and soon he passed the place where Gullveig's bodily
remains had been buried. Nearby a palace stood, tall and magnificent,
which had been built by Mímir's sons. Óðinn looked in, and saw
"benches covered with costly rings, and beautiful beds embroidered
with gold". But the mound of Gullveig was covered with snow, even
though winter never comes to Mímir's realm. Óðinn raised the witch
back from the dead, but all she did was to repeat her brother's
prophesy.
57) THE ÁSMEGIR AND THE BREIÐABLIK OF THE UNDERWORLD.
The palace Óðinn saw has a most important role. Mímir had already
seen the future, and read the signs, which proved that a terrible
fate was in store for the world. He did not want the clan of Men
descended from Askur and Embla to become irretrievably spoilt from
distress and sin, so he sought out two children, pure and unspoilt,
in order to preserve them. In Miðgarður he found Líf and Leifþrasir,
and ordered his sons to build for them a magnificent palace in the
land of morning-light to the east of Jörmungrund, a palace surrounded
by the greenest of woods. The palace was also built for Baldur, whose
fate Mímir had foreseen. Dellingur, the Elf of morning, is the gate-
keeper of Breiðablik. The gate was built by Sindri (Dvalinn) and his
smiths, and through it no sorrow or sin will ever pass, nor old age,
nor illness. The two human children are nourished by the succulent
dew which drips off the branches of Yggdrasill. So now they awaited
the coming of Baldur, and the drink which gives new life to the dead,
awaited him in the hall.
58) URÐUR FORETELLS RAGNARÖK.
Still Óðinn rode on, until he arrived at the Norns' Well. He asked
Urður to solve the riddle burdening his mind. Urður answered him,
that she knew that his eye lay deep in Mímir's Well of Wisdom, so
he already knew the answer to all his questions. But óðinn laid all
manner of treasures at her feet and begged for an answer. Then she
chanted the fearsome, but somehow comforting lay, which tells of
Ragnarök and the renewal of the world.
59) THE PYRE OF BALDUR
was made on his ship, Hringhorni. Óðinn carried his son in his own
arms onto the pyre. When Nanna, Baldur's wife, witnessed this, her
heart burst with sorrow, so that she was able to join her beloved
husband on the funeral pyre. Óðinn laid the ring Draupnir on Baldur's
chest and whispered in his son's ear. What he whispered will never be
known. The pyre was lit, and the burning ship sailed out onto
the ocean of the heavens.
60) ÓÐINN USES MAGIC RUNES.
The law demanded revenge for Baldur, and Óðinn already knew that the
avenger would be born of Rindur, the daughter of Billingur the Elf of
evening. Rindur rejected Óðinn's advances, so he was forced to use
magic runes in order to ravish her.
61) BALDUR'S AVENGER.
Rindur bore Váli to Óðinn. Váli forced his way out of his mother's
womb before his time, and slew Höður while one day old, still
irresponsible and unknowing of the grave necessity of the dire deed
which was the only reason for his birth.
62) CREATION OF DISEASES.
Loki, pregnant with Gullveig's heart, bore into the world the Queen
of Disease, named Leikin. She would soon become very busy, with the
advent of the horrifying Fimbul-Winter, which directly followed
Baldur's death.
(Please note that this Leikin is identical with Snorri's Hel,
the Queen of Hell. The real Hel is of course Urður, the Queen of
the southern part of the Underworld.)
(see 46; should perhaps be moved to 110?)
IV b. AGE OF WAR - THE FIMBUL-WINTER
63) ÍVALDi'S SONS IN THE WOLF-DALES
At the northernmost edge of the world, not far from one of the tunnels
which lead down into the Underworld, Ívaldi's sons built their abode.
Egill and Slagfinnur skied and hunted; Völundur sat alone in his great
smithy, and cultivated his craft; but whenever he grew tired of his
anvil, he would wield his magic wands & chant sorcerous magic-songs.
64) VÖLUNDUR'S GREAT SORCERY
filled the atmosphere with misty sleet and hoarfrost, thich clouds of
rime which tumbled southward, causing snowstorms and hailshowers over
Middle-Earth. Every day, for many years, Völundur sent forth icy winds
against helpless Mankind. The air was poisoned with baleful sorcery.
Óðinn looked out from Hliðskjálf, and became aware of the source of
the evil power in the wastes beyond Jötunheimur. He sent his wise
ravens off to find out the truth, but their wings grew feeble and the
blood threatened to freeze in their veins. They were forced to return
and Óðinn was none the wiser.
65) VÖLUNDUR'S GREATEST TREASURE
Völundur made a great sword in the Wolf-Dales, a Sword of Revenge,
the greatest of all weapons, into which he poured all of his craft
and knowledge. He hardened its steel in the deadly cold eddies of
Niflhel's rivers, and carved it with runes of certain victory.
66) DECLINE OF THE WORLD.
The harvests of Miðgarður became poorer with every year that passed.
Vegetation failed, and famine followed. On the chilly winds were
carried evil spirits of hunger and disease, which felled both man
and beast. The Gods appeared to be helpless; prayer and sacrifice
were of no avail. Two huge Giant maidens, Fenja and Menja, took
hold of the turning-shaft of the world mill, and revolved it at
such a terrible speed that Earth shuddered in its depths. Huge
rocks were torn from the mill-stone and thrown up out of the ocean,
mountains spewed fire, the mill went askew, and the heavens oblique,
as may still be seen.
(This may refer to the obliquity of the Ecliptic, and
the apparently "askew" revolution of the Heavenly dome.)
67) SWAN-MAIDENS IN THE WOLF-DALES
Ívaldi's sons had not dwelt long the the Wolf-Dales, when they were
visited by three maidens in the shapes of swans, who had decided to
share their fate. Two were daughters of Ívaldi, their half-sisters:
Iðunn, betrothed to Völundur, and Auða who loved Slagfinnur. The
third was Sif, their kinswoman, who brought Egill a message from
Gróa, that she was unable to join him.
(But properly Sif is also a daughter of Ívaldi's, and the
brothers' half-sister.)
68) MIGRATION FROM THE NORTH
Hosts of Giants flocked over the Élivogar into the North of Miðgarður.
The smiths of nature, who formerly had blessed the land with beauty
and fertile growth, now left it, and went all the way from Svarin's
Mound to Aurvangaland in the south. Sindri (Dvalinn) was their
leader. Numerous Teutonic clans lived in Svíþjóð, and were forced by
the atmospheric changes to move south. The Northern Swedes suffered
first, and thereupon all the other clans. Thus one clan pushed the
next one towards the south, fleeing the icy winter-winds of the far
north. Behind them the lands became covered with wastes of snow and
terrible glaciers. Delivery from cold and famine could be glimpsed
toward the south.
69) SKJÖLDUR FOUNDS THE TEUTONIC EMPIRE SOUTH OF THE SEA
The multitudes flocking towards Aurvangaland grew alarmingly. The
now aged Skjöldur/Borgarr decided to migrate still further south,
over the sea to the mainland of Europe. There, aided by his son
Hálfdan (Mannus), he founded an extensive kingdom, reaching far
south along the banks of the Rhine towards the tallest mountains on
Middle-Earth. The Northern Swedes conquered Aurvangaland, and stayed
there.
70) HÁLFDAN/GRAMUR, ANCESTOR THE THIRD, FIRST OF KINGS.
When Skjöldur/Borgarr, the ancestor of men throughout the gold and
bronze ages, finally passed away, his son Hálfdan became king over
all the nations of the new Germania. He was first of the Teutonic
leaders to receive the title of king. His father's title had been
that of "judge".
71) OF THE BIRTH OF HÁLFDAN.
He was born at night during a thunderstorm, while "the sacred waters
flowed down from Heaven's mountains". Þórr was imminent in the night
sky at the child's birth, so in a sense he is Hálfdan's "father".
Urður and her sisters were also present: they fastened a thread of
fate under the heavens and fixed it strongly to the east and west,
but to the north they could only fasten one strand, and prayed for
it to hold forever. Two ravens, who witnessed the birth, remarked
that this marked the beginning of good times for ravens and wolves.
The boy's parents, to whom Heimdallur had taught the language of birds,
heard this prophesy, and were saddened.
72) HÁLFDAN AND HAMALL.
Skjöldur/Borgarr sent Hálfdan to be fostered by his friend Hagall.
This Hagall had a son named Hamall, clan-father of the Amelungs.
Hálfdan and Hamall were the handsomest of all men's sons, and looked
alike enough to be brothers. They became sworn friends.
73) HÁLFDAN'S ATTRIBUTES.
Hálfdan was not only blessed with physical beauty, but great physical
and mental powers as well. He was the greatest of Teutonic bards, and
composed lays, which have passed from generation to generation for
many ages. He was popular and generous, thirsty for adventure and
battle.
74) HÁLFDAN AND GRÓA.
Once Hálfdan and Hamall accompanied Þórr to the north of Sweden, in
order to fight the Giants, who now lived there. While riding through
a forest, they spied Gróa and her handmaidens, who were on their way
to bathe in a lake in the woods. Hálfdan forced Gróa to accompany him
and made her his wife. Gróa's father was slain in battle with Hálfdan.
(This actually takes place before 44 & 67, being the reason why
Gróa can't join Egill in the Wolf-Dales.)
75) GRÓA'S SONS: SVIPDAGUR OG GUTTORMUR.
Gróa bore Egil's son in Hálfan's palace, and named him Svipdagur (Óður,
see 21). Later she bore Guttormur, Hálfdan's son.
76) GRÓA'S DEPARTURE AND DEATH.
Gróa could neither bear to be mother to the son of her father's slayer,
nor to see Egill's son be raised in Hálfdan's palace. She knew that he
would sooner or later have to avenge himself upon his foster-father.
Finally Hálfdan sent Gróa and Svipdagur away. They returned to the
north of Sweden, where Gróa awaited Egill's return. She wasted away
from longing and sorrow, and finally died. On her death-bed she asked
of her son that if ever in sore need, he must visit his mother's howe
and call upon her advice.
77) THE SWAN MAIDENS AND VÖLUNDUR'S BROTHERS LEAVE THE WOLF-DALES
At the beginning of their eighth year in the Wolf-Dales, the Swan
Maidens grew sorrowful with longing for their home, reassumed their
Swan-shapes and flew away. Egill and Slagfinnur left Völundur in order
to seek them.
78) ULLUR.
Egill was accompanied by the boy Ullur, his son by Sif, who had been
born in the Wolf-Dales, and learnt there from his father all manner of
skills.
79) VÖLUNDUR BOUND AND DEPRIVED OF HIS SWORD.
Mímir, the guardian of the World Tree, had until now kept away from
the Gods' striving to save the world order from the powers of
destruction. When Völundur had finished his sword, Mímir saw that
the Gods might never succeed. He then left the Underworld, accompanied
by his wife, who is the mother of the Dísir of Night, and the Njárar, who
are his kinsmen. He went all the way up to the Wolf-Dales, where he
came upon Völundur sleeping, and bound him fast with his magical bonds.
He confiscated the sword of revenge, brought Völundur down into
the Underworld, and imprisoned him in a strong dungeon on an island
in the middle of a lake. Mímir's queen ordered Völundur's knee-tendons
to be cut, expecting terrible misfortune if ever Völundur escaped.
80) THE HIDING OF THE SWORD OF REVENGE
Mímir gave the sword into his queen's keeping. She hid it away inside
the trunk of the World Tree itself, where it lay magically locked
within the nine locks of its growth rings.
81) VÖLUNDUR AND BÖÐVILDUR.
Völundur murdered two young sons of Mímir, who, heedless of their
father's command, had rowed out to Völundur's island in order to
view his treasures. From their skulls and eye-balls he crafted
precious treasures, which he gave to their parents and their sister
Böðvildur. Böðvildur secretly went to the island, where Völundur
gave here a magic potion, and lay with her.
82) VÖLUNDUR ENSURES BLOOD-REVENGE AND FLEES.
Völundur had secretly crafted for himself the shape of an eagle, in
which he now flew to Mímir's palace. He promised to tell Mímir what
had become of his sons, if Mímir would promise him never to harm his
child's mother, whoever she was. Mímir accepted this, whereupon
Völundur reavealed his horrible misdeed, and flew away. Böðvildur
bore his son, who was named Viðga.
83) VIÐGA, THE SON OF VÖLUNDUR.
Thus it came about that a sworn enemy of the Gods and their creation
was raised in the palace of Mímir and his queen, protected by the very
clan which guards over and takes care of the World Tree, a clan
connected to the Gods by ancient oaths of friendship. Viðga was heir
to the sword of vengeance, and bound by blood to avenge his father,
should he lose his battle with the Gods. But only by reclaiming the
sword would he be able to do this.
84) VÖLUNDUR AND IÐUNN IN ÞRYMHEIMUR.
Völundur found Iðunn his betrothed again, and together they barricaded
themselves inside a mountain in Þrymheimur. Disabled in body, bereft
of his sword, unfit to do battle with the Gods, Völundur could still
go on laying Miðgarður waste with his sorcery and magic songs. Further-
more, as the Gods' elixir of eternal life was still in Iðunn's keeping
the Gods were bound to fail sooner or later. Time alone would show how:
either by the ravages of old age, or the sword of revenge in the hands
of Völundur's son.
IV c. AGE OF WAR - THE END OF FIMBUL-WINTER
85) IÐUNN RETURNS TO ÁSGARÐUR
In order to please the Gods and avenge himself upon Völundur, Loki
offered to recall Iðunn to Ásgarður, since he had found the place
where Völundur hid away. He borrowed Freyja's falcon-shape, and
flew towards Þrymheimur, where he managed to sneak into the mountain
while Völundur was out hunting. He turned Iðunn into an apple, and
flew away with her in his claws.
86) THE DEATH OF VÖLUNDUR
When Völundur returned and realized what had happened, he immediately
dressed in his eagle-shape and gave chase to Loki, all the way to
Ásgarður, where the Gods were ready to receive these two birds. As
soon as the falcon had entered Ásgarður, they set fire to the magical
river which surrounds Ásgarður. Völundur, wounded with spears and
arrows, flew into the fire, and crashed to the ground with burning
wings, whereupon Þórr slew him with his hammer.
87) SVIPDAGUR SAVES FREYJA
Now Egill was back with Sif, together with his sons Svipdagur and
Ullur. One day Sif remarked to her stepson, who was both handsome
and able, that he had now reached manhood and must do a heroic deed
of some kind. Most of all she wanted him to save Freyja from the
Giants. Svipdagur was not exactly willing to do this, but Sif, who
was prescient and inspired by Urður, made it a sacred duty of his.
Svipdagur, suspecting his stepmother of malice, arose in the middle
of the night, went to his mother Gróa's burial mound, begged her to
wake up, reminded her of the promise she had given him, and told
her of the duty Sif had demanded of him. Gróa encouraged him, and
sang magic songs to help him on his quest. Ullur, who loved his
brother dearly, sought permission from his mother to accompany him.
Egill supplied them with strong weapons and hardy steeds.
As they were Völundur's nephews, they were thought to be giantfriends,
and were welcomed wherever they went in Jötunheimur. After a long and
arduous journey, they came to the land of Beli. There they found both
Freyr and Freyja, who at Völundur's bidding were treated as royalty
among the Giants. Even so they were bound by magical spells, as if
entranced. So distracted was Freyja that she hardly noticed that one
of the Giants, name of Greppur, meant her to be his wife. The brothers
managed to speak to Freyr, who was so ashamed of his life among the
Giants and his helplessness against the powers of destruction, that
he wouldn't return to Ásgarður, but begged them to save his sister
and take her away from the Giants. This they managed to do, but on
their way back Svipdagur fell in love with the Goddess, who was still
in a coma with her eyes closed. One night she disappeared. The
brothers searched long and far for her, and finally found her, where
she had become the shepherdess of an anchorite ogress. Svipdagur
befriended the ogress, and asked to marry her shepherdess. While the
ogress went to fetch her kinsmen to the wedding, the brothers escaped
with Freyja. They made it all the way to Egill's abode. Sif was
overjoyed by the brothers' success, but Svipdagur was distressed by
Freyja's indifference. Sif then made preparations for the wedding of
Svipdagur to a maiden of some beauty, whereupon Freyja could no
longer hide her willingness to marry him, and became his lawful wife.
Freyja must be returned intact to Ásgarður. Such was Sif's will and
Svipdagur's design, even if the Gods were his kinsmen's enemies. He
therefore placed a naked sword between himself and the bride on the
wedding night. On the next day Sif led Freyja into Ásgarður, whereupon
Freyja again sank into a dreamy trance.
88) FREYR RETURNS
Now the Gods learned where Freyr was to be found, and Njörður took his
ship Skíðblaðnir to the fog-shrouded skerries, where Beli lived with
his clan. Beli was slain by Njörður in battle, and thus Freyr was freed.
89) HÁLFDAN BATTLES THE WINTER ARMIES OF THE NORTH
Hálfdan amassed a great army south of the Eystrasalt in order to
reclaim the sacred land of the fathers, Scandia, from the forces
of winter. The ships set sail, and the army went forth onto the
shores of Aurvangaland. The Swedes, who had taken over the land,
refused to budge, and called upon the northern giants to assist them.
Hálfdan was assisted both by Gods and the sons of Mímir, so now
Men, Gods, Nature-Smiths and Giants fought a bloody battle. The
enemy retreated, and Hálfdan's army made its way towards the north.
The defeated Swedes were surprised to see that in the wake of the
army there came spring, accompanied by growing flowers and flocks
of birds. In the air above Hálfdan's ranks there rode Valkyries
armed with golden spears. From their horses' manes there dripped
fertile dew-drops upon thawing fields. Sindri (Dvalinn) Mímir's son,
who earlier had led the first migration from the north, now led his
people back, and joined in the battle under Hálfdan's banners.
90) ÍSAVÍG (ICE-BATTLE). MÓINSHEIÐAR (MÓIN'S MOORS).
The most renowned battle fought in this war has been called the
Ice-Battle (Ísavíg). Freyr, Dellingur, Dagur, Sindri and his brother
Bjárr took part in this battle, and so did the mighty Vífill. Another
famous battle took place at Móinsheiðar (Móin's Moors).
91) HILDIGEIR FALLS IN BATTLE
Hildigeir, Hálfdan's half-brother, was slain as he fought in the
Swedes' army. Drótt had born him in Sweden, while married to the
clan-father of the Hildings, before she became Skjöldur's wife.
Hálfdan was born in Denmark, and knew not his brother. Hildigeir
was slain by Hálfdan's sword, after having spared his life. As
he lay dying he revealed himself to his brother.
92) BATTLE ON THE WESTERN AND EASTERN SEAS
Great battles were also fought on the Western and Eastern Seas
against the powers of winter. Brokkur and Bjárr, Sindri's brothers,
slew a horrible sea-monster of giant birth. Þórr and Þjálfi wrested
the Danish and Swedish isles from the rule of Giants. On Hlésey
(Lässö) Þjálfi almost lost his life when attacked by a savage
ogress, but Þórr saved him.
93) THE SCANDIAN ISLES RESETTLED
Among those who rebuilt the isles were Þjálfi, Vífill and Véseti.
Þjálfi settled on Gotland, which heretofore had sunk into the
ocean at sundown and re-emerged at sunrise. Þjálfi encircled the
island with sacred fire, and thus stabilized it. Vífill settled
on Áland, Véseti on Bornholm.
94) FINAL BATTLE AT SVARIN'S MOUND. EGILL SLAIN. SVIPDAGUR PRISONER.
Finally Hálfdan made his way north to Svarin's Mound where the
migration had started at the beginning of the Fimbul-Winter. There
the final battle was fought. Egill and Svipdagur joined the army
of the North-Swedes. On the night before the final battle, under
the cloak of night, Egill secretly sought out Egill's tents,
surprised him and slew him with his club. On the battle-field
Svipdagur was taken prisoner.
95) HÁLFDAN, HIGH KING OF THE TEUTONIC PEOPLES
Now even the Swedes bowed to Hálfdan's rule, and resettled the lands
where they had dwelt before Fimbul-Winter laid it waste. The defeat
of the powers of winter was now complete and final, or so it seemed.
But the story was not over yet.
IV d. AGE OF WAR - SVIPDAGUR AND THE SWORD OF REVENGE
96) HÁLFDAN AND SVIPDAGUR
Hálfdan offered to make peace with his stepson and promised to make
him a powerful king over men. Svipdagur was furious, and refused
to accept bribery from a man who had raped his mother, slain his
maternal grandfather and murdered his father. If Hálfdan wouldn't
kill him now, he swore to kill Hálfdan later. Hálfdan tied his
stepson to a tree in the middle of a wild forest, and left his fate
to a higher power.
97) SVIPDAGUR AND MÁNI (THE MOON GOD)
Svipdagur freed himself from the bonds with the help of the magic
spells, which Gróa had taught him. Overcome by despair he roamed the
woods in the moonlight. Máni spoke to him, and told him not to
despair: In the Underworld "Sinmara" kept his uncle's magical sword
hidden inside the World Tree itself. If he could fetch it, victory
would be his. This Sinmara was burdened with sorrow, and if Svipdagur
could lighten her burden, she would give him the sword. In order to
free her from sorrow, he would have to bring her a sickle, which
could cut a certain one of the threads of Urður's fate. Máni also
told Svipdagur where he would find the entrance to the tunnel leading
down into the Underworld, and how to get there. When Máni had spoken,
a silver sickle fell to the earth at Svipdagur's feet. He seized the
sickle, and began his journey.
98) SVIPDAGUR OBTAINS THE SWORD
After a dangerous journey north over snowy mountains and barren
wastes, Svipdagur found the entrance to the Underworld. After
fighting the Njárr who guarded the gate, he entered the dark tunnel,
and finally emerged in Niflhel. He boldly made his way through the
terrors of Niflhel, climbed the Mountains of Hvergelmir, saw the
World Mill turning, and finally came down on the other side into
Mímir's Kingdom, where he made his way towards the palace of Night
and her dark Dísir. He was welcomed there by the sorrowful Queen of
Mímir and her daughter Böðvildur, and there he saw the boy Viðga,
the son of his uncle Völundur. He offered to give the Queen Máni's
silver sickle, which would enable her to cut the thread of blood
vengeance fixed by Urður in the name of Viðga. Svipdagur took upon
himself the duty of avenging Völundur, whereby the Sword of Revenge
would be rightfully his. Mímir's Queen fetched the sword from its
hiding place, and happily exchanged it for the moon-sickle. Before
Svipdagur returned to the upper worlds, he was allowed to look upon
various wondrous places and things in the Underworld, among them the
magically locked Breiðablik, where the Ásmegir (Líf and Leifþrasir)
await by Baldur's side.
99) SVIPDAGUR LEADER OF GIANTS
Svipdagur now summoned to him the hosts of Jötunheimur, and made it
known that he was now the wielder of Völundur's sword. He then led
towards the south a huge army of Giants, which Gymir had collected.
Soon it became known in Ásgarður what had become of the sword.
Óðinn himself went forth, accompanied by his sons and the Vanagods
Heimdallur, Njörður and Freyr, in order to assist Hálfdan to defend
Miðgarður.
100) SVIPDAGUR VICTORIOUS
A deadly battle took place, but even though the Gods were victorious
over the Giants, Svipdagur was the real conqueror. His marvellous
sword, bright as the sun, slew just as many men as Þórr's hammer did
Giants. Svipdagur fought a duel with Hálfdan. Hálfdan's mighty club
shattered into tiny pieces, as if struck by lightning, and his byrnie
split apart so that he received a deep wound. Þórr then threw his
mighty hammer against Egill's son. The hammer did no harm to Svipdagur
and returned to Þórr as powder. Þórr himself was forced to retreat.
He carried the wounded Hálfdan onto a cliff-top, wherefrom he threw
huge boulders over Svipdagur's army. Svipdagur did not wish to wield
his weapon against Njörður and Freyr, so he retired from the battle.
101) HÁLFDAN DIES. HIS SONS
Hálfdan's wound was fatal. He left two sons: Svipdagur's half-brother
Guttormur son of Gróa, and an infant boy, son of Alveig, whose name
was Haddingur.
102) ÓTTI Í ÁSGARÐI
It could now be said that the fate of Ásgarður hung balanced on the
point of Svipdagur's sword. However this formidable enemy of the Gods
had saved Freyja from a terrible fate, and delivered her intact into
Ásgarður. She loved him, and longed for his return. Had he forgotten
all about her?
103) SVIPDAGUR IN ÁSGARÐUR
On a spring morning a young man with a gleaming sword walked alone
up to the gates of Ásgarður, and beheld in wonder the golden citadel
on green plains within. On a flowery knoll Freyja was sitting, deep
in her secret dreams, surrounded by Eir and other Dísir. When the
young man had exchanged words with the gate-keeper for a while, he
revealed his name, and the magnificent gates instantly opened. The
fierce wolf-hounds, who are trained to let no one pass, came running
and licked his hands. The gate-keeper informed Freyja, that she had
a visitor, who was none other than Svipdagur Egill's son. Then the
Vanadís awoke from her slumbers and leapt to her feet. She recognized
her loved one instantly and greeted him with a kiss.
104) RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE GODS AND ÍVALDI'S KIN
Now Svipdagur and Freyja had a lawful wedding in Ásgarður. Iðunn
daughter of Ívaldi married the Bard-God Bragi. Þór married Sif.
Njörður took as wife Skaði daughter of Völundur. She arrived in full
armour at the gates, where she was welcomed. She was made a Goddess
in compensation for her father, and through the marriage she became
one of the Vanir. Völundur's eyes were cast upon the heavens, and
turned into stars. Thus he gained honour in the end, like his brother
Egill long ago.
105) FREYR RECEIVES THE SWORD OF REVENGE
As bridal fee Svipdagur gave Völundur's sword to Freyja's clan, and
it was decided that Freyr should be its keeper. The nature of the
sword was that it granted unconditional victory to Völundur himself
or his kinsmen, but eternal ruin to anybody else. With the sacred
bonds of marriage Ívaldi's clan was now interwoven with the Gods'
clans forever, and the sword therefore Ásgarður's mightiest weapon.
106) SVIPDAGUR ATTEMPTS TO RESURRECT BALDUR
The end of Fimbul-Winter, the defeat of the Giants and reconciliation
with Ívaldi's clan filled Frigg with hope that fate might be reversed
and Baldur resurrected from Hel. Svipdagur took it upon himself to
carry her wish to the Norns, and her greetings to Baldur and Nanna.
He rode on Sleipnir into the Underworld, and when he returned, he
brought back greetings and gifts. Baldur returned the ring Draupnir
to his father; Nanna sent Frigg fine clothes, and Fulla a golden
ring. The Norns of fate had told Svipdagur, that Baldur might indeed
return with Nanna on one condition: that no creature could be found
that hadn't wept or wouldn't weep over Baldur's death. But soon it
became apparent that such a creature existed: an ogress named Þökk,
who chanted from her mountain-cave: "Þökk shall weep dry tears over
Baldur's funeral pyre". It is more than likely that Þökk was either
of the two, Gullveig or Loki.
IV e. AGE OF WAR - THE ÆSIR-VANIR WAR. FIRST WAR OF MEN.
107) FREYR PROPOSES TO GERÐUR
One day Freyr was sitting in Hliðskjálf, and saw the giant-maiden Gerður
daughter of Gymir. She seemed to him the most beautiful of all maidens,
and he was filled with longing and sorrow, but dared not tell the other
gods, who worried about him. Of all the Giants Gymir was now the most
terrible, and a sworn enemy of Ásgarður, and therefore a bond of matrimony
between the Gods and Gymir would be a shameful thing indeed, and most
dangerous for all of creation. Nevertheless Freyr's passion became so
overwhelming that he felt that he would die unless Gerður become his.
He opened his heart to Svipdagur, and it came to pass that Svipdagur
went to Gerður in order to propose marriage on Freyr's behalf. He took
with him the ring Draupnir and eleven golden apples, but she would only
accept the proposal on three conditions: that her father Gymir receive
Völundur's sword; that Svipdagur and Freyja fetch her and accompany her
into Ásgarður; and that she become one of the Goddesses in Ásgarður.
108) THE SWORD OF REVENGE IN GYMIR'S POWER
The Gods accepted unwillingly, and thus forfeited the certain victory,
which the sword had ensured. The sword was a great gain for the giants,
even if they would never be able to use it without destroying themselves.
Gymir gave the sword into the keeping of his kinsman Eggþér, who buried
it deep below the earth in the Iron-Wood (Járnviður).
109) BATTLE IN THE HALL OF GYMIR
Svipdagur went to Gymir's hall along with Freyja. They planned to
betray the Giants. Þórr and Ullur rode secretly to the north, and
hid themselves near to Gymir's mountainous abode. Gymir told Svipdagur
that he planned to keep Freyja, and proposed that he himself marry
Gerður. Thus he would regain the sword of revenge, be able to fulfil
the blood vengeance which he had sworn, overthrow the God-powers and
himself become Lord of the Universe. Svipdagur pretended to accept
this, and now a double wedding was prepared. Just in time Þórr and
Ullur burst into the rocky hall. Svipdagur grabbed his weapons, and
Freyja fought valiantly by her husband's side. Gymir and all his clan
were slaughtered after a violent battle, and the Gods brought Gerður
into Ásgarður.
110) GULLVEIG EXECUTED ONCE MORE
At this time a giant maiden named Aurboða was one of Freyja's hand-
maidens. As soon as Gerður had entered Ásgarður, it seemed obvious
that Aurboða was her mother, and furthermore it was revealed that
she was none other than the thrice-executed, thrice-burnt and thrice-
resurrected Gullveig. When this became known, all the Gods were
assembled in Valhöll, and Aurboða was present. Þórr in his fury killed
the giantess with his hammer, and the Æsir pierced her with their spears
and suspended her body in the fire.
(go back to 15, 19, 46, 62; go forwards to 148)
111) THE VANIR DEMAND COMPENSATION
To the Vanir, just as to the Æsir, Gullveig was an abomination who did
not deserve to live, and they even suspected that her sorcery was
responsible for Freyr's irresistible love for Gerður. Nevertheless she
was now Freyr's mother-in-law, and connected to the Vanir through
sacred marriage-bonds. Therefore it was their duty to demand compensation
in return for her execution.
112) FEUD BETWEEN ÆSIR AND VANIR
Óðinn refused the Vanir's demand, stating that Gullveig had long ago
forfeited her right to live and been sentenced to death, and that the
Gods must carry out this sentence, whenever she was reborn. He claimed
that the Gods could not be made to make compensation for the monstrous
witch, who had brought the evil "seiður" into the world. One of the
Vanir then pointed out, that Óðinn himself had once availed himself of
the evil runes of Gullveig.
113) ÓÐINN BREAKS UP THE ASSEMBLY
Furious at being reminded of this regrettable instance, Óðinn threw his
spear over the assembled Vanir, signifying that this quarrel would not
be settled with words or discussion, but with weapons. Thus he sundered
the ties, which in yore had united the Æsir and the Vanir. The Vanir
therefore left Ásgarður.
114) VANIR DEMAND THE DETHRONEMENT OF ÓÐINN
The Vanir came to the conclusion, since Óðinn and Gullveig both were
guilty of the same crime, that Óðinn ought to step down from his throne,
which he had thus defiled.
115) MÍMIR'S DEATH
Mímir tried to make peace between Æsir and Vanir, but was slain, and it
is thought that this was Loki's work. His head was sent to Óðinn, since
Mímir had acted in his name. Whoever it was, that committed this dreadful
deed, made it appear that the Vanir had slaughtered Mímir.
116) THE HEAD OF MÍMIR
In Óðinn's possession the head of Mímir turned into a head of gold, that
could speak and answer his questions, and give him good and honest advice.
Ever since Óðinn possessed Mímir's head, all his deeds have been wise and
true.
117) THE SEVEN SLEEPERS
Mímir's seven eldest sons, the great primal smiths, retired after their
father's death, tired of the world's toil, determined that now nothing
could purify the world except the coming Ragnarök. They therefore went
to sleep, and their sleep will last throughout ages. Night cloaks their
hall with twilight and deep silence. The din of the World Mill and the
eddies of Hvergelmir does not disturb their slumber. In their palace
there are innumerable halls filled with weapons and magnificent treasures
of their making. In one of the halls their sleeping horses await, fully
attired for war. Mortal men, whose destiny it is to enter their palace,
must not disturb the seven sleepers, lest they be punished with a fatal
disease which consumes them.
118) THE SPLITTING OF THE GODS
With Óðinn there stayed in Ásgarður the Gods Þórr, Týr, Bragi, Víðarr,
Váli and Forseti, but Skaði alone of the Goddesses. Frigg returned to
the clan of the Vanir, and also Freyja, Freyr, Svipdagur and Ullur,
along with all other Vanir and Álfar, except Hænir alone, who thus
lost all his propertis in Vanaheimur, which were taken over by Lóðurr.
119) ÁSGARÐUR IN THE POWER OF THE VANIR
After a long siege, the Vanir conquered Ásgarður with their strategy.
Njörður's axe burst open the locks of the city gates, and the armies
of the Vanir filled the sacred plains. The Æsir obeyed the head of
Mímir and left Ásgarður, in order that none of the Gods be slain and
thus the order of the universe endangered.
120) ULLUR LORD OF ÁSGARÐUR
The Vanir and the Álfar decided that one of them must overtake Óðinn's
name and functions, in order to accept the prayers and sacrifices of
men, who worship him. This would have to be a God, who still had no
defined function in the order of things, and Ullur was chosen. This
change of authority in Ásgarður did not involve any revolutionary
changes in the nature of religious worship, although it led to certain
new and stricter rules of sacrifice.
(??? This constitutional change is interesting. It is tempting to
relate to it the otherwise inexplicable change in the runic alphabet,
from 24 runes to 16 runes (3*8 to 2*8).
121) MANHEIMUR.
Manheimur is the name of the land where the Æsir settled during their
absence from Ásgarður. They were not idle, but went on protecting the
world and their special protégés.
122) ÆSIR SUPPORT THE SONS OF HÁLFDAN
Now that the Vanir ruled Ásgarður, the Gods feared that Svipdagur might
take advantage of the situation, in order to avenge himself upon the
sons of Hálfdan, his slain enemy. Þórr therefore found foster-fathers
for the two brothers in Sweden the Great: Guttormur went to Hafli the
Great, Haddingur to the mighty Vagnhöfði. Nevertheless Guttormur had
no reason to fear Svipdagur. They were both Gróa's sons, and when he
learned that Svipdagur offered him a great kingdom on the banks of the
Rhine in the west of Germania, he accepted his brother's offer and
became king over the West-Teutons, who from his name (Goð-Hormur)
received the appellation of Hermiones.
123) JÖRMUNREKUR (EORMENRIC)
was the name that Guttormur received as High King of the West Teutons.
124) SIFKA
was the name of a man, who one day appeared in the halls of Jörmunrekur.
He claimed to be Lord of the Baningjar. He became Jörmunrekur's trusted
counsellor. He was none other than Loki in disguise.
125) THE YOUTHFUL DEEDS OF HADDINGUR
Svipdagur reluctantly decided to treat Haddingur in the same manner,
and offered him a great kingdom, which had been his father's, but the
boy refused to accept favours from his father's bane. Sifka/Loki sought
Haddingur in order to kill him, so that the boy was no longer safe with
his foster-father Vagnhöfði. One evening there appeared a one-eyed rider
on an eight-footed horse, who expressed polite thanks to Vagnhöfði,
placed the boy in his saddle, and rode with him through the air all the
way to Manheimur. There the boy received instruction in runic wisdom
and weaponry. Óðinn chanted to him songs of protection, and gave him
a magic drink, Leifnislogar, which enabled him to break any bond or
fetter with his breath. A Norn showed him the way down into the Under-
world, where he was privileged to look upon the wonderful world of the
blessed, and all its magical treasures.
126) MÆRINGABORG (MAERING CITY)
When Haddingur grew up, he was sent to a city in Miðgarður, which name
is Mæringaborg. On the way he was ambushed by the Baningjar, led by Loki,
and imprisoned; but with his breath he freed himself in the night and
escaped. Reaching Mæringaborg he found many of his father's friends, who
had assembled there away from Svipdagur's wrath. Among them were Hamall
and Hildibrandur (see 72). They planned a revolution among the East
Teutonic peoples under the leadership of Haddingur.
127) VIÐGA SON OF VÖLUNDUR
In the midst of the preparations, a youthful hero rode into Mæringaborg.
On his shield was painted a heraldic design, showing a smith's tongues
and hammer. This was Viðga, the son of Völundur and Böðvildur. Being
Svipdagur's cousin, it was his duty (he said) to fight Hálfdan's clan.
He challenged Haddingur to single combat, was victorious, but did not
slay his enemy but held out his hand in friendship. Thereafter he
lingered long in the city, where he gained love and respect.
128) HADDINGUR LEADER OF THE EAST TEUTONS
The East Teutons were now ready to revolt. Haddingur went among them
and was hailed as High King. Reluctantly he bid farewell to his great
friend, Viðga, who dutifully left to take his place by the side of Gróa's
sons, Svipdagur and Guttormur/Jörmunrekur.
129) ÞJÓÐREKUR (THEODORIC, DIETRICH)
is the name of Haddingur, after becoming King of the East Teutons.
130) FIRST BATTLE OF MEN
Svipdagur came down from Ásgarður to Germania, and called upon the
Swedes and the Danes to do battle with Þjóðrekur/Haddingur. Enormous
warships were built in order to transport the Scandian warriors to
the mainland, where they were united with Jörmunrekur/Gottormur's
armies. Valkyries rode in the skies, some from Vanaheimur, others
from Ásgarður, still others from Manheimur. Jörmunrekur's army was
strengthened by his foster-father Hafli, who arrived with the giant-
maidens Fenja and Menja; Þjóðrekur's army by Vagnhöfði and his
daughter Harðgreip. Svipdagur's bards made it known to his and
Jörmunrekur's soldiers, that those who would fall in battle would
be guaranteed a place in Freyja's hall, Sessrúmnir. Þjóðrekur
promised his soldiers a place in Óðinn's palace.
The ensuing battle was long and cruel, and every night the exhausted
warriors could see an amazing spectacle in the night sky: a super-
natural battle of Vanir fighting Æsir. During the daytime, as men
fought men, the supernatural beings were at work as well: whenever
dark clouds and hailstorms threatened to overwhelm Haddingur's army,
the warriors would see óðinn and Þórr, carrying golden spear and
thunderous hammer, coming forth to fight the foul weather. But soon
the ultimate battle took place, and great heroic deeds were done on
both sides; but Sifka/Loki, who had stayed well away from the main
battle, managed to employ the Western armies in such a manner that
Haddingur's armies were scattered. Haddingur/Þjóðrekur was totally
defeated. He had to flee to Manheimur along with Hamall and Hildi-
brandur.
131) PEACE
came to Miðgarður for many years. Svipdagur's viceroys and earls ruled
Germania for generations. Freyja bore to Svipdagur two lovely daughters,
and a son, named Ásmundur, who became ruler of the Northern Kingdom.
132) THE EVIL DEEDS OF SIFKA/LOKI
Sifka still dwelt at the court of Jörmunrekur/Guttormur. With lies and
treachery he created conflicts among the Teutonic lords. Guttormur wished
to marry Svanhildur, the daughter of a king of the North. He sent his son
Randver, accompanied by Sifka, to propose the marriage to her. She
willingly accepted, and accompanied them to Guttorm's court. Sifka
convinced Guttormur that Svanhildur had been untrue to him with his son.
Guttormur was furious, let his own son be hanged, and Svanhildur be
trampled to death by wild horses. Sifka also tricked Guttormor into
executing two of his kinsmen (the Harlungs). Svanhildur's two brothers,
Sörli and Hamðir, swore to avenge their sister's death. They were both
slain during their attempt to kill Guttormur, but manage to wound him
horrible, so that he suffered unto his death.
133) HÚNASTRÍÐ (WAR OF THE HUNS)
The discord between the Æsir and the Vanir resulted in an attack of
the Giants upon Miðgarður. The Giants slily offered the outlawed Æsir
to join in the attack, but Óðinn, caring more about the welfare of
mankind than that of the Æsir, warned the Vanir of the Giant's attack
and even offered to assist them. The whole of creation was in danger,
and all assistance was needed. The giant armies which now overflowed
Miðgarður, even unto Bifröst, seemed totally invincible. The Æsir, the
Vanir, the Elves and Men united against the Giants, and ensured victory.
The number of Giants which fell in this battle was so huge that the
Élivogar straits became filled with their bodies. Ever since that time
the Giants are so drastically decimated, that they are no longer a
threat to men, at least not until Ragnarök is at hand.
134) RECONCILIATION BETWEEN ÆSIR AND VANIR
Thankful for Óðinn's high-mindedness, the Vanir recalled him to
Ásgarður, and gave him back his throne. The peace was sealed with
a triple agreement: the Vanir would hereafter disregard any of
Óðinn's acts not to their liking; if Gullveig were to be born again,
she would not be executed, but outlawed to the Ironwood; the slain
in battle would be divided between the Æsir and the Vanir evermore.
135) THE SECOND BATTLE OF MEN
In East Germania a new generation of warriors had now taken over, and
raised anew the banners of Þjóðrekur/Haddingur. Accompanied by Hamall
and Hildibrandur, Haddingur again went forth as leader of the armies
of the East. The Gods attempted to make peace, but Loki now held in
thrall both Guttormur/Jörmunrekur and Svipdagur himself. The Gods held
assembly and judged that Svipdagur must keep the peace and hand over
to Haddingur his father's inheritance, but Loki's wiles had totally
blinded Svipðdagur, so that neither the Gods' judgement nor Freyja's
tears could sway his stubbornness. He commanded his son Ásmundur to
gather the Swedes, the Danes and Guttormur's armies. Again there was
war between the Teutonic nations.
136) SVIPDAGUR DISAPPEARS
The gods sent Svipdagur a final warning, and urged him to obey the
decree of the Rulers of the Universe. He disregarded their bidding.
His fleet sailed forth over the Eystrasalt, but mid-way it became
apparent that Svipdagur had disappeared. The Gods' wrath had forced
him to regret his hybris, so that he jumped off board into the ocean's
depths. There he was transmogrified into a hideous monster. Humbled and
desparate he dived unto the bottomless abyss of the ocean, in order to
dwell there forever, hidden from the eyes of Gods and men. The Gods
kept his fate secret from Freyja. His son Ásmundur took over the
leadership of his armies.
137) JÁLKUR AT ÁSMUNDUR'S COURT
The armies of Guttormur and Ásmundur joined on the mainland. Sifka
was present as usual. In the middle of the night a tall, one-eyed
stranger visited Ásmundur's tent. He called himself Jálkur, and
warned Ásmundur against fighting his uncle. Ásmundur was totally in
Sifka's power, and would not listen to Jálkur's warnings. The one-
eyed warrior then visited Haddingur, and had a long discussion with
him and his right-hand man Hamall.
138) A NEW TYPE OF BATTLE ARRAY
Jálkur taught them a new array of battle, the wedge-shaped column,
which ever since has been sacred to the Teutons.
139) VAGNHÖFÐI
On the next day the battle started, but Vagnhöfði, having been delayed,
was still missing from Haddingur's army. A one-eyed warrior, naming
himself Kjalarr, met Vagnhöfði on his way to the battle, took him
upon his eight-footed steed and flew through the air towards the
battle. When they were directly above Haddingur's army, Kjalarr put
Vagnhöfði down in the exact place where he was needed.
140) HADDINGUR VICTORIOUS
Sifka/loki was in charge of the battle arrays of Ásmundur and Guttormur,
but the wedge-shaped column was too much for him. Óðinn's wisdom here
conquered Loki's wiliness. Ásmundur forced his way into Haddingur's
army, until he fell by Haddingur's blade and Vagnhöfði's curved sword.
Sadly Viðga Völundur's son also was slain in this battle, but some say
that he was thrown into the sea and saved by Mímir's daughters, his
kinswomen. Before that he had slain many hundreds of men, and only he
could have slain Haddingur, but would not, because of their sworn bonds
of everlasting friendship.
141) PEACE ONCE MORE
After Ásmundur had fallen, a white shield was borne aloft, and the
lords of the Teutons made peace among themselves. Sifka/Loki was
away and gone. Germania was divided between Haddingur, Guttormur and
Ásmundur's son.
142) ÞJÓÐREKUR/HADDINGUR
became a kind and prosperous king. As soon as Sifka/Loki was out of
the way, the Teutonic lords were easily reconciled. A great friendship
was born between Haddingur and Ásmundur's son, who now ruled in Sweden.
The latter took his own life when Haddingur's death was wrongly reported
to him. When Haddingur heard of this tragedy, he willingly faced death
himself.
143) FREYJA SEEKS SVIPDAGUR
Freyja in her sorrow went into her falcon-shape, and flew all over the
earth in search of her lover. Finally she found him swimming in the
seas by the skerry, which is called Singasteinn. She knew him by his
eyes, and stayed at Singasteinn because of her love. She was wearing
the Brísingamen, the divine of which was forever reflected in the
ever-moving ocean; therefore Freyja is called Mardöll. The tears she
cried over Svipdagur turned to gold, and with this gold, which is the
purest gold in all of creation, she bought Svipdagur free from the
Gods' wrath.
144) THE DEATH OF SVIPDAGUR
One day Haddingur bathed in the ocean near the skerry Singasteinn,
fought a strange sea-monster and killed it. Immediately a beautiful
woman appeared to him, and revealed to him that he had slain one of
the Vanir, and therefore had to pay compensation to Freyr in order not
to call upon himself the wrath of the Vanir. Haddingur at once realized
that he had killed none other than Svipdagur himself, and rejoiced in
the finalization of revenge for his father. Nevertheless he paid the
recompensation demanded, and thereby closed a vicious circle of ancient
blood revenge, and strengthened his ties of friendship to all the
descendants of Svipdagur.
145) BATTLE OVER THE BRÍSINGAMEN
As Freyja appeared to Haddingur's eyes, the Brísingamen was lying
unprotected on the Singasteinn skerry. A seal crawled onto the skerry:
this was Loki, who lusted for the Brísingamen. The Gods were now
seeking after him high and low, and the Brísingamen was the only
treasure that they would accept in exchange for his life. But another
seal crawled upon the skerry and attacked him, and when Loki looked
into his eyes, he saw that it was Heimdallur himself. Loki then jumped
into the sea and escaped, but Heimdallur brought Brísingamen back to
Ásgarður. There now sits Svipdagur among the Einherjar, and Freyja
enjoys limitless happiness with him.
146) LOKI IMPRISONED
Finally the Gods caught Loki in Fránangursfoss (Franangur's Force),
where he lived disguised as a salmon. They placed him in a cavern
on the islet Lyngvi in the midst of the Sea of Ámsvartnir. Sigyn, the
lawful wife of Loki but most unlike him, asked of the Gods that she
might share his fate. In the ghastly cavern Loki rests upon three
sharp edges of rock, with a sword-point penetrating his back. His
fetters are twisted from the entrails of a wolf, Loki's son. A horrid
serpent hangs above his face, dripping venom. The hair on Loki's head
grows into noxious needles and piercing spikes.
147) THE FETTERING OF FENRIR
Fenrir, Loki's offspring, was imprisoned, also on the islet of Lyngvi.
There Týr lost his right hand.
148) GULLVEIG FINALLY OUTLAWED
Gullveig, reborn as Angurboða, was banished to the Ironwood, and
magically bound to stay there until Ragnarök. Her wolfen offspring
and her brother Loki accompanied her. There she stays, with Eggþér,
the guardian of Völundur's sword of revenge.
V. HISTORICAL TIME
149) DECLINE OF THE WORLD
Even if the originators of evil have been bound fast, and Gods still
walk among men, the seeds of wickedness sown by Gullveig and Loki into
men's minds still bear fruit. The World Tree, bereft of the care of
Mímir and the goodness of his sons, grows old, and mankind degenerates.
"Brothers will fight and be each other's banes; cousins will betray one
another; men do suffer, whoredom is rampant; it is the age of the axe, the
age of war, the age of cloven shields; the age of storm, the age of
wolves, ere the world founders."
VI. RAGNARÖK (DESTRUCTION OF THE GODS)
150) FOREBODINGS
The light and heat of the sun lessens year by year. The powers that be
lose control over the winds, and through the whine of storms can be
heard the howling of the Fenrir wolf from the Gnipa cavern. From
Járnviður the wolf-giant Hati comes, and terrorizes Miðgarður along
with his wolf-kin. Great battles occur all over the world, and the
lords' abodes become red with blood. The dead are too many; they can
not all be buried. The hungry wolves fight over their dead bodies,
before Niðhöggur, the dragon of decomposition, claims them.
151) MANKIND GOES UNDER
A second Fimbul-Winter freezes Miðgarður. The Wolf Hati eats the Moon.
The descendants of Askur and Embla are slain by sword, disease, cold
and hunger.
152) THE FINAL BATTLE
The Giant Eggþér sits on his howe in the Ironwood, happily strumming
his harp of storms. He calls upon the Fire Giant Fjalarr, who comes
in the guise of a crimson cock, crows loudly, and accepts Völundur's
sword from Eggþér's keeping. Fjalarr returns to the Surtur's Sunken
Dales (Surt's Sökkdalir), where the fires of destruction are waiting
to burst forth, and hands the sword over to Surtur his father. Ygg-
drasill, the World Tree, trembles from root to crown, and the Gjallar-
horn, which until now has rested in the shadows underneath the tree,
jumps into Heimdallur's grasp. He blows the horn with all his might,
and it reverberates throughout the universe. The sons of Mímir rise
from their eternal sleep in order to do battle against the ultimate
evil. The dwarves stand "groaning in front of their stone doors".
Whichever monsters housed by woods and mountains rush forth over the
lands of men. The peaceful denizens of the blessed realms of the
Underworld are filled with fear. The trembling of Yggdrasill loosens
the bonds and fetters of the Lyngvi prisoners: Loki, Fenrir and other
sons of destruction step onto Naglfar, the ship of Doom. Loki steers
the ship towards Nástrendur, in order to take aboard the cursed ones,
and then he sets sail towards the Ironwood. All the Giants of Jötun-
heimur assemble under the leadership of Hrymur. The ocean erupts and
overflows the lands of men, because Miðgarðsormur grows gigantically
strong and thrashes about.
Óðinn has spoken to Mímir's head for the very last time. At the thing-
stead of the Gods the Æsir, Vanir, Valkyries and Einherjar prepare to
do battle. Óðinn and his sons go forth against the Frost-Giants. The
Vanir and the Einherjar of Sessrúmnir will fight Surtur and Suttungs-
synir. Njörður has retired to Vanaheimur, but Freyr chooses to stay
in order to fight Surtur, in recompense for the folly that caused him
to hand over the sword of revenge to the giants.
The southern part of Bifröst collapses from the sheer weight of the
warriors, but even if having to swim through the ocean of air the
Vanir warriors finally make it to the plain of Óskópnir. The final
battle will be fought along Jörmungrund's outer periphery, where
Óskópnir and Vígríður unite into a single battle-field. In the North
the horizon is endarkened with hosts of Frost-Giants, screaming their
battle-songs from beneath the shields. The East grows black with the
appearance of the monsters which come out of Járnviður. To the South
the sky grows crimson, as Surtur and his Fire-Giants burst forth. In
Surtur's grasp the Sword of Revenge blazes, adding a blood red colour
to the twilight of the whole world.
From the four corners of the world, the multiple armies attack each
other. Týrr, the one-handed Áss, slays Hati, but falls dead from his
horse's saddle, pierced with a fatal wound. Heimdallur rushes forth
against Loki and beheads him with his sword; but Loki's head, bristling
with poisonous spikes, bounds back penetrating the pure God's breast.
As the God of sacred fire falls dead, the sun goes out and the stars
fall from the heavens. Óðinn rides against Fenrisúlfur, but is over-
come by the poisonous fumes from the wolf's jaws and swallowed by
the monster. Víðarr, the silent Áss, avenges his father. With one
of his feet (wearing a magical shoe) he opens up the jaws of the
Fenrir monster and with his sword pierces its heart. Miðgarðsormur
has just reared his head, looking for Þórr. The God of Thunder wields
his hammer, splitting the dragon's head, but after stepping away nine
feet he falls dead from the poison spewed from the monster's jaws.
Freyr rushes at Surtur, and is felled by Völundur's sword. Now the
sky splits, and the mountains burst open with the fiery lava hitherto
held in rein. Fire envelopes the field of battle, the armies are
devoured and the blazing heat burns to cinders all of creation, above
as below. Through the fire and smoke of Ragnarök there ride the sons
of the Gods, Víðarr, Váli, Móði and Magni, down unto Mímir's grove,
where death and destruction can never reach.
VII. RENEWAL OF THE WORLD
153) A NEW EARTH ARISES
The sin-defiled earth sinks into the sea and is dissolved. Slowly the
flames go out, and in purified air, underneath a higher heaven, a new
earth arises out of the ocean, the primal earth of Mímir and Urður, the
world of the three wells, where the grass is ever green and the flowers
never die, that world where Hoddmímisholt and Breiðablik will remain
forever. There live Baldur, Nanna and Höður, as well as Líf and Leif-
þrasir, who are the parents of a new mankind. Glittering waterfalls
tumble off the mountains of Niðafjöll, and overhead the eagles swarm,
and all manner of creatures come forth, as planned by Mímir in days of
yore. Unsown fields will bring forth corn, and righteous children of
men will settle upon the earth and enjoy its fruits again and again
underneath the golden roofs of Gimlé, which will remain forever, more
beautiful than the sun.
154) BALDUR WILL RETURN
There the Gods will assemble once again at Iðavellir. Hænir, Víðarr,
Váli, Móði and Magni will come together and surround Baldur, Nanna and
Höður. Baldur and Höður will rebuild their father's house together. As
a sign of things to come, they will find in the grass that golden
chessboard, which was owned by the Gods of yore.