Loki Passage 11

2.

In Jotunheim, the Giant named Prymr sat on the burial mound of his friend, Geirrod. He was plaiting collars from the hewn and roots of the trees to make collars for his females dogs. It was his work for he had no woman he could call his own to do the task. He was ever lonely then since Geirrod had perished under Mjolnir held by Thor. He still recalled that event which led to his friend’s death. Gerriod had told him that he caught an unusual bird and had it caged. Both Prymr and Gerriod then visited the cage. Inside it was a falcon, but unlike any other falcon, that one had an unusual beak.

“Is it a rare bird? I have starved it for several days to make it speak.” Gerriod was not the brightest among the Giants but he was a hunter. Prymr was to reply when the falcon spoke.

“Release me you fool. It’s me. Loki of Asgard.” The falcon spoke out in the tone of Man. “Unless you wished another long war with Odin.”

“Loki? Asgard?” Gerriod howled out. “The trickster? I shall squash it now.”

Prymr stopped his raging friend from his foolish act. The last war with the Asgard caused a lot of their friends to perished. He looked to the falcon.

“Show thy real self.” Prymr told Loki. “We will talk to you than your feather disguise.”

“Then release me now. How could I fit into this cage?” Loki called out. “And hurry for me a meal to satiate my hunger.”

“I rather think not. You are Loki the Trickster. You may well trick us with your antics.” Prymr replied. “Not unless you swore an oath by your mother’ name.”

“My mother? Which one? The birth or the caretaker?” Loki asked. “Or even my other mother of my children.”

“Your birth one.” Prymr spoke out. To the Giants, the oath swore on their mother’s name was a sacred one, and it was forbidden to break it. Loki did not agree to it and was made to starve for another two more days. Finally he agreed and was released from the cage. He was given a meal of corns and water to feed.

“Corns and water? I asked for a meal to befit a Lord.” Loki rebuked.

“Aye, but it was not you who asked. It was a bird and I served what a bird may take. So eat up and we will talk.” Prymr commented back. Loki did as he was told and soon sat down to discuss their demands.

“You are mad.” Loki replied when he heard the demand. “I may be his brother, but I command no such influence on him. Thor is betrothed to Lady Sif and never would he betrayed that oath.”

“Trickster, only you who was given the name could do the task. You may trick him and we will ensure he become one of us.” Prymr replied. “Gerriod have two sisters who are pretty.”

Gerriod gasped at the claim on his sister. He last recalled they looked like the external bark of the tree exposed to the coarse lashing of the environment, gnarled by the bears during summer and watered by the canine creatures during winter.

“Gerriod sisters? Why they are…” Loki held his tongue for he was once in love with a Giant who fared slightly better. “I agreed to speak to him but whether he will come may depend …”

By then Gerriod ha grabbed Loki by the throat.

“Spare me the reply and send over your head for me to crush.” Gerriod threatened the other.

“You drive a crushing offer, Giant. I shall oblige for my head is on the debt.” Loki replied. He then rushed back to the Hall to see Thor. The reply he got was more amazing.

“Sisters? What are their names again?” Thor in his younger days then was emotionally maintained by his ego and hormones jumped to the idea. “I have not been with a set of sisters since…”

“Pardon me, Thor. Those sisters you met earlier were witches and they nearly took your arms off if not for Balder and Odin who came in time.” Loki replied. It was him who fetched the duo when Thor was trapped by the witches.

“Ye, but I thought it was my…” Thor was motioning to his navel. “That they were after. Never mind, I have battled many Giants and won. Let me challenge these sisters and be victor over their …”

“Love, Thor. Not otherwise. We are going for a love match and not a brawl. Although you may brawl later in their bedding, I cared not.” Loki sighed. Then he added in. “There was one other condition. Gerriod said no Mjolnir.”

“No Mjolnir. It’s my hammer which I carry everywhere. It comes with me to the bedding and …” Thor defended his companion.

“In which Sif complains that it was akin to having Frigg watching over her while you were rutting above her.” Loki sighed louder. “Leave your hammer behind. You have one there that could do the hammering.”

“Yes, you are right. I had sometimes mistaken the throbbing of it for mine.” With that Thor left Mjolnir at the Hall before he started on his trip with Loki. Thor was not into the flying or walking so he took his chariot with the goats pulling at the front.

‘Better than the hinds of the mares, huh?” Thor laughed at his own joke while he held the reins. Loki sighed louder for he saw the goats have all done the same above their goatee. The journey was longer for Thor needed to do stopover at another Giant’s place. It belonged to a Giantess named Grior.

“I hear you are going to meet Gjalp and Greip.” Grior cautioned Thor. “Be warned that they are more than just maidens. They are also spell mistresses. They sought you for vengeance than for your seedlings to farm their lands. For your safety if you insist in going, take my staff and iron glove with you. It may avert disaster on the journey.”

Thor thanked the Giantess and continued on his way. True to the caution of Grior, the weather soon took to change into darker storms which swelled the rivers with strong currents. Thor came to the banks of the river and saw it raging currents. The Billy Goats that pulled his chariot were reluctant to cross.

“It ain’t in our terms to cross rivers that swell above our heads. We are hill terrain breeds, not aqua hybrids.” The leader of the Billy Goat replied. Thor tried to explain that he was without his Mjolnir and could not control the lightning and thunderstorms. The goats being their normal self stood on their own hinds in the matter. It was Loki who came to the rescue.

“Strike the staff into the river and let it formed a sea wall.” Loki told Thor who did as per instruction. The raging water stopped as if it was blocked by a strong wall that rose out of the mud yet it was translucent to the sight. The wall rose higher when the water level increased but after it was the sight of the river bed.

“Move you, you bleats. Your dried path laid out for you.” Thor swung his reins to prod the goats to pull the chariots. They did as told for there was no raging river in their way. It was a divine sight to view the high wall of the water while you rode past it. It must had been how an aqua creatures sees their own world.

Soon they reached the home of Gerriod. Thor and Loki were welcomed into the hall of Gerriod home. It was a huge chamber with one exception; there was only one chair there. Gerriod took Loki by the arm to lead him to the rear of the hall while Thor sat himself by the only chair there.

“My body aches from the ride. I shall rest with my eyes closed and let my mind wandered to the coming events when I ride those sisters.” Thor did as what his body suggested. Just when he was falling asleep, he felt the chair moved. He looked up and saw the ceiling lined with sharp stakes awaiting him. He thrust Gríðr's staff against the roof beam and pushed down. With the heavy weight and force of their guest, the giantess sisters, Gjálp and Greip, were crushed to death. The two sisters were in hiding at a nearby pillar was crushed by the falling ceiling. ^.

Thor, displeased with everything that had happened, went to confront Geirröd. The giant raised his hand and threw a hot lump of iron at the thunder god. Using the iron gloves lent to him by Gríðr, Thor caught the hot iron and threw it back at the giant who hid behind a pillar. The hot ball went straight into the pillar, into the head of Geirröd, and finally rested deep into the earth.