It has become tradition among my husband’s family that I make a calendar each year. The past couple of years I’ve picked Norse Gods whose festivals match the months of the year. This year I decided to do legends and stories about the Gods, and thus came across the story of Thor marrying the king of the frost-gianst, Thrym. I thought I would share it with you. I read several versions of the story which are listed below and then wrote it in my own way.
The frost-giants were always scheming to find a way into Asgard, but so long as Thor had his hammer they were doomed to fail. Thor woke up from a long deep sleep to find that someone had stolen, Mjollnir. Quickly he went to Loki for help finding his precious hammer.
Loki took him to Freyja, “Thor’s hammer has been stolen by enchantment. Will you lend the falcon-guise that we may search for it?”
“If it were silver, or even gold, you should have it.” Freyja replied.
On his journey as a falcon Loki discovered Thrym, king of the frost-giants grooming his horses who asked why Loki was there.
“It fares ill since you stole Thor’s hammer. I have come to find where you’ve hidden it.”
Thrym laughed, “I buried it eight miles underground and no one shall take it unless he gets Freyja for my wife.”
Loki returned and told Thor the news and they went back to Folkvang and Freyja where Thor told her to put on her bridal dress and come to Jotunheim.
Freyja was furious and refused so they called a conclave of the Gods to find solution.
During the discussion it was Heimdall who could look to the future who came up with the idea, “We must have the hammer at once or Asgard will be in danger. If Freyja will not then let Thor go in her place with a woman’s dress, braided hair and Freya’s Brisingamen necklace, place a bridal veil on his head to complete the guise.”
Thor was angry at this idea pointing out the others would jeer at him dressed as Freyja. Loki reminded him this was the only way they would likely recover the hammer. So, Thor allowed them to dress him as a bride. Freyja much preferred loaning her necklace to her loins and Loki disguised himself as “Freyja’s” maid to go along and they rode to Jotunheim.
Thrym was so excited and pleased to see Freyja come to him that he ordered a great feast in celebration of her arrival. The tables groaned under the load of the great meal and Freyja sat modestly with her veil covering her face. Soon the guests were amazed by Freyja’s appetite she ate an ox, eight salmon and drank three tankards of mead.
“Did anyone ever see such an appetite before a bride?” Thrym declared.
Loki fearing the giant had suspicions leaned over and said, “Freyja was so happy upon hearing news of her nuptials that she could not eat for eight days.”
Thrym was so pleased at this affection that he raised the veil as gently as he could but was repelled by his bride’s terrible eyes, “Why are Freyja’s eyes so sharp?” he asked Loki, “They burn me like fire.”
“Oh,” said the cunning maid, “but she has not slept for a week as she has been so anxious to come here. That is why her eyes burn so.”
Thrym’s giantess sister went to Freyja to ask for a bridal gift, “If you would have my blessing give me those gold rings on your fingers.” But Freyja sat silent.
Thrym became impatient, “Bring the hammer.” He shouted, “So the bride may be consecrated and we shall wed.”
The hammer was brought and placed in the bride’s lap and everybody looked to see the ceremony. However, no sooner did Freyja’s fingers close around Mjollnir then the veil was torn off and Thor revealed eyes blazing and full of wrath. Thor swung his hammer around and rocked the giants house on it’s foundations. Then with a flash of lightning and crash of thunder he reaped his revenge on Thrym and all the giants there until everything was a ruin. Thor and Loki returned to Asgard where Mjollnir would keep the Gods safe once again.
SOURCES:
http://www.timelessmyths.com
The Eddas
The Children of Odin by Padraic Colum and Will Pogany
