Freyr and Gerda
This story can be found in the Prose Edda and in the Poetic Edda where it is titled Skírnismál. One day Freyr seated himself upon Hlithskjalf, Odhinn's high seat from which the all the Nine Worlds can be seen. As Freyr looked out over the worlds his vision came to Jotunheim. There he saw a house, large and beautiful, and to this house went a woman. When the woman raised her arms to open the doors, her arms shone so brightly that they illuminated the sky and the sea, and the whole world grew bright. After seeing this sight Freyr grew sad and despondant. He did not sleep or speak, he took no drink, and all were afraid to speak to him. Njord summoned Skirnir, Freyr's servant, and asked him to go talk to Freyr and discover the cause of his anger. Skirnir agreed to do this, though he expected a harsh answer. Skirnir went to Freyr and asked him why he sat lonely and with heavy heart all day in his (Freyr's) hall. Freyr replied that from on high he had seen the halls of Gymir, and in those halls he had seen a maiden whose arms shone so bright that they lit up the sea and the sky. He said that maiden was to him more dear than any maiden to any man. But Freyr knew that the Ćsir and the Alf's would say that he and this giantess should stay strangers. Freyr then asked Skirnir to journey to Jotunheim and woo this woman for him. Skirnir asked Freyr to lend him his steed, to lift him over the weird ring of flickering flame, and also his sword that swings itself against the tribe of trolls. Freyr agreed to the loan of these things and Skirnir set off on his journey. Skirnir rode into Jotunheim and to Gymir's court. There were savage dogs tied to the gate of the enclosure about Gerda's bower. Skirnir then rode to where a shepherd sat on a mound and asked the shepherd how he (Skirnir) might win the welcome of Gerda and win his way through the hounds. The shepard replied that there was no way Skirnir would ever win the welcome to have of the good daughter of Gymir. Skirnir then caused his steed to leap over the wall of flames and then he came to Gymir's hall. Gerda then bid her handmaiden to invite the stranger into her (Gerda's) bower to meet her and drink mead, though she feared that "my brother's banesman" was not far from them. Gerda asked Skirnir whether he was an Alf, an Ćsir or a Vanir to which he replied he was none of these things, yet he came alone through the ring of fire to behold Gymir's halls. Skirnir offered Gerda eleven golden apples if she would say that she loved Freyr and held him dearest to herself. Gerda replied that she would not take the apples to do any wight's will nor would she ever dwell with Freyr while they were alive. Skirnir then offered Draupnir if she would consent to love Freyr. Gerda replied that she did not want Draupnir, she said she did not lack gold in Gymir's hall. Skirnir then threatened to cut Gerda's head from her neck if she would not yield her love to Freyr. Gerda replied neither gold nor sword will convince me to do any wight's will. She went on to say if Gymir, her father, was here than Skirnir would be in a fight to the death. Skirnir showed the blade to Gerda and told her before this blade's edge the etin falls. Skirnir then threatened to bewitch Gerda. He said he would make her ugly and make her a prisoner of the giants. He threatened to forbid men's mirth to the maid (Gerda), and men's love to the maid. He said she would be imprisoned and have only the staling of stinking goats to drink. Skirnir scratched runes upon the wand he had, "a thurs' rune and three more", saying he would scratch them off as he had scratched them on if there was no need for them. Gerda then offered a crystal cup of mead to Skirnir saying she would consent to be Freyr's wife. Skirnir then asked when she would consent to meet and welcome Freyr. Gerda said she would meet Freyr in nine nights. Skirnir then rode home and met Freyr who asked what news he (Skirnir) brought. Skirnir said that nine nights hence Gerda would grant Freyr her love. Freyr replied, long is a night, longer are two, how shall I three endure? Shorter to me a month oft seemed, than this half bridal-eve.
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