The tale of Freyr
An old tale retold 

Auther: Ainsley Bloomer, Winnipeg, MB

After the funeral of Baldur, Freyr went to console Odin in his hall, Valaskjalf. He was surprised because no one was around. He was about to turn around and leave when his eyes fell on Hlidskjalf, Odin’s special chair. Sitting in the chair would allow him to see into all the other realms. Freyr’s curiosity was suddenly set aflame and before his better judgement settled him, he was sitting in the high seat of Odin. All were forbidden to sit in Odin’s chair other than Odin and Frigg.

Freyr was mesmerized as he sat in the chair and looked over all the worlds. He had a clear view of all the realms and saw something sparkling as he looked northeast. He realized he was looking into Jotunheim, the land of the giants. Freyr saw grand buildings and as he focused in on where the sparkling originated, he saw a large, splendid house. This was the house of Gymir, a god who had married an appealing mountain giantess named Aurboda. Their daughter was Gerd (Gerðr or Gerð), meaning Field, and she was considered beautiful. He realized the glittering he had seen was a beautiful woman walking up to the house. When she got to the door, she gracefully raised her arms to unlock the door and a brilliant light radiated from her arms.

Freyr believed the whole air, sea and world were enlightened and brightened from the beaming light from this woman. Freyr was seriously smitten and immediately fell hopelessly in love with the woman. He was struck hard.

He gave his head a shake, came to some of his senses, realized where he was sitting and, with all his strength, he lifted himself off Hlidskjalf. As he slowly left the room, he could not remember why he had come to visit Odin. He was overcome with an array of strong emotions that were deep love and happiness, deep sorrow and grief and deep fear. He was nearly insane with emotions and could not eat, drink or sleep. He stayed in his hall and did not come out or speak to anyone.

Everyone was surprised by Freyr’s behaviour and wondered what had happened to him. His father Njord and his wife Skadi were also concerned and spoke with Freyr’s old friend and page, Skirnir, the Shining.

“Skirnir, Freyr has fallen into a mysterious mood where he does not eat, drink or sleep. He has shunned everyone and stays in his halls all alone. We would like for you to find out why he has befallen into this behaviour.”

Skirnir obliged, yet said, “I have been to his halls and he has refused me. I am afraid the god of fertility and good harvest will spew ill-tempered words upon me, yet I will do as you ask.”

When Skirnir knocked on Freyr’s door, the god would not answer. Skirnir spoke to him through the door. “Fertile Freyr, god of peace and war, I know you are in there. Your father, Skadi and everyone are concerned by your sudden change in temperament. Why do you conceal yourself alone in your halls for days on end? We wish to know what has happened to you and how we can help you.”

Freyr said, “It is of no concern of yours or anyone. Why should I speak of my sorrows with the knowledge of the divine radiance that shines, but not on me.”

Skirnir listened and said, “Freyr, you know me from our youth and we have told each other everything. You should trust and have faith in me. Your sorrow must not be that great if you choose not to share it with me.”

Freyr stirred and allowed Skirnir to enter his hall and they sat together. Freyr confessed to his childhood friend and page, “I have seen the most beautiful and radiant woman known to me and I have fallen deeply in love with her. She resides in the courts of Gymir in Jotunheim. My sorrow bursts forth in my heart because I fear the elves and the gods will not approve of our union. I fear that I will not be able to live any longer if the beautiful woman and I are not united in marriage.”

Skirnir said, “Sounds to me that you are suffering from lovesickness. I can secure this woman for you if you give your golden boar Gullinbursti that shines through the dark to me, and also your magical sword that fights by itself. This is the compensation I request for going on this treacherous journey to Jotunheim and securing the damsel you desire.”

The lovesick Freyr gave all Skirnir had requested and also told his childhood page to be wise in his dealings with the giants. Skirnir mounted Gullinbursti and made the journey to Jotunheim but before he entered the giant kingdom he had to ride through a fiery wall of wildfire. With Gullinbursti, Skirnir managed to ride through unscathed. He rode on to the courts of Gymir.

When approaching the halls of Gerd, the woman of Freyr’s desires, he heard vicious barking. When he got closer, he saw that there were ferocious and feral dogs surrounding Gerd’s halls. Skirnir backed away and slowly rode on until he came to a herdsman.

He stopped and asked the man, “Herdsman, you see the courts of Gymir there, do you know how I can get past those dogs and speak with Gerd the daughter of Gymir?”

The herdsman laughed out loud, chanting, “You will neither see nor speak with the dutiful daughter of Gymir. You are either mad or have a death wish! A meeting will never be granted.”

Skirnir would not accept this answer and decided to burst forth with Gullinbursti through the front gates of Gymir’s courts. All of Gymir’s halls vibrated and shook from his turbulent motions and clambering into the courts.

Gerd heard all the noise and asked her maidservant, “Siri, what is all the commotion in the courtyard?”

Siri said, “Young mistress, there is one who rode in on a huge golden boar. He entered the courtyard and has let his boar graze on our pastures. He has demanded to speak with you.”

Gerd was surprised but thought that this being may be the one who killed her beloved brother. She said, “Show the stranger in and bring in our famous mead.”

Skirnir was brought in and Gerd asked, “Before you may sit with me, you must tell me who you are, what you are, and why you have come here? Are you of the elves, the Aesir, or the Vanir? Why did you come through the wildfire and seek my company?”

Skirnir replied, “Gracious Gerd, I am not of the Aesir, Vanir, or of the Elves. Although I have ridden through your wildfire to seek your company. I come on behalf of my lordship, Freyr of the Vanir, now of the Aesir and god of fertility. He seeks your favour and companionship in marriage and can pay well for your dowry. Accept these eleven special golden apples for you to dine on if you so desire.”

Gerd stated, “Sir, you cannot buy my desires with these eleven golden apples. I have no wish to settle down with someone I have never met. These apples I cannot accept.”

Skirnir promised, “The golden ring called, Draupnir, can be yours. This was Odin’s special ring, where every ninth night, eight more golden rings appear from it. He gave this ring to his son Baldur and the ring was burned with him.”

Gerd answered, “I am not in need of any more gold as you can see. I have an abundance of gold here within my father’s courts. I do not need the gold of Odin even if it is the precious ring burned with Baldur. I cannot accept your promise.”

Skirnir refused to be rejected by Gerd and showed another side of his nature. “Gerd, daughter of Gymir, your refusal will be your downfall as this sword in my possession will find your neck because it is the next target with a refusal of my lord’s advances.”

Gerd answered, “Your words of threats will not be tolerated. If you keep this up surely you will die by my father’s hand.”

Skirnir countered, “This is a magical sword, fair Gerd. It can strike and kill all on its own and I only need to direct the slaying. You and your father will soon die before it.”

Skirnir then brought out a staff and said, “I also have this magical wand, made from a special wood from an enlightened forest. With only my words it can seriously subdue you into submission. Once activated, I can lead you where no one will ever find you and place curses upon you. I have the power to place you in an eagle’s nest that only looks towards the gates of Hel, in Niflheim. It is a dismal view. All food you desire today, you will be unable to eat. Creatures from all the worlds will frown and scowl upon you as you grow ugly and uglier. You will be forsaken. You will howl and growl and grow in madness. I can also place you in Giantland to live in bitter grief, in hopelessness and supreme suffering. You will waste away with a wretched three-headed man-giant or have no man at all.”

Skirnir looked at Gerd for a reaction, and she was far from happy. He continued, “All the gods, ogres, frost giants and giants will hate you for your wickedness. You will wed a gruesome giant and live below Hel, in Niflheim, the darkest of the darkest places. While the Einherjar live grandly and drink the mead from the nourishing utters of Hedrun, the she goat, your drink, if you have any, will be her piss and you will live wretchedly.”

Gerd did not like what she was hearing and wanted Skirnir to stop but he continued. “There are also the runes to be carved upon you; evil eroticism, crazed fury and some worse.” He looked deep into her eyes. “For now, you, fair Gerd have the greatest of opportunities to choose. You are welcome to choose the gift of death by this sword for yourself, your father, mother, and your whole household, or a chalk full of curses from the horror wand, or living with the inflictions from forsaken runes. Or you, my fair Gerd, have the opportunity to choose the gift of life and love with a loyal husband and royal Vanir, now living with the Aesir in Asgard, and having a full and happy life with everything you ever wanted or desired. The choice is yours, fair damsel. Death, a cursed life, insanity, or a happy and full life with a loving, caring and generous husband, Prince Freyr. Take your pick.”

Gerd had sat down during his long and gruesome speech. She offered a chair to him in which he sat. She sat wisely contemplating her answer. She really was not given any choice at all, besides Freyr. All the other choices Skirnir had offered to her were far from her liking. She finally said, “Skirnir, page of Freyr, with this crystal cup, enjoy the taste of our most famous and ancient mead. I must confess that thoughts of marrying one of the Vanir I have not considered, until now. You have given me gruesome choices to consider. The most wise and worthy choice would be to choose Freyr.”

Skirnir said, “Fair Gerd, my lord awaits you. Before I ride home with the glorious news, tell me, sweet maiden, can you ride home with me today to your beloved Freyr, or do you wish to grant a meeting with your husband Freyr for another day?”

Gerd contemplated a moment and said, “There is a quiet and peaceful woodland in a place we all know called Barey. In nine nights, the son of Njord can meet me there to marry.”

Skirnir was beyond pleased with the words of Gerd. “Most gracious and glorious Gerd, you will be honoured by all the worlds and most blessed by all. Your life will be wonderful and fulfilled with the love and respect from your husband and all the worlds for the rest of your days. I will ride home and bring the good news to your awaiting husband, and I leave you with the eleven golden apples that you may do with as you wish.”

Skirnir rode to Asgard to the halls of Freyr. Freyr was waiting outside for him and, as soon as Skirnir unmounted Gullinbursti, Freyr asked him, “Before you put anything away, tell me, Skirnir, the news from the courts of Gymir?”

Skirnir replied, “Gerd has pledged her love to you and in nine nights you will marry in the woodlands of Barey.”

Freyr’s befallen spirits were lifted by these words, yet he lamented, “Nine nights is a torture to wait to be with my beloved, Gerd.”

Freyr lived through the eight nights and went to Barey the day of the ninth night with some of his companions. Skirnir was not with them. Gerd came with her entourage and the two met and sat together. Their thoughts amazingly shone with one another, and they were happy with one another and they married. Gerd told Freyr of the words of threat from Skirnir and it did not shine well on Freyr. Although he was beyond happy that Gerd was with him, he was not happy with how his page had secured her. Could she ever forgive him for Skirnir’s words of threats?

Freyr never saw Skirnir again and wondered, “Who was Skirnir and did I really know my childhood confidant? He was not a son of the Aesir, Vanir, Elves or Giants. He could not have been a human because he was able to ride Gullinbursti and go through the wild flames before Jotunheim. Was he a son from one of the heavens or from Niflheim or Svartalfheim? Was he a shapeshifter? How did he know about wands and runes? Was he a disguised sorcerer? Freyr pondered these questions with no answers. But he was grateful to Skirnir for securing Gerd, his beloved bride.

Freyr loved Gerd with all his heart, soul, and life. He had given up so much for her, including his special sword, his prized golden boar, Gullinbursti, and he almost lost his sanity. He eventually realized his severe lovesickness was brought on because he disobeyed Odin by sitting on Hlidskjalf. He would pay the price for the rest of his days. He still had his ship, Skithblathnir, on which Gerd and him would go for long and romantic rides.

Later, Freyr was lured into a fight with the giant Beli. He did not have his magical sword, but he was able to defend himself with a stag’s horn.

Freyr eventually told Odin what he had done. Odin already knew, and instead of punishing him, he told Freyr that he had already been punished enough with the loss of his sword, his boar, and almost his sanity. He wished Freyr better days.

Gerd came to fully accept Freyr as her loving husband, as he loved her immensely and did everything in his power to please her. Gerd gave birth to the son of Freyr, named Fjolnir. This was the beginning of the lineage known as the Yngling dynasty.