Gerd- Norse GiantGiant"Bride of Freyr"

Hliðskjálf

Freyr sat in Odin's high seat, from which all the worlds can be seen, and caught sight of Gerðr in Jötunheim. Her arms shone so brightly that the radiance lit both sky and sea. The Skírnismál says he could not eat after that, could not sleep, would not speak. His father Njörðr sent the servant Skírnir to find out what was wrong.

Skírnir's Mission

Freyr confessed his longing and asked Skírnir to travel to Gymir's hall in Jötunheim and woo Gerðr on his behalf. As payment he gave Skírnir his self-fighting sword and his horse. Skírnir rode through a ring of flickering flame to reach the hall.

Gerðr heard the commotion and ordered her servant to invite the stranger inside. Skírnir offered her eleven golden apples and the ring Draupnir. She refused both: she had no need of gold, and her father Gymir could defend her against any threat. Skírnir drew the sword. Gerðr did not flinch. Then he turned to runic curses, threatening her with madness and a monstrous husband. She relented. She agreed to meet Freyr at the grove called Barri in nine nights.

The Sword's Price

Gerðr and Freyr married. The Ynglinga saga names their son Fjölnir, the first king of the Yngling dynasty of Sweden.

But Freyr had given his sword away. At Ragnarök, when the fire giant Surtr came with his burning blade, Freyr faced him with nothing in his hand. He fell.