Skirnir- Norse SpiritSpirit"Freyr's Messenger"

The Lovesick God

The Skírnismál begins with Freyr sitting in Odin's high seat Hliðskjálf, where he catches sight of Gerðr in Jötunheimr. He cannot eat. He cannot sleep. His father Njörðr calls for Skírnir to learn what ails him.

When Freyr confesses his desire, Skírnir agrees to ride to Jötunheimr and woo Gerðr on his behalf. The price is Freyr's self-fighting sword and his horse that can ride through flame. Freyr hands them over. Without the sword, he will face Surtr at Ragnarök with nothing but an antler.

The Wooing of Gerðr

Skírnir rode through walls of flickering fire to reach Gymir's hall. He offered Gerðr eleven golden apples and the ring Draupnir. She refused both. He drew the sword and threatened to cut off her head. She told him her father would fight any attacker.

Then Skírnir took up the gambanteinn, a runic staff, and began to curse. He would strike her with madness. He would banish her to the edge of the world, where she would sit facing Hel's gates with no food and no company. He would give her to a three-headed giant. Frost and venom would be her only drink.

Gerðr relented. She agreed to meet Freyr at the grove called Barri in nine nights. Skírnir returned with the news. Freyr said nine nights was too long to wait.