Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/129

 would enable him to fly through the air. “Gladly will I lend it thee, Loki,” said beautiful Freya. “Thou shouldst have it, though it were of silver; thou shouldst have it, though it were of gold.”

Then Loki donned the feather dress, and flew through the air, and his feathers rustled in the wind as he. took his way. He never hesitated, but directed his flight straight to the land of the giants, for well he knew that they alone would have ventured on so daring a theft. Before him rose a great castle, and in front of it sat Thrym, the mighty giant, contented and smiling as he decked his dogs with collars of gold and combed the beautiful manes of his horses.

“Ha, Loki, how fares it with the gods, and what brings you hither to Giant Land?” cried Thrym when he beheld the god.

“Ill fares it with the gods,” returned Loki gloomily, “while you keep hidden the hammer of Thor.”

“Yes,” laughed Thrym, “I have hidden the hammer. Deep it lies in the bosom of the earth, eight miles below its surface, where only I can find it. And never again will Thor grasp his treasure till Freya comes hither to be my bride.”

Away flew Loki, his feather dress rustling as he took his flight to Asgard. He told Thor what he had heard, and the two gods sought out Freya and bade her put on bridal array and be Thrym’s bride.

Then the wrath of the goddess awoke.

“Think ye I am mad?” she cried with flashing eyes. “What should I do in Giant Land as the giant’s bride? Not at such a price canst thou redeem thy hammer, Thor.”

Sorrowfully the two gods went from her.

Thor’s loss could no longer be concealed, and he summoned the other gods to take counsel. They gazed at each other in sore dismay, but none knew what to advise.

“There is but one thing to be done,” at last spake Heimdall the wise. “Thor must deck himself in bridal array, and round his neck must he place Freya’s gleaming necklace, and he must go to Thrym as his bride.”

“Never will I thus humble myself,” cried Thor in fury. “The gods would scorn me, and call me a woman if I should puf on woman’s robes.”

“Speak not thus, Thor,” cried Loki. “There is no other way. Right soon will the giants dwell in Asgard if you do not fetch the hammer home.”