The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Skadi
Contents > Chapter Viii: Niörd
attestation: Skadi, daughter of the storm giant Thiassi, came to Asgard armoured and armed to demand satisfaction for her father's death; Loki appeased her by performing grotesque antics that made even her laugh.
"Shortly after Idun's return from Thrym-heim, and Thiassi's death within the bounds of Asgard, the assembled gods were greatly surprised and dismayed to see Skadi, the giant's daughter, appear one day in their midst, to demand satisfaction for her father's death."
attestation: The gods offered Skadi compensation and the right to choose a husband from among them, on condition she choose by their naked feet alone; she selected Njord thinking him to be Balder.
"finally added that she might select as husband any of the gods present at the assembly, providing she were content to judge of their attractions by their naked feet. Blindfolded, so that she could see only the feet of the gods standing in a circle around her, Skadi looked about her and her gaze fell upon a pair of beautifully formed feet. She felt sure they must belong to Balder, the god of light, whose bright face had charmed her, and she designated their owner as her choice. When the bandage was removed, however, she discovered to her chagrin that she had chosen Niórd"
attestation: After parting from Njord, Skadi married the semi-historical Odin and bore him a son called Saeming, the first king of Norway and founder of the royal race of that country.
"Skadi now resumed her wonted pastime of hunting, leaving her realm again only to marry the semi-historical Odin, to whom she bore a son called Sæming, the first king of Norway, and the supposed founder of the royal race which long ruled that country."
attestation: According to other accounts, Skadi eventually married Uller the winter-god; as goddess of the chase she was accompanied by wolf-like dogs and invoked by hunters and winter travellers.
"According to other accounts, however, Skadi eventually married Uller, the winter-god. As Skadi was a skilful marksman, she is represented with bow and arrow, and, as goddess of the chase, she is generally accompanied by one of the wolf-like Eskimo dogs so common in the North."