The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Skirnir

Contents > Chapter V: Tyr

• attestation: The gods sent Skirnir, Frey's servant, to Svart-alfa-heim to commission the dwarfs to fashion the magical fetter Gleipnir, made from impalpable materials including the sound of a cat's footsteps and a woman's beard.

  "the gods perceived now that ordinary bonds, however strong, would never prevail against the Fenris wolf's great strength, bade Skirnir, Frey's servant, go down to Svart-alfa-heim and bid the dwarfs fashion a bond which nothing could sever. By magic arts the dark elves manufactured a slender silken rope from such impalpable materials as the sound of a cat's footsteps, a woman's beard, the roots of a mountain, the longings of the bear, the voice of fishes, and the spittle of birds"

Contents > Chapter Ix: Frey

• attestation: Skirnir rode through the flaming barrier surrounding Gymir's dwelling on Blodughofi and offered Gerda eleven golden apples and the magic ring Draupnir, which she haughtily refused.

  "Provided with this portrait, with eleven golden apples, and with the magic ring Draupnir, Skirnir now rode off to Jótun-heim, to fulfil his embassy... To induce the fair maiden to lend a favourable ear to his master's proposals, Skirnir showed her the stolen portrait, and proffered the golden apples and magic ring, which, however, she haughtily refused to accept, declaring that her father had gold enough and to spare."

• attestation: Skirnir threatened Gerda with magic runes carved in a stick, warning her of eternal celibacy or marriage to an aged frost giant unless she yielded; she consented to meet Frey in nine nights at the grove of Buri.

  "Cutting runes in his stick, he told her that unless she yielded ere the spell was ended, she would be condemned either to eternal celibacy, or to marry some aged frost giant whom she could never love. Terrified into submission by the frightful description of her cheerless future in case she persisted in her refusal, Gerda finally consented to become Frey's wife, and dismissed Skirnir, promising to meet her future spouse on the ninth night, in the land of Buri, the green grove"