In those days, before the really nasty wars between the giants and the Aesir, Thor and his brother Loki often wandered around Jotunheim in search of company, beer, and companionship. The giants were friendly enough, if prone to anger after drinking ale and mead, and they invited the brothers into their mead hall for the evening.
Thor ate and drank enough for five giants, while Loki merely picked at some chicken meat and nursed mead from a lone pour in his goblet. The Aesir brothers made a solid impression on the giants by singing songs in the giant language, which Loki knew very well, and Thor did a fine job mouthing and humming when necessary. When the party wound down, and all the giants and Thor had drunk themselves into a stupor, arrangements were suggested for the gods.
“Would our guests be so kind as to spend the evening in our humble Inn. We can have rooms ready for you within the hour, and they have soft beds and fine linens for your comfort,” a giant named Tiefur said.
“Thank you, but we have made camp in the forest,” Loki politely declined.
“Loki, you ungrateful buffoon!” Thundered Thor, “It is late, and Thor would like a restful sleep on a comfortable bed. And also the companionship of Leefa, who sat near me while we sang in the Hall. You can arrange it Tiefur?”
“Ye...Yes, my Lord,” the giant stammered. He hesitated because Leefa, the maiden who sat near Thor was also Tiefur’s daughter. Honor bound him to fulfill the God’s request, much as it disgusted him to even think it. Tiefur left the brothers at their table to make the arrangements.
“Looks like it will be a warm night for me, Loki,” Thor said, “did you not fancy one of the giant maidens for yourself?”
“Do you think it wise, brother, to cavort with the local maidens? Often with giants, these encounters leave you with...obligations.”
“It is true, Loki, my hammer is full of lightning and thunder. If that is what the Norns wish for me, I will have to live with those obligations. I seem to recall you have three such obligations yourself.” Thor was drunk, and speaking more eloquently than usual because of it.
“You are truly remarkable, brother,” Loki said. “I will take my leave in my room. Enjoy your storm.”
Loki arose and sought out Tiefur. He found the giant sobbing by the bar. His daughter, Leefa hugged her father around the shoulders, trying to console him.
“Tiefur, I have come for my room. But I find you forlorn. What troubles you, good sir?” Loki did not often feel the tug of sympathy, but for Tiefur he took pity.
“Leave us, Leefa,” Tiefur said, and the girl went. “Loki, I have but one daughter. And by that I mean I have only her. I have no sons, and my wife is long dead. She died when Leefa was born. Leefa is all I have in this life. It is my duty to honor your brother’s wishes, but I will be destroyed if your brother takes her from me, or ruins her.”
Loki understood the man’s concern. He saw in the giant’s dilemma an opportunity to help him, and an equal opportunity to make a fool of Thor. The debate in his mind was trying to determine which gave him more joy.
“I will help you, Tiefur,” Loki smiled, “you can fulfill your duties to your guest, and preserved your daughter’s innocence. But in order to do so, I have need of a goat, and your daughter’s finest dress.”
The giant looked up at the god, part of him relieved, and a bigger part confused. But he merely said, “I will get them, my lord.”
“Perfect,” Loki said, as he schemed.
Thor ate and drank enough for five giants, while Loki merely picked at some chicken meat and nursed mead from a lone pour in his goblet. The Aesir brothers made a solid impression on the giants by singing songs in the giant language, which Loki knew very well, and Thor did a fine job mouthing and humming when necessary. When the party wound down, and all the giants and Thor had drunk themselves into a stupor, arrangements were suggested for the gods.
“Would our guests be so kind as to spend the evening in our humble Inn. We can have rooms ready for you within the hour, and they have soft beds and fine linens for your comfort,” a giant named Tiefur said.
“Thank you, but we have made camp in the forest,” Loki politely declined.
“Loki, you ungrateful buffoon!” Thundered Thor, “It is late, and Thor would like a restful sleep on a comfortable bed. And also the companionship of Leefa, who sat near me while we sang in the Hall. You can arrange it Tiefur?”
“Ye...Yes, my Lord,” the giant stammered. He hesitated because Leefa, the maiden who sat near Thor was also Tiefur’s daughter. Honor bound him to fulfill the God’s request, much as it disgusted him to even think it. Tiefur left the brothers at their table to make the arrangements.
“Looks like it will be a warm night for me, Loki,” Thor said, “did you not fancy one of the giant maidens for yourself?”
“Do you think it wise, brother, to cavort with the local maidens? Often with giants, these encounters leave you with...obligations.”
“It is true, Loki, my hammer is full of lightning and thunder. If that is what the Norns wish for me, I will have to live with those obligations. I seem to recall you have three such obligations yourself.” Thor was drunk, and speaking more eloquently than usual because of it.
“You are truly remarkable, brother,” Loki said. “I will take my leave in my room. Enjoy your storm.”
Loki arose and sought out Tiefur. He found the giant sobbing by the bar. His daughter, Leefa hugged her father around the shoulders, trying to console him.
“Tiefur, I have come for my room. But I find you forlorn. What troubles you, good sir?” Loki did not often feel the tug of sympathy, but for Tiefur he took pity.
“Leave us, Leefa,” Tiefur said, and the girl went. “Loki, I have but one daughter. And by that I mean I have only her. I have no sons, and my wife is long dead. She died when Leefa was born. Leefa is all I have in this life. It is my duty to honor your brother’s wishes, but I will be destroyed if your brother takes her from me, or ruins her.”
Loki understood the man’s concern. He saw in the giant’s dilemma an opportunity to help him, and an equal opportunity to make a fool of Thor. The debate in his mind was trying to determine which gave him more joy.
“I will help you, Tiefur,” Loki smiled, “you can fulfill your duties to your guest, and preserved your daughter’s innocence. But in order to do so, I have need of a goat, and your daughter’s finest dress.”
The giant looked up at the god, part of him relieved, and a bigger part confused. But he merely said, “I will get them, my lord.”
“Perfect,” Loki said, as he schemed.
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