Postcards from Asgard: The Treasures of the Gods- Part3
Loki has returned to Asgard, and the gods are awaiting the contest to begin so begins Part 3
Read parts 1 and 2 here: Part1 Part2
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On the morning of the third day, the sons of Ivaldi arrived bearing the three treasures. They told Loki that he could present the gifts for them. The Gods of the Aesir were assembled in Odins’ Throne room in his great hall in Asgard. Seated next to Odin was his beautiful wife Frigg, on his shoulders perched his ravens and his wolves at his feet. Next to Odin sat Thor, god of thunder and his wife Sif wearing a green scarf to cover her bald scalp, and next to them was the handsome god Frey. He was God of the harvest. They would be the judges.
Loki strode confidently into the room accompanied by Ivaldis’ sons. They were well dressed. Loki was wearing a long jacket and golden boots with wings. Quite a fashion statement. Brock was standing there already, with his treasures under a sheet. He was dressed very simply, wearing the same clothes he wore at the forge. Loki smiled and bowed to the gods, “ Hello brother Odin, and fine gods of Aesir we each come today to honor you with three treasures most worthy, and you shall judge who presents the finest… and if Brock of Svarflheim should win he will claim my head as the prize.” Loki said hoping to win some favor from the gods.
With that Loki reached into his bag and removed a beautiful golden spear carved with many runes and he spoke,“For my dear blood brother Odin I offer this spear, it is called Gungnir, and it Will strike true anything at which it is thrown, but that’s not all… any oath taken on Gungnir is unbreakable!”
Odin, Was very pleased, especially considering how his aim had suffered since he traded his eye. He smiled, “It’s a fine spear Loki.” He threw it across the hall striking a large wooden target dead center. This will be most useful”
Loki smiled and nodded, he then reached in his bag and removed the hair crafted of gold and handed it to Thor, and this is for the lady Sif, I have hair spun of pure gold that will act in every way as normal hair.” Thor removed the scarf from his wife’s head and placed it on her scalp where it transformed into the most beautiful golden hair anyone had ever seen. “HA!" Thor exclaimed, "well done Loki!" Loki looked relieved.
Loki Then strode over to Frey and spoke, “ And finally for my good friend Frey” he reached into a pouch on his belt and removed a small folded paper boat. Frey shot Loki a puzzled expression. “What is it?” He asked, quite unimpressed. Loki continued, “ This is called Skidbladnir, when you unfold it becomes a great ship, bigger than any other, and no matter what, it will always catch a fair wind, and when you don’t need it you simply fold it up and put it in your pouch.” Frey was then very impressed, Loki sighed with relief. After all, these were three truly amazing treasures.
Now it was Brock’s turn, he reached under his sheet and pulled out the golden ring, shining brilliantly. He hobbled over to Odin. “Here”, he said, “this ring is called Draupnir, I know it doesn’t look like much but every ninth night it will drip off eight more rings. They will be just as big and just as fair. You can reward people... or grow your wealth”
Then Odin clapped his hands. “oh what a wondrous gift!, I think I like it even better than the spear!” All the other gods nodded in agreement.
Brock then removed a golden-bristled ball and laid it at Frey’s feet. No sooner did he do this then it transformed back into a hog, the golden bristles shining with light. “ He’s called Goldbristle. Eitri forged him to run faster than any horse, he can run on water and even air. What’s more, his bristles can light the darkest path if need be, so the rider is never in the dark,”
Goldbristle grunted as Frey patted his head, “ this gift is absolutely wonderful, I can ride him to bring the rain to help grow the crops on Midgard, even better than the boat I’d say!” Frey exclaimed. “Well done!”
Loki was feeling a little nervous, "Thank the gods I spoiled the last treasure". he thought. I have grown quite attached to this head such as it is
Brock looked at Thor, stroked his beard and reached under the sheet pulling out a Hammer from beneath. It was a solid looking war hammer. Brock hobbled over to Thor, “it’s called Mjolnir...”
“It’s a hammer, but… the handle? It’s far to short for a proper war hammer” Thor said.
Loki’s grin grew from ear to ear as Brock shot him a cold stare from the corner of his still swollen eye. “Yeah, that’s my fault. I was working the bellows for my brother Eitri, At the very end I missed a stroke and messed it up.” The dwarf replied “But, before you dismiss it, let me tell you what it can do. It’s called Mjolnir, the lightning bringer. It cannot be damaged, no matter how hard you hit with it.”
Thors’ eyebrow raised, he was interested, he remembered all the weapons he had broken on things in the past. Brock continued, “ If you throw it the hammer will never miss its target, and it will always return to you. No matter what. Thor thought about how many weapons he had lost by throwing them at things that made him angry. There were too many to count. he began to smile, this was a very rare occurrence for the god of thunder. Finally, Brock said, “You can shrink it so small it will fit easily into one of your pockets.” But alas, as you remarked the handle is indeed too short.” Brock said frowning and glaring at Loki.
Thor burst Into laughter and thunder boomed through Midgard. “This is PERFECT! The size of the handle is merely cosmetic. I can defend Asgard from the frost giants! Truly the finest gift I have ever received!” Proclaimed Thor.
All the gods agreed and cheered for Brock, he had indeed presented the finest treasures. Loki was visibly nervous, his smile was gone and he had a sizable sweat building on his forehead as Brock walked over to him. Loki congratulated the dwarf, “Well It was a fine contest! Congratulations!”
“Yes it was” replied Brock, “Now let’s get that head off, I can’t wait to see what Eitri makes with it...”
“Well yes, yes we could do that, unfortunately, my friend YOU will never be able to catch me!” Loki said as he began sprinting for the door. The golden wings on his boots began to flutter as he went outside, and the trixter lifted off into the sky.
Brock was Furious! “I’ve been cheated!” he screamed, limping for the door. Once outside he walked over to Thor who was playing with Mjolnir throwing it through mountains and watching them shatter. Thor! Loki promised me his head if I won, and he ran off and cheated me! Bring him back to me so I can claim my prize!”
Thor then flew off in a flash of lightning only to return almost instantly with Loki in tow. They went inside Odins’ Great hall. Loki pleaded with Odin, Please brother, “surely you cannot let this dwarf kill me!?!” Odin replied immediately, “you made a bargain, you offered your head now you must give it.”
Brock went over to Loki and again pulled pot his long gleaming knife.”I have you now trickster, I will cut off yer head, as promised” he said smiling.
“ Well you are right I have promised my head and, you won, so you may have my head.... However, I never promised you my neck, so go ahead and take my head, but you may not injure my neck in any way, I simply will not have it!”
This did not please Brock, what so ever. “Just how am I supposed to take your head if I can’t cut your neck? Brock growled through clenched teeth.
“ Hmm… Nope I can’t think of a single way, so I suppose you can’t my dear friend, perhaps you will take greater care in choosing your words in the future,” said Loki.
Brock looked at Odin in utter disappointment. He wanted to cut off Loki's head. “Well it seems Loki is right since he never promised his neck the deal is forfeit, however, these are truly great gifts you have bestowed upon us you are entitled to a reward, what will you have?” asked the Allfather.
Brock went over to Odin and stood on a chair whispering in his ear. Odin laughed, “So it shall be done”
The dwarf wanted to cut off Loki’s head but he knew if he did, the Aesir would surely kill him. So he walked back over to Loki and pulled the needle and a spool of leather cord from a pouch around his neck. Then he sewed Lokis’ mouth shut. And put an end to his boasts and lies, for a time anyway.
Source Marvel Comics®
Thanks for reading! See you next time!
The End