The children of Odin - Germanic Mythology

i68 CHILDREN OF ODIN
"I will give you something that will help you, Asa Thor.
Lucky for you I am mistress of magical things. Take this staff
in your hands. It is a staff of power and will stand you instead
of Miolnir."
"I will take it since you offer it in kindness, old dame, this
worm-eaten staff."
"And take these mittens, too. They will serve you for your
gauntlets of iron."
"I will take them since you offer them in kindness, old dame,
these worn old mittens."
"And take this length of string. It will serve you for your belt
of prowess."
"I will take it since you offer it in kindness, old dame, this
ragged length of string."
"'Tis well indeed for you, Asa Thor, that I am mistress of
magical things."
Thor put the worn length of string around his waist, and as
he did he knew that Grid, the old Giantess, was indeed the mis-
tress of magical things. For immediately he felt his strength
augmented as when he put on his own belt of strength. He then
drew on the mittens and took the staff that she gave him in his
hands.
He left the cave of Grid, the old Giantess, and went to Gerriod's
dwelling. Loki was not there. It was then that Thor began to
think that perhaps old Grid was right and that a trap was being
laid for him.