The children of Odin - Germanic Mythology

THE DWELLERS IN ASGARD 49
"Speak, Vana," said the second of the Giant Women.
The third said nothing, but she held up in her hands a neck-
lace of gold most curiously fashioned. "How bright it is!"
Freya said. "There is shadow where you sit, women, but the
necklace you hold makes brightness now. Oh, how I should
joy to wear it!"
"It is the necklace Brisingamen," said the one who was
called Gulveig.
"It is yours to wear, wife of Odur," said the one who held it in
her hands.
Freya took the shining necklace and clasped it round her
throat. She could not bring herself to thank the Giant Women,
for she saw that there was evil in their eyes. She made reverence
to them, however, and she went from the mountain on which
they sat overlooking the World of Men.
In a while she looked down and saw Brisingamen and her
misery went from her. It was the most beautiful thing ever
made by hands. None of the Asyniur and none other of
the Vanir possessed a thing so beautiful. It made her more
and more lovely, and Odur, she thought, would forgive her
when he saw how beautiful and how happy Brisingamen
made her.
She rose up from amongst the flowers and took leave of the
slight Elves and she made her way into Asgard. All who
greeted her looked long and with wonder upon the necklace
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