Viktor Rydberg's Investigations into Germanic Mythology, Vol. II

35. Ivaldi, the Enemy of the Gods. Enraged over this, Ivaldi lay in ambush for
Nep as Nep made his way through the underworld, overcame him and took possession of
the mead, which he regarded as his property. In order that the mead not be taken from
him a second time, he entrusted it to the giant Fjalar to keep in the innermost recesses of
his mountain-halls. He entered into a pact with Fjalar, which was to be secured by the
marriage of Ivaldi and Fjalar's daughter, Gunnlöd.
36. Odin at Fjalar’s. Ivaldi’s Death. On the day appointed for the wedding,
Odin came to Fjalar's place in the guise of the bridegroom. The marriage with Gunnlöd
was celebrated. Odin revealed himself to her in the night and, with her assistance,
succeeded in obtaining possession of the mead, which he in eagle-guise bore to Asgard.
In the meantime, Ivaldi was slain in an ambush planned by Fjalar's doorkeeper, outside of
the mountain hall.
37. The Judgment of the Gods in the Wager Between Loki and Brokk. The
treasures had now been tested by the gods. Brokk and Loki appeared before them to hear
the judgment. The excellent manner in which the iron hammer had endured the test of
battle against Hrungnir decided the suit in Brokk's favor; Sindri's works were preferred
over Völund's. Furthermore, the gods supported Loki's objection that his neck should not
be injured, when his head is taken. Thus Mimir's sons, as well as Ivaldi's sons, were
angered by this judgment. Brokk pierced Loki's lips with Sindri's awl.
38. Völund and Loki. Odin and Hoenir made an excursion in the company of
Loki, during which Loki was carried off by Völund (Thjazi) in eagle-guise. In order to
save his own life, Loki was forced to swear an oath that could not be broken to convey
Idun with her remedy against old age from Asgard. In revenge for his father Ivaldi's death
and his own insulted honor, Völund resolved to ruin the gods and their creation.
39. Idun Disappears from Asgard. The dis who preserved the Aesir's remedy
against old age was enticed out of Asgard by Loki. She and her means of rejuvenation
came into the power of the enemies of the gods.
40. Freyja Disappears from Asgard. Völund and the newly reborn Gullveig, with
Loki acting as the middleman, devised a plan to convey Freyja from Asgard. The plan
succeeded and Völund delivered Freyja to the giants of Beli's clan.
41. Frey Delivered to the Giants. Völund and Egil surrendered their foster son
Frey to the same giant-clan.
42. An Attempt at Reconciliation Rejected. Njörd, followed by Hödur and
another god (probably Baldur), made haste to locate Ivaldi's sons but found that they had
abandoned their citadel. Egil no longer watched over the Elivogar. Njörd and his
companions met Ivaldi's sons on their way to the world's northernmost wilderness. Njörd
desired reconciliation, but his attempt failed. A duel with arrows between Hödur and Egil
ensued. Egil proved himself the superior archer but did Hödur no harm. 19
43. Ivaldi’s Sons in Exile. Völund and Egil with a third Ivaldi son, Slagfin,
continued on their path to the Wolfdales in the furthermost north, a place inaccessible to
the gods.
44. Disir (Goddesses) of Vegetation from Ivaldi's clan left the gods and flew in
swan-guise to their kinsmen in the Wolfdales.
19 This episode is preserved in Saxo Grammaticus' Danish History Book 6. There the archer Ani (Egil), the
companion of Anund (Völund), challenges Fridlief (Njörd) to a duel. Bjorno (Hödur) defends him but is
proven an inferior archer to Ani. (see Vol. 1, no. 112)