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

THE WAR BETWEEN THE AESIR AND THE VANIR.
THE GREAT WAR IN MIDGARD.
107. Frey Proposes to Gerd. One day, Frey sat in Hlidskjalf and saw within
Gymir's gard, the giant's daughter Gerd, from whose white arms a glow spread over sky
and sea. After this sight, Frey was increasingly distraught. He concealed the reason from
the worried gods, but finally revealed it to Svipdag (Skirnir). 39 Among giant rulers,
Gymir was now Asgard's most dangerous foe, well known to be treacherous, violent, and
eager to fight. A union between the gods and Gymir's family must have seemed
outrageous, because it would threaten the safety of the world. That notwithstanding, Frey
felt he must have Gerd in order not to die. Svipdag was sent to Gerd as Frey's proxy,
carrying Draupnir and eleven golden apples as gifts. He first received a "no," then a
"yes," but on these conditions: the Völund sword must be delivered to Gymir, and Gerd
must be fetched by Svipdag and Freyja personally and taken into Asgard with the dignity
of an Asynje.
108. The Sword of Revenge in Gymir’s Power. Forced by necessity, the gods
accepted the conditions, thus losing the promise of certain victory. This bargain was of
great profit for the giant-world, although they could not use the sword without harming
themselves. Gymir delivered it to his relative Eggthir, who buried it deep in the
Ironwood.
109. The Battle in the Hall of Gymir. Svipdag proceeded with Freyja to Gymir's
hall, but they suspected treachery. Therefore, Thor and Ull secretly traveled ahead of
them to Gymir's mountain gard and concealed themselves in the vicinity. Gymir let
Svipdag know that he intended to keep Freyja and proposed that Svipdag himself marry
Gerd; then Svipdag could recover the sword of revenge and carry out the blood-revenge
for Völund, which he had undertaken but so far had forgotten; he could thus overthrow
the Aesir and himself be the world's ruler. Svipdag pretended to give way to temptation
and a double wedding was immediately arranged. During the celebration, Thor and Ull
burst into the hall. Svipdag joined them, while Freyja battled by her husband's side.
Gymir and the members of his household fell after a hard battle, all except Gerd, who
was transported to Asgard by the gods. 40
110. Gullveig Killed and Burnt Again. A giant maid called Aurboda had already
belonged to Freyja's court before Svipdag came to Asgard. When Gerd arrived, she did
not conceal that Aurboda was her mother and Gymir's wife. It also became apparent that
Aurboda was the giantess Gullveig, who had been sentenced to die and repeatedly
executed, but likewise repeatedly resurrected. When they made this discovery, the gods
were gathered in Valhall and Aurboda was among them. In anger, Thor killed the witch
39 Svipdag, "He with the shining looks" is also called Skirnir, the "shining one." The poem Skírnismál tells
us that Frey and Skirnir shared youthful adventures. Frey was reared among Svipdag's family, the elves
(alfar), and was also present when Svipdag liberated Freyja from Beli's court.
40
The source of this episode is Book 5 of Saxo Grammaticus’ Danish History, which contains the
tantalizing remains of a lost myth. There Frodi (Frey) is wed to Alvild, the daughter of King Gotar. Erik,
Roller, and Brak (Svipdag, Ull, and Thor, respectively) all take part in the action. In his usual fashion, Saxo
changes the myth into a historical tale. From the Old Norse documents, we know little of the circumstances
surrounding Frey and Gerd's marriage. In the poem Skírnismál, Gerd agrees to meet Frey nine nights hence
in the wood Barri. What occurred there is unknown.