Today’s story is all about what a bad idea it can be to steal from the wrong person. Specifically, what happens when you steal from Thor Odinson.
The Lay of Thrym comes to us from the Poetic Edda which was probably written in the second half of the 13th century. This manuscript is a collection of old Norse poems and stories. Its authorship is unknown but while some think it is the work of Snorri, a master in Old Norse poetry and storytelling, it is also believed to have been compiled by a variety of minstrels and poets similar to claims about Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Another massive debate is on the time period this specific poem was written and if it was a later addition or not. To read more about the discourse and the poem with translations by Lee M. Hollander click here!
Now that we know the lay of the land and what to expect, let’s go steal a story!
Thor’s Missing Mjölnir
One day, Thor abruptly awoke to find that Mjölnir was missing. Unlike Marvel’s version, Mjölnir can be lifted by anyone strong enough, so there is no restriction on morality or worthiness here. But Thor is still deeply attached to his hammer, so he was understandably furious when he realized it was gone.
He shouted and whined to Loki about how his hammer had been stolen, insisting that no one in heaven or on earth could understand what a loss this was for him. That is right, the almighty Thor was a drama queen. Together, they rushed to see Lady Freyja and asked if she would lend them her feathered coat to aid in the search.
She agreed, but despite Thor being the most invested in recovering Mjölnir, it was Loki who donned the feathered coat and flew from Asgard to Jotunheim, the realm of the giants. There he found Thrym, the lord of the giants.
The Land of the Giants
After exchanging greetings, Thrym asked what ailed the Aesir that they would come here. Loki point blank asked if Thrym had taken something from them and Thrym boasted that he had hidden it eight leagues deep and no one could win it back unless they brought him Freyja to be his bride.
Now, let us talk about Thrym’s plan for a moment. He stole Thor’s hammer to force Freyja into marriage. As far as I can tell, Thor and Freyja do not have any close connection, so the logic here feels questionable.
Loki flew back to Asgard, where Thor was nervously pacing. Seeing him, Thor demanded to know what had happened before Loki even landed.
“For sitting causes one to forget, and lying causes one to lie.”
After Loki relayed what he had learned, Thor turned to Freyja and told her to dress in bridal linen so they could set out for Jotunheim. This sent Freyja into a rage so great that the whole realm shook with her fury. The necklace of the Brisings snapped as she loudly rejected the idea.
The gods and goddesses quickly gathered, likely in response to Freyja’s wrath, to discuss how they might recover Thor’s hammer.
Amazingly, the plan they settled on came from Heimdall. He suggested that Thor himself dress as Freyja in bridal linen. He could wear her necklace, tie housewife’s keys at his waist, and don women’s clothing with a hood over his head. Naturally, the Thunder Bearer strongly objected, but he was overruled. Loki told him it was for the greater good, although it seems likely they also thought it would be funny.
So they dressed Thor in bridal linen, fastened the necklace of the Brisings around his neck, tied housewife’s keys to his waist, and pinned bridal jewels to his chest. They topped it off with women’s clothes and a dainty hood. With Loki playing the role of maidservant, the two set out for Jotunheim in Thor’s goat-drawn chariot.
Disguised Bridegroom
Thrym was overjoyed to welcome “Freyja” as his bride and arranged a feast that evening to celebrate. During the festivities, Thor devoured an entire ox, eight whole salmon, and three measures of mead, along with all the delicacies meant for the women. Thrym remarked on his bride’s hearty appetite, but Loki smoothly explained that she was so excited to come that she had not eaten for eight nights.
Later, Thrym tried to kiss his bride beneath the veil, only to leap back the length of the hall in shock. He asked why her eyes were so fearful and full of fire. And apparently, he did not notice the bushy beard she was sporting. Once again, Loki stepped in, explaining that “Freyja” was so excited she had not slept in eight nights.
A Blessing in Disguise
Satisfied with this excuse, Thrym ordered the hammer to be brought out to bless the bride. While it was being retrieved, the sister of one of the giants had the gall to demand a gift from the bride, saying that if she wanted her love and friendship, Freyja should give her the gold rings from her fingers.
Before Thor could respond, Mjölnir was placed in his hands. With a great laugh, he seized the hammer, slew Thrym, and crushed all his kin. Finally, he struck down the sister giantess, giving her a mark of Mjölnir instead of coins and rings.
And that is how Thor won his hammer back.
Tales from the Enchanted Forest 
