Postcards from Asgard: the wall of Asgard-Part 3

lordsnek (47)in #writing • 6 years ago (edited)

Sorry it took so long to get this last story out! When we left off Loki threatened with a long painful death set out to sabbotage the Master Builder's work finishing the wall and thus taking the sun and moon, not to mention Freya as payment and now begins: The wall of Asgard-Part 3.

Read parts one and two here: Part 1 Part 2

Click for music:

The next day on the first day of summer the builder was set to finish his wall. Twenty more stones and he would leave Asgard with the sun and the moon and the beautiful goddess Freya to take as his wife. He walked to the sled that carried the stones from the mountain he whistled for Svadilffari who was grazing in the tall grass near the edge of the forest. No matter, he would always come when the builder called.

The master builder picked up the ropes and prepared to attach the mighty horse, the sun was growing low in the sky but there were several hours left in the day to finish. And he was happy that soon the sun would be his, and the moon and Freya who was even more beautiful than either one. However this was no time to rest, there was still work to be done and he had worked so hard all the long winter. He certainly would leave nothing should be left to chance. He whistled for Svadilfari again.

He thought that was strange...he never had to whistle twice before. He looked over to see the horse shaking his head and prancing about the field. It was as if something had caught his attention, but he couldn’t decern what it was. “Svadilfari!” the builder called, and the horse began trotting his way.
The builder was satisfied as the horse thundered toward him, his hooves echoing from the mountains, but the sound was different somehow.. like there were more hooves. The builder looked again to see a gorgeous chestnut mare trotting beside the great horse.

The horses stopped. Svadilfari began to nay and bob his head up and down. He started to scrape the grass with his hoof. The mare simply ignored him. Then she began to prance, and then to trot away and the great stallion followed behind. Her pace quickened from a trot to a gallop and Savadilfari chaced behind always a head or two behind nipping at her rump and tail. They ran across the meadow together as if dancing. They were shining with sweat in the soft light of the end of the day.

The builder Clapped his hands and whistled even yelled his name. But Svadilfari didn’t listen. He ran out and tried to catch him to get back to work. But as he did the chestnut mare slowed and rubbed her ears and head up and down the stallion's neck...it was almost like she knew what the builder was attempting. She then proceeded to run full speed to the edge of the forest and Svadilfari followed closely behind. Then they vanished into the woods.
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The builder cursed and kicked a stone at his feet. He sat down on the sled waiting for his horse to return. The shadows grew longer and still, Svadilfari did not return, so the builder put the ropes of the sled over his shoulders and strode cursing toward the mountain. He did not return until the next morning on his sled were 10 stone blocks. It was all he could manage.

Freya observed from a distance. She made her way over to the Master Builder and said: “You only have 10 blocks, you will need twice as many to finish our wall...” The builder said nothing. He proceeded to place the blocks in position on the wall, there were no winks or smiles now. He was very somber indeed. “Thor will soon return from his journey and join us soon,” Freya said.

Then the rest of the gods came out to watch as the builder continued hauling blocks to the wall. They stood around Freya protectively. But then they all began smiling and started to harass the builder. “Do you still think you will be taking the sun home with you?” asked Baldur. “Or the moon?” asked Tyr.
“Too bad your horse isn't here...” said Bragi “he would certainly be useful eh, he could bring all the rocks you need?” The gods laughed.

The builder said nothing. He let go of his sled and turned to the gods. “you cheated me!” he said, red-faced with exertion, and scowling in anger. “We have not cheated,” said Odin. No more than you have, do you believe we would have let a giant build our wall had we known?”

The builder took a massive rock and smashed it into two, and he grew, 20, 30, 50ft tall. He no longer looked like the stranger who arrived, he was twisted in anger, with features like chiseled stone. The builder picked up the massive rocks, one in each hand. “I am a mountain giant!” he said, “And you are cheats and vile oath breakers, what else would I expect from gods?!” he continued, “If I had my horse I would finish this wall and take the sun and moon, and Freya from here leaving you in the cold and dark without even beauty to look upon”

“No oath was broken, and no oath can protect you from us now,” said Odin.

The builder charged at the gods with tremendous fury. The gods however calmly stepped aside. And when they did the giant's eyes grew wide drinking in the huge muscular red-bearded god standing behind them wearing iron Gauntlets and holding a magnificent short handled war hammer. Thor raised Mjolnir and as he swung his mighty hammer, lightning flashed and thunder clapped and the hammer left his hand. Mjolnir grew larger and larger as it approached the builders head. That would be the last thing the builder saw, ever…. he was dead.

The gods all cheered, all except Thor. Normally this was the sort of thing that gave him great pleasure. But not today. Thor took oaths very seriously, he thought this might have never occurred had he been here. The rest of the gods patted him on the back, thanking him and praising the sun and the moon, congratulating Freya.

It would take the gods weeks to finish what the builder had started. To drag the last ten blocks and shape them clumsily and place them as best they could. Finally the wall was finished, even though the god's work paled in comparison to the builders, it was a very mighty wall.

Strangely Loki was nowhere to be found. It was rare he would miss the opportunity for praise, even if for solving a problem of his creation. Loki was gone for the better part of a year in fact. When he returned he had with him a beautiful gray foal with eight legs that followed him everywhere as if he were his mother. Which of course was the case, but only a brave man would mention the horse's origin in Loki’s presence. And then only ounce if they valued their life as Loki was quite sensitive on the subject and would go out of his way to make their existence unpleasant.

He would name the horse Sleipnir and gift it to Odin. Sleipnir was the strongest and fastest horse in the nine worlds that there ever was or ever would be. Sleipnir could even outrun the wind. Source