One day, while Odin was away, the Vanir god Freyr climbed Odin’s high throne and looked out across all the worlds. In the land of the giants, he saw a young woman walking to her father’s hall. As she opened the door, light poured from her arms—so brilliant it lit the sky and sea.

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Freyr returned home, heartsick and silent. When his father, Njord, noticed the change, he sent Freyr’s childhood friend and servant, Skírnir, to learn what troubled him. Though love between the gods of the Aesir and the race of giants was forbidden, Freyr confessed his longing.

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At once, Skírnir offered to help. Armed with Freyr’s fire-leaping horse and magic, giant-slaying sword, he set out to win the maiden’s heart. Determined, he journeyed across the worlds to reach the giantess, whose name was Gerd.

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When he came to her hall, he offered gifts: eleven golden apples and Odin’s own enchanted arm ring. But Gerd refused, for her father—the sea giant Gymir—kept treasure enough in his hall.

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Angered, Skírnir threatened to kill her with Freyr’s sword, vowing to strike off her head. Still, Gerd refused.

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So Skírnir carved runes and cast dark curses of loneliness, madness, and ruin. At last, Gerd relented and agreed to meet Freyr in nine nights, in a forest called Barri.

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But when Skírnir returned with the news, Freyr was still unsatisfied. “One night is long,” he said. “How then shall I bear nine?”

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Still, the giantess kept her word. And in nine nights, Freyr and Gerd became husband and wife.