After murdering Kvasir and brewing his blood into Odrerir—the fabled mead of poetry— the two dwarves Fjalarr (Deceiver) and Galarr (Screamer) secretly hid the mead. Mischief was in their nature, after wandering to the seashore, they discovered the giant Gillingr asleep on the sand and, with cruel delight, poked and kicked him awake.
Gillingr’s Demise
When Gillingr awoke, Fjalar and Galarr asked the naïve, kindly giant to row them out to sea in his boat. They all got into the boat, and the giant began rowing. Once they were out in deeper waters, Galarr grabbed the side of the boat and pushed it down into the water. This caused the boat to strike a rock. Gillingr, betrayed, fell into the water and, being unable to swim, drowned beneath the cold sea.
Gillingr’s Wife Dies
The dwarves returned to shore and went to Gillingr’s house. Fjalarr climbed to the roof with a millstone. Galarr called to Gillingr’s wife, shouting for her to come quick because Gillingr was drowning. The wife stepped outside, and Fjalarr dropped the millstone on her head, crushing and killing her.
Suttungr’s Revenge
Gillingr’s son, Suttungr, returned home to find the two dwarves jumping up and down and laughing. His dead mother laid on the ground at their feet. Suttungr picked up Fjalarr and Galarr, one in each hand, and took them out to sea. He placed them on a rock where they would be submerged and drowned when the tide came in.
The dwarves, fearing for their lives, screamed at Suttungr. They promised him anything he wanted if he would only save them.
Suttungr’s Deal
Suttungr, knowing the tales of Odrerir—the mead brewed from Kvasir’s blood that grants wisdom and poetic skill—offered the dwarves a single chance at life. If they surrendered all three vessels of the sacred mead, he would spare them.
Though furious to part with their prize, the dwarves valued life over treasure. They swore the mead to Suttungr, who ferried them back to shore. True to their word, they delivered Odrerir—the mead of poetry—into the giant’s hands, sealing the next chapter of its fateful journey.
Sources: The Definitive Guide to Norse Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters, and Legends of Viking Culture by Finn D. Moore (2022).
