After Suttungr denied a drink of the Mead of Poetry (Odrerir), Baugi realized that Odin-Bolverkr was a god. Even though Baugi hated the gods as much as his brother Suttungr, he had sworn an oath and was bound to keep it. He returned to Odin-Bolverkr and told him of their denial. Odin-Bolverkr decided they would have to steal the Mead of Poetry and told Baugi they needed to go to the secret cavern without being seen.
Odin and Baugi
Baugi agreed to take Odin-Bolverkr to the cavern, but along the way, Baugi tried to think of a way he could get rid of Odin-Bolverkr. They arrived at the rock that blocked the entrance to the cavern. Odin-Bolverkr took out a hand drill and started making a hole. When Odin-Bolverkr tired, he had Baugi drill the rest of the way. Baugi’s giant strength allowed them to complete the hole rather quickly.
Odin-Bolverkr turned into a snake and went into the hole. Baugi realized that Odin had become a snake too late to stop his entry into the cavern. Still, he took the hand drill and attempted to stab Odin-Snake. The snake was too quick, and soon Odin-snake was in the cavern, but his way out was blocked.
Odin and Gunnlod
In the cavern, Odin transformed back into himself. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw Gunnlod sitting next to the three containers holding the Mead of Poetry. Odin decided not to scare Gunnlod and made his presence known quietly.
Gunnlod asked him who he was and where he came from. Odin responded that he was a thirsty traveler. Gunnlod said she only had the Mead of Poetry, and she couldn’t give him even a sip. Odin begged for it, but Gunnlod was steadfast.
Still, Odin argued his case. Gunnlod finally agreed that he could have three drinks of the mead if he stayed with her for three nights. After the third night, he took his three draughts, draining all three containers of mead in doing so. Odin then transformed into an eagle and few out of the cavern toward Asgard.
Chasing Odin-Eagle
By this time, Suttungr knew that Odin had stolen the Mead of Poetry. When Suttungr saw Odin-Eagle flying away from the cavern, Sutungr transformed himself into an eagle to give chase.
Odin-Eagle was filled with the Mead of Poetry, which made him slow. He looked behind him and saw Suttungr-Eagle gaining quickly. Odin-Eagle was concerned about the size and speed of the giant eagle. In his nervousness, Odin-Eagle defecated the bad parts of the Mead of Poetry to rid himself of some weight. (The defecated mead is the portion for bad poets.)
Odin-Eagle at Asgard
When Odin-Eagle arrived at Asgard, the other gods arranged for a cauldron for the Mead of Poetry. They also piled wood on Asgard’s walls. After Odin-Eagle flew over the pile of wood, the other gods lit the wood on fire. Suttungr flew into the flames, caught his wings on fire and plunged into the chasm below, burning to death on the way down.
Odin-Eagle regurgitated the mead into the cauldron. The mead was then taken to Bragi’s cavern for safekeeping. Every once in a while, the gods would dole out a drop of the mead to a human when he was born, fating him to be a skald.
Suttungr’s Alternate Ending
Another version of the story has Suttungr arriving at Asgard, after Odin steals the Mead of Poetry, asking for Odin-Bolverkr. Odin responds that Bolverkr is not there.
Sources: The Definitive Guide to Norse Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters, and Legends of Viking Culture by Finn D. Moore (2022).
