Thor and Loki Go to Utgard, pt 2: The Strange Hall

Part 2 of 4 in Thor and Loki Go to Utgard. In Part 1, The Goat Feast, Thor revived his goats, found one lamed, and took the farmer’s children, Thialfi and Roskva, as his servants. Now the four traveled on, into a forest and to a strange hall.

After leaving the chariot and goats with the farmer, Thor, Loki, Thialfi and Roskva set out on foot. Then they went east to the sea and crossed the deep water. On the far side lay a vast forest. Thialfi, the fastest walker, carried the food bag, but supplies were running low. Finally, at nightfall, they found a strange hall.

The Strange Hall

Its doorway was as wide as the hall itself, and partway along one side was a smaller side room. So, grateful for any shelter, the travelers settled in for the night.

In the middle of the night, the earth shook with moans and groans. As a result, the companions awoke with the quake. Then Thor ordered the others into the farthest room. He stood guard at the doorway, Mjölnir in hand. Meanwhile, the other three hid behind him.

Thor Meets Skrymir

When the sun rose, Thor went to investigate the noise. He didn’t go too far from the strange hall when he found a large, sleeping man. In fact, his snoring shook the earth. Thor stepped closer to get a better look when the large man awoke and stood up. Thor was so startled that he didn’t have the wherewithal to strike with his hammer. Instead, he asked the large man his name.

“My name is Skrymir,” said the big man. “I don’t need to ask yours. You are Thor of the Aesir. But what have you done with my glove?” He reached down and picked it up.

Then Thor realized they had spent the night inside Skrymir’s glove. In fact, the side room where they’d hidden was its thumb.

Next: Part 3, Skrymir, where the giant offers to walk with the travelers and carry their food. The whole series: Part 1, The Goat Feast · Part 2, The Strange Hall · Part 3, Skrymir · Part 4, The Challenges.