Odin decided to ride to Jotunheim on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. Wearing his golden helmet, he rode far from Asgard and soon met the giant Hrungnir, standing beside his own great horse, Gullfaxi (‘Golden-Mane’). Hrungnir stepped into the road to block the way.
Who’s that in the golden helmet,’ bellowed Hrungnir, ‘riding over sky and sea on such a fine horse?
“This is Sleipnir,” replied Odin, “the finest horse in the realms. I’d wager my head that he’s more than a match for any of your clumsy, giant horses.”
Odin’s insult angered Hrungnir. “Sleipnir may be a fine horse, but he’s no match for my Gullfaxi. Let’s race and afterwards, you’ll pay for your insult to Jotunheim’s horses!” Hrungnir leaped astride his horse and ran at Odin.
Odin wheeled Sleipnir and raced for Asgard. Sleipnir was a gray streak of lightning; Gullfaxi was the thunder rumbling close behind. Hrungnir was in such a giant rage that he didn’t notice where they were headed until it was too late.
Heimdall opened the Asgardian gates. Odin made it home. Heimdall couldn’t close the gates fast enough. Hrungnir and Gullfaxi entered the Asgardian courtyard. The gates shut behind the rider and horse, trapping them inside the walls of Asgard.
To Hrungnir’s surprise, the Aesir welcomed him. They would not kill a lone giant who had blundered into their home, not even one as fierce as Hrungnir. They offered him food, drink and rest before his journey home.
Hrungnir accepted their hospitality. Thor was away from Asgard, so the gods filled his cups with mead for Hrungnir. Thor’s cups were the closest they had to giant-sized drinking vessels. Unfortunately, Hrungnir was not a giant, who could hold his liquor. He quickly became drunk and raged like a mad man.
Next: Thor Confronts Hrungnir in Asgard.
Sources
- The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson.
- The Definitive Guide to Norse Mythology: The Gods, Heroes, Monsters and Legends of Viking Culture by Finn D. Moore.
- Jackson Crawford on YouTube, Two Old Tales of Thor the Giant Killer
