Thor Confronts Hrungnir in Asgard

This is the second of five parts in the story of Thor and Hrungnir, retold from Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. Part 1 tells how the giant came to be drinking in Asgard. In this part, Thor confronts Hrungnir, who sits drunk in Thor’s own seat.

Hrungnir drank like a giant and held it like a child. The more he drank, the louder he boasted of what he would do to the Asgardians.

A Giant in Thor’s Seat

The gods didn’t know what to do, because Asgard was under threat from a giant within its walls. Thor and Mjölnir weren’t there, so no one could protect them or the realm.

Then Hrungnir demanded more mead. Freyja was the only god brave enough to bring it to him.

He would pick up Valhalla and carry it off to Jötunheim like a dollhouse, he said. He would also sink Asgard and kill every god except Freyja and Sif, whom he’d take home with him. And, worst of all, he would drink every drop of the Aesir’s ale.

Thor Confronts Hrungnir

At last the gods had had enough. They spoke Thor’s name, and in that instant, Thor was there.

Thor answered the summons with Mjölnir in hand. When he saw Hrungnir in Asgard, drinking from Thor’s own cups, with Freyja serving him as if this were a feast, Thor grew angry. “Who gave you permission to sit in my seat?” he bellowed.

However, Hrungnir sneered at Thor. “I am here by invitation of Odin and under his protection, little man.”

“You will regret that invitation before you leave here,” replied Thor.

Thor Confronts Hrungnir’s Challenge to Single Combat

“There is little glory in killing an unarmed man inside Asgard,” said Hrungnir. “Meet me at Grjotunagardar, the Stone-Fence Yards, on the border of our lands. There I will test your courage.

“To be sure it was foolish of me to leave my shield and whetstone at home. We would be dueling now if I had brought them with me. Be that as it may, I call you coward and charge you with betrayal if you kill me at this time when I have no weapons.”

No one had ever challenged Thor to single combat before. Still, he accepted Hrungnir’s terms.

Then the giant rose from where he was seated, went to Gullfaxi and raced back to Jötunheim.

Next: Part 3, Hrungnir and the Giants Prepare to Battle Thor, where the giants build a clay champion named Mokkurkalfi to stand beside Hrungnir at Grjotunagardar.

The whole story:

1. Odin and Sleipnir Flee Hrungnir and Gullfaxi
2. Thor Confronts Hrungnir in Asgard (you are here)
3. Hrungnir and the Giants Prepare to Battle Thor
4. Thor and Hrungnir Battle
5. The Morning Star and the Whetstone in Thor’s Head