Norse Mythology

by Neil Gaiman

The Norse myths are the myths of a chilly place, with long, long winter nights and endless summer days, myths of a people who did not entirely trust or even like their gods, although they respected and feared them.

Odin knows many secrets. He gave an eye for wisdom. More than that, for knowledge of runes, and for power, he sacrificed himself to himself.

Loki makes the world more interesting but less safe. He is the father of monsters, the author of woes, the sly god.

Heimdall will blow the Gjallerhorn only once, at the end of all things, at Ragnarok.

That was the thing about Loki. You resented him even when you were at your most grateful, and you were grateful to him even when you hated him the most.

Loki’s green eyes flashed with anger and with admiration, for he loved a good trick as much as he hated being fooled.

a blow of Thor’s hammer parted Thiazi from his life.

Their wedding was blessed, and some say that their son, Fjolnir, went on to become the first king of Sweden. (He would drown in a vat of mead late one night, hunting in the darkness for a place to piss.)

Frey did not miss his sword, and he did not replace it. When he fought the giant Beli, he killed him with a stag’s antler. Frey was so strong, he could kill a giant with his bare hands. Even so, he should not have given his sword away. Ragnarok is coming. When the sky splits asunder and the dark powers of Muspell march out on their war journey, Frey will wish he still had his sword.

When Loki heard Balder talk of his bad dreams, Loki smiled.