e, Hrungnir did not
notice the direction in which they were going, until, in the vain
hope of overtaking Odin, he urged his steed to the very gates of
Valhalla. Discovering then where he was, the giant grew pale with
fear, for he knew he had jeopardised his life by venturing into the
stronghold of the gods, his hereditary foes.

The AEsir, however, were too honourable to take even an enemy at a
disadvantage, and, instead of doing him harm, they asked him into their
banqueting-halls, where he proceeded to indulge in liberal potations
of the heavenly mead set before him. He soon grew so excited that he
began to boast of his power, declaring he would come some day and take
possession of Asgard, which he would destroy, together with the gods,
save only Freya and Sif, upon whom he gazed with an admiring leer.

The gods, knowing he was not responsible, let him talk unmolested;
but Thor, coming home just then from one of his journeys, and
hearing his threat to carry away the beloved Sif, flew into a
terrible rage. He furiously brandished his hammer, with intent to
annihilate the boaster. This the gods would not permit, however, and
they quickly threw themselves between the irate Thunderer and their
guest, imploring Thor to respect the sacred rights of hospitality,
and not to desecrate their peace-stead by shedding blood.

Thor was at last induced to bridle his wrath, but he demanded that
Hrungnir should appoint a time and place for a holmgang, as a Northern
duel was generally called. Thus challenged, Hrungnir promised to meet
Thor at Griottunagard, the confines of his realm, three days later,
and departed somewhat sobered by the fright he had experienced. When
his fellow giants heard how rash he had been, they chided him sorely;
but they took counsel together in order to make the best of a bad
situation. Hrungnir told them that he was to have the privilege of
being accompanied by a squire, whom Thialfi would engage in fight,
wherefore they proceeded to construct a creature of clay, nine
miles long, and proportionately wide, whom they called Mokerkialfi
(mist wader). As they could find no human heart big enough to put in
this monster's breast, they secured that of a mare, which, however,
kept fluttering and quivering with apprehension. The day of the duel
arrived. Hrungnir and his squire were on the ground awaiting the
arrival of their respective opponents. The giant had not only a flint
heart and skull, but also a shield an