As personification of the summer, he was invoked to
still the raging storms which desolated the coasts during the winter
months. He was also implored to hasten the vernal warmth and thereby
extinguish the winter fires.

As agriculture was practised only during the summer months, and
principally along the fiords or sea inlets, Nioerd was also invoked
for favourable harvests, for he was said to delight in prospering
those who placed their trust in him.

Nioerd's first wife, according to some authorities, was his sister
Nerthus, Mother Earth, who in Germany was identified with Frigga, as we
have seen, but in Scandinavia was considered a separate divinity. Nioerd
was, however, obliged to part with her when summoned to Asgard,
where he occupied one of the twelve seats in the great council hall,
and was present at all the assemblies of the gods, withdrawing to
Noatun only when his services were not required by the AEsir.

"Noatun is the eleventh;
There Nioerd has
Himself a dwelling made,
Prince of men;
Guiltless of sin,
He rules o'er the high-built fane."

Lay of Grimnir (Thorpe's tr.).

In his home by the seashore, Nioerd delighted in watching the gulls
fly to and fro, and in observing the graceful movements of the swans,
his favourite birds, which were held sacred to him. He spent many an
hour, too, gazing at the gambols of the gentle seals, which came to
bask in the sunshine at his feet.

Skadi, Goddess of Winter

Shortly after Idun's return from Thrym-heim, and Thiassi's death within
the bounds of Asgard, the assembled gods were greatly surprised and
dismayed to see Skadi, the giant's daughter, appear one day in their
midst, to demand satisfaction for her father's death. Although the
daughter of an ugly old Hrim-thurs, Skadi, the goddess of winter,
was very beautiful indeed, in her silvery armour, with her glittering
spear, sharp-pointed arrows, short white hunting dress, white fur
leggings, and broad snowshoes; and the gods could not but recognise
the justice of her claim, wherefore they offered the usual fine in
atonement. Skadi, however, was so angry that she at first refused
this compromise, and sternly demanded a life for a life, until Loki,
wishing to appease her wrath, and thinking that if he could only make
her cold lips relax in a smile the rest would be easy, began to play
all manner of pranks. Fastening a goat to himself by an invisible cord,
he went thro