n out of their sockets.

In vain he begged and implored the eagle to let him go; it took no
notice of him whatever, but flew on and on, just a little way above
the earth, until at length Loki, feeling that he could endure no
longer, promised to give him anything he asked if he would only
release him.

Then at last the eagle spoke, telling him that he would set him free
on one condition only, and that was that he should manage, by some
trick, to tempt Idun out of Asgard, in order that he could obtain
possession of her and of the magic fruit. He told Loki, moreover, that
he was the Storm Giant Thiassi in disguise, and bade him beware of the
consequences if he broke his solemn promise to one of giant race.

By this time Loki was ready to promise anything to save his life, and
so at length he found himself free.

Bruised and torn he made his way back to Odin and Hoenir, by whom he
was closely questioned concerning his adventures.

But Loki never hesitated to depart from the truth, and, knowing that
it would not do to tell what he had promised, he answered glibly that
the eagle had captured him in mistake for someone else, and that when
he found out it was Red Loki himself, he had set him free, with many
expressions of sorrow for his error.

So the three Asas returned to Asgard, and from that moment Loki did
not cease to plot and plan the means by which he could entice Idun
outside the gates.

And indeed this was no easy matter, for the Apples of Youth were so
precious to the gods that Idun was well guarded by night and day.
Sometimes, however, even the Asas were off their guard, and that was
the opportunity for Loki.

Strolling one day through the groves of Asgard, Loki found the
beautiful maiden all alone in a sunny corner playing at ball with her
golden fruit.

"Aha!" cried he, approaching gently so as not to startle her, "what a
fair game thou playest here, maiden!"

But Idun only smiled at him happily and went on tossing her apples.

Then Loki pulled a long face, and came nearer, and said:

"Till this day, fair Idun, I had said that nowhere in the wide world
grew apples like thine. But now have I found a tree whereon the fruit
is of finer gold, and of greater size than these, and a taste of it
needs not to be renewed again, but makes one young for evermore."

Then Idun stopped playing and her blue eyes grew dark and stormy, for
she could not bear to think that her apples would no longer be the joy
and d