Loki was
angry over Thor's involvement of the binding of Fenris, and
in a fit of anger, he sneaked into Thor's place and cut off
the beautiful golden hair of Thor's wife, Sif. When Thor discovered
Sif weeping and saw her hair, he immediately guessed Loki had
done it and went out in search of Loki. Loki did not expect
that anyone would suspect him and as such, had stayed in Asgard.
It was only when Thor stormed over to him and grabbed hold of
him, when he realized it was too late. Thor threatened to kill
Loki unless he would be able to put back Sif's hair. Loki agreed
and immediately set out in search of the dwarves.
Loki went
to the makers of Gleipnir, the sons of Ivaldi. Knowing that
honour and glory among the Aesir would ensue, the dwarves straight
away set out to spin gold into hair, and enchanting it so it
would grow like it were natural hair. Along with it, they created
the spear Gungnir, as a gift for Odin, which was a spear that
would never miss. They also created Skidbladnir, a ship, which
could sail over land, sea and air, and could be folded small
enough to be carried in one's hand.
Another
dwarf oversaw what had happened, and wagered that his brother
could make better
treasures. Loki took him on, asking him to make treasures, which
would be brought before the Aesirand judged alongside the treasures
of the sons of Ivaldi.
The dwarves
created three other treasures. They were Draupnir, a ring that
would reproduce itself eight times on every ninth night. Gullinbusti,
the boar which could run better than any horse, and lastly but
far from the least, Mjollnir, the great hammer for Thor.
The Aesir
discussed before Odin, that Mjollnir was the most valuable gift
as it was the best weapon against the giants. Odin declared
Loki had lost the wager, and as penalty, Loki's lips were sewn
together by the dwarves, who thought Loki spoke way too much.
The Aesir, seeing the sport, laughed merrily and in jest at
the poor Loki, who quickly retired to his chamber. There, Loki
tore away the crude thread. His lips would henceforth be scarred,
and his smile was of evil, whence it had only been of cunning
before.
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Freyja's
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