From: Jimmy Davis Newsgroups: alt.pagan Subject: Poem on Skadi Date: Mon, 26 DEC 94 23:23:49 -0500 Skadi the Goddess of the Hunt and Skiing Jim Davis Skadi waits in mountain home; she sits in Thrymheim. Her father gone to bring back Idunn; the apple bearer freed by the Crafty One. She waits for days for fathers return, but he never returns. She felt deeply that he was dead. The Gods of Asgard must have ambushed him. Anger rose within her and she sought out revenge against the gods. She clothed herself with chainmail and helmet. Selecting the finest of her father's weapons she took off towards Asgard. The Gods forewarn by Hiemdall of her coming; the gods took council. They could have destroyed Skadi in battle, but what would that accomplish? The daughter sought to honor her father an example to be rewarded. So they sought to give her blood money; they offered her much gold. She rejected their offer; the halls of Thrymhiem were already filled by gold hoards; she had no need for gold. They asked what she wanted then, and she asked for a god to be her husband. The gods agreed that this was right and she became the bride of Niord. She was then taken into the clan of the Vanir; a goddess she became, tho an etin woman. Yet she was unhappy in Noatun by the seas; she longed for the cold, hail swept halls of her ancestors. She returned to the mountain fortress, but after nine days Niord returned to his home. Tho they agreed to live apart; she remained the bright bride of the gods. Carrying a powerful bow she hunts in the snow covered forests; much game does she shoot as she skis amongst the trees. Skadi often visited Asgard and was present at all great feasts. So she was present when Loki verbally assaulted the gods, and let it be known that it was he that brought death to her father. She then swore revenge against the Loose-tongued One; against Laufey's Son no god would defend. And when Loki's was bound, it was Skadi who placed the serpent who would drip poison upon his face till Ragnarok.