Wodin, a mighty Jotunn chieftain went to his friend, Loki, and told him the future of the Jotunns must begin. But it couldn’t begin until the clans unite. Only by working together could they oust the Dwarfs from their mountains and keep the Fey from their lands. Loki, having traveled Jotunnheim, knew of many clans and the places they gathered and camped. Wodin asked his friend to go out to them with his message of unification. Loki said he would do it because they were sworn-kin but also warned Wodin that he will not like the response. Wodin said he didn’t care. So, Loki went a-Viking (which in this case also means Networking)
When Loki returned there were various responses from each clan chief and none of them agreed. Wodin felt frustrated and he shouted. The Jotunn Chief asked Loki what he would do if he were chief.
“I wouldn’t seek to rule in the first place! I think you’re a fool to try to unite the clans. Jotunns do not respect anything that they can’t punch. That includes things like laws, boundaries, and words. I’d never allow myself or allow another to put me in such a situation. I’ll never be chief, I’m too smart.” The large Loki huffed at Wodin.
Wodin thought for a moment and then rephrased his question. “What advice would you give me then?”
“If you must, then my advice is to give them a reason to unite. A common thing or reason that can be shared throughout the clans,” replied Loki.
Wodin thought for a moment. “Well, we all hate Dwarfs,” he says.
“What?” asked Loki.
“We all hate Dwarfs,” repeated Wodin.
“That’s not what I-“ started Loki.
“Yes,” nodded Wodin. “Yes, let’s start a war with the Dwarfs.”
“No, we ca-“
“No, we ca-“
“Oh, yes we can and we will, Loki,” said Wodin. “You’re my battle-brother and sworn-kin. I’m your chief, you’ll help. You gave your oath.”
Loki sighed and shook his head. “And I’m coming to regret that.”
Wodin ignored Loki’s objection and continued. “I want to start a war, but it has to be a real war that the Dwarfs are going to want to fight to the last. What I need you to do is sneak into the main stronghold and steal a treasure- a valuable one. It has to be something they prize beyond anything. But tell no one you have done this.”
Loki’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Do you understand what you are asking me to do? Because I don’t think you do. If I start this, there’s no going back. This’ll never be unmade, forgotten, or forgiven.”
“I’m set in my decision,” said Wodin. “For better or for worse, we’ll change the face of Jotunnheim forever.”
Loki thought for a long time. Then he said, “This is no small task. If I do this for you, I require compensation.”
Wodin nodded. “I’ll give you the unbreakable oath, give you land to raise your own clan, and a permanent seat at my hearth-fire. You’ll be a close counselor in all that I do.”
“I’m sure that I told you I do not seek to rule over any clan. That includes one of my own,” said Loki. “Sons rise to usurp their fathers and tear down that which he took a lifetime to build. No, I’ll not have it.”
“Then what do you want?” asked Wodin.
“My freedom. I’ll be your blood-brother, have a seat at your hearth-fire, and advise you in all that you do. But I need my freedom. I cannot be ensnared by rule, oaths, or marriage. If ever there’s a time my freedom is at risk, you must swear an oath that you’ll make sure I stay free to travel Jotunnheim.” Wodin didn’t think about it, he simply agreed to Loki’s demand.
Loki took some time to think about his task. It’d take powerful magic to help him in his endeavor. He knew magic had rules and limitations. Even the most skilled can bend them, but could never break them. For example, he couldn’t have a Troll-Hag transmute him into a Dwarf. He was a Jotunn and several feet too big to stuff into smaller magic frame. Loki was big, but he was also clever. More so than most of his kind, that was why Wodin put him to the task. Loki was able to think outside of the box, so to say. And he knew that sometimes magic was knowledge or wisdom that isn’t understood by the common folk.
A piece of knowledge that wasn't commonly known was that Loki understood Dwarf culture and custom. Dwarfs are known for many wondrous things. They love knowledge for knowledge sake and are curious to a fault. When given something to wonder over, they’ll obsess over it until they have found the answer. Loki, then, knew how he would get into the main stronghold of the Dwarfs. He knew what he needed to take and he understood the full consequences of it should it ever be known he had a hand in stealing it. Loki also understood that, at some point, it would need to be returned. And so, Loki schemed to make a war that everyone could win.
The first step in Loki's plan was to visit a Troll sorceress by the name of Vinarah. She was well known among her people to be the most knowledgeable in the magic art of Trolls. So, when she told him she wouldn't help him, Loki went to the 23rd most powerful sorceress of the trolls; Corgen. She didn't say no because Corgen had something to prove. "If I do this for you," she said. "I want something in return; three somethings." The two were conspiring in her little house over ale and cheese.
Loki nodded. "Obviously. I wouldn't do it for nothing either."
"I want everyone to know that it was my magic. But not until after everything is settled," said Corgen.
"I'm not a skuld," said Loki.
"No, but you know many persons of several different clans who will appreciate the work I put in," she said. "Then, I want you to introduce me to someone. I'm very lonely-"
"For the love of the Nine! Do I look like a matchmaker, woman?" asked Loki.
"You do today," she replied. "Thirdly, I want a small treasure. Mine can be a small piece of jewelry, something that wouldn't be noticed in the distraction of the larger, more important thing."
"I don't like where this web is weaving," mumbled Loki.
"It doesn't matter if you like it or not. Fact is I'm probably the only sorceress who is willing to help and keep their mouth shut about it. So, do you want this to happen or not?" Corgen asked.
"I think you have me by the metaphoricals, my dear," said Loki. "I agree to your terms."
Corgen pushed a mug towards him. “Now, have a drink and tell me truthfully. Do you expect this to go according to your plan?”
Loki grabbed the mug. “When does it ever go “according to plan? No, I expect there to be countless obstacles. But the idea is that the majority come out better in the end. Otherwise, I don’t think I could live with myself.” Loki took a deep drink.
“Then why agree to it in the first place, Loki?”
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Because I knew that if I didn’t, he would have found someone else. And like I said, if it’s going to happen, I would like it to happen with some positive results for somebody. Every male Jottun worth his salt knows he will have to make up with the wife eventually. This is my way of ensuring that will happen as smoothly as possible.” Loki sat the mug on the table and played with it. “I have an idea and an outline, maybe I can make up the rest as I go along. That’s the best I got.”
First Chapter of "Tale of the Three Loki's"
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