In The Days of Giants: A Book of Norse Tales. Brown Abbie Farwell

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СКАЧАТЬ "I have just nibbled of another apple, which I found this morning. Verily, I think it is sweeter and more magical than yours."

      Idun was hurt and surprised.

      "That cannot be, Loki," she cried. "There are no apples anywhere like mine. Where found you this fine fruit?" and she wrinkled up her little nose scornfully.

      "Oho! I will not tell any one the place," chuckled Loki, "except that it is not far, in a little wood. There is a gnarled old apple-tree, and on its branches grow the most beautiful red-cheeked apples you ever saw. But you could never find it."

      "I should like to see these apples, Loki, if only to prove how far less good they are than mine. Will you bring me some?"

      "That I will not," said Loki teasingly. "Oh, no! I have my own magic apples now, and folk will be coming to me for help instead of to you."

      Idun began to coax him, as he had guessed that she would: "Please, please, Loki, show me the place!"

      At first he would not, for he was a sly fellow, and knew how to lead her on. At last, he pretended to yield.

      "Well, then, because I love you, Idun, better than all the rest, I will show you the place, if you will come with me. But it must be a secret – no one must ever know."

      All girls like secrets.

      "Yes – yes!" cried Idun eagerly. "Let us steal away now, while no one is looking."

      This was just what Loki hoped for.

      "Bring your own apples," he said, "that we may compare them with mine. But I know mine are better."

      "I know mine are the best in all the world," returned Idun, pouting. "I will bring them, to show you the difference."

      Off they started together, she with the golden casket under her arm; and Loki chuckled wickedly as they went. He led her for some distance, further than she had ever strayed before, and at last she grew frightened.

      "Where are you taking me, Loki?" she cried. "You said it was not far. I see no little wood, no old apple-tree."

      "It is just beyond, just a little step beyond," he answered. So on they went. But that little step took them beyond the boundary of Asgard – just a little step beyond, into the space where the giants lurked and waited for mischief.

      Then there was a rustling of wings, and whirr-rr-rr! Down came Thiasse in his eagle dress. Before Idun suspected what was happening, he fastened his claws into her girdle and flapped away with her, magic apples and all, to his palace in Jotunheim, the Land of Giants.

      Loki stole back to Asgard, thinking that he was quite safe, and that no one would discover his villainy. At first Idun was not missed. But after a little the gods began to feel signs of age, and went for their usual bite of her apples. Then they found that she had disappeared, and a great terror fell upon them. Where had she gone? Suppose she should not come back!

      The hours and days went by, and still she did not return. Their fright became almost a panic. Their hair began to turn gray, and their limbs grew stiff and gouty so that they hobbled down Asgard streets. Even Freia, the loveliest, was afraid to look in her mirror, and Balder the beautiful grew pale and haggard. The happy land of Asgard was like a garden over which a burning wind had blown, – all the flower-faces were faded and withered, and springtime was turned into yellow fall.

      If Idun and her apples were not quickly found, the gods seemed likely to shrivel and blow away like autumn leaves. They held a council to inquire into the matter, endeavoring to learn who had seen Idun last, and whither she had gone. It turned out that one morning Heimdal had seen her strolling out of Asgard with Loki, and no one had seen her since. Then the gods understood; Loki was the last person who had been with her – this must be one of Loki's tricks. They were filled with anger. They seized and bound Loki and brought him before the council. They threatened him with torture and with death unless he should tell the truth. And Loki was so frightened that finally he confessed what he had done.

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