The giant Thjasse happened to be flying abroad
in his eagle plumage when the hungry travellers came under the oak and
tried to cook the ox. It was into his hands that Loki had fallen, and he
was not to get away until he had promised to pay roundly for his
freedom.
If there was one thing which the gods prized above their other treasures
in Asgard, it was the beautiful fruit of Idun, kept by the goddess in a
golden casket and given to the gods to keep them forever young and fair.
Without these Apples all their power could not have kept them from
getting old like the meanest of mortals. Without these Apples of Idun,
Asgard itself would have lost its charm; for what would heaven be
without youth and beauty forever shining through it?
Thjasse told Loki that he could not go unless he would promise to bring
him the Apples of Idun. Loki was wicked enough for anything; but when it
came to robbing the gods of their immortality, even he hesitated. And
while he hesitated the eagle dashed hither and thither, flinging him
against the sides of the mountains and dragging him through the great
tough boughs of the oaks until his courage gave out entirely, and he
promised to steal the Apples out of Asgard and give them to the giant.
Loki was bruised and sore enough when he got on his feet again to hate
the giant who handled him so roughly, with all his heart, but he was not
unwilling to keep his promise to steal the Apples, if only for the sake
of tormenting the other gods.
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