Thor in Utgard

This story starts out with Thor, Loki, and Thor’s page Thjialfi wandering in Jotunhem, in the country of Utgard, which is ruled by the great sorcerer and warlord Utgard-Loki. They were tracking through an almost impenetrable forest, which was taking all of their energy, when they came upon a strangely shaped building, apparently made entirely of leather as thick as a man. They decided to go inside and sleep, but toward midnight the building began to shake as if an earthquake had hit it. Thor ran outside, and there he saw a giant so huge that – it is said – for once he was actually afraid to use his hammer. Instead, he waited until the giant awoke, and asked his name.

Skrymir was the name given by the enormous fellow, and he seemed friendly enough. He was looking for his lost glove, and then he saw the “building” that the travelers had stayed in. It was indeed his glove, and they had taken refuge inside it.

The travelers made breakfast, afterwards packing everything back into Thor’s pack, which was pretty large itself. Skrymir, being helpful, tied the straps in a knot for them, and then proposed that they travel together. While the companions agreed, Skrymir took such huge steps that they quickly fell behind. Eventually they found him under a great oak (the trees are much taller in Jotunheim) setting up his camp again. He told them to go ahead and make dinner; he was tired, and then he fell asleep. Thor discovered to his dismay that Skrymir had tied the straps to his pack so tightly that there was no getting it open, and in anger he hit Skrymir on the head with his hammer.

The huge giant awoke, apparently unhurt, saying that he thought an acorn had fallen on his head. Thor was surprised, but was convinced by his companions to get some sleep. During the night, Skrymir snored so loudly that Thor hit him again, but he took it merely for a leaf falling on him. The next morning he told the travelers that they were nearing the city of Utgard, but they should take care to be civil there, as many of the denizens were larger and more powerful than they might be.

Upon reaching the city of Utgard, they approached the hall of Utgard’s king. Utgard-Loki, as he was called (not to be confused with plain old Loki)  invited them in to dinner, and feasted them well. Apparently it was the custom in that time and place to show off feats of great skill or talent, because Utgard-Loki asked his guests if they would be willing to compete with some members of his household on a few “little tasks”. They agreed willingly, eager to show off.

First Utgard-Loki challenged Loki to an eating competition, which Loki eagerly agreed to. A trough was set on the floor and filled with food, and Loki and his competitor were to start at each end and see who got to the middle first. He faced down a wiry fellow who managed to not only out-eat him, but devoured the trough itself as well. Next, Utgard-Loki challenged Thjiazi to a footrace against his own page, but the swift fellow outran Thor’s servant with little effort.

After this, Utgard-Loki turned his gaze on Thor himself. He suggested that Thor might try a drinking contest, to drain his horn. Thor agreed gladly, and hefted the great horn. However, no matter how much he drank, he could not seem to drain it; the horn always refilled. Thor was embarrassed, but Utgard-Loki then suggested that Thor might be better suited to a wrestling contest. He brought out an old woman whom he claimed was his grandmother Elli, and offered to have her wrestle Thor. The Thunderer was uncertain, but gave it his best. However, he could not budge her, and eventually she forced him down onto one knee.

Utgard-Loki then gave Thor one more chance – a feat of strength. Thor was to lift the cat purring by the fireplace. Completely unsure of himself by this time, Thor attempted to lift the cat, but could do no more than get the edge of one paw off the ground. However, Utgard-Loki waved his hand and said that it was no matter, and the rest of the night was passed in feasting and merriment.

The next day, as they took their leave, Thor apologized for the poor showing that he and his companions had made the night before. Utgard-Loki fixed him with a penetrating gaze and said, “Not at all. I will now be honest and tell you that the last day’s events have all been illusion, created by my sorceries to test you. I was Skrymir; I flew through the air instead of walking with great strides, and my ‘glove’ was a hut. I tied up your pack with iron wire when you could not see, and secretly dodged your hammer blows. If I hadn’t, you would have killed me; there are now some new holes in the mountain where you hit it.” He went on to tell them that Loki’s competitor was Logi, the spirit of flame that eats everything; that his page Hugi was Thought, who is faster than all; that his horn was magically linked to the ocean and

that was why Thor could not drain it; that his cat was linked magically to the Midgard Serpent – which Thor had actually budged a bit, and set all the oceans thrashing and raging – and that his “grandmother” Elli was actually Old Age, who cannot be beaten.

Finally, he said, “If I had known how strong you really were, I would never have let you enter. And enter my city you never shall again, so long as I live.” Thor, enraged, swung about with his hammer, but suddenly found himself on an empty plain with his companions, no city in sight. He left, and never returned to Utgard again.

Artwork by Righon.