Stanza 8-9: Skírnir, preparing to journey to Jötunheimar for Freyr, requests the sword that fights giants on its own. Then Freyr agrees to give his magical sword to Skírnir to aid him in his quest.
Skírnir said:
8. ‘Then give me the horse, the one that can bear me through dark,
discerning flicker-flame,
and the sword which fights by itself
against the family of giants.’
Freyr said:
9. ‘I give you that horse which will bear you through dark,
discerning, flicker-flame,
and the sword which will fight by itself,
if he who has it is wise.’
Stanza 23: Skírnir, uses the sword to threaten Gerdr into marrying Freyr.
Skírnir said:
‘Do you see this sword, girl, slender, sign-coloured,
which I have here in my hand?
I shall hew the head from your neck,
unless you pronounce a pact with me!’
Stanza 42: Loki taunts Freyr, reminding him that he gave away his sword to win Gerðr and will therefore be powerless at Ragnarök against the sons of Muspell (including Surtr).
‘With gold you had Gymir’s daughter bought,
and so gave your sword;
but when Muspell’s sons ride over Myrkviðr,
then, wretch, you won’t know how you’ll fight!’
Chapter 37-38(p. 32): After falling in love with the jötunn Gerðr, Freyr sends his servant Skírnir to woo her on his behalf. To persuade Skírnir to undertake the perilous journey, Freyr gives him his magical sword. The text notes its special quality.
‘Then Skirnir replied, saying that he would undertake the mission, but Freyr must give him his sword. This was such a good sword that it would fight on its own. But Freyr did not let the lack of that be an obstacle and gave him the sword.
Chapter 37-38(p. 32): Gangleri expresses his astonishment that Freyr would part with such a valuable weapon, and High explains the future consequences of this decision, specifically in his fated battle with the giant Beli and the fire jötunn Surtr.
Then spoke Gangleri: ‘It is very strange that such a prince as Freyr should want to give away his sword when he did not have another that was as good! This would have been a terrible handicap for him when he fought with the one called Beli.
There will come a time when Freyr will find being without the sword a greater disadvantage when Muspell’s sons come and wage war.’
Chapter 51(p. 54): During the events of Ragnarök, the prophecy mentioned earlier comes to pass. Freyr confronts Surtr without his weapon, and the reason for his death is explicitly stated.
Freyr will fight Surt and there will be a harsh conflict before Freyr falls. The cause of his death will be that he will be without the good sword that he gave Skirnir.
If you find incorrect information or you know of missing references, please contact me on [email protected]