Part I : The Call To War
The Gods were lying in the beautiful meadows that surrounded Asgard playing games on golden gameboards without a care. The Goddesses were gossiping while they weaved gold and silver threads into beautiful garments and beddings. Their children, who they watched with the careful eyes of a mother, played in the fields running and laughing to and fro. The Gods and Goddesses never knew of war and strife. Behind their great wall, built long ago by a Jotun, they were sure they were safe from any and all harm. That is if an enemy could get past the ever vigilant Heimdall ! Their world was their heaven and they were peaceful and content. Idunn visited the God and Goddesses, giving each of them one of the golden apples that they trusted only with her. With each bite of this fruit the Aesir was granted the promise of eternal youth. Everyone in Asgard was happy and content on this day, as they were on all days. Everyone that is but one, the All - Father.
Odin, from his high - seat in Hlidskjalf, was very concerned ! From this sacred throne he could see out over all the nine worlds, and know what was happening in each. Nothing missed the All - Father' s watchful eyes, and he did not like what he was seeing. Events were changing in the nine worlds that could be very detrimental to the Aesir. The Jotuns had multiplied, and were ever so slowly pushing towards Midgard. The three Jotun - Maidens were great cause for concern as well. They were monstrous to look at, and had recently set down laws for men to follow, and were starting to control the destiny of mankind. Odin also felt threatened by their knowledge of the past, present, and most especially the future.
Odin was most concerned however, by the resurgence of the Old Ones known as the Vanir. These Gods lived in the world known as Vanaheim, and were using their Seidr, ( Magic ), to upset the balance of the universe. Odin thought on this long and hard, weighing all possibilities and options. He consulted seeresses, and even went to see Mimir to seek his advice and counsel. Finally, Odin decided that it was time to take action !
Odin held a council with the other Gods, and they carefully considered the situation that was developing before them. They discussed for long hours the prospects of both war and peace. The debate at times became quite heated with violence being only narrowly avoided. Finally, everyone was in agreement that something had to be done about the Vanir, who had trampled on their honor. And that revenge was required to restore it. The decision was made, they would go to war, an annihilate the intrusive Vanir Gods and destroy Vanaheim. Not one of the Gods, not even mild mannered Bragi, talked of peace that day !
When the Vanir heard of these threats made against them, they sent their envoy, Gullveig, to meet with the Aesir. In the great Asgardian hall, Gullveig warned the Aesir council that any and all credible threats, or encroachment of any kind on Vanaheim, would lead to war. To back her warnings, and to give strength and meaning to her words, she showed them her powerful Seidr. Odin, whose council had already decided on war, was furious by her brash show of defiance. And she had the audacity to do it right there in his sacred hall ! Odin could take no more, he broke his own sacred decree about spilling blood in the ancient holy hall; he picked up his spear Gungnir, and shot it into the Vanir host . Countless spears were cast at Gullveig that day to no avail. In Odin's hall they burned her body three times, but three times she was re - born.
When Njord heard of these atrocities, he called the Vanir into council, and asked for a vote of war against the Aesir. Freyr jumped to his feet, raised his mighty sword that fought by itself, and cried out, " Revenge for our Queen of Seidr, Gullveig. All then rose in unison, lead by Freyja, and shouted for war. It is said that this shout could be heard throughout all of the nine worlds. Njord simply said quietly, " Then war it shall be ! " They put on their coats of mail, bright silver helmets, and belted sharp swords on their sides. All was made ready for an attack on the great citadel that was Asgard. Most rode on white horses to the field of battle, some however, wore feather coats and flew above the horse soldiers. The peace was over, the war about to begin !
End part one.