"Is it the far-famed Rhine-Gold?" asked Fafner.
"See for yourselves!" said Loki, casting the glittering heap upon the earth. "In all the world ye will not find its like."
The giants gazed greedily upon the hoard, and drew near to parley.
"'Tis indeed a wonderful treasure," they said; "but the mass must equal in height and breadth the stature of this comely goddess."
"So be it," answered Wo-tan, and he commanded that staves be set upright in the ground and that the Gold be heaped between them. Thor and Fro and others of the gods had now arrived upon the scene—all overjoyed at the prospect of Freia's release; for already the blighting mist was beginning to lift, though it yet concealed the fair towers of Walhalla. Meanwhile Loki had been careful to withhold the Ring and the helmet from the rest of the hoard, which was now quickly heaped up between the upright staves.
At last, just as the Gold was exhausted, the pile rose above the top of Freia's head.
"Here, take the treasure," said Wotan, "and release our sister unto us."
"Nay, not so," said Fafner. "I see a hole in the heap, and through it gleams the goddess's hair, brighter than any gold. You must fill the hole. Cast on the helmet which yonder Loki is bearing."
Wotan could scarce restrain his rage at this rude bartering of his sister, while the impetuous Thor fingered his mighty hammer nervously. But Wotan saw it was useless to refuse. He made a sign of command to the unwilling Loki, and the latter cast the helmet on the heap.
Fafner again walked around it looking closely on every side.