A short time after the council of the Frost-Giants, Loki, the Prince of Mischief, was amusing himself with a great fire which he had built on one of the hills just beyond the city of Asgard. Several times he stopped and peered into the sky to see what caused the huge shadow which seemed to hover near him. He could see nothing but a gigantic eagle whirling around the summit of the hill. Loki left his fire to gather another bundle of faggots. Suddenly the great bird swooped down very near him. He quickly seized a long stake and struck the intruder across the back. To Loki’s amazement one end of the stake stuck fast to the eagle’s plumage and the Prince of Mischief could not loosen his hands from the end which he held. The eagle spread its huge dark wings and flew away over rocks and hills far to the North.
“Help! help!” screamed the terrified Loki, but although he struggled with all his might he could not escape from his captor.
When they reached a very lonely spot the eagle alighted on a mountain peak and from the black plumage stepped the Storm Giant, Blizzard, who said:
“Loki, you are in my power and you shall not escape until you promise to help the Frost Giants in a very difficult undertaking!”
“What is that?” gasped the bruised and terrified Loki.
“You must help us to capture Iduna, the Spring-Maiden, and the treasure which she guards. We cannot enter the valley of Spring until Iduna is made our captive.”
“Help you to capture the treasure which gives life and youth to all who partake of it!” said Loki. “Impossible!”
“Then away to the North we will go,” declared the Storm Giant, putting on his eagle plumage again.
“Stop! Stop!” cried Loki in terror. “Let me think a moment!”
After a short consideration Loki took an oath that he would betray Iduna and her treasure into the hands of the Frost Giants. Then the Prince of Mischief was freed, and back to the North sped Blizzard.