Horses stamped and whinnied in the warm dark stables of Bilskirnir. The smell of hay and meadowsweet hung in the air. Thor and Thialfi stood either side of Northwind, Thrud's fearsome black stallion, rubbing down his sweat stained flanks. A full year had passed since Thialfi had become the thunderer's bondsman. He was now proficient in the basic fighting skills, he could start fires with drill or steel even in damp weather and could care for the estate beats and wagons. Thor had taken Thialfi on many journeys to the Outlands and the young man had proven to be a valuable travelling companion. His quick wits and youthful enthusiasm served them both well.
They were hailed by a panting kitchen maid who was trailed by a distraught giantess. 'Oh,oh.' muttered Thor, 'Have we widowed anyone recently?'
'No giantesses,' Thialfi replied 'probably a few troll wives and dark elves and a sea monster or two.'
The giantess strode up and said 'I ask your pardon, by my husband is lost to me and I don't know who else to turn to. I have no reason to expect any help from you, my kin have never felt close to you gods of Asgard, but I can offer my own herb and spell lore, and my household's friendship.'
'You make a tempting offer,' Thor replied, 'we value such ties with Outland folk. Now tell us your name and what it is that troubles you.'
'My name is Groa' the giantess replied 'they call me the Healer in the eastern Outlands. My husband is Aurvandill the Bold. He has been carried off by the grey trolls in the far east. Every giant I have spoken to fears these creatures greatly and none will aid me for any fee.'
'Well this sounds like a challenge.' Thor replied 'Dry your eyes Groa, we will search for your lost husband. But I have never heard of grey trolls, what can you tell us of them?'
'I have seen them in dreams and visions, they are female and ferocious. They live beyond the darkness east of the Outlands. Follow Yggdrasil's root to its end and you will find them.'
'We will do our best for you. We will leave today for the far east.' Thor promised.
'You have my heartfelt thanks and I wish you well.' the giantess replied much relieved 'I myself must make my way to Elfhome where my healing arts are required.'
Thor paused only to see the horse settled and went straight to his wife to tell her of his plans. Sif was sympathetic of Groa's plight and urged them to make haste. She called for Sigyn and Roskva to help her pack travelling supplies. Within the hour Thor sat next to Thialfi on Bilskirnir's high seat. The hall's great timbers faded away as Thor set the magic to work. They seemed to race high over the fields and halls of Asgard. Past the great trunk of Yggdrasil and the Norn's glade, then out into the wilds of the Outlands following the great tree's root. Past Mimirs well and near the high mountains that held heavens rim, Thor grasped Thialfi's arm and leapt from the high seat.
They stood alone in the desolate land of the giants, greeted only by the sorrowful calling of crows. A mountain rose above them glittering with ice, broken only by a high valley through which the dwindling ash root twisted its way. 'Our way seems, clear.' said Thor 'We must follow Yggdrasils guidance.' After a hard climb the companions came to the highest point of the pass below a forbidding tower of dark stone. Below them the rocks plunged down into a terrible emptiness, the very edge of the nine worlds, the tree root vanished out into the inky blackness.
'We need to travel out into that?' asked Thialfi, his voice unsteady in terror.
'It would appear so.' Thor replied 'But let us worry about that in the morning, it is getting late in the day.' The thunderer strode to the tower's door and knocked loudly. The massive iron barred planks creaked open and an ancient silver maned giant regarded them.
'And what would the likes of you be doing here?' he asked.
'We are searching for Aurvandill.' Thor replied. 'Well he is not here.' said the giant.
'We know that' answered Thor 'We need to search for him over there.' The god gestured beyond the cliffs.
The giant paled 'You must be mad, no one can follow that path.'
'You are probably right,' Thor laughed 'in which case you can have the honour of giving us our last meal.'
The giant shook his head, he kept muttering 'Fools, fools, they will never come back!' The giant introduced himself as Hallbjorn. He saw to his guest's comfort and gave them great bowls of steaming broth, fresh bread and armfuls of thick blankets to hold out the chill of the mountain night. After eating well Thor went to his bed and was soon sleeping soundly. Thialfi could not get the view from the giant's window out of his head. The giant noticed his disquiet.
'They say there is a coldness out there not known anywhere else, you would be wise to remember that.'
'We have plenty of warm clothes.' said Thialfi.
'They say there is a terrible dragon at the end of the tree root. Maybe he has eaten your Aurvandill.'
'Thor can deal with dragons.' Thialfi replied.
'They say you can get terribly lost if you leave the world's edge, and you can never came back, you just wander forever in that deadly cold. You quest is folly, I tell you' Thialfi was silent, the emptiness beyond the cliffs seemed to draw him to his own death. 'I may be able to help you there.' the giant said. He dug in a pouch hanging from his belt and withdrew a shiny black stone. He handed it over.
'What is it?' Thialfi asked.
'Just a stone from the mountains. But take it with you. If you can return it will draw you back here.' Thialfi thanked the giant and took the stone to his bed, reassured by its weight in his palm he drifted off to sleep.
All too soon for Thialfi, morning came. Thor was shaking him, eager to be off. Wrapped up like old women in several layers of fur lined woolen cloaks and well provisioned by the anxious Hallbjorn they set off to the cliffs edge. The World Tree root was wide here, about twenty paces across so you could walk along it easily and avert you eyes from the darkness on either side. They left the mountains behind and as Hallbjorn predicted the air turned deathly cold. Thor turned round and grinned 'You all right lad?'
'Not really.' Thialfi admitted. 'I would rather face a nest of troll wives armed with a stale loaf that tread this path.'
'I would agree it is hardly welcoming. But remember, our household is run by a sybil and she let us come after Aurvandill happily enough. That is always a good omen.' Of course, Thialfi thought, Sif would have known what we faced, he tried to remember her last words to him. She had said 'Keep warm and your wits about you.' Keep warm indeed Thialfi thought pulling his cloaks closer, she had known and no mistake. 'Are you coming?' asked Thor 'I wont hold it against you if you stay at Hallbjorns tower.'
'Of course I am coming.' Thialf laughed, 'Who knows, you might need me.' They walked and walked for what seemed like hours, but there was no sun to measure the passing of the day, and no day in this endless night. Faint stars shining above and below them cast a faint light to guide their steps. Thialfi turned around to look back but could see nothing, just the root itself fading away behind into the darkness. The root was narrower now, maybe 12 paces across.
'How far is it?' asked Thialfi.
I have no idea.' Thor admitted, he sounded absurdly cheerful. They trudged on in the dark until Thor called a halt. They sat down on the rough bark and shared dried meat and ale from their provisions.
'The giant said there's a dragon out here.' said Thialfi.
'Oh good.' Thor replied 'That will make a change, this place is a bit short on land marks. Well shall we move on or do you want to sleep here?'
'No' Thialfi responded with a shiver 'Lets move on!'
They kept walking and the root became narrower. It was difficult to walk now and Thor pulled a rope from his belt and passed an end to Thialfi. 'Here lad' he said, 'make yourself fast to this, can't be losing you over the edge!' Thialfi gratefully tied the rope to his waist. That went forward slowly and carefully, the silence was now broken by occasional hissing which grew louder as they advanced.
'The dragon?' Thialfi whispered.
'Let's see.' Thor whispered back. A knotted shape emerged from the darkness, tree roots, dozens of them, all tangled together, paths stretching in all directions. Adding to the knot of roots and partly trapped in it was a long glittering serpent. Intelligent eyes blinked at them, a forked tongue flickered and sharp claws clutched at the path before them. 'Well here's well met.' said Thor in a friendly fashion 'Here is a choice of paths and a guide to help us on our way. Tell us serpent, have you seen the giant Aurvandill being carried past here, do you know which way he was taken?'
The serpent spoke in a hissing voice. 'Yesss. I know all thath passsess thisss placsh, for none can journey from tree to tree withouth my blesssing. A gianth you ssay, yesss that I have sseeen. But whath will you give for my council and your sssafe passsage? Thath boy there you drag on a halter looksss very tasssty!'
'I am sure he does but you will not be feasting on my friend here. We have some dried flesh in our packs which is cooked and tender. That will be your payment if you show us the way we seek.'
'Very well. But you must bring more than table ssscraps when you return.' The serpent replied despondently.
'Your giant wassss taken thisss way.' The serpent thumped his tail blade on one of the tangled tree roots.
'Thank you' said Thor and tossed the serpent a large slab of meat.
They clambered about the roots and glittering coils as the serpent made short work of their supplies. Their journey proceeded much as before, only this time the root grew in girth. Thiafi, eager to have solid earth beneath his feet led the way, straining his eyes for a glimpse of wherever this root was leading them.
Several more hours passed before faint shadows grew in the darkness ahead and took form. It was land, as solid as the Outland mountains that had left so long before. There was a blue sheen to the rocks which puzzled Thialfi, he picked one up 'What's this?' he asked 'It looks like sapphire.'
Thor took it from him. 'I think it is glass, strange, but remember we are no longer in the nine worlds, be ready for anything.' They followed the root across the strange landscape having no other guide to follow. It soon became clear that this was a smaller world than the one they had left behind. They could see the tree clearly ahead slowly gaining in height as they progressed towards it. It was smaller than Yggdrasil and foliage hung from its branches like mats of green felt.
Nothing about the land reminded them of home, the rocks were all of glass, either brilliant blue or emerald green. The only plant life about them appeared to be a slimy looking moss which carpeted the ground and sucked at their feet. Rivers lined the valley floors filled not with water but an oosing vivid green liquid. The companions shared their precious ale, neither willing to taste the foul looking slime of the local rivers.
As they came near to the tree they saw a dwelling built just below it, its walls made of blue glass boulders and its roof piled with green moss. Beside the dwelling was a dome shaped cage. They were three figures near the dwelling, monstrous in form with grey flesh, they were women clad in garments of the pounded moss. One was lithe and muscular, she was hacking timber from the tree's trunk with a shard of glass. She handed the jagged pieces to a heavier woman with a grim face. The third was plump, she was pulling the moss down from the tree and stuffing it in her mouth. When they noticed the travelers they ceased their activities and came down to meet the strangers talking excitedly among themselves.
Thor spoke 'We greet you ladies. I am Thor son of Jord from the lands around Yggdrasil, this is my companion Thialfi, we are searching for a lost friend.'
The lithe woman replied 'We don't see strangers here very often, we are glad to have you here. I am called Hunter, my sisters are Butcherer' she indicated the grim faced woman 'and Devourer.' she gestured at the plump one. 'We have a grand feast today, fresh meat! Come and see my kill.' Hunter led them over to the cage. It was built of wood strips torn from the tree woven with thick green cords. Within it, curled on the ground, lay Aurvandil. He was alive but pale and his breathing was uneven.
'Aurvandill is the friend we are searching for, let us take him home.' said Thor.
'No.' Hunter refused 'He was heavy and hard to bring back. My other kill, a skinny little girl, I had to give her to the root dragon, if we give this giant to you we will have nothing to eat, nothing at all!'
'I saw Devourer eating from the tree, you will not starve.' Thor reasoned.
'No!.' shouted Devourer 'We must have meat, meat!'
'I will prepare this giant.' said Butcherer, 'I will give you the very best cuts'.
'Yes, yes' said Devourer, green spittle dribbling from her grey lips. 'We will eat with you, then we will play with you, I want the young one. I can have fun with him.'
'Oh no, please no.' Thialfi gasped sickened and backed away.
'And when we have played with you,' said Butcherer 'we will eat you too!'
'I don't think so,' said Thor 'I can show the proper way to treat meat like this, so it will last much longer.'
'Last longer?' asked Butcherer 'That would be good.'
'Yes. To start with, your cage should be the other way up.' Thor yanked the cage out of the ground and spun it around so it resembled a large bowl. 'And you keep the meat on top like this.' The thunderer tossed the unconscious giant into the upturned cage. 'Live meat can breath more easily and stay fresh longer, and there is more air around dead meat - that helps to stop it getting mouldy. Do you see?'
'Yes, yes.' replied Butcherer 'very clever!.'
'Now this is the important part,' Thor continued 'you need to lift the meat off the ground like this' he raised the cage about a foot above the ground. 'Thialfi hold the other side of this for me will you?' Thialfi obeyed. Without further warning Thor ran, still holding the cage, Thialfi felt himself being pulled off the ground and hung on desperately. The three sisters screamed in fury and charged after them. Thor used his magic to grow taller and he managed to run to the world's edge far ahead of the women and returned to his usual size. Thialfi was very glad to have his feet back on the ground.
'Why did you run, surely those three weren't a threat to us?'
'You will see.' Thor replied 'Now we must hurry before they catch us up.' The thunderer and his bondsman ran down the tree root, Thor had the cage balanced on his back, far behind they could hear the screams and curses of the three sisters. Thialfi was close to exhaustion when the path narrowed and the dragon's head barred their way.
'Well now, it isss you again. I thoughth thath Hunter would keep you. Sshe must be losssing her knack. Have you brought the giant for my toll, or can I take the young one this time?'
'Neither insatiable serpent.' Thor replied 'There are three tasty women chasing us, you can eat them if you let us pass.'
'The three sssisstersss? But they alwaysss bring me food. I will take my fee from you and then they will feed me too.'
'This time they have brought nothing for you.'
'No? Then I maybe I will eat them. But before I betray the sssisterss you mussst answer a riddle.'
'Then ask you riddle,' Thor replied 'And be quick about it.'
'Which root will lead to home?'
Thor paused uncertain, the dozens of tangled tree roots all looked alike and stretched in all directions. 'I can tell you.' said Thialfi. He dug Hallbjorn's stone from his pouch and held it out before him. The stone strained forwards and Thialfi followed its lead until he stood on another root beyond the serpent. 'It is this one.'
'Very good.' said the serpent, 'And now be on your way so that I can feast.' The two companions were quick to obey. Behind them they could hear terrible screams and crunching noises.
'That was devious.' Panted Thialfi.
'They deserved it.' Thor responded. 'They were paying the serpent's toll in mortal children. Anyway I feel a lot better leaving the serpent guarding this path, who knows what else it out there?'
As soon as the root had widened sufficiently Thor put down the cage and checked Aurvandil. He poured the remaining ale down his throat and sighed with concern, 'The poor fellow's nearly frozen stiff, not surprising as he is not dressed for the chill out here. He must have taken it very hard when Hunter brought him out here the first time.' Thor tried to rub some warmth back into the giant's Aurvandil's limbs and one of the toes lost to frostbite came off in his hand. They wrapped him up in Thor's cloaks as best as they could and set of again at a brisk pace. Thor sung a charm and tossed the toe up into the stars near the head of the Swan where it blazed brightly.
The mountains of the Outlands were a great relief to them both when they appeared suddenly before them in the darkness. Hallbjorn was both delighted and surprised to see them safely returned and promised to care for Aurvandil until he was well enough to travel. Two days later, well rested and well fed from Hallbjorns stores, Thor and Thalfi walked back through the shady forests of the Outlands. After their journey beyond the world's rim they took great pleasure enjoying the splashing of streams and singing of the woodland birds. Thor remembered something that had puzzled him, and asked Thialfi how he had found their way home. Thialfi still carried Hallbjorn's stone and willing pulled it out, 'It pulled me towards our path,' he explained 'I had difficulty keeping hold of it.'
'A magic rock eh?' mused Thor.
'No, Hallbjorn said it was just a common rock from the mountains.'
'Ah. I have it.' Thor responded. He took the stone from Thialfi and tossed it into the air. As might be expected it went pretty high at the Thunderer's urging. But soon it hurtled down again and bounced on the mossy trail. 'You see,' laughed Thor 'even stones know where they belong.' Thialfi retrieved his keepsake and stowed it safely away in his pouch.
In the Norse myths the story of Thor and Hrungnir hints at a lost story where Thor rescues Groa's husband Aurvandill and carries him home in a basket. The way back was so cold that Aurvandill lost a toe to frostbite and Thor made the toe into a star. Nothing more is recorded.
This reconstructed story is based on medieval ideas about alien worlds. The three sisters are intentionally depicted as evil norns, destroying their world tree rather than sustaining it.