The news of the Æsir's battle and creation echoed throughout the nine realms, until they
shook the lands of Vanaheim, the realm of the Vanir. Freya, a sorceress and the most
powerful of the Vanir, looked to the horizon and saw the glowing golden top of Valhalla
above the green lands of Midgard. Wasting no time, she travelled to this new realm.
When Freya reached the creation of Odin and his brothers, she saw great forests and the
world tree Yggdrassil scraping across the clouds of the sky. Great waterfalls fell from
mountains and coursed in rivers along which stood the villages of mortals. Freya introduced
herself and the locals were in awe at the stranger, who could summon fire from her hands,
blow a destructive gale from between her lips and summon wildlife with but a gesture.
With the lead of Freya the Fertile, the other of her kin, Freyr the Endowed, Njord the Wealthy
and Odr the Inspired, travelled from village to village, bringing excitement and wonder
to the new inhabitants of Midgard, even selling their services of magic to those who had something
of interest to barter. Kings, queens and ministers traded gold, animals and honey for favour,
curses against their opponents and the unwavering loyalty of their people.
The exploits of the Vanir did not go unnoticed by the Æsir, who called the sorcerers to
the golden halls of Valhalla in Asgard. The wielders of magic were delighted to have been
noticed by the lords of the realm, but their glee was turned to dread, once the great doors
of Valhalla slammed shut behind them and a troop of Æsir emerged from every direction
to encircle them. Thor raised his magical hammer Mjölnir against
the Vanir while his sons Modi and Magni stood by his side. The two youngsters were mighty
and broad but not as large or powerful as their father. Tyr the One-Handed came forth
with his long sword, which he held aloft with ease, while Loki stood smirking in the shadows,
watching the drama unfold. Last appeared Odin, whose single eye glared with power and anger
at the four Vanir before him. The great old man in long robes bade the sorcerers to the
balcony. With wary steps they followed. From the balcony, Odin pointed to Midgard
below. Villages smouldered with the fires of war, while armies of men marched from one
corner of the land to the other, bringing destruction and death in their wake. The land
was in turmoil and the All-Father was not blind to the magical influence behind the
sudden chaos. He made it clear to the Vanir that such madness could not exist in the perfect
world he and his brothers had created and the trespassers would be punished.
The Vanir argued their case: They sought to bring excitement and wonder to the otherwise
mundane denizens of Midgard; what men did with their gifts was their own responsibility.
Odin was taken aback by the strong will of these sorcerers. At first he thought the robed,
pale beings before him were snivelling wastrels, who would cower at the sight of strength.
The king of the Æsir made his judgement: The Vanir would be welcome in Asgard but no
longer may influence the lives of mortals, who would use their magic for petty personal
gains. So the Vanir lived in the court of the Æsir
as guests and shared their knowledge of the magical realm. Their whimsical ways brought
colour and wonder to the rigid court of the Asgardians. Even the most strict and hard-headed
were delighted by the lively sorcerers. Not only were the Vanir powerful mystics
but also sharp of tongue, quick of wit and seductive beyond reason. The Æsir were enraptured
by their new companions, each vying for their attention and favour.An Æsir was worthless
against another who had the favour of a Vanir, so each of the honourable lords of Asgard
would climb over hill and obstacle just for a single boon from one of the sorcerers, thus
being one step ahead of their rivals. The Æsir looked sideways at one-another,
fearful that their compatriot had more influence or more tricks than they. A sleight of hand
there, a spell of forgetfulness and an illusion or two and you had the upper hand.
The honourable lords of Asgard turned to seclusion and distrust, hidden in their chambers, watching
carefully for any sudden spark or clink. Silence and fear reigned over the once golden halls
of Valhalla. The Vanir looked for their hosts, but none of the Æsir would see them in fear
of a rival of theirs trying another horrible trick. Odin was no fool and saw that all the
troubles were because of their dishonourable guests and summoned forth his kin.
Every Æsir burst from their chambers at the call of Odin and rallied in the central hall.
Fathers stood by sons and all stood around the Lord of Valhalla. All blame was placed
upon the heads of the sorcerers and the witch hunt began.
Freya was caught off guard in the halls, falling to the first strike of Tyr’s sword and burned
into a pile of ash. With the power of her magic she rose from her ashes, but only to
catch a blow from Mjölnir and turn to ash once again; Thinking they had bested her,
the Æsir turned their attention elsewhere, allowing Freya to be reborn an escape once
again. She reached the balcony, but was stabbed in the back by the hiding Loki. As she turned
to ash, the wind carried her remains to safety. ‘Gullveig’ they cursed after her, ‘gold
greed’ in the tongue of Asgard. The Æsir took to arms and charged against
the rest of the Vanir upon Midgard. Swords clashed and men fell to their deaths, when
the lords of Asgard rushed against their foes. The sorcerers of Vanaheim lacked martial prowess,
but their powers beyond the natural world granted them the agility to dodge the deftest
swing, block the most fearsome fall of an axe and blow winds to swerve the mighty Mjölnir
from its course. The war of the Æsir and Vanir cracked Midgard
down to its core, bursting the fiery blood of Ymir from its depths. The blue sky turned
black and destruction marred the land. The lakes and rivers broke their banks red with
blood and every speck of grass was covered by a mound of the dead.
The black smoke of battle surrounded Odin, bringing him back to the dark memory of Ginnungagap
and wanton chaos wrought by Ymir. All he had built with his brothers lay broken and ruined.
He commanded the Æsir to stop and called for a truce.
Both sides had caused wounds and grief to the other and reparations had to be paid according
to the customs of Asgard. Hostages were shared between the Æsir and Vanir. Freya, Freyr
and Njord were to live in Asgard; while Mimir the All-Knowing and Hoenir the Creator of
Man, went to live in Vanaheim. The scars of war lingered long in Midgard.
Even after every crater and scar was hidden by the dirt of the ages, the soul of the world
would forever bear the evil memory of the first war between the divines.