Odd and the Frost Giants

Loki inquires about Odd’s lump of wood, which he has taken with him, but Odd admits he doesn’t know what he’s going to carve it into. He tells Loki that his father used to say that “the carving was in the wood already” (53), and Odd just needs to find what it is supposed to be. Loki is unimpressed. The gods, particularly Thor, are skeptical of Odd’s chances at helping them save Asgard, but with nothing better to do, they begin to journey toward higher ground in hopes of finding a rainbow. Thor and Loki begin to worry that Odin is growing distant in his eagle form.

The gods need to find a natural rainbow because, lacking hands, they cannot summon the Bifrost—the rainbow bridge that links Midgard and Asgard—by themselves. The lack of rain in midwinter also poses a problem. Thor begins to point out the hopelessness of the plan since even if they can find a rainbow, they have no way of defeating the Giant in animal form. Odd points out that they don’t have to accompany him, which silences them. They reach a beautiful waterfall, one of Odd’s favorite places, which in the summer is frequented by the villagers in play.