The Wall and Svadilfari

How did the gods outwit the giant building their wall?

Around the time the gods built Midgard and Valhalla, a builder offered to put up a defensive wall. His price was Freyja, the sun, and the moon. The gods agreed on condition that he finish it in a single winter. They also forbade him to have anyone help him.

At Loki’s suggestion, however, they allowed him to use his horse. Every night, Svadilfari hauled enormous rocks, doing even more work than the builder. With only 3 days left before summer, the wall was finished almost as far as the gateway.

The gods blamed Loki, who swore to stop the builder from earning his reward. That night, Loki turned himself into a mare and lured the horse away. Svadilfari snapped his harness and gave chase. The builder went after his horse, and work on the wall came to a halt.

Realizing he would not finish in time, the builder flew into a giant’s rage. The gods broke their oaths and called for Thor, who killed the giant with Mjolnir. Later, Loki gave birth to Sleipnir, a gray horse with 8 legs.

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