Then the giant arose in wrath, and, declaring that hunger and thirst
were the best things in the world to teach a bird to talk, he locked
the unfortunate Asa in a strong cage, with neither food nor drink.

For three whole months he languished, and then at last, being at the
point of death, he croaked out feebly that he was Asa Loki, and
promised anything in his power if Geirrod would only set him free.

This was the chance which the giant had been waiting for.

"Bring me here," said he, "yon Thor of whom I hear so much, and see
that he comes without his hammer or his belt of strength or his gloves
of might."

And this Loki promised to do.

As soon as he was able, Loki flew back to Asgard, with a fine story
composed upon the way. He told Thor that during his three months'
absence he had been a welcome guest at the hall of a friendly giant,
Geirrod by name; and that, when he had reluctantly torn himself away,
the giant had expressed the strongest wish that he would revisit him,
along with Thor the Thunderer, of whose brave deeds he had often heard
tell.

Flattered by these honeyed words, Thor readily fell into the trap and
agreed to accompany Loki to Geirrod's hall. He even laid aside his
hammer, girdle, and gloves, when Loki pointed out that to wear such
things would not be courteous to their friendly host.

Then the two set forth together.

Now on their way they passed the house of Grid, a kindly old giantess,
who had long been a friend of Thor's. Sitting in her doorway, she saw
them pass by, and beckoned to Thor to come to her, while Loki,
unsuspecting, went on his way.

"Whence goest thou, Asa Thor?" asked the old giantess.

"To Geirrod's hall, good mother," he cheerfully replied. "Do you know
him?"

"Know him!" said Grid, with a hoarse chuckle. "Is there anyone who
does not know Geirrod? But why, my son Thor, do you go unarmed to the
hall of the strongest and wickedest of all the giants?"

Then Thor ground his teeth, exclaiming: "This is another trick of that
rascal Loki! And now, what is to be done, for if I return to fetch
Mioelnir, and my girdle of strength and my gloves of might, they will
say that Thor is afraid."

Now Grid was possessed of a girdle of strength, a staff of power, and
gloves of might, and these she produced and gave to Thor, bidding him
say not a word about them.

And when Thor had thanked her he resumed his way after Loki.

Presently the two Asas came to the brink of a rive