Norsery Rhymes from A to Z Happy Thorsday - Fimafeng, The One Who is Swift
Well here we are another Thor’s Day and another 20 min sketch of a Norse (and Germanic) mythological characters. This week it’s Fimafengr / Fimafeng / Fimafenger. Guardian spirit mentioned in the Lokasenna of the Poetic Edda.
His name has been suggested to means ’The Swift Handed’. Or ‘The One who Arrives in a Hurry’. Or 'hurried service'.
Fimafengr, like Eldir is the Undersea and land going servant of the Norse Sea god Aegir. He serves along with Eldir the Firelighter in Aegirs halls as his two most highly praised attendants. Eldir lit the fires that would reflect off glittering gold to illuminate the hall.
That praise was not only from Aegir but from his guests the other Aesir, Vanier, Giants, and spirits that visit Aegir. Being the best at making guests feel welcome, preparing feasts, making sure they’re well served. With the guests never seeing the fires that reflected off the gold, or their ale arriving. They kept the atmosphere light and peaceful.
On one occasion while a great party is happening at Aegir’s Hall. The one on land, presumably by the sea, glittering gold and bordered by a great forest. This party being attended by Gods, their children, and Elves. Loki while attending, hears too much talk of how amazing Eldir and Fimafengr are, kills Fimafeng out of jealousy, having not received his own praise he himself felt was due.
The Aesir throw Loki from the party. But Loki returns, stopped at the entrance by Eldir who has followed him to the door. Loki through is threat and cunning, forces Eldir to reveal what is going on at the drunken party now.
Eldir tells loki that the guests are talking about their strength in battle, and the prowess and power of their weapons. And of the Gods, their sons, and the elves. Who gathered Loki will find no friends after what he’s done. Loki of course takes this as an even better reason to go back in and spoil the mood. Eldir then warns Loki that if he enters to cause slander and mischief, that the Aesir will likely throw him out again, but this time more forcefully.
After Loki and Eldir trade further insults Loki goes into the hall to insult his fellow gods.
Which he does, taking turns insulting just about everyone, with a touch of lies and truth. He then parts cursing threatening Aegir that if he has any more feasts like this that his hall shall go up in flames.
It’s never stated whether Aegir considers this threat real or not.
Loki leaves after that. Being eventually caught and punished for this and his other crimes. Having his mouth sewn shut and imprisoned in a cave tied in the entrails of his son, while a snake drips venom into his eyes.
I'll do a more aquatic spirit version of Fimafeng like I did for Eldir for next week.
