At dawn, Önd woke up, or rather, someone woke him up. He expected that his entire journey was a mere dream, but his meeting with the gods was true. Midway wakefulness and slumber, he felt the sun's rays over his face, gently touching him. But loud noises began to waken him. The one whom woke him up was Freyja, dressed in less elegant clothes than the ones she was wearing the day before. She was wearing a simple yet comfortable long and brown chemise, with a reddish dress over it, running until her calf. Two bronze brooches were holding this dress over the chemise, and a wide dark blue band was wrapped around her stomach, where was attached her purse. She was also wearing a lengthy shawl of the same colour of her waistband, reaching the bottom of her back, and as usual, her crown made a braided ash.
Freyja was loudly walking toward Önd, purposefully waking him up. She put some clothes on his bed, and told him, whom was yet half-asleep:
- Wake up! I hope that you haven't forgot our incoming meeting with Óðinn!
- What—? Even roosters are still asleep at this moment—! stuttered Önd, as wrapping his head in the sheets.
- Enough of your slothfulness—! Get up—! I've even took care of bringing fresh clothes for you, added Freyja as violently pulling Önd's sheets.
- Very well—! I shall get up—! Now, just quit this room— I'd appreciate some privacy, complained Önd as getting out of the bed.
- I'll just turn my sight away— I prefer supervise you in case you don't hasten yourself.
- Really—? replied Önd, in an annoyed tone.
Unfortunately, Freyja was very serious about that. As understanding that, Önd sighed and began to put on the clothes. Freyja seemed a bit bothered by the situation, but her esteem for Óðinn was greatly balancing it. As she waited, Önd began to lose the number of time she asked whether he had finished or not. Once Önd fully clothed, seemingly by a shirt covered by a brown tunic fastened by a waistband, with a short dark cloak, Freyja combed and attached his long hair with a linen string and cheerfully announced:
- It's quite better— now that your messy hair's trimmed!
- How unusual of you to wear such decent clothes— with your crown put aside, added Önd.
- Well— I've a feeling that I'll continue to follow you on your adventures. You surely don't lack of misfortune and troubles—! replied Freyja with a grin.
- My— these were very sweet compliments, continued Önd with sarcasm.
- Anyway— let's take our breakfast, shan't we?
As she finished her words, Önd quickly opened the door for Freyja, which made her how in gratefulness, and went down to the hall. Since they had to hurry, the pair brought their breakfast with them, including breads, fruits and nuts. They leaved Sessrúmnir and began to walk towards Glaðsheimr. During their small trip, Freyja recounted various tales about the gods, as a reminder for Önd, but the latter paid little attention to her teachings. They carried on their march, and finally arrived to Glaðsheimr after an hour. They entered in the golden hall, now brighter than ever thanks to the sun's rays. However, no once other than the pair was in the hall. Freyja yelled:
- Óðinn! Where are you?
- Grandiose—! exclaimed Önd. I woke up at dawn for nothing!
- Well, my bad—! He wished to discuss with us as soon as possible— how was I supposed to know that he wouldn't be here? replied Freyja, irritated.
- Maybe by using seiðr—! ironically added Önd.
- Well, we're here now— and we shall wait for Óðinn—! answered back Freyja, now yelling.
After this small and loud altercation, anyone in the entirety of Glaðsheimr would have been awaken. Indeed, Óðinn entered in the main hall, and still in some sort of pyjamas, half-asleep, he loudly stuttered:
- What in the nine realms are you both doing here—?
- Ah— Óðinn! I reckon that you had something to tell us as soon as possible, answered Freyja, surprised by the Allfather's entrance.
- Certainly— but it's no reason to come so early—! complained Óðinn.
- You've heard him, Freyja—! exclaimed Önd, as harshly staring at the goddess.
- It no longer matters, doesn't it—? We're already here, and so are you Óðinn, said Freyja.
- Well— since we're all set! Önd, I reckon that I promised you exceptional weapons, as a sign of your loyalty, didn't I—? asked Óðinn.
- You did, sharply replied Freyja.
- I did... Actually— I've ordered in advance the creation of your weapons, and they're supposed to be finished by today. Thus, they await you in Niðavellir— at Brokkr and Sindri's forge! announced Óðinn.
- I suppose that my main role now is to accompany Önd until Niðavellir, sighed Freyja.
- Everything's settled then—! Afterwards, come in the Valhöll— your first task awaits Önd. Well, I'll leave you now. Since you woke me up so early, I might as well accomplish my daily visit of my daughter, added Óðinn as sighting.
He quickly spelled some words and magically changed his pyjamas in normal clothes, but his normal clothes were surely refined. Óðinn bid his farewells to the pair and leaved Glaðsheimr before any other complaints from Freyja. The hall remained quiet as it was before the pairs' entrance, and Freyja sighed once more:
- When will Óðinn understand that I'm not his servitor? she raised her voice and resumed, well— it shall be the last time that you're using me as a mule which travels across the nine realms, Önd—!
- There's no other fast way to travel across the nine realms, replied Önd while they were both quitting the hall.
Once out on Iðavollr, Freyja pulled out of her purse a feather of the Valshamr. She quickly accomplished the ritual, and transformed herself into the gigantic falcon. Önd was not very fond of mounting on her back, but he could not do otherwise. He mounted, and Freyja began to fly. As previously, she accelerated across Ásgarðr's skies, and they were next to the world-tree. She began the way until Niðavellir, and meanwhile, Önd asked:
- We're travelling to the realms of the Dvergar, right?
- The best blacksmiths of the nine realms! They created many objects that belong to us— Mjöllnir is a good example, the greatest weapons against a Jötunn, she proudly answered.
- But, if my memory is correct— the necklace of the Brísingamen, that doesn't work on me, was forged by the Dvergar. A proof that we may doubt of their creations—! exclaimed Önd.
- Maybe, replied Freyja with a annoyed tone. Anyway, do you remember where we must go?
- At Brokkr and Sindri's forge. Haven't you already been in Niðavellir?
- I've been— but my latest visit was a quite long time ago, confessed Freyja.
- We shall ask our way to one of its habitant then.
Time went by, and Freyja finally reached the land of the Dvergar. Niðavellir was at the bottom of Yggdrasill, below its roots, adjacent to Helheimr. After piercing through its bubble, Freyja landed before the entrance to a tremendous cavern. She transformed back into her regular shape, and entered into the dark and lugubrious cavern. Önd doubted for a second, but he believed that Freyja knew that she had to do.
He entered, and the darkness faded away, letting the sight of a gigantic underground city, entirely made of stone. Houses were following each other at the infinity, as smoke was raising above several buildings. For its habitants, the Dvergar were incredibly black, at the point where light was not even reflecting of their skin. Önd was these creatures as odd ones, their appearance was even frighting him a bit.
But before carrying on their way, which was yet unknown, Freyja cordially asked to a Dvergr passing by:
- Forgive me— but could you show me the way towards Brokkr and Sindri's forge?
- Absolutely! Their forge is farther from here; carry on your way until the fourth intersection there, turn to your right, go straight until the bottom and turn once more to your right. It should be on the left side of this alley, with a placard with a shield and a hammer on it.
- My— thank you! she said to the Dvergr. I hope that you remembered his instructions, Önd.
- I did— let's go! replied Önd.
As Freyja began to walk, the Dvergr promptly asked to her:
- But may I ask what does a such lovely creature doing here?
- What a pleasant compliment! replied Freyja. She then whispered to Önd, you see— everyone finds me lovely. Another proof of my unerring charm!
Önd hit her with his elbow, and answered to the Dvergr:
- We ought to retrieve some objects.
- I was speaking with the lady, harshly replied the Dvergr.
Önd quickly clenched his teeth and get out of Freyja and the Dvergr's discussion. He leaned on one of the many stone-houses and waited for his partner. Few minutes after, Freyja joined him and the pair continued their way. They the followed the path that the Dvergr mentioned, and they were soon before the fabled forge. The forge was open on the alley, with a forge whose fire was incredibly hot, a workbench, several ingots ranger in a corner of the forge and a big blower, which was directly connected to the forge.
Önd then announced to the Dvergr whom was sharpening a sword:
- Good day sir— we've come to retrieve the weapons that has ordered Óðinn.
- Ah— exactly, I'm sharpening the blade— I'll also finish the bow. If you may wait, responded the balcksmith. I'm Brokkr, by the way.
- Well met Brokkr— the name's Önd and my friend here's Freyja, said Önd as pointing at Freyja whom was gazing at the many jewelleries that was selling the Dvergr. He then added, I'm in a way Óðinn's servitor.
- Nice to meet you Önd— please wait a little bit more, announced Brokkr.
As when he waited for Freyja, he leaned on the wall ahead of the forge and waited. He meticulously the blacksmith's movement. Once Brokkr finished to sharpen the blade, he took a hammer and a little knife and carved into the blade. He finished to carve and took a bow from the back of his forge. He did same to the wood of the bow and meanwhile Freyja asked to Önd:
- Could you lend me some Eir—?
- Aren't you supposed to be rich—? sarcastically replied Önd.
- Just answer to my question, added Freyja in a annoyed tone.
- Sorry but soon before my death, I had to give my money to persons in need. What're you attempting to buy?
Freyja took Önd's hand and dragged him until the table where was placed the jewelleries. She pointed to a necklace with a golden star. Önd stared at it for a minute and replied:
- A fine necklace—! Our little discussion reminded me that the persons in need that I helped gave me something. As Önd quickly reached his neck, he removed Dís' necklace and showed it to Freyja.
- Are you willing to offer it to me? she asked as a grin showed on her face.
- It may not be as good as the golden necklace but it'll surely be more useful to you than me, replied Önd as putting the necklace on Freyja's neck.
- Well, thank you—! I shall take care of it, she fondly replied as staring at Önd with a smile, quite surprised by his gesture.
But Brokkr interrupted their discussion and announced:
- I'm done— you may retrieve the weapons.
Önd reached Brokkr and the latter have him the sword and the bow. The sword was quite light, but incredibly sturdy and sharp, as if nothing could break it. On his double-edged sword was carved many runes and ornaments, as the bow, made of ash. As Önd finished to admire these chef-d'œuvres, Brokkr explained:
- Behold the sword, Leynistígr— a blade that allows its user to travel across the nine realms. Stick it into the ground, put your hand on the handle and imagine the place where you must go. However, one can only use this property tree time in a day. Finally- if Óðinn wishes to summon you, the carved runes will glisten.
And behold the bow, Vápnlauss— a bow that's generate its own arrows at will. Stretch its string and an arrow will appear. Well, I've explained you all you needed to know about these weapons, take great care of them—!
- I'll greatly take care of them, replied Önd as bowing.
As Önd finished to bid his farewells to the blacksmith, whom began once more to hit some metal with his hammer, he dived his sword into Niðavellir's land. At his surprise, he had no difficulties to do so. He then announced to Freyja:
- Henceforth, I'll no longer need your aid to cross the nine realms—! At least— for the realms that I've already seen.
- Henceforth, I'll no longer be your mule—! sarcastically replied Freyja.
- Allow me then to offer you the travel until Ásgarðr!
On his words, he asked to Freyja to grip the sword, and did as Brokkr explained. He imagined Glaðsheimr's main hall, and a mild light wrapped the blade. And magically, Önd and Freyja were now in the mighty hall. Önd sheathed his blade and quicly surveyed his surroundings. High in Ásgarðr's sky, the sun already made more than two third of his daily routine. Óðinn, in his side, was sleeping, upon his throne, at the depth of the hall. Önd then asked to his partner:
- Are we supposed to wake him up?
- No! Of course not—! replied Freyja.
- I reckon that he was waiting for us, added Önd.
- Let him sleep—!
At this moment, Freyja raised so much her voice that Óðinn woke up. He growled for an instant and exclaimed:
- You once more woke me up—!
Freyja and Önd both turned their sight on Óðinn, and Önd excused himself:
- Forgive us Óðinn— we were merely discussing if whether we had to wake you up or not.
- And I was merely waiting for you. Well, I've already you first task! announced Óðinn.
- I expect that I shan't lose my life in order to success! jested Önd
- It's not that dangerous! Your first task shall be to retrieve a runic stone. The overall depict the story of an ancient tribe- but it should mention a place that interests me.
- I suppose that I shan't just "retrieve" it.
- Feel free to "retrieve" it by whatever mean— I only ask for the stone. It's in Miðgarðr— in the village of Undjörð. I reckon that a rich merchant had it in his possession, added Óðinn.
- A great coincidence—! My village's near of Undjörð, I might stay there for the night, suggested Önd.
- Very well— I shan't deprive you of your family! As everything is settled, leave now for Miðgarðr—! ordered Óðinn.
Upon his words, Óðinn leaved the hall for the Valhöll; for the fallen and his pets were waiting for him. Önd ceased his thoughts and then decided to exit the hall as well. Freyja followed him, and Önd suddenly asked her:
- Are you aware that you're following me? You no longer have the obligation to do so, then why—?
Freyja took a little moment to answer, and replied with haste:
- You owe me many debts, don't you—? Thus, allow me to accompany you!
- I asked why—- continued Önd.
- As I said earlier, you don't lack of misfortune—! I'm bored— and it's always entertaining to watch and interfere in you journey. Furthermore, I've greatly proven myself to be a good helper! added Freyja, with even more arrogance than usual.
Önd sighed and resumed as quitting Glaðsheimr:
- Very well— your will shall be orders, but I except no annoyance from you.
As hearing those words, Freyja let appeared a wide grin on her face and followed the human, as the latter was still opening Glaðsheimr's main door. Once on the gods' plain, Önd dived Leynistígr into the ground. Freyja was the first one to grip the handle and Önd followed her lead. He then imagined his village, a place where he stood most of his life. He imagined the location as detailed as possible, and the blade began to glisten. Thus, they arrived in Miðgarðr, Önd's near-ultimate goal!