Part 3
By the time they reached The Great Dining Hall where Odin and his heroes sat feasting, it was already dark. Thor simply walked in, took his empty place, and began eating.
"Great Father Odin," he said, "this is Gerard, the one you sent me to find. As you warned me, his power is much to be reckoned with. He split the skulls of three giants. It will take them weeks to sleep it off!"
"Come, Gerard!" said Odin, "Sit here by me. I saved a place for you. Let us eat and drink and hear the maiden's songs. Then afterwards we will retire to my palace and hear why it is you have entered my land."
Gerard stacked his weapons with the others there, took his place, and his share of food and drink.
"Now, here is one with an apetite," said Thor, "good enough to match mine!"
The meal was pleasant but finally Odin rose. "Come, Gerard," he said. The rest of his kinsmen joined him and they strolled an elevated walkway to Odin's Palace.
"What strange weapons!" said Loki. "They do not look half the match of ours."
"My weapons," said Gerard, "are more than a match for any you carry. For they are the weapons of my Lords. My helmet is Their Faith, my breastplate Their Courage, my legplates are Their endurance, and my armplates Their Protection. This sword is Justice, this shield is Truth, this spear is Their Vengeance which nothing can stop....this bow Their might, and these arrows Their wrath. Your weapons might equal them, but none could surpass them."
As Odin sat on his throne, Loki approached him. "Odin, our Father," he said, "this stranger boasts unmercifully. He says none of our weapons are a match for his. Put him to the test. Let the mightiest weapon we have be cast against his shield; Thor's great hammer! Let it knock him down and prove that no weapon is a match for those of Asgard!"
Thor stepped forward. "Great Odin," he said, "I have no grievance against this man. He spoke what was in his heart concerning those weapons made by his people. He meant no ill by it."
"Still," said Odin, "I, too, would like to see his power. What say you, Gerard, will you match Thor's hammer?"
"If Odin wishes," Gerard answered, "but make sure all others are clear."
Odin waved his hands and all fell back, Thor retreating to one end of The Great Hall, while Gerard stood at the other. "Hold back not your strength, Thor," said Gerard "but in the name of Odin your Father, do me honor, and give me your best."
Thor nodded, spun his great hammer 'til the whine hurt the ears of all there, then let fly. There was a terrilbe crash and flash of light as hammer met shield, then the hammer slid down the shield, and fell to the floor. A moment later Gerard's knees buckled, and he too, half sank. Some started forward but Odin waved them back.
"He is a Lord Of Light," he said, "do not dishonor him. Let him find his own feet."
Even as Odin spoke, Gerard pulled himself to his feet. "Thor's hammer did not return to Thor!" someone cried, "Never has it failed to do so!"
Gerard shook himself. "All its energy was used up," he said, "in trying to move me." He reached down and picked up the hammer, a gasp going through those present.
"Great hammer of courage and pride," he said, "I will never underestimate your power again. Next time I will not meet you boldly, but turn you away!" With an easy toss he threw the hammer back to Thor, who had advanced half-way across the Hall.
"You stand well, Gerard!" Thor said, "And any man who is strong enough to lift my hammer I give praise and every man who can withstand her blow I honor! Lord Odin, let us find what brings him here. Perhaps in some way we can aide him."
"Yes," said Odin, "let us hear your tale. Gerard put down his great shield by his spear and approached Odin. As he did so, Balder stepped up behind him, and lifted his shield. "Magnificent weapon!" he said. "But why does he keep it covered?" Balder untied the cover from the back of the shield and began to pull it down. The look of horror on Odin's face made Gerard spin around.
"No!" he screamed, but it was too late. Only a small portion of the sshield was uncovered, but Balder was looking directly into it! He suddenly screamed and the shield dropped with a crash to the floor, its cover slipping halfway off. "Look away!" Gerard screamed, "Do not look at the shield!"
"Obey him!" Odin ordered. All in the Hall turned away as Gerard, with his eyes closed, found his ehield and covered it. When it was secure he then turned to Balder who was curled up on the floor, weeping. Gerard seized his head and forced his eyes open. "Look at me!" he said, "Look at me!" Balder tried to struggle, but Gerard's eyes began to glow like two tiny suns. Their light illuminated Balder's face, and soon his eyes, too, began to glow. "You saw nothing in the shield," said Gerard, "nothing, only deep, empty darkness that wanted to swallow you up. You saw nothing else, nothing at all." Balder repeated his words. "I saw nothing but the darkness, terrible devouring darkness, darkness that would eat a man's soul!"
Gerard released him and stood. A moment later Balder, himself rose. "Your pardon, Gerard," he said, "I should have known better than touch another's wepaon without his consent. I should have known it had powers only its master can handle."
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