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So I spent quite a few hours this evening hunting down the story in which Loki and Heimdal fight in the form of seals over Freyja's magical necklace, Brisingamen. I saw brief, tantalizing mentions of turning into a seal and I was dying for all the details because that sounds like a hilariously cracktastic myth, even more so than a lot of the other ones about Loki.
In short, though, there isn't much detail to be had. :/ ( i.e. ) I found one Danish translation from the 20s, but none in Norwegian, Swedish, or English, so therefore I've translated the two relevant verses myself1.
So basically "the victorious seal" is the best epithet ever. (And I wasn't kidding about details being scarce, although there's a bit more in the Skald section of the Prose Edda under 'Heimdal' and 'Loki'.)
Also I really like to imagine Loki changing into a seal exclusively in order to sit and gloat over his stolen treasure. "What's great at clapping in glee? I know! Seals! They're practically made for clapping. I've never been a seal before..."
( footnotes )
In short, though, there isn't much detail to be had. :/ ( i.e. ) I found one Danish translation from the 20s, but none in Norwegian, Swedish, or English, so therefore I've translated the two relevant verses myself1.
from Húsdrápa2
2.
The guardian of the rainbow bridge
journeyed to Singasteinn
with Fárbauti's son,
shameless slyi Loki.
3.
Heimdal, the victorious seal,
son of nine mothers,
is already holding
the wondrous Brisingamen.
So basically "the victorious seal" is the best epithet ever. (And I wasn't kidding about details being scarce, although there's a bit more in the Skald section of the Prose Edda under 'Heimdal' and 'Loki'.)
Also I really like to imagine Loki changing into a seal exclusively in order to sit and gloat over his stolen treasure. "What's great at clapping in glee? I know! Seals! They're practically made for clapping. I've never been a seal before..."
( footnotes )
