"Perhaps, my Lady, you could ask the dwarves to make something new for you?" offered Ilse.
"Why, Ilse, that's a very good idea!" exclaimed Freya. "Odin will be hosting a party soon. I can show off a new necklace then. Or, maybe a fabulous ring! What do you think, Ilse?"
"Well, my Lady, I think a necklace would go very nice with that new dress Amma sewed for you." said Ilse.
"A necklace it shall be!" grinned Freya. "Hurry, Ilse! Fetch my falcon cloak. I need to instruct the dwarves if they are to have a new necklace ready for me in time for the party."
Freya snatched her feathered cloak from her servant, draped it over her shoulders and flew quickly high up in the air to travel to the land where the dwarves live.
"Good morning, Dvalin." said Freya.
Amazed at seeing the exalted goddess appear so suddenly before him, Dvalin dropped his hammer and stumbled awkwardly to bow before her, "Good morning, your Highness. What a pleasant surprise. Please forgive the dirt and grime of my smithy, but you know what it's like..."
"Oh, nevermind, Dvalin," said Freya as she folded up her cloak. "I haven't come to inspect the smithy, but I would very much like for you to make me a new golden necklace. Perhaps, one with pretty jewels? Can you make one up in time for Odin's party?"
"Oh, to be sure, my Lady." said Dvalin, "I'll get the others to help. We will create the most beautiful necklace that I'm sure will be the envy of all."
Freya smiled and bent lower to Dvalin, "And what would you want in return? You already have all the gold nuggets you can possibly need. You have jewels, too. Is there something I can give you that you don't already have?"
"Hmmm..." pondered Dvalin, "I will need Brock and Sindri to help me create this necklace. Could the fair Lady grant us each at least one wish?"
"One wish each? That's all?" asked Freya.
"Yes, one wish each." confirmed Dvalin.
"Surely that is a small price to pay for a new necklace. You have a deal, Dvalin. One wish each it is." And with the deal properly sealed, Freya whisked off to return home to Asgard.
"Hmmm...." puzzled Dvalin, "Hey, Brock and Sindri! Our lovely Freya would like us to make a new necklace for her. I think we should make the most beautiful one that we've ever made. Have you any ideas as to the design?
(continued....)
