Brokkr
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Brokkr is a dwarf from Norse mythology, brother of Eitri (or Sindri).
According to Skáldskaparmál, Loki had Sif's hair, Freyr's ship Skidbladnir and Odin's spear Gungni fashioned by the Sons of Ivaldi. Loki boasted greatly of all the things that the Sons of Ivaldi could create. In addition he also boasted that the other dwarves could not create anything beautiful or useful. Brokkr, who was in Asgard at the time, declared that his brother Eitri could make things far more beautiful and useful than the Sons of Ivaldi. Brokkr bet his head with that of Loki that his brother Eitri could make things with better craftsmenship than Skidbladnir or Gungni.[1]
While Eitri used magic in a forge that was extremely hot, Brokk worked the bellows so that the fire would not cool down nor get too hot for the magic. Loki in the form of a gadfly incessantly bit Brokk so that he might not be steady in his bellow working. While making the first two items, the boar Gullinbursti and the ring of increase, Draupnir, the fire did not change in heat. However, while Eitri made the hammer Mjollnir, Loki succeeded in forcing Brokk to let down the fire for a second at the end of the forging. This caused the hammer to have a too short handle, forcing Thor to wear gloves while wielding the hammer.[1]
Eitri succeeded in making the golden ring Draupnir, the golden-bristled boar Gullinbursti and the hammer Mjollnir. These objects were judged by the gods to be superior and Brokkr won the bet. However, Loki did not allow him to take his head as doing so would have damaged his neck which was not included in the bet. In lieu of this, Brokkr sewed Loki's lips so that Loki would not brag until the thread came out.[1]
- ^ a b c Colum, Padraic (1920). The Children of Odin. Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0689868855.
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