Odin, chief of the gods, ruled over Asgard, keeping peace and harmony among gods. Each day, his devoted companions, the ravens Hugin and Munin, flew throughout the universe, returning in the evening to tells Odin all that they had seen. Then, armed with a spear and shield, Odin would take his mighty eight-legged horse Sleipnir and ride through Asgard, calming any quarrels, and reprimanding any troublemakers.
From his throne, Odin could see into the nine worlds but not into the future. He did not know when the end of time would come. And on that day – the day of Ragnarok – the giants and all other creatures of evil would rise against the Aesir, the warrior gods and goddesses. There would be a mighty battle for the universe itself and the future of all the nine worlds would rest on the outcome.
Worried, Odin cast his eye far into the land of the giants, Jotunheim. He could see how their numbers swelled with newborns. Each giant child was reared to feel hatred and envy towards the gods, to plot evil against Asgard, and to dream of wreaking havoc on the day of the Ragnarok. Realizing that the Aesir could easily be outnumbered, Odin's eye fell upon the humans of Midgard. They would be among the worst to suffer if the giants triumphed. Perhaps some of them could be stirred to fight for the future of the world?
The next day, Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, was sent for. “Disguise yourself as you see fit,” Odin instructed him, “and go among humans. Find those who are best at doing, making, and leading. Use your magic to ensure great races come from them, each with their own part to play in society. Then perhaps among the race of leaders, there may be heroes to stand beside us at Ragnarok.”
Eagerly, Heimdall disguised himself as a wayfarer in a traveller's cloak, hat and sandals, and set off over Bitfrost Bridge into Midgard.
Wandering through woods and fields, Heimdall eventually came across a small, wooden hut. With the door open, he strode inside and found a peasant's wife serving a dinner of bran broth.
“Welcome, stranger,” her husband said. “Tell us who you are, then sit down and join us, if you are hungry.”
“I am Righ the White,” replied Heimdall. “I am on a long journey and am indeed in need of your hospitality.” And he sat with the couple to share their simple meal.
Afterwards, the couple kindly offered the stranger a bed for the night and he gratefully accepted. For the next three days, he watched the couple work hard for the lord who owned their land. All their tasks were done well, so Heimdall went on his way contented.
Nine months later, the couple had a son called Thrall, who grew up to marry a girl called Serf. Their children became excellent workers, rightly proud of their labours.
Meanwhile, Heimdall continued on his way, over the great hills and through the green fields, until he came to a well-built home, made of bricks. With the door open, he strode inside and found a housewife serving a dinner of soup and meat.
“Welcome, stranger,“ her husband said. “Tell us who you are, then sit down and join us, if you are hungry.”
Rig the White shared the couple's wholesome meal. Then the housewife made up a spare bed where he could spend the night. Again, for three days, he watched the man hard at work – farming the land and tending to his animals. The woman was always busily milking, spinning, weaving, and sewing. Their tasks were also all done well, and he went on his way contented.
Nine months later, the couple had a son whose name was Skill. He grew up to marry a girl called Crafter, and their children came to know the secrets of many useful arts and sciences.
Meanwhile, Heimdall continued further through Midgard until he came to a grand hall. The huge doors were open, so he strode inside. There, a lady and a lord were sitting at a table spread with a fine white cloth, dining on roast meats and fresh vegetables.
“Welcome stranger,” the man said. “Tell us who you are, then sit down and join us, if you are hungry.”
Once again, Rig the White shared the couple's meal. Then the lady showed him to a comfortable guestroom where he could spend the night. Once more, for three days, he watched the lord stringing his bow, sharpening his knife, and hunting with his men. The lady ran the household wisely and well, and all the servants admired her. Heimdall again saw that everything was done well, and he headed back to Asgard contented.
Nine months later, the couple had a son called Warrior, who grew up to marry a girl called Honour. Their children were courageous, honest and loyal, skilled in the arts of swordsmanship, archery and horse-riding. Warrior gathered many brave men, training them into a great army. They determined to fight for the gods against all evils, even in the face of certain death. And so a race of heroes was begun.
As a reward for their bravery, Odin built an enormous hall called Valhalla in Asgard. A magnificent golden building, it had hundreds of enormous doors and windows, and was decorated with beautifully carved statues. Whenever mortal heroes died courageously in battle, he sent his warrior daughters, the Valkyries, to ride out on horseback and bring their spirits straight to Valhalla. There the courageous men would spend each day testing their warrior skills and each night feasting joyously together. And so the mighty army for the gods grew, ready for the terrible day of Ragnarok that was to come.