Chapter #13 - Heimdall

The Goddess Rán and the Jötunn Ægir personify the sea, and together they have nine daughters whose names are poetic waves. Heimdall is the son of these Nine Mothers. In the guise of Ríg, a wise and powerful God Heimdall walks in the middle of roads, where he meets a variety of couples and dines with them. He imparts advice and spends three nights at a time between couples in their bed.

The home of a warrior produces a promising boy, who Rig teaches the runes to, names him Jarl, and proclaims him to be his son. He tells Jarl to strike out and get land for himself. Jarl becomes a great war leader with a great deal of land. Jarl marries a beautiful woman and the two have many children and are happy. One of Jarl’s children becomes so skilled that he is able to share his runic knowledge with Heimdall, and earns the title of Ríg himself.

Heimdall owns the golden-maned horse Gulltoppr and has gold teeth. Heimdall is virtuous, he is described as being like the Vanir with his foresight and the most glittering of the Gods. Loki tells Heimdall that his fate is a hateful life, and he must always have a muddy back, as he serves the Æsir.

He keeps watch for the onset of Ragnarök and will announce it when he blows on the resounding horn Gjallarhorn. Meanwhile, he drinks good mead in his dwelling Himinbjörg, located where the Bifröst rainbow bridge meets Asgard.