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Nidavellir
Eitri's Palace
Odin, their father, was at that moment somewhere inside, speaking with Eitri.
Thor and Loki had been led to a special chamber—though Odin, of course, always kept an eye on his sons.
The brothers were being escorted by a dwarf toward an armory. The dwarf seemed to be a kind fellow, and a loyal servant of Eitri.
"Where do you think they're taking us?" asked Loki.
"I don't know. Maybe these dwarves are going to eat us. Maybe they're demons," Thor muttered.
The dwarf overheard and replied,
"Your highness, do not worry. No one here intends to harm the sons of Odin."
"See what you did? He heard you," Loki whispered.
Thor, unconcerned, answered loudly,
"Don't worry, dear brother. These dwarves seem trustworthy. I believe nothing bad will happen to us."
"Exactly, your highness," the dwarf replied.
Thor and Loki were soon guided to the door of a great hall. From the outside, it didn't look like much.
"Come this way, princes," the dwarf said.
Loki, unimpressed, leaned toward his brother and muttered,
"I thought father was going to give us some real weapons."
"It can't be that bad…" Thor whispered back.
The dwarf opened the door, and they entered.
Inside, the hall was enormous—far larger than it seemed from the outside.
This was where the dwarves stored thousands of weapons, ones they had already forged but not yet sold or used. In short, it was a vast armory.
Weapons hung from walls, rested on tables, and filled crates everywhere: axes, swords, bows, daggers—every kind of weapon imaginable.
The dwarf, with his sharp senses, had caught their comments at the entrance. He didn't mind, since they were just children, but he enjoyed seeing their reactions as they beheld the sight.
"You may now choose a weapon model," the dwarf said, "so the smith can base the weapons that will be crafted for you on your choice. Pick whatever you feel suits you best."
"Can we look at everything?" asked Thor.
"Yes, your highness."
Thor and Loki exchanged a look, then separated, heading toward the weapons that matched their own personalities.
Loki went to the section with daggers, short knives, and other quick, light weapons.
Thor went to the opposite side, where axes, swords, and heavy long weapons were displayed.
The dwarf watched with intrigue, noting how different the sons of Odin already were. One day, one of these boys would likely be the next All-Father. Being Odin's sons, they would inherit not only his riches but also his power.
He had been told to treat them well.
After some time considering, both brothers made their choices.
Loki picked two short daggers.
Thor chose a short war axe—something reminiscent of what would later become Mjölnir.
They returned to the dwarf, weapons in hand.
"Curious… your tastes in weapons," the dwarf remarked.
"Shut up, dwarf. What are you laughing at?" said Loki, with a hint of shyness. It wasn't anything serious, but to them, still children, it felt childish.
The dwarf raised one hand apologetically.
"Forgive me, your highness. I meant no offense."
Thor, wanting to help his brother, said,
"Dwarf, don't judge my brother's horrible taste in weapons."
Thor and the dwarf exchanged a glance and chuckled softly, trying not to laugh.
"You two are idiots…" Loki muttered.
"Well, don't worry, Loki. Daggers are excellent weapons. And as for you, Thor… a hammer suits you," the dwarf said.
"Hey… why did that feel like an insult?"
"It's time to return," the dwarf interrupted.
Thor and Loki carried their chosen weapons with them and followed the dwarf back.
They were brought to Odin and Eitri, who were in a military strategy chamber—a large room where the king, his generals, and captains planned battles.
The dwarf entered with the boys.
"I have brought them, majesty. They've chosen the models for their weapons."
"Well then… leave the weapons here. I will use them as a basis to craft new ones for you," Eitri said.
Thor asked,
"Majesty… you'll make them yourself?"
"Yes, Thor. I will. That was my agreement with your father," Eitri replied.
Odin, present in the chamber, stood and said,
"It was good speaking with you, Eitri, but I cannot stay long. Asgard needs me. I will return with my sons. You may inform me when they're ready."
Eitri rose as well and asked,
"Very well. I will let you know. As for the uru metal…?"
"Do not worry. I will send it so you can forge their weapons," Odin answered.
"Then everything is settled, Odin."
Odin turned and walked away. Thor and Loki placed the weapons they had chosen onto a table in the chamber and followed their father—but not before saying their farewells to Eitri.
"Goodbye, majesty. Someday we will return to visit you and see more of Nidavellir," Thor said.
Loki spoke similar words.
"It's good to hear that, princes. I shall await your visits," Eitri said with a smile.
They left Nidavellir and returned to Asgard.
Months passed before Mjölnir was created.
Thor did not simply wait idly. In the meantime, he kept training and learning.
His hammer was to be forged from one of the strongest metals in the universe—it was only natural that it would take time to craft.
Loki continued learning magic from his mother, while Odin remained the All-Father, keeping balance across the Nine Realms.
At last, after some months, Thor's hammer was finally ready.
Messengers from Nidavellir came to Asgard to announce that the weapons Odin had ordered were completed.
These weapons had been forged with the power of a neutron star, a celestial furnace.
The uru metal Odin had given to Eitri was no ordinary metal. Beyond its incredible resilience, it possessed unique properties.
It could channel and absorb energy far better than any other substance.
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