Considering the treatment Loki got in a recent spamfic (and that I promised
Hitomi I'd release this to the FFML a couple of weeks ago), it's time this
were presented.  A warning: this is not complete, this is not final.

-- Nick



     Akane was getting a tired, and given that she was the premier
martial artist of her generation, that was saying something.

     Of course, when you compared her years of experience, her
abilities, and her perseverance against Ran, who was insanely
enthusiastic about anything that had to do with fighting, well
something had to give.

     "Stop Ran!"  Akane commanded as the little Goddess went about
the various techniques that comprised the beginnings of training in
the Art.  "You're doing well, but tiring me out.  Remember, I don't
have your divine gifts."

     Ran stopped what she was doing, bowed and then skipped over the
older girl.  "What divine gift?"

     Akane rolled her eyes in askance, "Ran, Mortals, at least this
Mortal, tire faster than Goddess', such as yourself."

     Ran huffed and pouted, "I don't have any gifts like that.  It's
the training uncles Tyr and Thor have given me.  Besides, there's not
much else to do in Asgard except watching over the computer,
listening to stories, or practicing to fight.  They don't let me do
anything else."

     The black haired girl raised an eyebrow and led them to the
porch where Belldandy had left some lemonade for them.  "Well, I've
never heard these stories, and I'd be interested in listening to
them.  Besides,  I want to know how close the legends come to the
truth."

     Ran pouted even more, "But those are so old!"

     Giggling a bit, Akane replied, "Not if you haven't heard them
before."

     Ran thought about that a bit and then nodded.  "You're right."

     While Akane poured a couple of glasses of juice, Ran sat
thinking, and finally said, "I guess the first thing to do is clear
up a lot of lies about my great-great grandfather."

     Akane smiled a bit, glad to have at least gotten the little
bundle of energy to calm down for a while.  If this is what they had
to contend with up in Asgard, it's a wonder that she was never sent
to Earth before.  "The legends lie about one of your ancestors?"

     Ran glowered, "Lie?  They make great-great grandfather Loki out
as one who would trick the other Gods and is The Bringer of Evil. 
What they don't say is that he was persecuted and put down by the
others because he used his brains instead of strength of arms.  I'm
gonna tell you about the time before the division and the discovery
that caused it..."

Tales of Asgard:

Chapter One:

Loki's Sacrifice

A 'The Youngest Goddess:' Side Series.

A fan fiction based on Fujishima Kosuke's Manga Series, Aa!
Megami-Sama

Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, Peroth, Marler, Ootaki-Sempai, Tamiya-Sempai,
Morisato Keiichi, and Morisato Megumi are copyright 1988, 1998
Fujisawa Kosuke

Publishing rights:

  Japan:Kodansha Tokyo
 North America:Dark Horse Comics
     Studio Proteus

Also based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga and Anime series, Ranma �

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Soun, Tendo
Akane, Tendo Nabiki, Tendo Kasumi, and Kuno Tatewaki are copyright
1987, 1998 by Takahashi Rumiko.


Publishing rights:

  Japan:Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
 Hong Kong:Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
 North America:Viz Inc.

Certain figures from the Norse Pantheon, such as Thor, Odin, Idun,
and Loki, and characterisation of the same taken from the ancient
legends of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Greenland. 
Characterisations are as of the Ballads written in the twelfth,
thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries with additional material from
the Tale of Beowulf and fragmented documentation dating back to the
fifth century.  Characterisations of Urd, Beldandy, Skuld, and Peroth
have been taken from the Manga series, Aa!  Megami Sama.  The
characterisation of Ran is based upon the training legend of the
Aesir.

By Ichinohei Hitomi


     Loki sighed as he looked upon the foolhardy and stupid way in
which the other Gods and Goddesses prepared themselves for the
eventual battle that they would have with the Giants sometime in the
future.  No matter how many times he tried, his fellow Gods kept
making sure that the other beings who inhabited the Universe would
eventually stop trying to let them be.  In their arrogance, they were
sowing the seeds of their own destruction.  "My brother, doest thou
not see that the deeds such as are done this day, in this council,
will bring destruction upon us?"

     Thor grimaced, and stood firm by him.  "Aye Loki.  But thus is
this council held, to let all participate and propound.  If disaster
be prevented, then thou must take up thine rightful place, and lead
us with thine knowledge."

     The Elder God shook his head, "Thor, thou dost know I wish not
rule, nor do I wish to brazen forth under the force of our fellow
Gods.  For as thou dost know, even if I am the Elder, I am one who
wishes no battle, no confrontation.  Already, for fear of mine
children hast they impelled our father to imprison them without
cause.  Only mine daughter Hel hath escaped this pronouncement, and
for the reason that she, at least, resemble the Gods here.  Already,
our path hath been set, and mine children, though originally not
Evil, will surely grow so because of this."

     Thor pulled his Elder brother from the hall, "Dost thou not
think I do not feel?  That I know not that it may event that I may
destroy mine own family for the foolishness of the others?  Nay,
think me not so heartless as that Brother.  If perchance this could
be changed, then gladly would I fain have it different."

     He then pulled his weapon from his side, looking at it and
seeing upon it's surface the stains that were not visible.  There had
been so many times that he had used this sword, not in the pursuit of
life, but to take it.  And many times, those lives were needlessly
taken because of his anger, and his arrogance.  Thor would have
preferred peace to the rebelliousness of his own soul, the constant
temperature that ran forth and ended, not in understanding, but in
war.  Few cared to know that about him however.  "Would that mine
hands could be cleansed, Brother.  I am cause for great strife, and
the conflict I bring may well be the downfall of us all."

     Loki shook his brothers shoulder, "Thou hast only to learn
patience, and to stay thy hand until thine famed anger fades.  I know
not how to help thee in discovering the way of peace in this, but I
shall attempt."

     Thor smiled in a way that said that he could not be helped.  "I
have not thine wits Brother, and have not yet had need of such. 
Forsooth, I am a warrior born, not a scholar, and mine deeds are
unparalleled as to mine might."

     They arrived at Thors dwelling, and went into the great hall of
his abode.  There, hung upon the walls were proof of all that Thor
had said.  Various artifacts, trophies of his victories, and other
such paraphernalia were hung up in honour.  There was neither book
nor scroll, nor anything of learning within.  Not even Runes were
engraved upon any visible surface.  For the most part, Loki found the
Hall of Thor was comfortable, but where was there any change?  In
almost a thousand years, nothing had been added.  The Mortals of
Midgard had advanced themselves, but the most famous of all Gods did
not.  This did not make sense.

     "Is thine dwelling always like this?"  Frowned Loki to his
brother, a thought tickling it's way into being.  Was there a clue in
the way nothing had changed, and why had it taken him so long to find
it?

     Thor looked around, noting nothing out of place.  "Why, what is
wrong, Loki.  'Tis always thus."

     "Dost thou not keep any scrolls?"

     Thor snorted as he poured the two of them large draughts of Ale. 
"What need I with parchment whenst cannot be used even to kindle? 
Scholarly works are the abode of our father, thyself, and few
others."

     Loki frowned at this observation.  Of all the Deities in Asgard,
all the Deities of Vaniheim, only he had actively pursued new
knowledge like his father, Odin.  Indeed, all of the Gods, and even
most of the Goddesses, were seemingly locked into the thought that
battle was all there was, and that the deeds that were most lasting
were those of war and killing.  Where was the spark, the kindling of
understanding beyond that?  Of knowing that to learn was the true way
to achieve and grow?  Was there something that prevented the Gods
from even trying?

     Taking a long pull of the draught, Loki comforted himself with
the thought that here was a new idea to pursue, and a way to prevent
ennui, at least for a small while.

***

     There was a light shining on his face.

     Not even wanting to know, he turned over and hid his face under
the pillows.  Light was the enemy at the moment, causing him pain and
suffering and who knows what manner of ills.  All he wanted at the
moment was sleep, quiet, and a way to prevent the drum pounding
incessantly in his ears.

     "Husband, tis time to be up.  Odin will want you in Council
today, and thou must be there if he is to hear thine wisdom."

     Slowly he pulled the pillow off of his head, and looked blearily
around, "

     Sigurna, my love.  None can fault thee, and thine affection and
caring are beyond all others, but pritee.  Cans't thou not leave mine
head alone whenst I come from Thor's?"

     Sigurna's face became stern.  Everytime Loki visited Thor, he
came back in this condiditon.  If he hadn't learned by this time that
despite his prodigious appetite, that none could match Thor in the
drinking of Mead and Ale, then his suffering should be all the
greater.  "Loki, should I call thee lagard?  Thou hast never been
such, and if thee would be free of such name, arise and face this
day."

     Turning over on his back, Loki smiled slightly, "My wife, thou
may be as harsh as neverending winter, but I love thee.  I shall love
thee til the end of days and beyond."

     She slapped him on the head and left the room, saying.  "Thy
words will not change facts."

     He chuckled to himself and got slowly out of bed.  No matter the
trials she went through with him, Sigurna had always been his guide. 
They had cried together when their only children were dispersed by
base treachery, and had understood that the Gods had yet to learn
that differences did not always mean evil or monstrosity.  Indeed,
Hel had aquited herself well, accepting her position as caring for
the dead, and Fenris had conducted himself with all honour and favour
until the trecherous acts of jealous Gods forever bound his son. 
Only Tyr had in any way conducted himself with honour, and that only
to lie to a child.  He now wore the fact that he lost his hand as a
badge of honour.  Honour recieved when the parents left to make
treaty with the Frost Giants to prevent the Gods destruction.  If not
for Sigurna, he would have taken arms himself and challenged all the
warriors in their own manner.

     He splashed his face with some tepid water and dressed quickly. 
Besides the council meeting, there were some questions that had to be
researched.  Mainly, why were the Gods not advancing?  Since the
death of the Frost Giant Ymir, whose body was used to create Midgard,
all of the Elder Gods seemed to be willing to let others work and
advance while they reaped the benefits, either through force of arms
or through terror.  Odin himself, the eldest of the Aesir, seemed
content to do nothing but allow strife and trouble.  Something was
very wrong, and his father should be the one who prevented such
troubles. Perhaps a visit to Vaniheim would shine light on this
puzzle.

***

     Thor bristled at the other Gods who sat around the table set in
the great hall of Odin.  All of them here were talking of their
victory over Loki's children, as if tricking youngsters was something
to be proud of.  The tossing of the sepentine child to Midgard, the
binding of Fenris, the wolfish child, and denying the regions of life
to Hel, was to them, great sport, but troubled the Thunderer greatly. 
For him, there was nothing here to be proud of, indeed, there was
more to be ashamed, if they would admit it.

     But that was not to be.

     "Enough!  'Tis not enough for thee that these deeds were done
that you must enhance thy tale?  The evil wroth by the Gods in this
will come back twofold or more by thine actions clothed in convenient
honour.  Know you this, I, Thor, will not stand with thee when comes
the reckoning."

     The tables of the Gods that surounded the hall grew quiet as the
tall warrior walked out of the hall, his head held high, for he had
succeeded in shaming the others.  His honour was tarnished by
allowing the actions to have occured, but at least he did not boast
of such a tainted victory over inocents.  There was no honour in the
hall today.

     At the door, he met Loki, who was just walking in.  "Hold
Brother.  The council needs us not today, and I would fain go and
find honourable adventure.  Wouldst thou accompany me or is there a
mission of thine own that mayhaps I can be of assistance?"

     Loki looked up at Thor, who stood a good foot above himself. 
"Brother, if the council needs us not, I would repair to the other
worlds, and wander through Vaniheim, Midgard, Jotunheim and
Niffleheim for a while.  For in truth, there is a mystery to be
solved, and such may mean the saving of the Gods.  If there be an
Seer or Soothsayer who mayest provide answer in part, then it is they
we must seek.  The dangers of this are few Thor, and such scholary
adventure may not be to your liking."

     Thor laughed, "'Tis better for me if I accompany thee than stay. 
Already, Sif starts to say that I am unsuited for polite company. 
Soon twill be orders on eating, weapon placement, where mine cloak
must go and more.  In face of such danger, I would enjoy such a
vacation.  'Tis thee that must be careful, Loki, for thou hast
refused weapons time and again.  Even Gods may die."

     As the two left to gather their supplies, and in Thors case,
weapons, they failed to notice the form of their father standing
nearby.  A frown appeared on Odin's face, and he left to start
preparations of his own.  His sons were asking questions, and they
were searching for a means to save the Gods.  Such a quest was doomed
to fail, for he had already found knowledge of the final outcome. 
Events were already occuring, and there was little that he would be
able to do.

     Odin had travelled far in search of knowledge in all the nine
worlds, seen all that would occur through various soothsayers and
others with the gift of prophecy, and knew the end of all, and return
to the Void that was all before the creation of Muspelheim.  All that
had occured would be destroyed, and the time was not too far off.

     It was the reason he had finally agreed to the chaining of his
own grand-children, and with such chaining, less than five years was
left in which everything could be accomplished.  However, he could
spend some time being with them and having pride in being their
father.  He would travel with and watch over them.  Besides, he could
be surprised.  It may be possible that they could change the the
furture, even only slightly.



***



     Vaniheim, home of Gods older than all of the Aesir, including
Odin, Villi, and Ve.  It was full of beauty, love, and joy, for the
Deities here were devoted to all life and it's protection.  It was
said that they were the sons and daughters of the First God, who was
Odin's grandfather., and held powers and wisdom that even the Aesir
would envy.  These Gods were more trusting and open than the others,
and still had good relations with the Frost Giants, something that
was hard to come by for Odin and his brothers considering that they
had slain Ymir.  As yet, they had no need of fortifications, but had
started to build the walls of Vangard in order to placate the more
warlike younger Gods of the Aesir.

     As they came upon the small city that was taking form, they were
greated by a youngster, "Hold!  Thee and thine companions approach
with weapons.  Know that thee approach the site of Vangard.  Ever are
we ready to help or to do battle.  If thee are friend then put up
thine arms and be welcome.  If thee are foe then will thee parlay to
discuss terms and a champion from each side?  Answer now, art thee
friend or foe?"

     Odin was well pleased with this greeting, for it showed that the
Vanir were being cautious in who they talked to.  However, the
greeting still showed too much trust for his tastes.  "Be it known to
thee that I am Odin, All-father and leader of the Gods of Aesir.  By
the pacts, we are friends, and come to thee in search of knowledge
and peace."

     The sentry noded, "Thee art welcome here Lord Odin, as are thine
companions.  The people of Vaniheim do welcome thee and thy search
for knowledge."



***



     The three were well into the realms of Niffleheim when they came
across an old woman tending her garderobe.  Not having found the
adventure or knowledge they were seeking, but easing their hearts
with the lonliness of the wilderness, they were none the less glad to
have found a place where the possibility of shelter existed. 
Approaching, the home, Thor called, "Hail Mistress, may we assist
thee?"

     The woman bobbed her head and answered, "Verily thou mayest
assist.  I would fain be glad of one who would help bring these
baskets in, for I am old and cannot lift much.  I would pay thee with
a meal if thee would take such with me."

     The three men bowed and alighted from their horses.  "Milady," 
Loki addressed the woman, "Why dost thou stay when thee mayest find
refuge in Asgard?"

     The woman moved slowly towards the house, pausing now and then
before continuing, "Asgard, and the Gods contained therin do not
interest this one for they bring the fall of the Universe with them. 
I would be away from the center of ignoble battle and live yet a
while longer."

     Thor frowned at that, "Why would the efforts of the God's bring
downfall upon the Universe?"

     The old woman led them into the house, "For the Gods trifle with
the inhabitants of all lands, and hasten towards their own end by
building resentment.  'Tis well known that in the Book of All, there
the events of Ragnarok are written, and the Gods, by their own
actions, release evil upon the Universe.  There be but few short
years in which to survive, and I shall take those years as fit I
see."

     Loki now frowned more, "Milady, this is not known at all in
Asgard, and the time of Ragnarok, as thou thus term it, is not known. 
What evils would cause Ragnarok when the universe is yet young?"

     Waving them to the table, she served them, "Young one, Odin
himself has the Book of All, and has read the passages contained
therin.  Belief he has that the book dictates all that must hap,
instead of using it as it is meant to be.  The Book of All is but a
guide, allowing one to learn of the possible.  By allowing it to
dictate, he leads all to distruction."

     Odin's voice came from the doorway, "Old woman, the Book is not
a guide, but the map of destiny.  I use it only to mark where we are,
and what will become."

     "Father?"  Thor exclaimed, "Thou dost know of what passes?"

     Loki nodded, "Aye Thor.  Father knows what passes, for he is
resigned to fate.  But mayhap father, thou dost _not_ know what thy
book is meant for."

     Odin frowned at his sons, one with a grim but confused look on
his face, the other with an understanding, yet pitying one.  "My son,
I am All-Father, the most knowledgable of Gods.  I have used and
followed the Book of All and can tell thee that all that hath occured
was already writ in it's pages."

     The old woman shook her head.  "Nay Odin, for that book was in
my keep before thou tookest possession of it.  The events thou hast
glanced can be changed, but thou must be willing.  If thou givest
into the books writ then it shall follow, if thou attempts a change,
then change will follow.  Give me now the Book, for I know tis on
thee."

     Odin looked at the woman, and pulled the book from his wallet. 
"Here 'tis the Book.  What sayest thou now old one, canst thou change
what must hap?"

     "Odin, in thy perusal, when didst the end hap?"

     Odin frowned, and stroked his white beard.  "Tis writ that all
will occur in ten seasons."

     "Open the Book then, and observe Ragnarok."

     Odin opened the book, and glanced through coming to when
Ragnarok would come.  A change had occured however.  "Tis now writ
that Ragnarok will occur in three hundred seasons.  What has haped to
change destiny?"

     "None but this conversation Father."  Loki said, more to himself
than anyone.  "Old lady, the Book list possible from this moment,
correct?"

     "Aye youngster, tis all it does."

     "Then Father, a sacrafice, and a swearing, and Ragnarok will be
prevented for a long time.  And a sacrafice must be made before long,
and with no others as witness."

     "I stand ready to sacrafice.  What needs be done Brother?"  Thor
asked.

     "Thor, the sacrafice to be made, must needs be mine, for there
be only one way to absolve the universe.  Mine advantage above others
must needs be used, and must be part of that sacrafice.  Father, we
must now bind ourself to this, and in the binding, none will know
different.  The sacrafice shall be that I will be the one to take the
pain of the Gods, the suspicion, and the anger as if the cause of it
was mine.  Until the day that I break in madness, Ragnarok will not
occur."

     "My son, dost thou know what that will bring?"

     Loki closed his eyes, "Nay father, but if Ragnarok must be, then
let it be long in interval.  Mine knowledge, mine advantage, mine
destiny must be placed to this, and must be used to secure all."

     The old woman nodded, "Thine son speaks arright."

     At this Thor roared, "Nay old one, mine brother shall not be
sacrafice to this deed!  There must needs be another chance!  Elder
brother, thou shalt not die, I shall."

     Loki laughed aloud and long, eliciting a surprised look from
Thor, "Brother, I shall not die yet.  For this to be, I must needs
become the repository of all evil.  This Sacrifice I do make is mine
life, and all I know for as long as I endure."

     Odin nodded, not liking the outcome, but recognizing his son's
courage and willing sacrafice.  He had made a similar one some years
back when he had hung himself from the branches of Yggdrassill. 
"Thor, this shall be done.  So do I say."

     Loki bowed to his father as he saw the look and pain in his
eyes.  "Father, 'tis for all till the day when it can be undone."

     The old woman also nodded, "Thine willing sacrafice will enable
Ragnarok to be stopped for some while, but more time will thou have
if thee will also be known to all as of Giant stock."

     Loki, Thor and Odin laughed, for all of them had the blood of
Giants within them.  "So do I agree Wise One.  What must we do?"

     "Thou must swear with Odin and thine brother on a pact that thee
must make together.  The pact will change all, and only we four will
know truth of thine birth, never to be revealed unless a way to
better prevent Ragnarok be found."

     All three of the Gods looked at each other and nodded, "SO BE
IT!"

***

     After a pleasant meal, the three of them left, "My son, thine
sacrafice is great, but until such time as it is impossible to
ignore, I shall travel with thee when I can."

     Thor looked grim and forboding, "As will I brother, for thine
sacrafice will make thee shunned among our people."

     Loki gave a small smile, "'Twas for the best brother.  None can
ask more."

*****

     Akane blinked and sipped from a glass for about a minute after
Ran finished her tale.  To imagine that the Gods could be so arrogant
as to have unknowingly bound themselves to their own destruction.  If
not for Loki's sacrafice, then Ragnarok would have already occured. 
"Ran, has the world always been on the brink of such destruction?"

     Ran sipped her own lemonade before replying.  "Not always,
perhaps never as close as in this case, but yes, the world has almost
been destroyed many times before, and will face the possibility of
being destroyed many more times before the end.  The only people who
even have an idea of the future and what it may endure is Odin, Loki,
and my aunt Skuld.  To their credit, they refuse to say what may
happen.  Knowing the possibility of what may happen, and trying to
follow that path becomes an inescapable trap, and can come to mean
the doom and destruction of all beings.  There are times that I think
that the future should be hidden from even the Deities."

     "But you're talking about this now, so Ragnarok has been
prevented."  Akane said, "Doesn't that prove that knowing the
possibilities can help to prevent disaster?"

     Ran slowly nodded her head, "Yes, events have been held in
abeyence for now, but it's not over.  How can it truly be over when
there might still be war?  Great-grandfather Fenris has been rebound,
Hel still allows the building of the ship made of human nails, and
even Yggdrasil is a temporary measure.  Even though the conditions of
great-great-grandfathers sacrafice have been redeemed, the universe
may yet be destroyed.  None of the dieties in any of the pantheons
know."

     Akane got up and gathered the glasses and pitcher, "So all
anyone can do is hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

     "Akane, you're only partly right.  All one can do is hold hope
and love.  When you get down to it, that is what keeps saving
Creation."

HISTORICAL NOTE:

     Although Loki is portrayed as evil and the calumniator, this is
only after a long time in which the culture changed, and later, the
influence of Christianity.  Scholars, who have examined all the
records that are currently available, believe that the change is due
to needing someone to portay a devilish equivilent in order to spread
the belief of Christianity on the 'Pagans and their false Gods.' 
Whether this is true or not is a matter of speculation and debate in
the literary community, the historical and archeological community,
and the philisophical community.  What is known is that many legends
changed to having Odin becoming more the All Father rather than Thor,
and that Loki, who was originally considered Thor's Elder Brother,
and who refused to become Heir, was now represented as being a small
Storm Giant who had found refuge with the Aesir.

     Loki, whose children included the Fenris Wolf, Hel, the Midgard
Serpent, and Sleipnir among others, was originally considered to be a
God of Wisdom and Thought whose wise council always helped the Gods
out of trouble.  From searching for the least harmful ways out of a
situation, to negotiating treaties that prevented grievious war, he
was beloved by the people as the peacemaker.  It was only later that
he came to have a role as the Trickster, who's disdain for the Force
of Arms forever put him at odds with the rest of the Aesir.  Finally,
he was given the role as the murderer of Baldur, which would signal
the begining of the end that would lead up to Ragnarok.

     At first, his role in the murder of the God Baldur was said to
be an accident where he was trying to improve the courage and ego of
Hodur, Baldurs younger brother and another of Odin's sons, by helping
the blind warrior God toss a small sprig of mistletoe, which
scratched and poisoned the most invulnerable of Gods.  Loki was
originally said to have admited his guilt since he had no previous
knowledge that Mistletoe, of all things, was so humble as to think
itself of not being able to harm Baldur and did not set promise that
it would not.  He set himself into exile but was always available to
help the Aesir in times of need.

     Later, the role was changed to active participation, ending with
the final known change to be his tossing a spear, whose tip was
coated in the essence of Mistletoe, in order to purposely strike
Baldur dead.  Punishment and ends differ from source to source after
this, but the original punishment put to legend was that Loki was
chained beneath a serpent whose venom forever fell on him and burned
with pain everlasting, his skin healing always.  His wife Sigurna is
said to have held a bowl to catch all she could in order to protect
her beloved.  When she turned to toss away the poison, however, it
again burned Loki causing the Earth to quake in Midgard.

     In the end, Loki would escape the bonds formed by the entrails
of one of his sons, and in his escape, join with all his remaining
children except for Sleipnir, and make war against the Gods.  All of
the Gods and Mortals, including Odin would perish in the great
struggle that would be Ragnarok.  The universe would then be
destroyed, and the All Father would recreate the universe in peace.

     Throughout the later histories, Loki comes across as a figure of
persecution, and considering the martial nature of the Norse, this
was probably his proper place.  One wonders at all the changes, and
what insanity would have been the result of all this pain heaped upon
Loki.  In the end, it becomes apparent that the legends were
purposely changed and revised to suit the needs of the Christians
wandering in and forcing their religion upon the region.

     The evidence for this is varied, but solid.  First, it is well
known that the Christians adopted customs of those within the area in
which they hoped to spread their influence.  This had the cause of
legitifying their claim as a religion of the local people, and
preparing the way for gradual changes that would declare whatever the
local religion was to be false, or pagan.  In the Norse region, the
adoption of the 'Christmas' tree is a rather famous example of this.

     Secondly, the continually revised versions of Ragnarok
increasingly point to the fact that although Odin, or All Father died
and was destroyed, All Father would recreate the universe in a
peaceful way that suddenly resembled the legends of what would happen
after the destruction of Lucifer, who was once the beloved son of
Johovah.  How could All Father, who was destroyed, be All Father, who
recreates the universe unless it is a different All Father.  This,
combined with the drastically changed roll of Loki provides the best
evidence for Christian interferance in a local religion.

     So is Loki really the evil of modern legend, a persecuted
individual in a time where Brawn was highly valued over Brains, or
was he never evil, but as originally portrayed, the great peacemaker? 
The debate will probably continue to rage until Ragnarok itself.  For
when our sun expands, and burns the earth, and the Solar mass
explodes and reforms into a new star and, hopefully, a planetary
system, will not the original legend of Ragnarok, and the recreation
of Earth become true?

     Time, and the Nornir are the only ones who truly know the
answer.

     To find out more about the current religious beliefs concerning
the Aesir, contact the Government of Finland where the religions
which worship these ancient Deities are still in existance today.