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Tales of Asgard
Series 1, Episode 5
Sword of Surtur
Opens with Kára taking Sif around the training facilities at Kona Lifandi. She sees that Sif is still conflicted about joining the Valkyries and tries to convince her.
We then see Thor, Loki and the Warriors Three (Balder edition) arrive in Jotunheim where Surtur's sword (Elderstahl) is supposed to be buried.
Skidbladnir is dashed on the ice and they all just about manage to escape. Thor wonders why Loki is quite calm while the others are all freezing. Loki jokes that he is just tougher.
They disturb a nest of Frost Sprites and are swarmed for minute, but manage to flee. As they wander they begin to grow desperate and begin to give up hope in the quest and wonder if they'll get home. They daren't use the bifrost as that will alert the Jotuns to an Asgardian presence. Thor and Loki have a heart to heart, discussing the inheritance of the throne, how they love the story of how Odin (with his father and brothers and the armies of Asgard) defeated the Jotuns and what their peace deal meant for Algrim and his people. And the one where they defeated Surtur. That story, and Loki's prompting helps them find direction. They find the cavern where Elderstahl is said to be hidden but the ice breaks underneath them.
Meanwhile, in Asgard, the taverner has come to Odin for compensation for the damage to his bar. Odin scoffs and is about to get angry when the taverner shows him Thor's lost sword (see episode 4). Odin starts to realise what his sons are up to.
In the cavern, the adventurers come to. Loki has found the Sword of Surtur (Elderstahl). It is huge and embedded in the ice above them.
Hogun frees it with a throw of his mace. Thor takes it and it magically transforms to the right size for him. He unsheaths it and a great blast from it blows a hole in the cave roof. Loki is worried they will get caught with the weapon in Jotunheim. Thor says no one can stop them with it in their possession. The group are concerned about Thor's attitude. What they don't know is that the sword exerts a malevolent influence over the user, bringing out their worst qualities. In Thor's case, it is his bravado and the need to prove himself.
On leaving the cave, Thor reveals he plans to travel to Kona Lifandi and get winged horses. The group say the Valkyries will never help them. Thor says that Sif will.
Balder takes Fandral's cartoon dialogue here (implying that many Valkyries are his previous lovers) so we will need to see him womanising in previous episodes, whilst seeing that he is genuinely interested in Nanna.
We cut to a Frost Sprite making their way to King Laufey of Jotunheim. They whisper to him and give him a scrap of Hogun's coat. Laufey tells his scouts to follow the scent.
Thor, Loki and the Warriors Three (Balder edition) find their path out of Jotunheim blocked by two enormous frozen guards. Realising there is no other way and with Laufey's scouts visible, they try to sneak past the sentries.
When the pursuing group call out to the guards they break out of their icy slumber and attack. Loki is separated. In trying to defend his brother, Thor foolishly draws Elderstahl. Despite the legendary weapon, the guards continue to approach. Thor swings the weapon and blasts the sentries, destroying one of them and the pass. The other falls into the abyss.
Thor is horrified. This is his first kill, it was somewhat accidental and he underestimated the power of Surtur's sword. Also, it would never have happened if he hadn't gone on the quest in the first place. He is (metaphorically) frozen in place.
Loki is sympathetic but tells him they must all leave. He thinks they should use the Bifrost. Balder says that they shouldn't confirm their Asgardian heritage. Hogun believes that ship has sailed. Balder says they can't take that chance. They leave.
The Jotun scout captain has recognised Loki (Odin's runt). He orders his men to repair the bridge and muses that two others bore resemblance to Odin's sons. He swiftly returns to Laufey and tells him that Elderstahl has been found and that he believes the sons of Odin did it on account of recognising Odin's runt.
Laufey sighs and tells General Geirmarr to prepare to march on Asgard.
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