Freyja's Jewel

   Laeviss tells his UPG regarding the history of Freyja's jewel, and how it is of great significance: In very ancient times, the Goddess wore this jewel to indicate her representation of the Earth, and the powers that are encircled therein. It was her divine authority to designate the sacred king, and to honour him with the wearing of this jewel. He would wear the jewel for a time, spreading its energies throughout the land, then he would return it to the powers of the Earth as a sacrifice, to ensure the fruitfulness and prosperity of the people. A new king would then be chosen.

   Now, Laeviss says that the Vanir continued in this long tradition. Their king would be chosen by the Goddess, and that king would be her consort. As a symbol of this, he wore a braided cord around his neck, or a representation of one. (This sort of idea of a divinely bestowed kingly jewel has survived for a very long time. Even now, we would recognize it as a king's circlet or crown.) After a period of time, he would be sacrificed and a new king chosen.

   The Aesir had abandoned this system ages before. Tyr had been king for a time, then Odin had been declared king, though Tyr didn't die like the sacrificial kings of old. He hung around to give his counsel and to help maintain order. The Aesir were at war with the Vanir, and Odin needed all the help he could get.

   Odin liked being king. He was well-suited for it, being both crafty and wise. There was no better to take his place.

   Freyja had foresight, and could see the fine character that Odin possessed, and what a fine king he was. She saw with her foresight that the world was changing, and what would be the best way to determine that the world changed in a way best suited to her desires. So she sent a messenger, one of the priests or "dogs of the Goddess,"  to Odin to tell him that she was willing to call a truce and end the war. She was willing to join her people with the Aesir and declare Odin king if he would take her as his wife, and that he would not be bound by the fate of the Vanic kings, but that he would be king as long as he liked.

   Odin was already married to a very fine Goddess, indeed, with all of the attributes of an excellent wife. But Odin knew a good thing when he saw one (and he saw a lot of good things about Freyja.) Odin was attracted to strong, confident women, who could give wise counsel when it was called for. There should be no objection to him having a second wife. This war had been dragging on far too long, with no signs of either side gaining ground.

   "Well, this sounds like a good idea. I will agree to it if I get the final say in all matters," Odin sent back. "Oh, and I get to keep your errand boy, too. I can see he has many uses."

   Laeviss says that although he has given vows to serve the Goddess, her order to him has been "Stand your ground in support of the King." He has done this quite happily, he says, ever since. It's what he was made for.