Growing up I was raised among the Aesir; Odin the All-father, Thor, Baldr, Frigg and the rest. It was made clear that though Dad [Njoror] was Vanr, Freyja and I were to consider ourselves Aesir. We grew up with the Aesir children and heard all the same stories and got all the same teachings. I was given the roll of prosperity, sunshine, fair weather and virility. Not a bad gig at all really.

At home though, when the All-father was asleep, or the attention of the others was diverted on one war or another, Dad would tell us about what it was like to be Vanr. He grew up Vanr and in the First War he was part of a hostage exchange to ensure peace. To keep that peace, he played the role of perfect Aesir, though he was treated as Vanr and looked down upon. To the outside world, we were raised as Aesir, but when none were watching he reminded us that we were Vanr and that our mother, whom we weren't allowed to meet or speak of because she was Vanr, was loving, supporting and missing us. He encourage Freyja and I to rebel in little ways when we found the opportunity, but to remember our honor and play our part to keep peace.

My first opportunity to strike a blow against my captors was when I fell in love with Geror. For all of my virility, I could not find the courage to approach her. When Skirnir asked for my sword [which fights on its own] in exchange for his help, I jumped at the opportunity. My foresight as a Vanr had shown me that without it, I would be defeated by Surtr at Ragnarok, striking a blow against the Aesir while at the same time winning me Geror's hand...with none the wiser.

It was a long time before my next opportunity, and I had to be more careful this time because I had a family to protect.

My next chance came one day when Loki arrived in Asgard with gifts for Odin, Thor and I. He had recently pissed Thor off by cutting Sif's hair off while she was sleeping [truly he was angry with her because she loved Thor who only cared about her beauty, more than she loved him when he loved her for herself]. Loki saved himself a beating by promising Thor he would replace her hair and so he had gone to the Dwarfs for help. While there he had collected other treasures as well.

To Thor he gave Sif’s new hair and the hammer Mjollnir. To Odin went the ring Draupnir, which on every ninth night drops eight gold rings that match it for size and weight, and the deadliest of spears Gungnir. I was the happy recipient of Skidbladnir, the best of ships with always a favorable wind and so well constructed that it can be folded to put in one's pocket, and Gullinbursti, the boar who gives off light and runs more swiftly than a horse even through air or water. They were truly magnificent gifts.

Loki was followed to Asgard by the Dwarfs Sindri and Brokkr. They arrived and claimed that Loki had bet them his head that they could not make better items than those made by the sons of Ivaldi. They demanded a judgement...and Loki's head. Odin and Thor were loathe to give them Loki's head, but I reminded them that we were honor bound, as Aesir, to judge fairly, and told them to be fair we had to agree that Mjollnir, Gungnir and Bullinbursti were by far the most magnificent of creations. I had hoped to create discord among the Aesir and rid them of the greatest among them...Loki.

I managed to sway Odin and Thor and thought I had struck a major blow. When Sindri and Brokkr, axes sharpened, stepped forward to claim their prize though, Loki reminded them that he had only agreed they could have his head, not his neck and so, grumbling, they left to return home.

With a wink and a slight nod, Loki let me know there were no hard feelings. I wonder how much he knows...