The days flew by, and the time came when Loki must fulfill his promise to Thiasse. So one morning he strolled out into the meadow where Idun loved to roam among the flowers. There he found her, sitting by a tiny spring, and holding her precious casket of apples on her lap. She was combing her long golden hair, which fell from under a wreath of spring flowers, and she was very beautiful. Her green robe was embroidered with buds and blossoms of silk in many colors, and she wore a golden girdle about her waist. She smiled as Loki came, and tossed him a posy, saying: "Good-morrow, red Loki. Have you come for a bite of my apples? I see a wrinkle over each of your eyes which I can smooth away." "Nay, fair lady," answered Loki politely, "I have just nibbled of another apple, which I found this morning. Verily, I think it is sweeter and more magical than yours." Idun was hurt and surprised. "That cannot be, Loki," she cried. "There are no apples anywhere like mine. Where found you this fine fruit?" and she wrinkled up her little nose scornfully. "Oho! I will not tell any one the place," chuckled Loki, "except that it is not far, in a little wood. There is a gnarled old apple-tree, and on its branches grow the most beautiful red-cheeked apples you ever saw. But you could never find it." "I should like to see these apples, Loki, if only to prove how far less good they are than mine. Will you bring me some?" "That I will not," said Loki teasingly. "Oh, no! I have my own magic apples now, and folk will be coming to me for help instead of to you." Idun began to coax him, as he had guessed that she would: "Please, please, Loki, show me the place!" At first he would not, for he was a sly fellow, and knew how to lead her on. At last, he pretended to yield. "Well, then, because I love you, Idun, better than all the rest, I will show you the place, if you will come with me. But it must be a secret--no one must ever know." All girls like secrets. "Yes--yes!" cried Idun eagerly. "Let us steal away now, while no one is looking." This was just what Loki hoped for. "Bring your own apples," he said, "that we may compare them with mine. But I know mine are better." "I know mine are the best in all the world," returned Idun, pouting. "I will bring them, to show you the difference." Off they started together, she with the golden casket under her arm; and Loki chuckled wickedly as they went. He led her for some distance, further than she had ever strayed before, and at last she grew frightened. "Where are you taking me, Loki?" she cried. "You said it was not far. I see no little wood, no old apple-tree." "It is just beyond, just a little step beyond," he answered. So on they went. But that little step took them beyond the boundary of Asgard--just a little step beyond, into the space where the giants lurked and waited for mischief.