Opera Stories from Wagner
By Florence Akin
The Payment
“While you slept I built the castle,” said Fafner. “Now I am ready for the payment.”
“What payment do you want?” asked Wotan.
“What payment do I want?” shouted Fafner. “Surely you have not forgotten your promise? The price was Freya, and I shall take her home with me.”
“Oh, that was only in jest,” said Wotan. “I could not think of letting Freya go. But I shall pay you well for the castle. I shall give you something else that will be just as good for you.”
Fafner grew very angry and screamed:–
“Cease your foolish talk. I built your beautiful stone palace. I drudged and toiled and heaped the massive rocks. Each stone lies firm and solid in its place, and I will have my pay!”
“But, surely,” said Wotan, “you did not think I meant to give you Freya? ’T is she who feeds us golden apples. No one but Freya knows how to make them grow. If it were not for her fresh fruits my family would grow old. They would wither like the autumn flowers.”
“Yes,” raged Fafner; “I know it is fair Freya’s golden apples that keep you young. But now Freya belongs to me. Nothing else will I have.”
Just then Wotan saw his brother, Loki, coming over the mountain.
“Wait, Fafner! Wait until I can talk with my brother about this!”
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