Idunn
Idunn is the goddess of youth, the guardian of the golden apples which keep the gods young.
One day Loki was carried off by an eagle (the giant 'Thiazi' disguised) who agreed to let Loki go only if he would steal the golden apples from Idunn. Loki lured Idunn out of her home where she was abducted, along with the apples, by Thiazi.
With the loss of the golden apples, the gods began to grow old and they ordered Loki to return Idunn and the apples on pain of death. Loki borrowed Freyja's bird shape and flew to the place where Thiazi was holding the goddess prisoner. He turned Idunn into a nut and carried her back to Asgard, closely pursued by Thiazi. The gods had built a pile of wood shavings which they lit just after Loki had passed and Thiazi's wings were singed, forcing him to land. The gods killed him and Idunn and the apples were saved.
Adapted from 'A guide to the gods' by Richard Carlyon
