Myth Index
THE DEATH OF BALDER
Balder, the gentlest god, began to have nightmares about death. He told Odin and Frigg, but neither they nor the other gods could explain it.Odin galloped to Niflheim on Sleipnir. in Hel's hall he sought out the ghost of a great seeress. She said Balder was doomed and that Odin could not prevent it.
Frigg would not accept Balder's fate. She made a list of every harmful thing, then went through the Nine Worlds making them swear never to hurt Balder. Fire, water, stones, metals, plants and birds and diseases all swore. Frigg felt happier, believing nothing could now kill her son.
The gods found a new game. They threw things at Balder just to see them turn safely aside. Only Loki was not happy. He was jealous of Balder. Disguised as an old woman, he questioned Frigg. She admitted that one plant had not made the promise - an insignificant sprig of mistletoe.
Full of hatred, Loki found the plant and made a dart from it. He joined the gods in their latest game and asked Balder's blind brother, Hod, if he would like to play. Hod was delighted. Loki gave him the mistletoe dart and guided his aim. It pierced Balder's heart and he fell dead.
Frigg begged someone to go to Niflheim and off er Hel any ransom she asked to release Balder from death. Hermod, one of Odin's sons, volunteered.
Balder's body was given a hero's burial.lt was placed on his ship, which was piled with treasure and set alight. The Giantess Hyrrokin pushed it out to sea. Balder's wife, Nanna, died of a broken heart and was buried with him.
In Niflheim, Hermod told Hel why he had come. She said that if Balder was so wellloved, everyone and everything in the Nine Worlds would weep for him. If they did, she would let him return to Asgard.
Hermod hurried back with this news and the gods at once went to every corner of the Nine Worlds, asking everyone and everything to cry for Balder. But there was one evil Giantess who would not weep. No amount of pleading would make her shed a tear, so Balder had to stay in the Land of the Dead. The Giantess was actually Loki in disguise. He smiled at what he had done.
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