Baldur’s Demise: A Mythological Tale
Baldur, the cherished son of Odin, the foremost god, and Frigg, a kind-hearted sorceress, was renowned for his kindness, bravery, and joyous nature, endearing himself to all who knew him. However, his once untroubled life took a dark turn when he began to experience foreboding dreams of impending doom. Distressed by these ominous visions, the other gods entrust the task of uncovering their meaning to Odin.
Without delay, Odin mounted his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, and descended into the realm of the dead, seeking out a wise seeress known for her insight into such matters. Upon arriving in the shadowy underworld, Odin discovered a grand hall, lavishly decorated as though a great banquet were in preparation. After awakening the seeress, he questioned her about the purpose of the festivities. The seeress revealed, with a hint of irony, that the center of attention was none other than Baldur, reluctantly recounting how the beloved god would meet his demise. Her demeanor shifted when she recognized Odin, and she ceased her foretelling as the gravity of the prophecy became clear.
Returning to Asgard, laden with sorrow, Odin shared the troubling news with the pantheon. Frigg, desperate to safeguard her cherished child, sought oaths from every entity in existence, living or inanimate, to protect Baldur from harm. Once these vowed protections were secured, the gods engaged in a new pastime: they hurled various objects at Baldur, who remained unharmed, eliciting laughter among them.
However, the cunning Loki perceived an opportunity for chaos. Disguised, he approached Frigg and inquired if all had sworn to safeguard Baldur. “All except the mistletoe,” she replied, dismissing it as too trivial to pose any threat. Seizing this knowledge, Loki crafted a spear from the mistletoe and brought it to the gathering of gods.
He approached the blind god Hodr and coaxed him, stating how left out he must feel while the festivities continued without him. After a moment of hesitation, Hodr accepted the mistletoe spear. Under Loki’s guidance, he threw the shaft, fatally striking Baldur. The atmosphere turned heavy with silence as shock and horror enveloped the gods. They realized the calamity foreshadowed Ragnarok, not just the end of their kind, but of the entirety of existence.
After some time, Frigg calmed enough to propose that someone brave must venture into the underworld to negotiate with Hel, the goddess of the dead, for Baldur’s return. Hermod, an obscure son of Odin, volunteered for this daunting task. Instructed by Odin, he rode Sleipnir towards the realm of Hel.
Meanwhile, the gods prepared a grand funeral for the fallen Baldur, converting his ship, Hringhorni, into a magnificent pyre worthy of a king. However, when the moment came to launch the ship, they found it stuck in the sand; their efforts to dislodge it failed. In desperation, they summoned the giantess Hyrrokkin, who arrived riding a wolf and wielding snakes as reins. With a formidable push, she freed the ship, and as Baldur’s body was placed aboard, his grieving wife, Nanna, succumbed to her sorrow and died beside him. The pyre was ignited, with Thor sanctifying the flames, and Odin placing his famed ring, Draupnir, upon the fire alongside Baldur’s steed.
A multitude of beings from across the Nine Worlds came to pay their respects—gods, giants, elves, dwarves, and valkyries alike mourned as they observed the vessel drift away into the ocean’s embrace.
In the journey to recover Baldur’s essence from Hel, Hermod traversed nine nights through dark valleys. Upon reaching the river Gjoll, the fierce giantess Modgud interrogated him. Satisfied with his answers, she permitted him access to Hel’s realm. There, he found Hel’s throne, where Baldur sat, gloomy in the company of the death goddess. After spending the night, Hermod appealed to Hel for Baldur’s release, emphasizing the profound grief felt by all realms due to his loss. Hel agreed to consider this but decreed that every being in existence must weep for Baldur’s return. If even one refused, he would remain in her grasp.
Returning to Asgard, Hermod conveyed Hel’s demands, prompting the gods to send messengers across the worlds in search of weepers for Baldur. Ultimately, every entity wept—except for one giantess named Tokk, who was none other than Loki in disguise. Tokk coldly dismissed the messengers, declaring Baldur should remain with Hel.
Thus, Baldur was condemned to dwell forever in Hel’s realm, deprived of the light and joy he once brought to the living.
