Springtime in Denmark saw the blossoming of love between two childhood sweethearts. Nanna, only daughter of King Gevar and one of the fairest of mortal women, met the King's foster son Hother at the shrine of Freya. Nanna sung a longsong for the goddesses and asked her blessing on their match. Nanna delighted in Hother's company, what the young man lacked in appearance he more than made up for in skills and wits. With great joy she agreed that Hother could ask King Gevar for her hand in marriage.
Soon after Hother set out into the forest on a hunting trip. Deep among the trees he came across a remote cottage, hearing him approach three maidens came out and greeted him by name. 'Who are you?' Hother enquired.
'We are goddesses Hother,' one maiden replied 'my name is Mardoll, my companions are Mist and Thrud. It is our duty to watch over the battlefield and award victory or defeat at our pleasure. We are here to warn you of danger.'
'Oh yes?'
'It concerns your intended bride. You have a rival , a warlord named Balder. He has watched in hiding while Nanna goes to bathe and is on fire in his lust for her.'
'That is no matter.' Hother replied 'Nanna is decided and her father has always favoured me.'
'Balder is not accustomed to having his wishes refused.' Mardoll cautioned 'You must know that although Balder lives among men he is half divine, his mother was secretly visited by Odin when he was conceived. Even if his actions drive you to the bitterest hate, do not fight him unprepared, for it will be your death.'
At these words the three maidens and the cottage vanished as if they had never been there. Hother turned back, convinced that someone was playing tricks on him. He went straight to Gevar and told his foster father of the strange goings on in the forest. Gevar smiled kindly 'Could it be that those maidens were what they claimed to be?'
Hother considered 'Maybe, but I have never believed in gods and trolls and the like, it seems strange that if any existed they would take any interest in me.' He smiled remembering Nanna's insistence that their meetings be at the Freya's shrine, 'I have something to ask you. Nanna and I wish to marry, do we have your consent?'
'Nothing could please me more.' Gevar replied 'But there may be a problem, Balder is likely to claim her as well. My men tell me he has been making inquiries about her'
Hoder frowned, 'Those maidens mentioned him, they said he was Odin's son.'
'Yes,' agreed Gevar 'I have heard that rumour too. He is said to be undefeatable in battle, and I am inclined to believe the word of experienced warriors. Marrying Nanna may led to war, but you will have my support if events come to that.'
Hother bowed his head 'Thank you.'
'However you are in great danger,' Gevar cautioned 'and I would recommend that you find yourself a weapon of the highest quality to defend yourself against this upstart. The best of all swords on Middle Earth is said to be the blade of Mimming, a cunning and dangerous dark elf in the land of the Finns.'
Hother thanked his foster father for his wise advice and shortly after set off towards the far north in search of the famous blade. Hother bought a wooden sled and tent frame, hired a team of reindeer and set out across the northern wastes in search of the notorious Mimming. While camping in a lonely forest he again met the three mysterious maidens, Mardoll greeted him and gave him an elf-forged mail shirt as a gift. She advised him that although ferocious, Mimming was almost blind, and he would be quite safe if he ensured that his shadow never fell on the dark elf to betray his presence.
Hother soon arrived at the cave where Mimming lived, he was careful to erect his tent so that its shadow would not fall over the cavern's entrance. Late in the night when the midnight sun cast a long shadow from the caves peak over his camp, Hother crept into the wood elf's cave, overpowered him and bound him securely. Mimming was terrified, not knowing Hother's intentions. Near blind he may have been but he certainly knew a knife point when it was pressed against his throat. He offered Hother a ring which granted its wearer wealth. Hother accepted the ring gladly but continued to torment him. Valuing his life over any riches, Mimming surrendered his wonderful sword.
During Hother's travels Balder arrived at Gevar's hall requesting a meeting with the king. He was received with all courtesy and offered a place at table and a private room for his night's rest. He was quick to declare his reason for visiting. 'My lord king,' he began in a confident voice 'I had come to claim your daughter Nanna as my wife. You will not find a more worthy son in law than myself, I am sure you agree to that. When would be a convenient date for the marriage feast?'
Balder's impertinence hurt Gevar deeply and he struggled not to show his true feelings. 'You are not the only suitor to claim her hand. My own foster son is eager to marry her.'
'I am aware of Hother's interest,' Balder's tone could not have shown more contempt, 'I will prove that I am the better man, sword against sword. When that wretch lies dead you will know that I am the mightier. After all I am Odin's son, how can any other man compare to me?'
'But how can you be so sure that you are well matched when you have never met Nanna?' asked Gevar. 'I have seen her, secretly I watched her while she was bathing, she is a perfect wife for me. I tell you again, she will never find a better husband than myself.'
'I would be happier if you asked Nanna directly.' said Gevar.
'Are you not a master of your own household?' asked Balder 'Surely this is a decision for you to make.'
Gevar insisted and so Balder was taken to Nanna's chamber, Gevar wisely ensured that several servants were in attendance, just in case Balder could be less subtle in his plans. Balder inspected his intended, imagining her naked beneath her heavy gown. He was eager to bed this girl who was tormenting him so, and was beginning to find all this talk of marriage tiresome. 'I have spoken to you father. I am going to marry you.'
'He has agreed?' Nanna asked uneasily.
'He will.'
'But I don't want to marry you.'
'Why ever not?' Balder demanded.
'Well.' Nanna thought quickly 'Er, well, you are the son of a god, and I am just a mortal woman, it wouldn't be right.'
'What do you mean 'wouldn't be right?'' Balder demanded.
'We are different, no match between us could ever work. Would you remain faithful to me when I grow old and grey?'
'What nonsense.'
'And when you were conceived. Was Odin faithful to his wife? Or was he faithful to his lover?'
Balder scowled, 'You will be mine.' and stormed out of Gevar's hall.
******
Balder appealed to his father for assistance in his wooing of the reluctant Nanna, and Odin promised to support Balder's fleet which was gathering near Jutland. The warfather dismissed his Valkyries to summon all the gods and goddesses to his council chamber. The servants of Valhall hurriedly swept dead leaves and cobwebs from the hall of Gladsheim. The goddesses of Friendly Hall, the folk of Bilskirnir, Frigga and her maids from Marsh Hall, the Vanir from Folkvang gathered on the benches, some grumbling that the were not meeting in the dappled sunlight beneath the World Tree where the gods normally held council. Odin made a grand entrance in glittering battle armour and settled himself with pride on the gilded high seat. 'We have a battle to fight.' He announced. 'One of our kin, my beloved son Balder, is challenged by King Gevar and his foster son Hoder. I have promised our assistance for Balder's fleet massing near Jutland.'
'In case it has escaped your attention.' Freya spoke coldly 'I am supporting Nanna's wishes in this matter. She does NOT want to marry your son.'
'Nanna?' Odin replied 'What is one mortal woman to you? I am concerned about my blood child. Balder clearly takes precedence over any petty promises you have made to the Middle Earth riff raff.'
Freya stared at the Wargod, shaking in anger, and for once a loss for words.
'Well,' scowled Frey, 'your mighty fleet will be missing Skidbladnir, I will not support this enterprise.'
'But you must.' Odin demanded 'You are all sworn to help protect your divine kin, and Balder should be counted among us.'
'Huh,' Thor scowled 'Remind me to drag you all to council next time one of my Outland half blooded brats gets declined in marriage.'
'I am not talking about some filthy trollwife's bellyfull, this is an entirely different matter!' Odin retorted.
'Is it, indeed?' Loki muttered.
'You will help Balder to win this battle. I call upon your oath, the oath of peace between Aesir and Vanir.' Odin crashed his fist down on the arm of his throne 'You will help!'
'Well if you insist' Thor replied reluctantly 'I suppose the Seabear could be made ready.' The thundergod turned his back to Odin and winked at the Vanadis. 'Freya, won't you reconsider? When Asgard rises to fight, its battle goddess should steady the sheildwall.'
'I will consider it Thor' Freya replied, she stood, straightened her skirts, glared at Odin and strode out of the council chamber.
******
The gods assembled two warships to meet Gevar's army. There was Frey's falcon prowed Skidbladnir, and Thor's battleship Seabear. Odin, Balder, Tyr and their warriors boarded Skidbladnir with Frey as captain of his own vessel. The battle trained warriors of Thor's household with Freya beside them rode Seabear with Thialfi at the helm. 'Now don't forget,' Thor reminded Magni, Modi, Loki and Thrud 'this has got to look convincing, but we don't want to harm Gevar's men in any way.'
'And how in Hel's name are we going to achieve that?' Loki retorted. 'Are you just going to tap them lightly with Mjolnir and send them on their way?'
Thor looked down and patted his belt 'Opps! I knew I forgot to bring something.' He smiled sheepishly 'I'll make a list next time.'
Loki stared, then laughed loudly, 'Long list! Item one hammer, item two brain!' and clung desperately to the gunwale as Thor's jovial nudge nearly threw him over the side.
As the warships of the two armies closed together a clamorous cheering and jeering arose from the warriors on the Seabear. Thor's ship surged ahead and crashed against Gevar's leading vessel. The thundergod leapt over the gunwale and whirled a wooden cudgel at Balder's retreating foes. Shields and helmets shattered in his weapon's wake and only Hother with his elf forged armour could stand against him. The gods' advance came to a sudden halt when the sword Mimming sliced through Thor's club. The warriors of Bilskirnir made a hasty retreat and Thialfi turned Seabear away from Gevar's battleship. Likewise Frey hauled on the steering oar turning his own ship about.
Odin and Balder howled in disbelief and outrage. 'I am not tangling with any man who can best Thor in combat.' Frey explained calmly. 'You coward!'
Balder screamed 'Turn back.' Odin glared at Njord's son and added his own command.
'This ship is not yours to risk, nor yours to command.' Frey replied coldly 'I will not attack Gevar's fleet without the support of the Seabear.'
******
Gevar and Hoder celebrated their victory with an elaborate wedding feast. Balder plotted to destroy the king and his foster son for good but his strength was sapped from lost sleep. Every night he would dream of the beautiful Nanna. His thoughts trailed back to that fateful day he had seen her bathing. The girl was joyful and totally unaware of his presence. The sun glinted off water drops which traced the curves of her breasts and thighs. In his lust for the girl he imagined what he had never seen. The hateful man would come, Hoder, naked with his manhood hard and proud, splashing through the pool to embrace her. Balder would watch helplessly as his enemy kissed her lips, suckled at her breasts and caressed her between her legs. Balder would wake in lonely misery, his bed soaked with his seed.
Then one night Balder had a different dream. He saw a cloaked woman walking towards him with the sun behind her, hair streaming about her shoulders, she came forward until she stood before him, her features deep in shadow. 'Who are you?' asked Balder.
The woman replied in a hoarse whisper 'I am your wife to be.'
'No. My wife will be Nanna, you are not her.'
The woman pushed back her cloak letting it fall to the ground, and turned so that the light of the setting sun fell on her naked body. Maggots shone white in shriveled blue flesh. It was Hel the death goddess, she reached out to embrace him saying 'Kiss me husband.' Balder screamed, and kept screaming.
Balder's illness sapped the morale of his men and the war went badly against him. Hoder ambushed Balder's camp and fought his foe. The sword of Mimming claimed the blood of Odin's kin. In distant Valhall, the warfather screamed oaths of vengence.
******
Balder woke on a bed almost overwhelmed by the smell of stale decay. The blankets were damp rags speckled with mildew and black rot. 'Where am I?' He demanded.
'You have come home husband.' A woman's voice. A hoarse whispering woman's voice.
'No.' said Balder, fear striking him like a knife 'No!'
She came in front of him and he stared at her, his nightmare made flesh and blood. One whole side of her body was rotten, shrivelled, dry and crawling with worms. 'You are in my kingdom now.' she said 'I am your queen.'
'No.' Balder sobbed.
'You must kiss me, as payment for your protection and your keep. And you will be my husband.'
'Never.'
Kiss me, Odinson, or I will kiss you, and that you truly will not like.'
'No!'
The Hel queen climbed onto the bed and ripped the foul blankets away, Balder tried to strike her aside but she was stronger and blocked his wild blows easily. Pinning his arms she bent to kiss him and pushed her withered and mould encrusted tongue into his mouth. Frozen still by Hela's magic Balder watched in horror as she called his blood into his manhood and sat astride it, she caught his hand and pressed it to the underside of her dry withered breast, hundreds of maggots squirmed against his fingers, his manhood was rasped by her dry flesh. The death goddess tired of her sport and left Balder weeping in self pity. She pulled aside a damp and threadbare tapestry and opened the door behind it, leaving the bedchamber behind. The light of the underworld sun blazed around her and she welcomed the emerald grass and fragrant flowers. She ran her fingers across her now perfect body with a knowing smile. 'He'll learn,' she laughed 'he'll learn!'
******
Freya called a carefully chosen number of gods and goddesses to an informal meeting at her hall of Sessrumnir. All the Vanir of Asgard were there with Heimdall and Thor's household representing the Aesir. 'You know why I have called you here.' Freya began 'Odin's disregard for Hother and Nanna and unjustified desire for vengeance is frustrating us all. Hother and Nanna belong together. Balder has already paid the penalty for trying to force himself on the girl. Odin's selfishness will break her heart. I cannot allow any friend of mine to suffer so when it is my power to prevent such torment.'
'That is all very well but how are you going to stop him?' asked Heimdall.
'He is not listening to us, he's gone all stubborn.' added Frey.
'You could tie him up until they die of old age.' Loki suggested.
'Don't tempt me.' Freya replied. 'There must be a better way than that.'
Loki considered, 'With the sword Mimming and that armour you gave him, Hother is near invulnerable, if Odin could be persuaded that some complex chain of events is required to defeat him, which we could engineer to be impossible, he would give up and leave Hother and Nanna in peace.'
'That is worth a try.' Freya agreed 'Even now he is out questioning the sorcerers and witches of Midgard. Can you arrange this?'
'Oh yes.'
'But what will you tell him to do?'
'I will tell him that he needs to beget a child with princess Rinda of the Rutenians.'
'Ugh! Her,' Frey groaned 'the girl's as arrogant as they come.'
'And she hates older men.' Njord muttered.
'Exactly!' Loki answered triumphantly. He turned to Sif 'Will it work do you think, can you see?'
'I cannot see the outcome,' Sif replied, 'only the possible results. At worst he could rape the girl, what would you do then?'
'He had better not.' Freya replied.
*********
With renewed sense of purpose Odin set out for the Kingdom of the Rutenians. His chance meeting with the Finnish seer Hrossthjofr had been most fruitful and he had felt truth in the old Fin's words. Not wishing to reveal his identity Odin adopted the clothing and manner of veteran warrior and pulled a brimmed hat down over his missing eye. At the Rutenian royal court he requested lodgings and impressed the gathering greatly with tales of action he had seen in his career. The king was greatly taken by his guest who was clearly both wise and skilled in the speech of the ale hall, and he gave Odin a position as military adviser.
Before long Odin was honoured with a seat at the kings own table and hoped to attract the attention of Rinda. The haughty princess scarcely noticed her father's new favourite, she had eyes only for young handsome men of generous means. As time passed Odin led numerous successful campaigns for the King, and gained a reputation for great strength and courage, even for winning battles almost single handed. Every warrior of the king's hall held him in the highest regard and the king himself considered him the dearest of his friends. Odin told the king of his love for Rinda and the delighted King gave his blessing to their union.
Odin took Rinda aside, told the girl that she was to be his wife and made to kiss her.
Horrified, Rinda slapped him hard 'Don't touch me!' she screamed 'You foul old man, you disgust me!' slamming the door to her private chambers behind her. Humiliated Odin left the court and decided to try a different ploy.
Thus he adopted the guise of a bronze smith and set up a stall in the town selling wares of unusual beauty. Soon the King came to hear of the bronze worker's skill and invited him to the court. The king gave him gold and asked the smith to make ornaments for his wife and daughter. Odin attended Rinda at her bedside and asked her what jewels she desired. Proud and vain, Rinda was absorbed by the goldwork and gave great consideration to her requirements, but paid no attention to greying one eyed smith. As each piece was completed Odin brought the arm rings and brooches to the maiden for her to see. When all the jewels were completed Rinda wanted to wear them straight away and Odin helped her to pin them to her gown. Encouraged by her interest he slipped a hand beneath her shift and stroked her bosom. Rinda turned wild, screaming and cursing. To emphasis her contempt she crowned her would be suitor with the night bucket.
Drawn by the commotion the king came to enquire what was amiss. Rinda complained bitterly of the smith's advances. The king was puzzled 'Why do you decline all these worthy men, first my invaluable general who you have driven away with your scorn and now this skilled merchant whose work so delights you.'
'Worthy?' Rinda spat. 'The men you speak of are ancient, wrinkled creatures, past their prime for a woman thrice my age.'
'Rinda!' her father replied angrily 'You should respect your father's wishes in this matter, I consider the smith to be a good match for you.'
'But father,' the girl pleaded 'how could you think to marry me so young to a man so advanced in years. I have been a woman only five seasons, I could not consider any match until I have seen fifteen summers.'
'Very well Rinda' her father agreed reluctantly, 'We will say no more on the matter until the Spring. And then you will obey me.'
Odin frowned, he would not get far without the fathers blessing, and the king had safeguarded the girl for the next nine months from his desire. As he walked from the chamber, as calmly as he could with the girls scorn ringing in his ears and her soil clinging to his hair, he touched her with a rune craved stave.
The next day Odin dressed himself in woman's clothes and covered his distinctive head and beard with a veil. He took the name Vecha and offered his services in the town as a midwife, healer and magic worker. The witch woman's presence was reported to the king and he asked the Vecha to come to his hall. The king was most distraught, his daughter had been struck by fits and was writhing and thrashing, crying out that she was plagued by all manner of invisible creatures. The town's healers had failed to help her and Vecha was taken immediately to her chamber.
The witch woman declared that the girl's spirit was being attacked by the daughters of trolls and dark elves. She could be cured but she would have to take a medicine so bitter that she would need to be tied down while she drank it, and no one should be present for the trollwifes would be sure torment another victim once the girl was denied them. Eager for his daughter's recovery, king had her tied down to her bed frame and Vecha was left alone with her. With the girl alone and helpless Odin lost no time raising her gown and filling her belly with his seed.
Odin left the royal court then and made all haste for Asgard having been many months away. Shame fell on the Ruterian court, the princess had no father for her bastard child.
******
Odin's triumph was dashed when he arrived at the gate of Asgard to find the gods and goddesses blocking his path. Freya stood before them, her eyes flashing with anger. The chariot cats clawed the ground either side of her, hair-raised and spitting. 'You are not welcome here,' the Vanadis said coldly 'you work against us.'
'Stand aside!' Odin demanded 'I command here, it is my place to say who is welcome and who is not.'
Several gods muttered loud denials, Heimdal gestured for silence. 'We stand on my realm, the ground between the wall and the bridge that was gifted to me by the council of old Asgard, if any have authority here it is I. And if these worthy gods see fit to bar you from my gate I will support them. Freya, what charge do you make against the Warfather?'
'Odin has supported a match between Nanna and Balder, unwanted by both the girl and her kin. The union of Nanna and Hoder was desired by themselves, their kinfolk, myself and the goddesses of Friendly Hall. Odin has striven hard to destroy any life they could have together.'
'I was avenging the death of my son.' Odin growled.
'Your son wrought his own death,' Sif retorted 'through his unbridled greed.'
Odin glared at Thor's wife 'Greed? He wanted only for a wife, hardly an unreasonable requirement.'
'Furthermore,' Freya pressed ignoring the Warfather's protest 'I accuse you of the rape of the maiden Rinda.'
'What is to be done with this wretch?' asked Heimdal.
'Let him be cast out.' Freya replied 'He should not seek to return until this sorry situation has run its course.'
She turned her back on the Warfather and strode angrily back towards her estate with her cats pacing beside her. Odin stood his ground, his flashing eyes challenging the remaining gods and goddesses, but they returned his gaze resolutely. Heimdal gestured towards the bridge with his spear. Furious, Odin strode away, muttering foul words.
******
Rinda named her child Bo and hated him. She blamed the child for her fall from favour at the royal court and for his father's crimes. The other children mocked him and called him Bastard Bo. Unloved and ridiculed he learnt how to fight hard and well, taking great satisfaction in overcoming his taunters. After years of wandering and now in the rags of a travelling shaman, Odin returned to the court of the Rutenians. He sought Bo's company and won the boy's respect with his military knowledge. He told Bo tales of his son Balder and lamented as to how he had been treacherously slain. Bo's blood warmed to these accounts until he vowed vengeance for the son of his new found friend. Odin praised his decision, saying that it was far better to fight for a good cause than simply the pleasure of killing.
And so young Bo travelled to Hoder's hall and challenged him to single combat. Disliking the youngster's manner Hoder accepted. A cloak was stretched out on the close cropped grass of the meadow to mark the duelling ground and folk from all around gathered to watch the fight. In their private chambers, Nanna buckled the sword belt around her husbands waist and embraced him. They were both startled by a voice behind them and turned. The spirit Mardoll stood there, her beauty glowing in the darkness of the room but her features were filled with sorrow. She spoke 'Hoder, I have protected you and guided you, but I can no longer keep you safe in Middle Earth. Bo is sent by Odin and there will be war between the gods if I oppose him further. It is time for you to move on to the other place where your ancestors raise their drinking cups in joy and their hearts in song. Nanna, know that I honour your friendship, and whenever you need its shelter, the land of the Vans will always be open to you.'
The goddess vanished leaving the scent of flowers in the room. Nanna gasped between fast flowing tears 'That was Freya! My beloved must I lose you?'
Hoder held her tightly and smiled 'I think she promised that we will never be apart.'
Hoder and Bo met at the holmgang. No words were exchanged and the weapons clashed furiously, their ring echoing round the farm buildings. Hoder saw the ghostly forms of the goddesses Mist and Thrud riding above him chanting runes of power and at that moment the sword of Mimming shattered. Bo shouted with glee and plunged his blade into Hoder's heart.
Many of the gods of Asgard were there at Hoder's funeral. Nanna had taken her own life and had been lain out beside her husband. Thor was there to bless the pyre with Frey and Freya to sing the sacred songs that would send the couple's spirits to the safety of Alfheim. Hoder and Nanna now dwell happily among the elves, far from the influence of Odin.
(This version of the tale of Balder is from Saxo Gramaticus, an early Danish historian. He says that Hoder was assisted by three maidens, reminiscent of Norns or protective goddess. For the purposes of this story I have drawn Freya into the role of Hoder's protector. Odin's exile is in the original story. Thor's 'club' is broken in Saxo's version. Saxo is very derogatory about the old heathen gods so it is unclearly how much is based on spite and how much on heathen belief.
If any enthusiast on the Norse myths has not read the History of the Danes I would heartily recommend reading the chapter on Balder and Hoder, it is very detailed and an important source of the legends which is often overlooked.)