The children of Odin - Germanic Mythology

THE WITCH'S HEART 195
of the mark. In the midst of all that glee and gamesomeness
it was strange to see one standing joyless. But one stood so,
and he was of the iEsir — Hodur, Baldur's blind brother.
"Why do you not enter the game?" said Loki to him in his
changed voice.
"I have no missile to throw at Baldur," Hodur said.
"Take this and throw it," said Loki. "It is a twig of the
Mistletoe."
"I cannot see to throw it," said Hodur.
"I wiU guide your hand," said Loki. He put the twig of
Mistletoe in Hodur's hand and he guided the hand for the
throw. The twig flew towards Baldur. It struck him on the
breast and it pierced him. Then Baldur fell down with a deep
groan.
The ^sir and the Vanir, the Dwarfs and the friendly Giants,
stood still in doubt and fear and amazement. Loki slipped
away. And blind Hodur, from whose hand the twig of Mistletoe
had gone, stood quiet, not knowing that his throw had bereft
Baldur of life.
Then a wailing rose around the Peace Stead. It was from the
Asyniur and the Vana. Baldur was dead, and they began to
lament him. And while they were lamenting him, the beloved
of Asgard, Odin came amongst them.
"Hela has won our Baldur from us," Odin said to Frigga as
they both bent over the body of their beloved son.
"Nay, I will not say it," Frigga said.