hermodthebrave (hermodthebrave) wrote in history_dot_com, @ 2012-05-08 23:18:00 |
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Entry tags: | ~hel, ~hermod |
The Ninth Night [after the death of Baldr] (tag: Hel)
Hermod could not remember a time when he had been more tired or more terrified. He and Sleipnir had been riding for days. He had actually lost count of how many had passed. He had to do this, though, no matter how long it took. It was for his mother. And maybe a little bit for himself as well.
It all happened after one of his brothers killed the other. Hermod knew there was probably more to the story, Hod wouldn’t just kill Baldr like that without someone making him do it. But he couldn’t stay to hear the reasoning behind what had happened. His mother, Frigg, had asked for someone to go to see Hel and offer a ransom for Baldr. When no one else came forward, Hermod did. He would save his brother for all of Asgard.
He took his father’s best horse; the eight-legged Sleipnir and they rode for Niflheim. It was not the best ride he had ever taken with this horse, but they could handle it. He was the god of bravery after all. And that meant he could do this regardless of how scary it was. Sleipnir was really earning a big treat for this.
They had reached the Gjoll Bridge only to be told that they had missed Baldr and needed to go all the way to try to secure his release. It wasn’t long before the reached the gates to Hel. He stopped the horse and dismounted a little clumsily. Nine days in the saddle would do that to anyone.
“Okay, buddy,” he said, giving Sleipnir a pat on his neck. “This is it. One last huge jump and we’ll be inside. We’ll get Baldr out and give you a good rub down.”
Hermod tightened Sleipnir’s girth and remount his horse. He backed Sleipnir up a few paces and gave the gate a good, hard look. They could do this. He kicked Sleipnir’s ribs and the eight-legged steed ran full speed for the gate, jumping at the last second. They cleared the gate with inches to spare. He reined Sleipnir in as they reached Hel’s hall.
“I wonder if I should take you in with me,” he said. “She is your half sister, isn’t she?” He didn’t expect an answer from the horse, so he slid off his back and walked to the door. It would be rude to ride into someone else’s hall without permission.
Hermod knocked on the door and waited to be admitted.