Death of Balder

     The Norse goddess Frigga and her husband Odin were overjoyed when Frigga gave birth to her beloved son Balder. Balder grew strong and handsome, he was known as the god of Truth and Light, much admired and loved by the other Norse gods and goddesses. He grew to adulthood and married a vegetation goddess, their home became a haven where only truth could pass.
     When Balder began to have nightmares about his death his fellow gods took the dreams seriously and sought out the potential source of his demise. Frigga  traveled the nine worlds and asked every plant, creature, and inanimate object for its promise to never harm her son. In her journey she overlooked the small mistletoe plant, but it was a harmless little plant and Frigga saw little reason to worry. When she returned the gods began drinking in celebration and decided to test Balder's invincibility.
     Taking turns, each god threw first stones, then weapons at Balder. When they bounced off his body without harm it became sport. The trickster god, Loki, however was not amused at their games and went to Frigga in disguise. After much questioning, he discovered the mistletoe plant had been overlooked. Loki then fashioned a spear of the small plant and convinced Balder's blind brother, Hod, to take part in the festivities. Hod threw the missile at Loki's direction and it struck Balder, killing him immediately. The Norse gods were stunned. They built their greatest funeral pyre and mourned the god of Truth and Light, but sought Loki for his treachery.
     Loki hid from the other gods and continued his mischief. Hel, the goddess of Death, offered to return Balder if every thing in the nine worlds wept tears of grief for his death. The only holdout was the giantess Thok, Loki in disguise and Balder was kept in the realm of Death. Loki was eventually captured and punished: imprisoned in a cave with venom dripping on him until the end of days Ragnarok.