Then Hermod rode forward till he came to the castle walls. These were
built of black marble; and the iron gate was barred and bolted, and none
who went in had ever yet come out. Hermod called loudly to the porter
to open the gate and let him in; but no one seemed to hear nor heed him,
for the words of the living are unknown in that place. Then he drew
the saddle-girths more tightly around the horse Sleipner, and urged him
forward. High up, the great horse leaped; and he sprang clear over the
gates, and landed at the open door of the great hall. Leaving his steed,
Hermod went boldly in; and there he found his brother Balder and the
faithful Nanna seated at the festal board, and honored as the most
worthy of all the guests. With Balder, Hermod staid until the night had
passed; and many were the pleasant words they spoke. When morning came,
Hermod went into the presence of Hela, and said,--

"O mighty queen! I come to ask a boon of thee. Balder the Good, whom
both gods and men loved, has been sent to dwell with thee here in thy
darksome house; and all the world weeps for him, and has donned the garb
of mourning, and cannot be consoled until his bright light shall shine
upon them again. And the gods have sent me, his brother, to ask thee to
let Balder ride back with me to Asgard, to his noble, sorrowing mother,
the Asa-queen; for then will hope live again in the hearts of men, and
happiness will return to the earth."

The Death-queen was silent for a moment; and then she said in a sad
voice, "Hardly can I believe that any being is so greatly loved by
things living and lifeless; for surely Balder is not more the friend of
earth than I am, and yet men love me not. But go thou back to Asgard;
and, if every thing shall weep for Balder, then I will send him to
you. But, if any thing shall refuse to weep, then I will keep him in my
halls."

So Hermod made ready to return home; and Balder gave him the ring
Draupner to carry to his father as a keepsake; and Nanna sent to the
queen-mother a rich carpet of purest green. Then the nimble messenger
mounted his horse, and rode swiftly back over the dark river, and
through the frowning valleys, until he at last reached Odin's halls.

When the Asa-folk learned upon what terms they might have Balder again
with them, they sent heralds all over the world to beseech every thing
to mourn for him. And men and beasts, and creeping things, and birds and
fishes, and trees and stones, and air a