Norse Mythology

Balder, Odin’s second son, is “the wisest, the mildest, the most eloquent of all the Aesir” and is beloved by all (231). He is a wise judge. He has incredibly happy life—except for his frequent, disturbing dreams about the end of the world. These dreams disturb the other gods; Oden sets out to discover what they mean.

In his search, Odin hears of a dead old woman who could decipher dreams. At her grave, Oden conjures the woman from Hel. She tells him that the dead are preparing for Balder, as well as who will kill him, who will avenge him, and who would mourn him. She recognizes him as Odin, and Odin realizes she is Angrboda, the giantess that birthed Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungundr.

Angrboda tells Odin to go home; nobody will visit her again until Loki escapes his bonds and Ragnarok ends everything. Odin leaves, puzzled. Loki is not yet bound.

Odin returns and tells his wife, Frigg, that Baldur’s dreams are real: There is someone who wants harm him. Frigg does not believe it; she travels out into the world, asking each thing if it means to do Baldur harm.