of the gods were gone to the Peacestead-a broad, green plain which lay just outside the city. This was

he Peacestead was, that no angry blow should be struck, or spiteful word spoken, upon the sacred field

way and shut himself up in his palace of Gladsheim. But when he was gone, Loki came into t

lly swung his great hammer at his head. "Well," said Loki to himself, "if this is the sport of Asgard, what must that of J?tunheim be? I wonder what Father Odin and Mother Frigga would say if they were here?" But as Loki still looked, he became even more surprised, for the sport went on, and Baldur was not hurt. Arrows aimed at his very heart glanced back again untinged with blood. The stones fell down from his broad, bright brow, and l

nd voice of Frigga, an

rystal floor, she got up with true queenliness and met her halfway, holding out her hand and saying in the kin

answered Loki in a trem

anything of the gods," as

by the Peacestead a

ere the

ng at B

k with a pleased smile on her

red Loki, lookin

own and speaking half musingly to herself; "for

erly; "what is that you say?

e, which grows, you know, on the west side of Valhalla, and to w

ought Loki, and

gga, stretching out her hand and looking

obbled out at the door, which clapped after him, and sent a cold gust into the room.

his knife and cut off a large bunch, saying these words, "Too young for Frigga's oaths, but not too weak for Loki's work." After which he set off for the Peacestead once more

with his head bent downwards, silent while the others were speaking, doing nothing when they were most eager; and Loki thought that there was a discontent

said he. "Why don't you throw something at Baldur? Hew at

u know as well as I do, Loki, that Father Odin does not approve of my w

a twig of mistletoe here which I'll lend you if you like; a harmless little twig enough, but I shall be happy

d H?dur, stretching o

d Loki, giving him the twig. "Now, as har

and the shadow of death