find not one. Then, disguised as a fair
maiden, he went to Fensal Hall, where dwelt Balder's mother. The fair
Asa-queen was busy at her distaff, with her golden spindles, spinning
flax to be woven into fine linen for the gods. And her maid-servant,
Fulla of the flowing hair, sat on a stool beside her. When the queen saw
Loki, she asked,--

"Whence come you, fair stranger? and what favor would you ask of Odin's
wife?"

"I come," answered the disguised Loki, "from the plains of Ida, where
the gods meet for pleasant pastime, as well as to talk of the weightier
matters of their kingdom."

"And how do they while away their time to-day?" asked the queen.

"They have a pleasant game which they call Balder's Honor," was the
answer. "The shining hero stands before them as a target, and each one
tries his skill at hurling some weapon toward him. First Odin throws at
him the spear Gungner, which never before was known to miss its mark;
but it passes harmlessly over Balder's head. Then Thor takes up a huge
rock, and hurls it full at Balder's breast; but it turns in its course,
and will not smite the sun-bright target. Then Tyr seizes a battle-axe,
and strikes at Balder as though he would hew him down; but the keen edge
refuses to touch him: and in this way the Asa-folk show honor to the
best of their number."

The Asa-queen smiled in the glad pride of her mother-heart, and said,
"Yes, every thing shows honor to the best of Odin's sons; for neither
metal nor wood nor stone nor fire nor water will touch Balder to do him
harm."

"Is it true, then," asked Loki, "that every thing has made an oath to
you, and promised not to hurt your son?"

And the queen, not thinking what harm an unguarded word might do,
answered, "Every thing has promised, save a little feeble sprig that men
call the mistletoe. So small and weak it is, that I knew it could never
harm any one; and so I passed it by, and did not ask it to take the
oath."

Then Loki went out of Fensal Hall, and left the Asa-queen at her
spinning. And he walked briskly away, and paused not until he came to
the eastern side of Valhal, where, on the branches of an old oak, the
mistletoe grew. Rudely he tore the plant from its supporting branch, and
hid it under his cloak. Then he walked leisurely back to the place where
the Asa-folk were wont to meet in council.

The next day the Asas went out, as usual, to engage in pleasant pastimes
on the plains of Ida. When they had tired o