Hermod and Skirnir
Among various subordinate Æsir, who in their own right are
powerful
enough, but who virtually serve as retainers to the others, appear
Hermod
and Skirnir. Skirnir, Frey’s servant, has already been discussed.
Hermod is
the son of Odin, and bears the sobriquet, “the resolute”; he is
employed in
all sorts of errands and embassies. Odin himself presented his son
with
helmet and byrnie. Hermod is celebrated for his mission to Hel for
the
purpose of bringing Balder back again. It is Hermod and Bragi who
go forth
to meet Hakon the Good and to bid him welcome to Valhalla on
Odin’s
behalf.
Sources:
Peter
Andreas Munch: Norse Mythology: Legends of Gods
and Heroes. The American-Scandinavian Foundation, New
York. 1926, p. 25.
Rasmus B. Anderson (Ed.): The Elder Eddas of Saemund
Sigfusson and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson.
Norræna Society, London-New York. 1906.
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