Hermod
;)
in Germanic mythology, was the son of Odin and Frigg, and brother of Balder. Rather like the Greek god Hermes and the Roman Mercury, he acted as a divine messenger. Hermod also shared these gods interest in the dead, for it was he who was sent to Hel after Balder's death to ask for his brother's release. He rode there on Odin's famous horse, the eight-legged Sleipnir. When Hel refused to let Balder go until everything wept for him, Hermod was allowed to take back to Asgard the arm-ring which Odin had fastened to Balder's body as a memento.
Hermod nearly met his own death on a journey to Midgard, the land of men. He was sent there by Odin to consult a Finn named Rossthiof about his worries concerning the future. He was saved by magic, however, and returned to reassure his father as best he could.