But who is Lady Hel from Norse myth?
Hel is the ruler of the Norse underworld Helheim, also called Hel. However, it should not be understood as the Christian Hell with fire and brimstone, for Helheim is a cold place. It’s not a place of torment either, but a place where the old, and those who die from sickness go (as well as the god Baldr).
In the older text, not much is said about Hel except that she is beautiful on half of her body, and the other half is either black or blue and depicts death.
She is one of the three children to Loki and the giantress Angrboða (her siblings include the Midgard Serpent and Fenrir, the wolf).
It is said that she became the ruler of Helheim as Odin gave her the position. Not until later do we learn more about who she is — for when Baldr is killed by his brother and goes to Hel, the other gods mourn for him and wish his return. Lady Hel says this will only happen if all of the world grieves for him. All did, except one lone woman– who was Loki in disguise — and this made it that Baldr must remain in Helheim until after Ragnarok, when he will return.
So, for this story, I wanted to tell more about this complex character and often villain.
She’s been so much fun to write that I can’t wait to see where she takes me next — she just might get her own series.
Blurb:
She’s the ruler of Hel. She shouldn’t need anyone until a curse forces her to look for him.
Lady Hel, the ruler of Helheim, is cursed for disobeying Odin’s order. Stripped of her position, she’s imprisoned in Midgard on an ostentatious estate until she is able to find love. Unfortunately, Lady Hel has never had luck or use for love.
Harley Andersen is a seven-year college senior with no idea what to do with his life. So far all he’s come up with is killing time. When his best friend dares him to hop the gate of what’s supposed be a haunted house, he encounters a woman who steals a lot more than his breath. And what she’s offering could give him the future he’s missing. It’ll just require a trip to the past.
Download your copy of Hellish and start the Hell Chronicles Series.
