Meet Loki, a god who was always up to something. He wasn't always naughty, but he did have some very unusual children! One was a giant wolf, another was a super-duper long sea serpent. And then there was Hel.

Hel was a bit different. When you looked at one side of her face, she was rosy and pretty, like a spring flower. But if you looked at the other side, it was pale and shadowy, like a winter evening.

Now, Odin, the king of all the gods, heard about Loki's children. He had a feeling they might cause a bit of a stir later on. So, he decided to give them all special places to be. He sent the big wolf to be watched carefully, and the sea serpent he tossed into the big ocean.

And for Hel? Odin said, "Hel, you look like you understand quiet and serious things. I have a special kingdom for you!"

So, Odin sent Hel down, down, down to a misty, shadowy land deep below the world of the living. This place was called Niflheim, or sometimes Helheim, after Hel herself! It was a very quiet place, and a bit chilly.

Hel became the queen of this land. Her job was to look after all the people who didn't die in big, brave battles, but who got old or sick and passed away quietly. They would all come to her kingdom.

Her big hall was called "Sleetcold," her plate was named "Hunger," and her knife was "Starvation." It sounds a bit gloomy, but Hel was a fair queen. She made sure everyone who came to her realm had a place. She wasn't mean or scary, just very serious about her important job.

One day, something very sad happened in Asgard, the land of the gods. Baldur, the kindest and most loved god, died and went to Hel's kingdom. Everyone was heartbroken! Baldur's brave brother, Hermod, rode his horse all the way down to Helheim.

He asked Queen Hel, "Please, can Baldur come back? Everyone misses him so much!"

Hel listened carefully, her two different-sided face thoughtful. She said, "If everyone and everything in all the worlds weeps for Baldur, then he can return."

So, messengers went everywhere! And almost everyone cried for Baldur – the gods, the humans, the animals, even the trees and rocks seemed to weep. But there was one grumpy old giantess (who was actually Loki in disguise!) who refused. "Let Hel keep what she has!" she grumbled.

And because not *everyone* cried, Baldur had to stay in Helheim. Hel was just following the rules of her kingdom.

So, Hel remained the Queen of the Underworld, a serious but fair ruler of her quiet, shadowy realm. She looked after all those who came to her, in the land where the sun didn't shine, doing her important job for all time.

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