Niflhel



Niflhel or hellheim, is the kingdom of Hell, the world of darkness.

Background
Niflhel is the abode of Hel, a Goddess daughter of Loki, and the afterlife for her subjects—those who were not slain in combat.

Brynhildr, a shieldmaiden or valkyrie, whose corpse is burned and thus begins her journey to the Hel. On her way, she encounters a giant who accuses her of having blood on her hands. In response, Brynhildr tells the story of her life, defending herself and justifying her actions. She accuses the Burgundians of having deceived her. Brynhildr hopes to spend the afterlife together with Sigurd.

Odin, while alive, visited Hell upon his flying horse Sleipnir, an eight-legged steed. Odin places a saddle on Sleipnir and the two proceed to the location of Hell.

Hermóðr agreed to ride to Hell to offer a ransom for Baldr's return, and so "then Odin's horse Sleipnir was fetched and led forward."

The term Niflhel appears in works older than the word "Niflheim" or "Niflheimr". The term "Niflheim" appears only in the works of Christian Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, to mean "world of mist" or "world of fog".

Resources

 * https://berloga-workshop.com/blog/207-niflheim.html