Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, while most are commended by brightness of beauty.

Nor do the brave inflict a shallower wound on maidens than the comely.
Now it befell that Balder the son of Odin was troubled at the sight of Nanna bathing, and was seized with boundless love.

He was kindled by her fair and lustrous body, and his heart was set on fire by her manifest beauty; for nothing exciteth passion like comeliness.

Therefore he resolved to slay with the sword Hother, who, he feared, was likeliest to baulk his wishes; so that his love, which brooked no postponement, might not be delayed in the enjoyment of its desire by any obstacle.
About this time Hother chanced, while hunting, to be led astray by a mist, and he came on a certain lodge in which were wood-maidens; and when they greeted him by his own name, he asked who they were.
They declared that it was their guidance and government that mainly determined the fortunes of war.

For they often invisibly took part in battles, and by their secret assistance won for their friends the coveted victories.