Folksburywoods Story Blog

Part One of a two-part Christmas treat.

“I know it still exists, and I shall find the old Christmas magic and prove you wrong,” shouted the young man as he stormed from the building.

Klause Kringle was the youngest son of the village Bergmeister and, like his father, was as stubborn as they came. “He’s a fool on a fool’s errand and will get himself killed out in the wilderness,” grumbled his aging father.

“The apple did not fall far from the tree, my dear. Klause has your wits. He will be fine, and you and I know not even Mother Nature could stop him now,” said Mrs. Kringle with a wry smile.

The following morning, Klause packed cheese, bread, and a small flask of brandy, then kissed his mother goodbye. By midday, he had made his way deep into the northern woods, and that’s when he began to notice the local animals began to follow him.

“I’m afraid I have no treats, my friends, but you are welcome to walk with me as long as you like,” the young man remarked. The sun sets early during winter, which means finding shelter before nightfall.

Seeing no hope of discovering a cabin, Klause constructed a lend-to and built a fire as the sun dropped below the horizon. “How strange that these animals should remain by my side,” said the traveler.

As the man tended the fire, his eyes grew weary, and soon, he slipped into exhausted sleep. “Wake up, wake up, or you will freeze,” a voice said in Klause’s dreams. The young man awoke with a start, and to his surprise, a large hare sat beside him, pawing his face.

“Thank heaven you woke me, or I would have frozen in my sleep,” said Klause as he added fresh kindling. Once the fire was rebuilt, Kluase removed his food and ate.

“Here, my friend, you deserve this for saving my life,” remarked the man, handing the hare a chunk of his bread.

“You should be more careful about allowing the fire to go out. The old Christmas magic needs you, and we need you too,” spoke the hare.

“By the gods, I have gone mad. Did you speak to me and tell me I am needed?” Klause asked in shock.

“Yes, I spoke. We animals can speak. We don’t talk to humans since they have nothing interesting to say. I’m Templeton, and the fawn is Vanessa,” replied the hare.

Templeton explained that Mother Nature had sent them to guide and protect him until he reached Winterpalais, the Ice Queen’s home, where he would be instructed on returning the old magic of Christmas.

“How do you all know about my desire to return the old ways to the people,” questioned Klause.

“The spirits and beasts of the North have been waiting millennia for the one who will restore balance to the season of darkness. You might say we were counting on you to show up soon,” replied the hare.

“Then I shall do my best to listen to the Ice Queen and honor Mother Nature’s wish to restore what was and should be again,” assured Klaus to his new friends.

The following day, the party went through a hidden valley to the far side of Svalbard, where the north Queen’s palace of ice stood.

“My goodness, how it shines in the midday sun. It sparkles as if the castle is made of diamonds,” exclaimed Klause.

“Greetings, Klause. We have waited so long for the prophecy to be fulfilled, and now we have much work to do before word of your arrival reaches the dark ones at the pole,” said the Queen as she hurried the group into the safety of her castle.

Queen Nöje explained that the Lögnare were creatures of pure darkness who lived at the North Pole. For eons, they attempted to destroy the old magic of Christmas, which held them in their frozen prison beneath the pole.

Klause’s heart was pure enough to go there, destroy the Lögnare, and restore the balance to the land once again. “Me, fight monsters. I think you have got the wrong Kringle. My father is the fighter,” stuttered the young man.

“Dear Klause, you have more power than you know, and when the time comes, you will shine as bright as ten thousand suns. Fear not, Templeton will accompany you on your journey to ensure you are not harmed,” explains the Queen.

Looking the hare straight in the eye, Klause asked, “I hope you are some sort of magical wizard who throws fireballs, or else we’re both doomed.”

Templeton winked at the Queen, turned to Klause, and said, “Something like that, but let’s just get you there and back in one piece, shall we.”

The following day, Klause and Templeton bid farewell to Queen Nöje, then made their way to the northern mountains, which would lead them to the North Pole.

“Templeton, I’m afraid you all have made a huge mistake in choosing me to be your champion. I’m not sure I can do what is asked of me,” remarked Kluase.

“Christmas Man, I would not be here ready to risk my life if I doubted Queen Nöje or Mother Nature. Besides, you will know soon enough. Tomorrow, we reach the pole.

The travelers pressed on in silence, focused on the task before them rather than discussing the unknowable. Tomorrow would answer everyone’s hopes and fears.