Nokken

by Mary E. Twomey

  When we were too weak to protest more than an irritated groan, Dad would read Shakespeare to us, with Mom acting out some of the parts so we understood what was going on. Linus liked to add in inappropriate sound effects. I liked to pretend I understood what the story was about. Linus and I would redirect the endings of the tragedies to be comedies, and the love stories to have dramatic soap opera twists of a surprise half-brother or something of that sort. I looked up at Charles and couldn’t help but think how funny Linus would find the dramatic twists in my new life.

  But he wasn’t here. He was lost without me, just as I felt lost without him. I stroked the small heart-shaped container of ashes on my necklace, letting the motion soothe me. Part of me was secretly hoping I might reunite with my mother on the other side, since Pesta apparently took her into Be after using my dad’s bones to construct her portal. Uncle Rick said it would be impossible to see her without losing my soul and forfeiting my right arm, but the lure was there. As horrific as it sounded, there was very little life for me here.

  Fourteen.

  Bjorn

  Nik was the only one with a smile when the nineteen-foot-tall giant dressed in tattered shorts and a brown knitted shawl came out of his cave to greet us. I was the shrimp amongst all the tall people as it was. To stand next to someone more than three times my height and several times my thickness made my heart pound.

  There was a conversation between Nik and the giant hunchbacked, but muscular, man. Then there was small talk involving pleasantries about the weather and town gossip. I’m sure his name was mentioned, but I was too entranced by his appearance. He looked sort of normal, but with slight alterations. His skin was tinged greenish, like he was sick or something. His back was shaped like an old man’s, but he appeared limber in his movements, and strong enough to lift an elephant. I expected him to speak like Andre the Giant, but he sounded sort of Swedish. His feet were bare and clubbed, with the green almost as dark as grass around his toes like a fungus. His hands were as long as my torso with fingers like crazy long bananas that were still green at the stems.

  The three kanins Foss and Jens had brought him as a gift now seemed like barely an appetizer. I picked up Henry Mancini and clutched him to my chest.

  Nik introduced me, but my mouth went dry. “H-Hello, sir.”

  “Are humans just skinny dwarves then?” Bjorn looked at me quizzically. “Prettier. Less filthy?”

  Nik answered for me, since apparently I’d grown unbearably shy. “Queen Lucy is the finest of her race, Bjorn. She’s been hand-picked by me for a top-secret mission.”

  This earned me an appreciative nod. He moved surprisingly quickly for someone so large and oddly shaped.

  Nik lowered his voice in a gentle scold, “And remember our little talk on making personal remarks? Very uncivilized.”

  Bjorn stood straighter, chagrinned. “A thousand apologies, Queen Lucy.” He bowed and almost knocked Tor over with the movement.

  I waved off his apology with a shaky hand. “No problem. This is a lovely place you have here. I mean, these are the best trees I’ve seen in a while.” It was meant as polite conversation, but it was also true. The trees on the other side of the path from the mountain were tall with thick trunks and knotted roots that looked like something out of a Tim Burton movie. The roots wound around each other, almost holding hands in nature’s snuggle.

  Nik placed his hand atop Bjorn’s, since that was the only place he could be reached. “Would you mind terribly if we passed through your territory along the path, old friend? We’re in a bit of a hurry.”

  Bjorn looked over his shoulder, and I could see a few of the trunks shifting slightly. Upon closer inspection, I saw some of the bark was not part of a tree at all, but it was worn as armor by a group of trolls who were too afraid to come greet us. It was kinda cute. “We’ll let you pass.” Bjorn held out a large hand to Uncle Rick, who looked amazingly small next to the man. “Alrik. I’ve heard of your adventures from Nik. Good to meet you.”

  “I’m sure the pleasure is mine. I’m afraid Nik’s been keeping us quite busy on his errand. He’s very wise. A pleasure to be chosen for his journey, and a pleasure to be led to your land. Two pleasures in one visit. I’m a fortunate elf, indeed.” Uncle Rick’s gracious diplomacy was a beautiful thing to watch in action.

  Bjorn grinned, revealing his good nature and about five missing teeth. “Does your secret mission have to do with those elk I showed you, Nik?” Then he turned to Uncle Rick. “Nik didn’t believe me at first.”

  “Yes, well, Nik’s logic knows no bounds. Yes. We’re examining all sorts of animals with souls implanted in them.” Uncle Rick turned to us. “Nik told me of an alleged Were-elk Bjorn discovered in these very mountains.” He gave Bjorn and Nik a sweeping bow.

  Nik slapped Bjorn on the lower back in camaraderie. “Thank you for letting us pass by your river and saving us a trip up in the mountains. We plan on taking your news of the Were-elk to the Nøkken, now that we have enough proof. ”

  Bjorn nodded. “Nik, do you think it wise to take the women with you by the river?” He looked at Britta and me warily. “That seems like playing with fire.”

  Nik nodded. “We’re in a bit of a hurry. We’ll be careful with them.”

  Bjorn wrung his hands together and lowered his voice. “We’ve been getting trouble from our neighbors to the north.” He pointed up the mountain to an opening several stories above. “Nik, I was hoping maybe you could reason with them.”

  Nik swallowed. “I can certainly do that. Could it wait until next week? We’re a bit pressed for time. Top-secret mission and all.”

  Bjorn’s hand went over his heart, looking like an old lady. “Oh, goodness. Of course. It can wait. Just a little territory dispute. They don’t like us using the path, but I’m sure they won’t mind that you use it. Just please be careful when you’re passing by the river. There’ve been more of the Nøkkendalig since the jailbreak last week.”

  “Jailbreak?” Nik asked, clearly not in the know. “Who escaped?”

  “Most of the Nøkkendalig. That’s what I was trying to tell you. None of your people have come to wrangle them back up. They’re just turning their heads and ignoring the problem. I’d watch this one and the other very closely, if I were you.”

  I was very aware of Britta’s gasp and her fist clenching the garment over her breasts.

  “What are the Nøkkendalig?” I inquired, my voice still mousy. “And what would they want with me and Britt?”

  Bjorn looked at me like I had just asked him who the Beatles were.

  Nik’s voice was grave as he spoke. “Each of the Undraland races received a curse when Pesta was locked away in Be. The group of Nøkken warriors who helped put her away bear her curse, and pass it onto their children. Nøkken are great swimmers, but the Nøkkendalig were forced to live underwater. They’ve become a gang of anarchists who operate outside the law. Some say they work for Pesta, making life so unbearable that young women flock to Be as soon as they come of age.”

  Bjorn smiled sadly. “And they want what any evil man wants from a pretty young woman.”

  Gross.

  My palms began to sweat, and I made my way nearer to Jens, disregarding our fight.

  His arm banded around my shoulders, keeping me close without conveying any of his fears.

  “Why are there always rapists?” I whispered while Nik and Bjorn conversed about the best way to get through to Nøkken. “I mean, seriously. Shouldn’t all societies have evolved past that by now?”

  Jens kissed my temple. “Why you ever worry about anything when I’m around is beyond me. I’ve got you.”

  I wanted to run and hide, but with evil giants above, evil golden boars behind, and the evil Nøkkendalig ahead, there weren’t many good places to go. I inched Mace to stand in front of me, and he postured.

  Bjorn pointed his enormous finger up the mountain. “Be careful of the Northerners. They probably won’t attack you, but best not test it, all the
same. They’re not civilized.”

  I gulped.

  Pleasantries were exchanged, bunnies were given, and the dangerous water-lined pathway to Nøkken was granted to us. I curtsied to Bjorn as I passed, still very nervous he might accidentally crush me with his giant hands.

  Fifteen.

  An Afternoon of Troll-Slaying

  It was understood that there would be no talking when we left the cluster of trees Bjorn claimed as his. I wanted to ask a million questions, but the atmosphere was too tense. Nik led the way with Tor along the brook, their swords unsheathed. Foss and Jamie walked on either side of the invisible Britta, while Jens and Charles flanked me, with Uncle Rick taking up the rear. Jens held my hand, turning us both invisible as we plodded forward on silent feet.

  Then it occurred to me: they were protecting us from the Nøkkendalig in the water and the mean trolls up in the mountain straight above us. I kept my eyes down on Henry Mancini and trudged forward, trying to think invisible thoughts.

  I checked in with Jamie, looking through his eyes to see that Britta was trembling. Every step she took was laced with fear. Charles was sweating. I hugged Henry Mancini tight as I walked down what felt like death row.

  Then it happened. A boulder the size of an elevator tumbled down the side of the mountain right for the head of the group. Britta screamed as Jamie yanked her aside while Foss and Nik scattered.

  “Now we’ve done it!” Nik shouted. “Can you get around?” he asked Jens, glancing at the narrow space of grass the elevator-sized boulder did not take up on the path.

  “We can, but she can’t. Too close to the water,” Jens ruled. “Up and over. Foss, you ready?”

  Before anyone consulted me, Jens handed Henry Mancini to Charles and then lifted me off the ground. “Climb over,” he ordered.

  I scrambled to hitch my leg on top of the rock, but another boulder the size of a sedan came pitching through the air right for me. I dropped back down next to Jens, who covered my body with his as the car shattered on the elevator. Rocks pelted him from the collision, but it didn’t seem to hurt him; it only pissed him off. His fist pounded into the ground next to my head. “That’s it!” Jens stood, machete drawn. “Foss, you with me?”

  “I’m already there. How many, Nik?”

  Nik was positively ashen. “Seven.”

  “Jens, no!” Britta screamed.

  Jens and Foss jumped up the mountain. I mean, literally jumped. I’d never seen anything so graceful and just, well, dangerous. Tiny crevices were preselected in their brains as they dashed up the mountain to the cave the boulders had launched from.

  My hands clawed at my face as I watched, afraid to look, but unable to look away. There was shouting. There was slashing. There was crashing. I was a ball of angst until Charles interrupted my anxiety. “We need to get to the other side of this boulder,” he reminded me. “Vanish her, Jamie! She shouldn’t be seen!”

  “Jamie! Take Henry Mancini,” I instructed as Charles placed my poor afraid puppy on top of the elevator-shaped rock.

  Jamie snatched him down and handed him off to Nik. “You’re next, Lucy.”

  Mace’s hands were on my hips, and he hoisted me up. This time I found my footing quickly, crawled over and jumped down into Jamie’s strong arms. Charles and Uncle Rick were thankfully able to climb up themselves and jump down. All we needed were the two warriors in the cave. I glanced behind me to make sure I wasn’t too near the water.

  “Lucy! Keep your head down. Eyes shut if you have to.” Jamie ordered, snatching up my hand so I disappeared.

  “What am I not supposed to look at? I have no idea what’s going on. Where are the Nøkkendalig?” My voice had that high-pitched squeaky quality it got whenever I was freaking out.

  A skeleton the size of Nik launched out of the cave above. It had been picked clean.

  Jamie hugged Britta’s head to his chest, burying her sobbing face in his shirt to hide her already invisible eyes. He gripped the back of my head and did the same to me.

  I reached out to Britta and squeezed her arm. “He’ll come back, Britta. Jens is crazy strong. It’ll be okay.” Though my words were meant to encourage, fear dampened any help they might do.

  It was twenty more harrowing minutes I willed my words to be true. I could feel Britta’s crazed fear, and it began to transfer to me. Jamie clutched us both tighter, burying our faces so deep in his chest, I was beginning to grow hot.

  Finally we heard slow movements descending down the mountain, and Jamie let out a gust of elation. “Are you well?” he called.

  Jens answered, “I’d be better if I could get a burger around here. I’m so sick of apples and rolls. Just you wait till we go to the Other Side. Chinese food all the way. I’m buying.”

  I could tell by his bravado that he was hurt, but trying to hide it. Britta struggled like a butterfly against Jamie and ran to the foot of the mountain to greet her brother. Jamie followed behind.

  Foss had been tossed around pretty good and bore the beginnings of several bruises. Jens looked about the same, but he’d also been knocked in the head, which he held through Britta’s examination. “We’ve got to get out of here,” he warned, standing up straight. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out the small pouch he kept around his neck. He took a pinch of the lavender powder inside and clamped it to his nose, inhaling it like medicine. “You need some?” he offered to Foss.

  “I’m not hurt, and I’m not a junkie,” Foss grumbled, nursing his side. “Let’s go. That last one was mostly dead, but I didn’t stick around to confirm it.” He limped forward and led the way down the narrow grassy path that ran between the river and the mountain.

  “Head down, Loos,” Jens commanded, grabbing my hand to turn me invisible. “But after we get through this, I’ll be wanting my hero’s kiss for saving your life there.”

  “Is that so? Well, if we get through all this, remind me of this exact moment. You can hold out till then, right?” I motioned to Britta, who was crying softly on Jamie’s shoulder. “Go hug her. She was shaking like a leaf waiting for you to come back. She loves you.”

  Jens pecked my cheek and trotted ahead to hug his sister and let her fawn over his wounds.

  It happened so fast, I didn’t have time to brace myself. I was a couple feet away from the water’s edge when a man’s slimy hand lunged out of the brook and grabbed hold of my ankle. I screamed as I was yanked off my feet and dragged under the water. The last thing I saw was Mace’s horrified expression as I slipped through his fingers.

  Sixteen.

  Nøkkendalig

  Despite the warmth of the sun, the water was ice cold, but that was not the thing I focused on. I was dragged several feet down toward the seemingly bottomless bottom of the river before I got a good look at my attackers. Seven men with white-blue hair like Nik’s surrounded me as I struggled fruitlessly against the grip on my ankle. One of them with a hooked nose and pierced ears pinched my nose as he held my thrashing head still. He covered his mouth with mine and filling my lungs with air so I could be awake for the whole degradation.

  I writhed and jerked my body around, but they closed in on me, limiting my movements.

  I caught a glimpse of Britta a few feet away, surrounded by her own group of cursed Nøkken men. She was screaming and struggling to free herself from them. She stabbed one with her knife, but there were so many more that crowded around her.

  Then I heard the singing. Deep, melodious voices boomed underwater, commanding us to stop struggling. Their power didn’t work on me, but I saw Britta go from fighting with her knife to floating between them like a lifeless doll.

  I screamed into the hook-nosed man’s mouth.

  The seven tall Nøkken men closed in on me, confused as to why I wasn’t going limp and making their depravity easier to indulge in. I felt my shirt lift up past my ribs, my flesh burning like sizzling steak where their slippery hands touched me. I tried to escape, but I knew I didn’t stand a chance. Hands grabbed me, groped a
t me and pulled at my limbs, burning as they touched. I screamed in the murky abyss to no avail. I’d never known fear as I did in that moment.

  The man who was singing turned to me and smiled as I struggled to keep my jeans from being parted from me.

  Then a white light filled the water throughout the entire brook. The only thing I saw was white, but I didn’t need sight to know which way was up. I pushed forward and felt around for Britta, panicking when I made my presence known to her attackers. I reached around and located her hand, but it was no good. I was pulled away from her by the vicious men just as I felt my lungs were about to burst.

  The water pressed in around me as the burning hands pulled me further under. I saw nothing, felt nothing, was nothing in that moment. As my shirt was removed from my body, I once again made peace with my life coming to an early end.

  Seventeen.

  Escape

  Hands were on me, pumping my sternum in earnest as water pushed itself out of my lungs and into Mace’s hand as if it had been summoned there.

  Nik’s wet hair was the first thing I saw, and then his worried face as he turned me on my side to cough up the rest of the fluid. People were talking to me, but I didn’t have it in me to answer. I simply laid there in my jeans and bra, curled up in the fetal position and watched as the world reintroduced itself to me. Jens was next to Jamie, who was coughing like he’d been the one dunked underwater. Uncle Rick was farther away, running a sopping wet Britta from the brook toward our destination as she wept.