Malin Falch ; Malin Falch (Illustratør) ; Therese Eide (Oversetter): The valley of trolls

NortHERN LIGHTS The valley of trolls

BY

Malin Falch

CONTENTS

page 5

PrologUE

page 11

CHAPTER ONE

page 45

CHAPTER TWO

page 69

CHAPTER THREE

page 95

CHAPTER FOUR

page 111

CHAPTER FIVE

page 129

CHAPTER SIX

page 158

AUTHOR’S AFTERWORD

page 159

SKETCHES

6

prologUE

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7

8

CHAPTER ONE

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Whoa, Stjerna!

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Aaah!

Sonja? What are you doing out here?

Oh, Mr. Hansen!

Phew! I’m so glad it’s just you …

I saw some weird tracks leading into the forest …

I think I saw a bear or something!

Oh, um, well …

Oh, you always had a wild imagination, Sonja.

There aren’t any bears in these woods.

But tell me, why are you riding around at a time like this?

15

It’s Stjerna’s fault.

She grows impatient if you don’t take her out once a day …

But shouldn’t you be getting ready for the ceremony?

Must be in less than two hours now!

Huh? No, three hours …

What?!

Oof, Stjerna!

Stop that!

Two hours. I’m going there myself!

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Mom will be furious!

Sorry, Stjerna!

We have to turn around!

See you there, Mr. Hansen!

But, uh … please don’t tell my mom you saw me here!

Ride safe, Sonja.

Hum …

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Sorry for the short trip, Stjerna ‌

I’ll sneak you an apple later!

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Oh …

Hi, mom!

…

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But Mom …

I promise! I didn’t know how late it was!

I had to take Stjerna out for her ride!

I do not want to hear it!

I told you yesterday that if you wanted to ride today, it had to be early!

I thought it was earlier, I swear!

You know Stjerna will be pulling the carriage, so she did not need a ride.

Pulling the carriage doesn’t count!

No more, Sonja!

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Uncle Matias and aunt Ella have arrived. You can say hello properly afterwards.

How do you manage to get this dirty out in the snow?

Mom!

Come on!

You have to take a bath.

Mph!

We have to be quick about it, Grandma and Grandpa will be here any minute.

They said they are bringing three cakes.

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Aunt Ella brought five ‌

Your grandparents are always trying to outdo everyone else.

They will probably bring more than I asked for.

We could give some of the leftovers to the neighbors ‌

At this rate we will end up with a cake for every guest!

Nora!

The door!

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Yes, dear?

Mother and father are here!

They’re asking where to put the cakes.

The kitchen is full … put them in the guest room!

I need to finish here with Sonja. I’ll be right down!

Ow! Mom, stop tugging!

Is it supposed to be this baggy?

Yes!

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Nora!

Oh, now what …

Sonja, put on your jewelry, I’ll be back in a minute!

Sigh!

Your father and your grandparents are ready; we have to go now if we want to make it!

Oh …

Sonja!

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You look beautiful!

Nonsense, Sonja.

I look dumb.

I wish I was as beautiful as you at my confirmation.

Your brooch is crooked.

These used to be your grandma’s.

She is going to love how you look in them.

Now come on.

Stjerna is waiting for us outside!

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… grandparents, uncles and aunts, sisters and brothers…

Five young adults sit before the eyes of God, ready to confirm their devotion and faith…

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…Remember then that He is with you, and as long as you believe, His presence will protect you…

… come forth and confirm your faith before God…

… Sonja Solberg.

Heavenly Father, we pray for Sonja.

Bless her future, protect her and guide her…

Peace be with you.

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Big smile!

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Look over here, honey!

Smile!

Congratulations!

33

Oh-

How lovely!

Thank you, auntie and uncle, it’s beautiful.

sonja? Which do you want to open next?

Mom, can I go and give Stjerna an apple? I promised her earlier!

But Sonja, dear, think of your bunad!

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Just open a few more, okay? Stjerna can wait until after the party.

Okay…

Oh … a dress?

Sonja, will you open my gift now?

Of course, Grandma.

It’s a nightgown. I made it myself!

Thank you Grandma.

It’s lovey…

Henrik!

Brother!

What a surprise! I thought you wouldn’t make it!

Haha, so did I.

Uncle Henrik!

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Sonja!

Oh my goshHuh- I didn’t I‘d still be able to do this!

Where have you been?

Mom said you wouldn’t show up!

Did you bring drawings?

Wow!

36

Where’d you go?

I went to Nordland, near Lofoten mostly.

That’s far! You haven’t been camping for six months, have you?

Has it really been that long?

You left in November. Where did you stay? Do you know anyone in Lofoten?

Nope, I camped out the whole time.

I think I could have guessed that…

These are wonderful.

Will you be turning them into paintings?

A few, I’ve got enough sketches to last for a while.

I came back to take care of a few things…

Uncle Henrik?

When you travel, next time... can I come with you?

Hm?

…and to attend the confirmation of my favorite niece!

Sonja…

I would love to take you, but I’m gone for months at a time.

And there’s lots of walking. You mind find it boring.

You‘ve got to go to school. And your friends would miss you.

When you are older, Sonja, if you still want to come… we can go together then.

Okay …

Oh, I almost forgot your present!

...

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This is a pin I found while hiking in the mountains in Lofoten. By the looks of it, it was forged by Vikings that settled there over a thousand years ago.

I have never seen Viking silver in such good condition before.

Take good care of it for me, Sonja!

I’m sorry I doubted that Uncle Henrik would come today. He loves you very much and wouldn’t miss this for the world.

I’m so proud of you, Sonja. I know you were nervous about all the attention.

40

I asked him today if I could come with him the next time he was going on a trip…

He told me no…

He is sort of the special type. You might not enjoy travelling for as long as he does.

You might find it slow.

Hmpf! That’s what Uncle Henrik said.

You have a long time to figure out what you want to do with your life. In a few years you might want to do something else.

When I’m older I’m going with him.

And it’s not going to be boring!

Goodnight, mom!

Goodnight, Sonja.

Sleep well!

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