Never Fear by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

returned
the filled stein to him. “But perhaps you should stay in the
house.”
    “ Berglind,” Snorri said.
“Are you worried Reynir will hear the animals talk on Christmas
Eve? That is an old story to scare children.”
    “ There are stranger things
in this world, Snorri, as you should well know.” Berglind had
raised her voice. “Come now, it is time to eat. Children?” She made
her way to the table. “Lilja, help your Mama with the food. Do you
not remember what I said?”
    “ I am sorry, Mama,” the
little girl said and rushed to help.
    That night the biscuits were
taken—pepper and all. Magnús had seen fit to add his own extra
helping to the additional mix Berglind had prepared before retiring
for the evening.
    And as expected, the following night,
the Yuletide Lad known as the Meat Hook arrived and snagged the leg
of lamb set out for him by Berglind. The appearance of Snorri and
Reynir had done nothing to deter the Lad’s visit.
    Christmas Eve. Kertasníkir, the candle
beggar.
    And tragedy struck.
    The children were being rambunctious
that afternoon. Reynir had brought the family a large candle,
something very rare in Iceland, and in high demand. He had paid
quite the sum for it, and if used sparingly, would last most of the
long winter. For this particular candle was made from whale
blubber, Reynir told them, and when lit, smelled of the
sea.
    “ Thank you much, Reynir,”
Berglind said that morning when she awoke to see the large candle
sitting by the hearth. “Children, we will light it this eve and you
may remain awake and enjoy its wondrous beauty. Your uncle is too
generous and you must thank him appropriately.”
    “ We will, Mama,” the three
agreed, ogling the amazing treasure.
    That evening, the family sat around
the candle and enjoyed freshly baked cookies and warm ewe’s
milk.
    “ Mama, will Kertasníkir
come to take our candle?” Lilja asked, taking a bite of her third
cookie.
    “ No, Lilja. He only begs
for candles. He does not take like his mischievous brethren. Hush
now, and let us speak no more of them. Enjoy your
cookie.”
    After the cookies and milk, and the
enjoyment of Reynir’s generous gift, they retired to their beds.
Reynir went to his hay mound in the barn.
    A scream rent the night.
    Magnús.
    Outside.
    Berglind and Snorri bolted from their
bed and ran for the door.
    “ What is it, Mama?” a
sleepy-eyed Lilja said, following behind them.
    “ You and Leifur stay in
the house,” Snorri said.
    The parents grabbed furs and headed
out the door.
    They didn’t have far to go. The full
moon shone brilliantly, lighting the snow-covered earth. And there
in front of them, naked, running in circles, was Magnús.
    “ Stop! Stop! Stop!” It was
an endless, mindless chant Magnús screamed, his hands clutched
tightly over his ears.
    Snorri ran up to the boy and tried to
grab him.
    Magnús screamed louder and lunged away
from Snorri and off into a stand of trees at the edge of the field
and…
    THUD! …rushed headlong into the first tree. He hit hard, face
first, and fell back violently to the ground. Still.
    Snorri reached the boy and gently,
then more agitatedly, tried to make him stir.
    Nothing.
    Blood seeped from a split in Magnús’
forehead. It ran into the corners of his open and lifeless
eyes.
    Snorri’s grief was overwhelming. He
fell to his knees in the snow next to Magnús. A soft mewling sound
came from him. He brushed the bloody hair from Magnús’ forehead,
then brought the lolling head to his chest. His eyes burned and the
tears ran down his cheeks. “Magnús… my Magnús… my—”
    Another scream.
    Inside the barn.
    Reynir.
    Snorri scooped up his dead
son.
    Leifur and Lilja came running from the
house, Lilja to Berglind and Leifur to Snorri. Berglind held Lilja
close to her and yelled, “Leifur, no! Get back here!” Berglind
didn’t move, keeping her terrified daughter close to her, shielded
from Snorri and Magnús. She was too afraid of what she was