. . . Barefoot 1 Alexandra Barefoot Professor Lynn Raymond University Writing 1102-02 16 February 2015 Norway's Gold ‘An Original Short Story The first settlers of Norway were led by a brave soul by the name of Crogan in the mid 1700°s. Crogan and his followers were fleeing the nation of Greenland to get away from the evil Ice Queen, Angelina. Angetina had been gradually freezing the land, making it colder and colder ‘each month. She did this to weed out the weak, wanting only the sirongest and fittest people under her rule. The unbearably cold climate also served as a defense, making it nearly impossible for other nations to invade and take over her land. Crogan could not bear to see anymore friends and family die, so he organized an emigration with the help of his brother, Salameire, who was a seaman and explorer for the queen. Salameire knew the perfect destination to lead the people. In the middle of the night Salameire and Crogan stole a ship from the queen's fleet and boarded the refugees. They sailed southeast for seven weeks until they arrived in a mountainous land. There were beautifull mountains as far as the eye could see, tall and thick, surrounding-and protecting them from any intruders. The land was perfect for a new country with few people and no army. However, Crogan and his people were not the first inhabitants. During their journey further inland the travelers came across a foreign creature; it was almost like a horse, but not quite, bigger, taller, and stronger. It had massive, powerful wings, and a pointy, gold hom.Barefoot 2 expanding from its forehead. The creatures were blindingly white, and hard to look at at first. ‘Terrifyingly beautiful, but peaceful, and calm. Crogan decided to call them unicorns. The unicoms did not seem to mind the new settlers. ‘After walking for about another week Crogan and Salameire agreed upon a promising plot of land to farm and live on. They called their new home Norway. The people decided they needed an official leader, a king. To Salameire’s dismay the people of Norway elected Crogan, seeing him most ft for the position since he was already married and had started a family. Salameire, always being on the sea had not had a chance to settle down. Crogan, his wife Penelope, and daughter Lula became the leading family of Norway with Salameire being Crogan’s right hand man. The land took well to the new inhabitants. As the months went on the Norwegians tended the dirt, built sturdy homes, and found many fresh water sources. But more importantly they began earning the mysterious unicoms’ trust, and taming them. The unicorns helped them with their daily farming and building, but they had no idea how much the beautiful creatures would one day help them. \¢_—Eatly one morning while Crogan was admiring his beautiful new home and watching the elegant unicoms he realized he did not know exactly how the ereatures spent their day when they were not with the people. He decided he was going to follow them, not knowing that this would lead him to a prosperous discovery. It was almost like the unicorns wanted him to follow them, encouraging his every step with graceful head thrusts forward. He followed them up narrow, gravel mountain paths, and then through thick wooded forests, and down steep, damp, dirt banks. Eventually they arrived upon a cave, but it was not just any cave. This cave ‘was full of gold! Every time Crogan carved a piece out, artother appeared in its place. Upon this discovery Crogan’s mind flashed back to Angelina's rule. He shivered as he remembered howBarefoot 3 the richer she got the greedier she became, and the less the wealth was dispersed, At that moment Crogan knew that he would never let his country fall victim to corruption, He knew that for this to be possible the gold must be managed carefully. He decided that Salameire and a few other ‘men would take a portion of the gold to exchange for goods with nearby, amicable countries, nly spending what they needed to. This way all his people could live comfortably, and equally, and no man would envy what another had. Crogan knew that as long as the people had food in their mouths, clothes on their backs, and shelter over their heads that they would have happiness in their hearts, and would want for nothing. For they were simple, humble people, and were grateful every day just for their simple freedoms, and safety. Crogan’s system worked for many, many years, but with every group there is always a bad seed. Salameire was a worldly man. In all his travels he had seen how some’of the richest men in the world lived, and saw what they had, things he thought he would never be able to obtain. Salameire had gradually grown bitter over the years. Why did Crogan get all the praise? Was he not the one who led the people to their haven? And was he not the one who hauled and traded the gold every month so that they could have food in their mouths, clothes on their backs, shelter over their heads, and happiness in their hearts? But they all lived equally? Every day that Salameire saw the endless pile of gold that could not be his the angrier he became. He knew he must have it, all of it, and knew the perfect ally to aid him. | £——During his years on the sea Salameire saw many lands, and met many powerful rulers, one being the ruthless queen of Denmark, Marta. Marta ruled her nation with an iron fist, and quietly conquered every opponent with her dark magic. Salameire sailed south to meet with Marta. He told her of Norway's endless supply of gold begging for an owner. He told her of his dreams of building a golden city, and being the richest man alive. But he could not do this alone;Barefoot 4 the people of Norway would never tum their back on their beloved King Crogan. He needed a merciless confidant to help him take over the good people. Marta was very experienced with invading and pillaging foreign lands, and knew that her vast army, and chariots would never make it over or through Norway’s enormous mountains. So she used her dark magic and put a spelt on the mountains protecting Crogan and his people, making them crumble, shririking smaller, and smaller every day. Crogan was aware of the dark powers of the world, and saw what ‘was happening to his mountains, He feared for the well-being of his country. He did not know what to do, for Norway was still a young nation With a small population, no army, and no allies to speak of. Right when he thought he could see the end of Norway’s existence resting on the horizon something replaced his vision. Big boats. Bigger than he had ever seen, even bigger than the Ice Queen’s fleet, “Salameire! Come look!” Salameire ran to his brother’s side, raised his hand to his forehead, and followed Crogan’s finger, narrowing his eyes. He had never seen anything like it. More than fifty ships, each the size of ten of theirs’, swiftly covering a mile of sea each minute, quickly closing in on the shore. “Hide the women and children, and tell the men to prepare to fight! We will not surrender our country lying down!” exclaimed Cragan, certain the approaching ships carried awful misfortune. ‘A mere forty-two Norwegian men stood on the shore, armed in whatever they could find with their loyal unicoms behind them, waiting to meet the foreigners. “Brace yourselves!” roared Crogan as the leading ship kissed the shore so gently that the water, wind, and time seemed to slow. The unicoms grunted and snarled, kicking their hooves in the sand and shaking their heads up and down, The men subconsciously held their breath while their bodies tensed and filled to the brims with adrenaline. But to every man’s astonishment only one man dismounted the ship, 4Barefoot 5 landing a pair of worn, grey boots in the sand. Attached to the boots was a short, stalky body with its arms extended in the air. “We come in peace!” announced the man through a long, scruffy, brown beard while his alert, almost needy eyes met every Norwegians’. “My people and I, we have been on the sea for many months now, and are in need of a stronghold.” What Crogan thought was going to be the demise of his meager nation might actually be its salvation. And having once led the homeless welcomed the strangers with open arms “You fool!” proclaimed a keen Salameire who was always thinking ahead and had started to see his and Marta’s plan quickly unfold before his eyes; if his brother gained an able ally Marta would not so easily be able to take over Norway even with her sizeable army. He yor? : € anxiously began to express fabricated concern to Crogan: “You do not know these seamen! Or io, what they will do! Did you only deliver us to this refuge to hand it over to the first man who sear lands his boots in the sand?” ¢' “Our land is vast, and our resources abimdant. If one has the power to help another he should always do so.” Explained a calm Crogan. His brother was a good, generous man, and "salameire knew he would say this. “Dine with us tonight! Lt us see what you will bring tothe table, if favorable you and your people can share our beloved home of Norway!” Crogan said to the needy man with his boots in the sand. The visitors descended from the boats by the dozen, the last man concluding the group at 300 people. ‘The men shook hands, and the women of ‘Norway took the new women and children to get cleaned up and fed. But there were still two boats that had not be emptied. When another short, stalky, bearded man opened the doors the Norwegians gasped at what exited. An enormous creature, weighing at least six tons, with grey leathery, lose skin, huge floppy ears, and a four foot trunk for a nose. They called it an elephant.Barefoot 6 The visitors assured the nervous Norwegians and the unicorns that the elephants were gentle, obedi ‘the unicorns, and elephants were smoothly acquainted t creatures. To everyone's reli and they did not seem to mind each other. Over dinner Crogan learned that his guests called themselves Vikings, and their leader called himself Asger. They were seafarers who raided and traded from their homelands across northern and central Europe. Asger explained that this way of life, while prosperous, had earned him many enemies, and that the recent birth of his daughter, Sassa, made him fearful of his avengers for the first time, “A new way of life is what I seek, one that is wholesome, and that my family can be proud of.” Explained Asger. Crogan was a good judge of character, and seeing that they shared similar beliefs and morals told Asger of how he and his people also found Norway when they were in need of a stronghold, but that he feared their peaceful days were over. “An evil prospector has their sights on Norway.” Admitted a sorrowed Crogan. “My people have much experience with combat, and great resources. We can offer you protection, and teach you defense.” Asger explained confidently. ‘A.union had been made between-the Norwegians and the Vikings. The next few months were dedicated to building a defense for Norway. Every day the Viking men taught the ‘Norwegian men combat, and the Viking women taught the Norwegian women how to make ‘weapons for the men. This also included the construction of a wall, miles high, and meters thiok around the city which went up quickly with’help fromthe unicorns and elephants. More months went by, and no man saw another as a Viking or a Norwegian, but just as a fellow man of Norway. They all had a common goal: to see Norway prosper, and to protect it. This union was stronger than most, creating great comradery, and even love. The elephants and unicorns even: Barefoot 7 ‘mated creating a completely new species, the elecomn. The telecoms had the head of an elephant with the addition of the golden hom expanding from its forehead, and the body and wings of a unicom. The elecom was a rather silly looking creature, but powerful, smart, and loyal to its people none the less. “They have an army!” exclaimed Salameire, slamming his fist on Marta’s cold, marble desk. “Vikings not to mention! And they have created an enormous, magical creature that will aid them greatly in war.” “This is not good news Salameire.” Marta droned, “We need a new plan...” At that ‘moment Marta’s painfully average, lazy, bachelor son, Albert, dragged himself into her study sniffing for money. A slow, controlled smile formed on Marta’s face, and her usually dull and fixated eyes lit up as a new plan drifted through the room and landed artlessly in her lap. Alas the day had come that her no good son may actually benefit her after twenty-three years of sucking her dry. “Does Crogan have any daughters?” A giddy Salameire traveled back to Norway reciting his shiny new plan along the way. ‘When he reached shore he would join Crogan for dinner, tell him of the great nation of Denmark, and its upstanding queen, Marta. He would propose that the families meet to talk business. Crogan, trusting his brother, and seeing nothing wrong with gaining new allies would do just so, and when they met Marta would put a spell on Crogan’s beautiful daughter, Lula, who was now martyitig age, that would make her unable to resist Albert’s...err..charm. Crogan would of course support any aspirations of Lula’s, and a glamorous wedding would surély follow suit, making one third of Norway Marta’s that she would of course share with Salameire. vBarefoot 8 w nm Shortly after the union of Lula and Albert in 1762, Crogan fell ill, and later passed away. With no sons of his own to pass the crown to the leadership of Norway was given to his'son in law, making Albert the king of Norway. With Marta controlling an indifferent Albert's every ‘move and Lula still under her dreadful spell, things quickly changed for the people of Norway. Marta and Salameire had completely taken over the land and gold, niaking Norway just another colony of Denmark. Salameire had begun building his precious golden kingdom, and he and Marta supported nothing but their own vanity and greed, leaving the people of Norway to fend for themselves. Anyone who challenged the new rule was immediately executed. Marta had ‘moved her own army and people in creating an entirely new system and hierarchy. Any important job went to a Dane, and the people of Norway had become lowly workers, only receiving bare necessities and shelter for their fourteen hour workdays (Hofland). What was once a beautiful, wholesome country that knew nothing of inequality was now dark and poverty stricken, only the capital city shining of gold and smelling of delicious meats, spices, and sweets. ‘Marta and Salameire only getting fatter and greedier wanted to continue their world takeover and declared war with England, demanding that all able men go and fight. During the ‘war a handful of Danish and Norwegian seamen were captured in England and held prisoner for some months. During their captivity missionaries of England shared the religion of Quakerism with the prisoners. The Norwegian and Danish captives found much comfort in this new found religion. As a result, the seed of Quakerism was planted in Norway upon the prisoners” return (Hofland). After losing the war in England, Marta and Salameire were feeling very vulnerable and were extremely threatened by the people’s new found hope and sense of purpose'in Quakerism. Marta especially found her nostrils flaring uncontrollably, and a dry sensation take cover her mouth at any mention of Quakerism. “This is the last thing we need Salameire!”Barefoot 9 Snapped a paranoid Marta. “Any ounce’of hope could be the end of us! And combined with congregation, we might as well just off ourselves” She continued to witlessly ramble as she scribbled franticly on fresh parchment, creating a doctrine banning any meetings, practice, or talk of Quakerism, signing Albert's name at the bottom. But Marta nor Salameire anticipated that her It scribbles would induce such an uproar. The people of Norway finally said enough was enoug ‘was one thing to take away their status, gold, and land, but they would not stand to be religiously oppressed too. They wanted their country back, and they were willing to fight to get it. Civil war had broken out in Norway. Marta’s army had size and weaponry on its side, but the people of Norway had yeas of animosity and outrage on theirs. A bloody battle progressed for months, the Norwegians standing their ground in the beginning, but Marta, although she had grown unbelievably fat, and lackadaisical, was still ruthless. Every day she ordered her men to climinate anything that stood between her and her precious gold. When it looked like the end was near for the people of Norway, their loyal elecorns came to the rescue. Each elecorn waded slowly out into the ocean and gathered as much sea water in its trunk as possible. The herd flew back to the city and began circling the golden buildings and Marta’s army. The soldiers tried to shoot the magical creatures down, but discovered'that they could not Kill them, for the elecoms had been created by the union of wholesome people, and no evil force could destroy them. The Norwegians watched in awe as the elecomns released their trunk water, completely showering the city and Marta’s soldiers. The water must have been boiling hot, because every soldier that it slapped screamed out in excruciating pain and was immediately immobilized. And every building that the water covered began to suddenly melt, creating a boiling, golden current that engulfed anyone and anything within twenty miles. The Elecorns delivered the people of Norway to safety on a nearby mountaintop, and they watched justiceed Barefoot 10 unfold as Salameire the traitor, Marta the dictator, and her army of brutes choked and drowned on their precious gold. Lale’s curse was lifted with Marta’s death, but another was activated in its place. Marta being the selfish woman that she was had put a spell on the land of Norway; if she could not have it and its gold then no one could. The people immediately witnessed the trees and bushes tum to stone, the once healthy soil evaporate into thin air, and the distant trickle of their freshwater streams replaced by silence. They traveled down to the golden cave only to'discover that it had tumed to coal. But the people of Norway were not sad that their gold was gone, for they had seen the monsters it was capable of awakening, but they were sad to leave the first place they were able to call liome. Now they needed a new home, one fiee of religious oppression. So they traveled on their elecoms across the Atlantic Ocean, toa land that promised freedom and opportunity. And that is the story of my ancestors’ journey to America.Barefoot 11 Works Cited "How Norwegian Immigration Started." How Norwegian Immigration Started, Rootsweb. Web. 10 Feb. 2015. Y Your debe wou tee dete) and. imageug woo Great, dhe dduaretin is qeot too— scam At amd menpoate it wii te tate. §— 9