Ek Eleska Ykkr

*6*

"Nuku, nuku nurmilintu..."

Hauk leaned into his mother's embrace. A soft smile crested his face as his mother sang. He felt Bjørn's presence near him along with the warm heat of a fire.

"Väsy, väsy, västäräkki..."

But he frowned at the absence of his father. Where was his father? His mother moved and shuffled, having sensed his distress.

"Vad är det för fel, min son?" (What is wrong, my son?) Hauk shrugged and looked his mother in the eyes.

"Mama? Where's Papa?" He said.
His mother seemed to pause for a moment.

"He's just outside. Why?" Hauk sighed. "Hauk, our village needs to be protected. People have been threatening our home."

"Well, why does he have to protect the village? Uncle Denmark and Uncle Norway are out there. And its cold!" His mother sighed and patted the boy on his shoulder. Hauk snuggled back up with Bjørn. "But, the village does need protecting..."

"Nuku nurmelle hyvälle,

Vaivu maalle valkialle,

Lintu tuopi liinahapaijan,

Haapana hyvän hamehen.

Kaskeloinen korvatyynyn,

Pääskynen peäalusen,"

A firm knock came from the door. Along with the voice of their father. "Fin!" Their mother's hed snapped up. Finland got up, leaving the boys by the fire.

Sweden was at the door. Him and Finland spoke in rushed and quiet tones. Finland eventually nodded and shut the door. He turned to the windows and threw thick fur blankets over them. Hauk frowned.

"Mother, why are you blocking the windows?" Finland only put a finger to his lips before throwing a blanket over the next window. "What did Father say?"

"Hauk," his mother said, fear evident in his voice. "You need to be quiet! There is something out there and I won't allow it to harm you. Quick! Put out the fire!"

Bjørn rushed to dump a pitcher of water on the flames. They snapped and popped as they died. The cabin was pitched into darkness. Only a sliver of moonlight shined in from a gap between a blanket and the wall.

Finland huddled the boys in a corner and shushed their complaints. "Hush, boys. Stay quiet."

They waited.

And waited.

And waited.

A knock on the door. A frantic knock. Sweden's voice shouting from the other side.

"Get to the forest! Get help! Run away!" Without hesitation, Finland hurriedly picked up a short sword and, with his sons in tow, made it out the back door. They circled around to the large stretch of untamed trees using the roads of the small village.

Just that day the homes had been buzzing with life. People smiling as they worked, greeting each other on the streets. They were happy even though times were tough. Now, the homes lay still and silent. Many showed signs of damage. Large claw marks ran the length of a wall on one.

Finland ushered the boys to move faster. They picked up speed.

//*\\//*\\

They were deep in the forest. Still, Finland persisted. Hauk was behind them by a few strides and he fell in the snow.