Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 8

“Oh, troll up, brothers!” Door Slammer shouted his encouragement at his brothers.  “You are half-orgre trolls that have feared throughout Iceland for centuries.  You can do this!”

“Yeah,” Stufur chimed in, “Let’s give ‘em some TROLL TROUBLE!”

And so they did. 

Sneaking and slinking, with a little hopping and one big leap, they worked their way toward the Monster Worm’s cavern.  They came to the Pass, home of Gryla, a hideous, evil, mean old crone. 

She was ancient and had terrified Iceland for generations.  The Yule Lads knew her as Mother.   If they made it though there, the other end was home to an old trollwife who was still angry her sister had been driven crazy by church bells and died years before falling off a cliff. 

But first, Gryla.  Part troll and ogre, she was also a powerful Seið witch.  She used to be able to change her appearance whenever she wanted, but the Lads had stolen her magic spindle.  But that is another story for another time. 

They entered the pass running as fast as their troll legs would take them.  They heard a screech and a furious yowl.  It was mom, all right. 

Rocks pelted them and the earth shook in a sudden quake.  Skyr Gobbler ducked as Door Slammer threw a spell over his head.

It landed with a thunderous roar then they heard a crash and the sound of water. 

“Whee!” Skyr Gobbler crowed, “I think you brought part of the glacier down on her!” 

“Yes!  She'll be trapped for a while.  Run while we still can - on to save Spoon Licker!’

Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 7

“It was NOT my fault!” Stufur cried.  “Door Sniffer said he smelled something wonderful… that huge nose of his was actually QUIVERING!”  Stufur shook his head, “He said it was sweetbread and cookies!  From the smell of it, a very large amount!  Tons! Heaps!  Masses!  A Plethora!” 

“What is a plethora?” asked Sausage Swiper, wrinkling his nose.

Stufur shrugged, “I don’t know, but it sounded like it might taste good”.

“How did that get Spoon Licker in trouble?” Door Slammer said, eyeing open the door to their treasure room, itching to slam it shut.

“Wha’ddya mean, ‘Not your fault?’” asked Sky Gobbler at the same time.

“Fine!” Stufur said, embarrassed, “I threw a spell-stone at Monster Worm without checking what it was.  It kind of blew up in the cave, and well, it might, um, maybe it melted part of the glacier and caused that flood.” 

The three trolls listening to the story stared at him in shock.

“So, the Loftur is holding Spoon Licker in one of the caves.  Only the Hidden Folk can get us in there and save Spoon Licker without running into ole’ Loftur the Monster Worm.” He explained quickly

“Quick then, let’s make a run for it before that drone comes back, to save time, we’ll go through the pass,” Door Slammer said firmly.

Skyr Gobbler’s eyes grew wide as saucers, “The PASS ??”

“Uh, uh, no way!  I love my brother but you’re talking crazy!” shouted Sausage Swiper.

“We have to use the pass, and you all know what we have to do to make it though!” hissed Door Slammer

Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 6

Whew! That was a close one! The human’s drone had unexpected flown over and very nearly got a full photo of all of them together! There was no troll magic that could un-do that evidence. They should learn from the pictures of the Monster Worm.

Because of those, Loftur could only come out at night or on very foggy days. But it served him right, keeping Spoon Licker like that!...
Skyr Gobbler shuddered as he thought about a life where he couldn’t run from place to place – it didn’t sound like any fun at all! Sky Gobbler looked across the cave they had ducked into to escape the drone’s camera. Door Slammer and Stufur leaned against the wall watching Pot Scraper as he cocked his head, listening for the drone to leave. 
 

“I need to talked to Sina,” Stufur announced as he started to pace around the small enclosure.
“Sina?!” Skyr Gobbler raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Why do you need to consult with the Hidden Folk?” demanded Door Slammer
“Well, um, ugh,” Stufur sighed heavily, “we must help Spoon Licker, we need to save him”
Door Slammer narrowed his eyes. “What did you two do?”
Stufur stopped pacing and spun to face Door Slammer, puffing up his chest preparing his defense. “It was Door Sniffer….we followed him and..and…I barely got out! Door Sniffer went East – I think he’s in Finland. But Spoon Licker is trapped! We must save him!”

The Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 5

Stufur arrived at the Yule Lad cave, gasping for breath from his run. 

Door Slammer saw his Stufur’s wild eyes and ran after him, knowing instantly this was an adventure he surely didn’t want to miss!   He stopped short and stared as Skyr Gobbler and Sausage Swiper headed toward him, returning to their home cave after their most recent escapade. 

Door Slammer did a double-take before he remembered they were in disguise!  They looked so silly trying to imitate how humans looked, but they had to in order to blend in at the Taste of Iceland Celebration in the United States.  Giddy, giggly and still stuffed from their trip to Seattle, they were all about joining in on another adventure. 

They switched paths and caught up with Door Slammer.  “What is wrong with Stufur” they shouted as they rushed up.  “He looked like the Trollwife Gilitrutt was after him again!”  “Nay,” replied Door Slammer, “I think he may have riled up the Monster Worm again and had a hand in that flood from the glacier.”

A dark shadow suddenly appear from overhead.  It rushed over the ground, eating up the sunshine and quickly overtaking the trio.  Skyr Gobbler looked up and shouted, “Oh No!  The Monster Worm and Gilitrutt together would have been better than this!”  Stubby stared and his eyes grew big as saucers…..”Uh oh……RUN !!!”

Icelandic Folk Tales Book is Available!

My new book is now available on Amazon - this is a collection of twenty-seven traditional Icelandic Folk Tales, updated to appeal to today's readers.  I had such a great time assembling and rewriting these old stories and am so thrilled to make them available!  I cannot even name my favorite, I have enjoyed all of them in different ways but it would be fun to hear from readers to see if you have a favorite!

It was nice to be able to write about the Yule Lads mother, Gryla, after spending so much time with the Yule Lads and their escapades.  I also loved expanding the stories of the Guardians of Iceland, and the Hidden Folk.  They are such an ingrained part of the culture so I absolutely wanted to share those. 

One of the unknown ones, Drangey Consecrated, is such a fantastic tale of tolerance and acceptance I completely fell in love with the message.

The book is Available from Amazon Now.  Pick up a copy - share it with all the young readers in your family and enjoy the wonderful tales for yourself too!
Please tell me which is your favorite story!

The Guardians of Iceland                                                                    

Huldufólk – The Hidden Folk                                                         

The Changeling                                                                                          

Now I Should Laugh                                                                                  

The Field Hand                                                                                          

Gissur of Botnar                                                                                         

Grýla and Jólakötturinn, The Christmas Cat                           

Of Marbendill                                                                                                       

The Hired Hand and the Lake Dwellers                                

Drangey Consecrated                                                                                 

Bjarni Sveinsson & His Sister Salvor                                                 

The Sealskin                                                                                               

Hallgerður of Blafell                                                                                    

The Serpent of Lagarfljot                                                                 

The Story of Prince Hlini                                                                 

Deep Channels                                                                                                     

The Making of Drangey                                                                             

Trolls of the West Fjords                                                                 

The Ghost and the Cashbox                                                                       

Three Trolls of Vik                                                                                     

Grimsey Man and the Polar Bear                                                     

The Stone Boat                                                                                           

Tale of a Raven                                                                                          

Helga, An Icelandic Fairy Tale                                                         

Asmund & Signey                                                                                    

Gilitrutt      

                                                                                                        

Habogi 





Illustration from "Of Marbendill"

                  

The Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 4

Stufur scrambled to back up, hearing Door Sniffer behind him.  They had fallen into the caves around Lake Lagarfljot.  There was no doubt the Monster Worm was fast approaching.  This was no ordinary little worm, this was a wingless dragon, a direct descendent of one of the Guardians of Iceland, and he was very powerful.  He was a fierce protector of good and the Yule Lads, being trolls, were not going to be welcomed!  Worse yet, they were half-troll, half-ogre, and the Monster Worm did not want them in his homecave.

Stufur crawled to Door Sniffer’s side.  To his great relief, Door Sniffer held tight to the Galdur Pokan, the Yule Lad bag of magic. Each had runes carved to identify the magic, but otherwise, they all looked a bit like rocks.

“Use it brother,” he hissed, trying to be a quiet as possible.

Door Sniffer was fumbling with the bag, but it was dark.  “Wait!  I don’t know what this is…” he whispered urgently to Stufur, who tried to grab the spell from his hand.

It was too late.  The Monster Worm was in the cave and his massive foot-talon has grabbed ahold of Spoon Licker’s ankle just as he tried to scuttle away!  The cave lit up with the red ember breath that escaped from the Monster Worm’s snout.  Stufur, terrified, threw the spell and the cave exploded in a shower of sparks and a rainbow of colors.

“Oh, no, not THAT one!” Door Sniffer cried and with a flying leap, jumped out of the opening they had fallen from and disappeared.

 

The Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 3

They ran through the night, with the green and purple ribbons of color from the northern lights racing above them.  The night had a strange glow but the Lads were used to it and didn’t even notice.  Door Sniffer stopped now and then, popping into a guesthouse or sneaking through the deserted kitchen of a local hotel.  He sniffed carefully at each table.  Nope, not the wonderful prize he was sniffing for.  But, at each stop, they swiped snacks from tables and shelves, knocking over cookie jars and canisters, spilling dishes and generally leaving a terrible mess behind.

Running and giggling, they stuffed their faces with goodies as they ran, not paying attention to their direction until a sudden rumbling shook the earth under their feet.  A huge crack opened up and the three went tumbling down.

“Get your foot off my face you oaf!” Stufur cried.

“You get your elbow out of my ear!” Spoon Licker yelled back.

Their shrill troll shrieks echoed, the sound bouncing off of the cave walls, making the ruckus they raised sound like ten times the trolls they were.

They all went silent when they heard they sound no one ever wanted to hear.  They knew exactly where they were and it wasn’t good.  The one sound that could make a troll’s scaly skin hairs stand on end - a rattle, followed by a slithering sound and a terrifying hisssss…..

The Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 2

 

In the troll cave, four Yule Lads grabbed at stuff that went skidding and flying around from the earthquake.  Suddenly, one troll with an abnormally large nose stopped and stared at the ceiling, his eyes glazed over and head cocked as if listening to a far-away melody of beautiful music.

It was Door Sniffer.  He turned his head this way and that, his huge nose quivering as he inhaled deeply.   Mmmmm – sweetbread and cookies!  His eyes grew wide.  From the smell of it, a very large amount!  Tons! Heaps!  Masses!  A Plethora!  He smacked his troll-lips and drooled in anticipation. 

His troll brothers knew that look on his face.  Pot Licker, Stufer and Spoon Licker were sure to follow where-ever that talented nose would lead.  

As everyone knew, the best treats were homemade and the process created great piles of dirty bowls, pots and pans, and spoons galore!  They had to reach them before some industrious person washed them!  The great gooey globs and sticky stuff scrubbed clean from spoons and washed down the drain!  Pot Licker, Spoon Licker and Stufer looked at each other in horror – they must find this wonderful kitchen!

“Uh, oh,” Door Sniffer said, “I smell something else.  Quick, grab the Galdur Pokan!”

The Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 1

 

“I got troll trouble!”  Gully Gawk smirked as he heard the farmer’s loud grumble.  The man must have found the tipped-over and emptied milk buckets.  Even the ones Gully Gawk left upright were drained dry to the last drop.  He snickered as he jumped from hummock to lava rock, to where his brother Sheep Cote Clod hid.

Sheep Cote Clod loved fresh sheep’s milk but his troll brother Gully Gawk preferred cow’s milk.  They loved to play tricks on the farmers whose herds they chased.  Coming down from the mountains they would slink across the fields and around the edge of the barn to drink all the milk.  They were quick and sly, and never caught.  It was even more fun to chase the heard and get a fresh mugful during the day while the herds were in the pasture.

This day was just one of those.  As Gully Gawk started to jump over the last rock, the earth shook and rumbled.  The ground roll under them and Sheep Cote Clod fell backwards off his rock while Gully Gawk slipped and went face-first into the moss. 

“GGGGRRRRR” they troll-growled in unison.  That troublesome Katla volcano shook the earth and now she threatened to blow!

YULE LADS MAYHEM PREVIEW VIDEO

Uh Oh! What are the Yule Lads up to NOW?? 20-part story starts tomorrow - Oct 17th! Follow on Facebook and Twitter @ YuleLadsLegend.   Watch the video:  https://youtu.be/Uk7PZambNFk

Meet the Yule Lads: Kertasníkir

Meet Kertasníkir , in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "kerta’ sneaker".    In English, he's known as Candle Beggar.   In the olden days of Iceland, candles were made from animal fat and Candle Beggar would steal all he could to snack on!  He likes the pretty light now and every now and then takes a bite to see if they taste good.

One of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the thirteenth, the last one, to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 24th.   And, boy are is he getting into trouble before then!  Join the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting in two days - Monday, October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls

Meet the Yule Lads: Ketkrókur

Meet Ketkrókur, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Ket' croaker".    In English, he's known as Meat Hook.   He loves to hang out in the rafters, just over the dining room table - when no one is looking, he will use his hook to swipe chunks of meat or whole roast off the table!

One of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the twelfth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 23nd.   He is right in the middle of all kinds of trouble and mayhem that's getting ready to begin!   Join the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting in two days - Monday, October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.
#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls
 

Meet the Yule Lads: Gáttaþefur

Meet Gáttaþefur, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Gotta thever".    In English, he's known as Door Sniffer.   Recognized by his huge nose, he can sniff out treats and goodies from miles away.  Any sweet bread, cookie or cake is sure to be swiped by his nimble fingers!.

One of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the eleventh to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 22nd.   He is the instigator of all kinds of trouble and mayhem that's getting ready to begin!   Join the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.
#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls
 

Meet the Yule Lads: Gluggagægir

Meet Gluggagægir, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Glugga' guy year".    In English, he's known as Window Peeper.   Always distracted by a shiny or sparkly trinket, Window Peeper will swipe the treasure when no one is watching.

One of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the tenth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 21st.   He is causing all kinds of havoc and mayhem from Iceland to Denmark, Finland and even the North Pole!   Join the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls
 

Meet the Yule Lads: Bjúgnakrækir

Meet Bjúgnakrækir , in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Buke naw cry gear".    In English, he's known as Sausage Swiper.   Link sausage, ground, patties or any other type, Sausage Swipe will snatch it up and snack away. 

One of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the ninth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 20th.   It's only October - what's he up to now?   Join the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls
 

Meet the Yule Lads: Skyrgamur

Meet Skyrgamur, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Skeyr' gow mur".    In English, he's known as Skyr Gobbler.   Skyr is a thick yummy Icelandic type of yogurt.  Skyr Gobbler can find it and will slurp and gobble until he can't swallow another spoonful.

As one of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's number eight to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 19th.   But until then, he's not just in a skyr-coma.  Check and see the adventure he and his brother trolls are on.... Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.


#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls

 

Meet the Yule Lads: Hurðaskellir

Meet Hurðaskellir, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Hurtha Sketler".    In English, he's known as Door Slammer.   He loves to slam door and scare the stuffing out of people (pets too)! It might be in the middle of the night that you hear a strange thump, or even a squeak of hinges on the door.... then he'll slam the door.  He really likes it when you can't take a nap in the middle of the day because he's making noise.

As one of the thirteen Yule Lads, he's the seventh to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 18th.   But until then, he's up to a whole lot more than just slamming doors!   Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.


#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas
#IcelandicYuleLads
#Trolls

Meet the Yule Lads: Askasleikir

Meet Askasleikir, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Ask' a slaker".  In English, he's known as Bowl Licker.   He likes to swipe the food from bowls of the family dogs and cats.  If you think Fido or Fluffy is eating their food too fast, maybe you just have Troll Trouble

As one of the Yule Lads, he's the sixth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 17th.   But until then, he has a whole different adventures he's wrapped up in!   Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland

#Fairytale
#Christmas

Meet the Yule Lads: Pottasleikir

Meet Pottasleikir, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Pot' a Slaker".  In English, he's known as Pot Licker.   He hides in the shadows of the kitchen, behind the pantry door or under the cabinet - when the room is empty of humans, he will sneak out.  He just loves to eat all the crusty dried-on bits from the pots and pans waiting to be washed.

As one of the Yule Lads, he's the fifth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 16th.   But until then, you wouldn't believe the kitchens he finds his way into!   Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland

#Fairytale
#Christmas 

Meet the Yule Lads: Þvörusleikir

Meet Þvörusleikir, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Thuer' a slaker".  In English, he's known as Spoon Licker.   It doesn't matter if the spoon is caked with cookie dough, fish stew, kleinur dough or even mysuostur, Spoon Licker will snatch it up.

As one of the Yule Lads, he's the fourth to arrive for the holidays, showing up on December 15th.   In the upcoming series, Spoon Licker is trapped in a cave and relies on his troll bothers to rescue him - and that's before the REAL adventure begins!   Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

#Iceland

#Fairytale
#Christmas

 

 

Meet the Yule Lads: Stufur

Icelandic Yule Lad Stufur

Meet Stufur, in Icelandic his name is pronounced like "Stew' fer". In English, he's known as Stufur or Stubby  Stufur's favorite place is the kitchen.  He just loves to scrape all the crusty parts from the frying pan.

As one of the Yule Lads, he's the third to arrive for the holidays showing up on December 14th. Right now, he and his troll brothers are getting themselves into a real mess! A run-in with the Lake Lagarfljot Monster Worm is just the beginning of a pre-Christmas adventure.

Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook.com/yuleladslegend and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

 

#Iceland
#Fairytale
#Christmas

Meet the Yule Lads: Giljagaur

Meet Giljagaur, in Icelandic his name is pronouned like "Gil' ya gur".
In English, he's better known as Gully Gawk.

He loves cow's milk and will sneak into the barn and drain the milk pails dry. He also likes to hide in gullies and sneak up on the cows!

As one of the Yule Lads, he's the second to arrive for the holidays on December 13th - but what is he doing now? He and his troll brothers are getting themselves into a mess! "Yule" never believe what happens!

Follow the story starting October 17th on Facebook and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.

Meet the Yule Lads: Stekkjastaur

Meet Stekkjastaur, in Icelandic is pronouned like "Stek ja' stir". In English, he's better known as Sheep Cote Clod. He loves sheep's milk but he's pretty clumsy when running because he has stiff knees. As one of the Yule Lads, he's always the first to arrive for the holidays on December 12th - but what is he doing now? Follow his adventures with his 12 troll brothers starting October 17th!

Follow the story on Facebook and Twitter @YuleLadsLegend. A 20-part story written by Heidi Herman and illustrated by Colleen Stiles.