Haven i Jerne

Lystig woke early that morning with a strange feeling in his stomach. There was something different in the air, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. The snow still lay thick and white over the garden, but a peculiar stillness lingered, as if the world were holding its breath.

Fjære felt it too. “Can you feel it, Lystig?” she asked, nibbling on a berry. “There’s something… magical today.”

Lystig nodded. “I know, Fjære. It feels as though the whole garden has awakened in a new way.”

They packed their tools and ventured out into the glistening snow, planning to finish stringing the lights on the old willow tree. But when they arrived, they were met with a strange sight. A faint golden mist hovered among the tree branches, and the snow seemed to shimmer with a warm, inner glow.

Suddenly, a gentle, melodic voice broke the silence. “Lystig… Fjære… welcome.”

They both looked around, but no one was in sight. Lystig tightened his grip on his small toolbox. “Who’s there?” he asked, his voice a mix of caution and wonder.

Out of the mist emerged a figure, tall and majestic, yet light and almost translucent. She wore a cloak of ice crystals, and her eyes sparkled like stars.

“I am the Spirit of Christmas,” she said with a kind smile. “I watch over this time of year and those who work to spread light and joy.”

Fjære gasped, flying up to perch on Lystig’s shoulder. “The Spirit of Christmas? We thought you were a myth!”

The Spirit laughed softly. “Many no longer believe in me, just as they no longer believe in elves. But I live in every gift given with love and in every light kindled to chase away the darkness.”

Lystig stepped forward, still in awe. “So why are you showing yourself to us?”

“Because you are doing something special,” the Spirit said. “You work in secret to create something beautiful. But the path ahead will not be easy. There will be trials that will test your courage and ingenuity.”

Lystig nodded. “We’re ready for anything.”

“I believe you are,” she replied, extending her hand. From her fingertips flowed tiny sparks of light, drifting down like snowflakes to land on Lystig’s tools. “This will aid you. Use it wisely.”

Lystig looked at his tools. They now glowed faintly, as if imbued with a special power. “Thank you,” he said humbly.

But the Spirit had more to say. “Be cautious, Lystig. The humans will soon grow more curious. The snow will hide your tracks, but their curiosity is dangerous. Max will not be your only challenge.”

Before they could ask more, the Spirit vanished in a swirl of light. The mist lifted, and the garden felt normal again, yet Lystig and Fjære were left with a sense of awe.

“We must press on,” Lystig said, glancing at the willow tree. “There’s no time to waste.”

They got to work, and everything went smoother than ever. Lystig’s tools glowed faintly, almost as if they were working by themselves. The wires fell perfectly into place, and the lights illuminated with a clear, warm glow.

But amid their triumph, they suddenly heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow. This time, it wasn’t Max. It was the boy from the house.

“Dad said I should check the garden,” they heard him mutter to himself. “There’s something strange out here.”

Fjære darted into the air and gave Lystig a warning look. “We must hide!”

But Lystig knew they couldn’t abandon their work now. “You go, Fjære. I’ll stay and finish this.”

The boy came closer, and Lystig worked as quickly as his tiny hands could manage. But then, the boy stood directly in front of the willow tree.

He stared up at the lights, now fully lit. “Wow, who did this?” he wondered aloud. “It must be Dad… or maybe… an elf?”

Lystig held his breath, standing completely still behind the tree trunk, praying the boy wouldn’t see him. After what felt like an eternity, the boy turned and walked away with a wide smile.

“I have to show Dad!” he shouted, running back toward the house.

When he was gone, Lystig and Fjære let out a sigh of relief. “That was close,” Fjære said, returning to Lystig’s shoulder.

“Yes, but we did it,” Lystig said. “And now the willow tree is ready for Christmas Eve.”

The two friends returned to their den, tired but satisfied. Despite the day’s dangers, they felt the magic in the garden was stronger than ever. Yet they also knew the challenges would only grow in the days to come.