The adventures ahead were treacherous and Thoran knew he could not do them alone. He needed help. He needed a younger and stronger bear at his side, so Thoran began his search. He walked many miles until he picked up the scent of another bear. He followed it to a water hole. Thoran approached the stranger with caution.
As he came closer, the stranger growled a warning, "Be on your way. There are other water holes; get your own."
Thoran looked at the stranger and said, "Friend, I do not come to challenge or threaten you. I merely want to talk with you."
The stranger looked at Thoran and inquired, "What is your name, Old One?"
Thoran decided to trust this bear and answered, "My name is Thoran and I seek a companion."
The stranger thought about it and some bear instinct told him to agree. He said, "My name is Ingavar and I accept your offer." The two bears slept side by side, the old and the wise with the young and the strong.
The morning greeted them with frost on their backs and snouts. The two rose and looked at the sky. They had talked about their destination the night before. They were going north toward an island of ice called Ragnar’s Tooth. Thoran knew to go there because of the Fire Star.
He had been following this bright yellow star since the beginning of time. It was what led him to Ingavar and what was now leading him to Ragnar’s Tooth. He knew not why, but he knew it was important. The Fire Star was never wrong.
***
Meanwhile, a little black-haired girl was staring at the rain through her window in Yacolt, Washington. She was an orphan at Miss Nash's Orphanage for Girls. The place was rundown and only the unwanted girls were there. Miss Nash, the director, was very strict and harsh. There was always a punishment for disobeying. The only peaceful time she had to herself was staring out the window. She loved to imagine the rain was snow. In her mind, she was standing on a huge iceberg in the middle of a blizzard looking for…
"Zaenna!" a woman yelled from downstairs.
The young girl shook off her dreaming and yelled back, "Coming, Miss Nash!" She plummeted down the stairs to the impatient orphanage director.
"Zaenna, come with me to my office," Miss Nash said sternly. Zaenna followed trying to think of what she had done wrong.
"What did I do?" she asked in a quavering voice.
"Oh, just be quiet and smile," snapped Miss Nash, and that was the only answer Zaenna received.
When they arrived in the office, Zaenna saw a couple sitting in the chairs. They were wearing thick clothing with fur edging, as if they had just come from a blizzard. Zaenna smiled, for now she knew what was to happen. She was going to be adopted! She smiled until - she saw their faces; neither of them was smiling. In fact, the man was scowling. Zaenna got scared. She sat down, and the world before her seemed to fast-forward. The next thing she knew, she was in a plane to the Arctic.
Her prospective parents hadn’t said a single thing. When they finally arrived, the woman spoke, “Come now, and don’t fuss. My name is Mary and this,” she said, pointing to the man, “is Tootaga.” They drove in a green pickup truck to the house. It was a small cottage, complete with a deck and chimney.
Mary showed Zaenna to her room. It had few furnishings: a bed, desk, chair, closet and lamp. This was not what she was expecting for a dream home, but she smiled politely and went in. “Dinner is at seven,” Mary said, as she closed the door.
Well, things could be worse, thought Zaenna. At least I have my own room, and the views are nice. Oh, what am I pouting about? This will be great.
***
Back on the ice, Ingavar and Thoran were coming closer to their destination but, between them and Ragnar’s Tooth, was a man village. There was no way around it. They would have to go through the village. The only good thing about this village was that it was rather small, and there were no young ones that would bother them.
They traveled on the outskirts of the village. They were nearly to the end when Thoran abruptly stopped and stared ahead. There, lying in the snow not twenty feet away, was a young black-haired girl who looked to be around the age of ten. She was asleep, but had been there for much too long. Her skin was blue and her hair had collected ice crystals. Ingavar started to pass her by, but Thoran shook his head so vigorously that Ingavar was afraid it would topple right off his shoulders, and so he returned to his side.
Thoran used his teeth to pick up the girl and lay her across Ingavar’s back. Ingavar shifted uncomfortably. “This is not a regular man child,” said Ingavar. “Look at her necklace; the amulet is the Fire Star.” This did not persuade Ingavar. He did not like carrying the man child on his back. But Thoran persisted and so they went on with the girl. Zaenna awoke in a cave on a bed of soft grass. The sun was just starting to peak through the cave entrance, and as it lit the corner of the cave Zaenna almost screamed. There in the corner was a giant polar bear. Even as she watched, the old bear began to rise. Its great head rose and its brown eyes fixed on hers. Zaenna knew that she should be scared. She should be running for her life trying to escape, but as she looked into the eyes of the bear she felt peace. The strangest thing was that as she looked at him her amulet became warm to the touch. Then, the bear spoke and Zaenna found that through the amulet she could understand. His voice was strong, but gentle. “My name is Thoran,” said the bear, “and I have brought you with me because of your amulet.” Zaenna looked down at the amulet on her necklace, and the star was glowing. It seemed to hold great power.
“What is your name, Young One?” asked Thoran.
“Zaenna,” she replied. At that moment a shadow blocked the sunlight and Zaenna looked over to see a larger and much stronger bear in the cave entrance.
“This is my companion, Ingavar” Thoran said calmly. Ingavar dipped his head with respect and looked over at Thoran who gave an approving nod. Zaenna had a big destiny ahead. She had been chosen by the Fire Star to rule the ice.
This was a blessing and a curse, for Zaenna would have to prove herself worthy of such an honor in front of all the other bears of the Arctic, when they gathered at Ragnar’s Tooth in three months’ time. In that period, Thoran and Ingavar would have to train her for the position and in the magical powers.
Back at the village, Tootaga was pacing back and forth in front of the fire place. “I can’t believe I lost her!” Tootaga exclaimed. “She was in my grasp and I let her slip through my fingers.”
“Oh, come now” Mary said soothingly. “We’ll find Zaenna and bring her back along with your honor and glory.” Tootaga kept pacing.
“I did not select her for a daughter, Mary” he said. “I brought her here for her power.” Mary gasped. Since early January, Tootaga had been going off about a black haired girl that he had seen in his dreams with an amulet of a star around her neck. This amulet had allowed her to control the ice at her will. Tootaga wanted that power. Zaenna fit the girl in his dreams perfectly.
“You can’t really think that Zaenna is the girl from your dreams?” Mary inquired. “Zaenna is only ten years old.”
“Zaenna is the girl, Mary!” Tootaga cut in “I followed her tracks to the outer village. Why would any girl want to walk that far? She was tired, of course, and laid down. She likely fell asleep.”
“So?” Mary encouraged
“So,” said Tootaga. “By Zaenna’s tracks were two pairs of bear tracks. Do you know what that means?” Tootaga was yelling now and Mary could see that she needed to speak very carefully.
“I believe that proves that your dream is real,” Mary said in an all-too-calm voice.
“It was not a dream, Mary,” said Tootaga “It was a vision. What I saw was a vision of the future. I must find Zaenna.”
***
During the time that Tootaga was ranting and preparing for his search, Zaenna was being trained. She had become good friends with Thoran and Ingavar. Thoran would tell her things of the past and words of wisdom for her future, where Ingavar had sworn to protect her with his life and serve her willingly. At the moment, Thoran was trying to help her find the true power in her amulet. The star necklace that she had thought just pretty was really a great power source that supposedly would enable its bearer to be one with the ice. “You must believe in the power Zaenna,” Thoran counseled. “Let it be one with you.”
Zaenna stared hard at the star amulet in her hand. What was it supposed to do? She was starting to get cold and she wished her amulet could make her warm. Suddenly she realized she had voiced her thoughts aloud and from the corner of her eye she saw Thoran smile. Did he enjoy watching her shake like Jell-o? Suddenly, a patch of ice exploded in front of her! There on the ground was a perfectly dry pile of wood, but it wasn’t lit. “Well that was an awesomely useless…” Zaenna stopped talking and her eyes widened. She saw her necklace glow bright blue and elongate into a short staff with the Fire Star at the point. The star lit up and a stream of white fire shot through the air and struck the wood pile.
“Very good, Zaenna,” Thoran said approvingly. Zaenna’s jaw almost dragged the ice floor. She had made that happen – she had just used magic!
“I…I…” she stuttered. “How did I do that?”
“You willed what you wished and so it came to be, but you must be careful what you wish for.” Thoran chided. “You may accidentally wish for something you don’t want.”
Zaenna (still recovering from her use of magic) inquired, “But, how will this magic stuff help me rule as Ice Princess?”
“This magic stuff is what keeps all the bears in harmony. If it was to fall into the wrong hands, the bears would be eliminated,” answered Thoran. Just then Ingavar pounded toward them.
“There are men and dogs approaching,” panted Ingavar. “They are moving fast. We must leave immediately.” Zaenna looked up at Ingavar. The fighting bear was not scared, but rather, worried for his companion’s safety.
Zaenna, climb on my back. We will go faster that way,” ordered Ingavar in a firm, but gentle voice. Zaenna hopped on and the three of them hurried away. The sun was high in the sky, so Zaenna could see for many miles. There, on a distant glacier was Tootaga and two other men, all on dog sleds. She wondered why Tootaga would go through all this trouble just for her. He didn’t even like her, so why was he trying to get her back? Then, she remembered what Thoran had told her while she was practicing her magic. “Men will want this power for themselves. They do not understand the full power of the magic and might use it for evil against others disturbing the peace. You must use the magic to protect and provide. It will be no easy task.”
Zaenna’s so-called “father” was after her for the power. Night came and still they ran. It seemed the men would never give up, plus they were gaining. Thoran and Ingavar began to pant and slow. Zaenna could feel sweat on Ingavar’s fur. She knew that if the men did not stop, she and her companions would be overcome. Then an idea sparked to life and Zaenna knew what to do. She closed her eyes and concentrated hard. Then, she poured her thoughts into her amulet. She felt the star turn warm. When she opened her eyes, storm clouds had gathered and a blizzard was starting up. Thoran – knowing what she had done – turned his head toward her and said, “That was a clever way to drive back the men, but what about you? You cannot stay in this weather.” That was true and Zaenna had already thought of it.
“I built this!” Zaenna hollered over the roar of the wind. She pointed to where two glaciers were leaning over each other making a sort of cave.
The trio went inside and Zaenna made another fire (this time on purpose) to help heat her frozen body. Ingavar and Thoran flopped onto the floor next to her. “Thank you, Zaenna” breathed Ingavar. “My feet were starting to turn to lead.” With that, the three of them drifted off to sleep.
***
The next morning, Tootaga woke up late. The sun was already high in the sky. Why had he slept in so late? Then, it all came flooding back to him. The night before, he and his comrades had been on a chase after his “daughter,” Zaenna. Tootaga didn’t want Zaenna; he just wanted her amulet and the power it possessed. He had followed her tracks, along with two sets of bear tracks. His work eventually paid off. Tootaga spotted Zaenna with two bears. He did not know why the bears did not eat her, but he assumed it was because of her amulet. Anyway, with his friends he had set the chase after Zaenna. He had been winning, too as he gained ground, but then out of nowhere a blizzard arrived and pushed their hard-won efforts back. They had been forced back toward the shelter of the glaciers where they tried to sleep in their tents while the wind tore around the camp. Now, Tootaga understood what had happened: Zaenna had used the power of her amulet. She must have been figuring it out. His mission would be harder now. He needed to take her by surprise. Tootaga and his followers raged on, determined to get hold of the power Zaenna possessed.
***
Some time later Zaenna awoke to find her companions guarding the glacier-cave entrance. “Aw, you are awake,” said Thoran. “Let us continue on.” The blizzard had ceased and the travel was easy. Zaenna walked between Thoran and Ingavar. She had learned to take long strides in order to keep up with the bears. In this manner, the trio was soon in sight of their destination.
Ragnar’s Tooth loomed overhead. The icy island stood tall and bold, daring anything to challenge it, but that was not what made Zaenna catch her breath. Standing around the base of the island were hundreds of bears. Most were so busy feeding that they did not notice the trio, but as Zaenna, Thoran, and Ingavar advanced the bears started to look up. They did not seem to be looking at Thoran or Ingavar, for they were just two more bears in the crowd, but Zaenna was a human. Many snarled and rose up in a threatening pose, but Ingavar (true to his word) kept them all back. They went straight towards a flat, wide open ice field. When they arrived, Ingavar said, “This is where you will prove yourself, Zaenna. If you do not, this is where you shall die – as shall Thoran and I.” Zaenna looked around. Every bear in the Arctic now had his or her eyes on her.
Zaenna went directly to the middle of the field, looked around and . . . saw Tootaga approaching. His group of men had grown larger. Zaenna could see Tootaga grinning and knew he would do anything to obtain her. Zaenna needed to act immediately. She yanked the necklace off her neck and, using her powers, turned it into a long, glowing, blue staff with the Fire Star at its point. She raised it high above her head, pointing it toward the sky. Then she looked over at her companions. They had retreated toward the outer edge of the field and were now looking at her, wishing they could help her. Zaenna looked back to the sky and let loose a surge of light and energy from the star. Tootaga was too late.
***
Tootaga looked at the light emanating from Zaenna. He had come so close just to lose it now. How could this happen? He yelled and gnashed his teeth in anger, for he had no chance now. What he had always dreamed of, the power and authority, was all gone. What would he say to his men? How could he pay them? He had been depending on the power of the amulet for all these things, but as he watched the light go into the sky, he knew it was impossible now.
***
Zaenna felt the power surging inside her. She imagined the peace and let it loose into the stream of light. The light brightened intensely, and then shot multi-colored waves of light into the air, forming waves of light that danced across the sky. These lights would soon be known to all as the Northern Lights.
Zaenna lowered her staff and the stream of light dissipated, but in the night sky the Northern Lights were still lively and bright. Zaenna looked around to rest her gaze on Thoran. Thoran took a step back. Zaenna’s eyes were no longer blue. The iris had turned bright green, but that was not the strangest part. The pupils were not round and solid black anymore. They were flashing from one color to the next looking much like the Northern Lights, and the shape of them was that of the Fire Star.
Thoran understood this part now, for when Zaenna had fired that stream of light, it had connected with the Fire Star and it was what had caused the Northern Lights. That is why the Fire Star is now called the North Star.
Zaenna beckoned for her companions to come near to her. The two bears exchanged glances, then followed Zaenna up Ragnar’s Tooth to the top where an ice throne had been erected. Zaenna stood in front, staff in hand, with Thoran on her right and Ingavar on her left. None of them sat down. As they waited, Zaenna again saw Tootaga and said a quick spell that made him and his men turn around and go home, forgetting why they had come and what they had seen.
Then, Zaenna looked down because coming up the hill was her destiny. A young cub climbed up the steep embankment toward Zaenna. On his back was a platter of ice and on that platter sat a crown. When the cub reached Zaenna, Ingavar and Thoran picked up the crown with their snouts and placed upon Zaenna’s head. Then, the three bears bowed to Princess Zaenna. Zaenna smiled at them and at all the rest of the bears. Then, she sat down in her throne and sighed. Her work was not finished – oh, no. Her life and adventures had just begun.
***
THE END
I wrote this for a school contest and won $25. I had fun with it and hope you enjoy it.
