Chapter 5
The sky is filled with billowing waves of intense green and violet shades that almost take Hanna’s breath away. The helicopter is flying between steep snow-covered mountains, surrounded by the northern lights.
It looks as if God himself has used a broad brush to color the pitch-black polar night.
Aurora borealis.
It is indescribably beautiful, with thick emerald stripes moving back and forth across the sky.
“Wow,” Hanna says into the microphone. They were given headsets to enable them to communicate in spite of the engine noise. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Henry reaches out to squeeze her hand.
He is in the back seat, wanted her to sit beside the pilot so she could enjoy the best view.
It is the first time she has been in a helicopter for pleasure; previous outings have all been work related, and on those occasions she didn’t really have time to admire her surroundings.
“We’re almost there,” the pilot informs them.
Hanna doesn’t want it to be over. She could sit here for hours, continue into eternity in this world of snow and ice.
Everything is close by and far away at the same time.
She has the urge to open the thick side window, stretch out her hand, and touch the bright colors. If she looks down for just a second, new extraordinary patterns immediately form in a never-ending, glowing dance.
They have been flying for approximately forty minutes and must be close to the Norwegian border. It is impossible to imagine that there could be a hotel out here in the wilderness.
At that moment the pilot swings to the left.
“There,” Henry says, pointing ahead.
Dots of light quickly grow in size. As the helicopter comes in to land, Hanna sees burning torches and glowing firepits.
A brown wooden building, surrounded by a semicircular stone wall, emerges from the shadows.
There are several smaller buildings gathered behind the large one, as if they have huddled together for protection against the polar chill.
No one can survive out here without warmth and company.
“Where are we?” she asks as the helicopter gradually drops down in front of the main building. They land with a small thud, and the intense sound of the rotors fades to a quiet whisper.
“Welcome to Niehku Mountain Villa,” Henry says with a smile. “This is where we’re going to celebrate your birthday.”