It was a peaceful day in Albia. The grass was greener than usual and the air sweet and noiseless. The elders rested peacefully while the youngsters played. This was Albia's better side. It wasn't so peaceful near the waterwheel, however. Gug the Grendel was up to no good. Gug came to the Norns as a baby, but despite protests from some of the youngsters they took him on. He was now a child, and had a tendency to be naughty and was nearly always getting into trouble of some sort. But he was a Grendel, so that was understandable. Even so, he could be very pleasant and when he was being good all of the Norns liked him. Except one. Zarder, a young male Norn, seriously disliked Gug ever since a disease ridden Grendel killed his mother and father. He was only Gug's age, but already had a serious grudge against the good Grendel. "What are you doing Gug?" Asked Millymah, a baby female Norn. "What does it look like?" Snapped Gug. He wasn't in one of his best moods that day. "It looks like you're hurting that wormy bug!" Gasped the little girl Norn. Gug squashed the caterpillar with his foot. "That's what I'm doing then!" He grunted. The baby squealed and ran over to Gug, scooping up the caterpillar in her hands. "Nasty Gug hurt wormy bug!" She cried. Gug rolled his eyes. "Millymah, it's a stupid bug! What you getting so worked up about?" "Poor little wormy bug, poor cute, wormy bug! You squished him! I hate you! You, you wormy bug hurter!" Millymah's eyes filled wth tears. "Millymah, don't cry, you know Zarder will think I've hurt you or something, and then he'll kick up such a fuss!" Begged Gug. "Me no care, you hurt wormy bug!" Cried Millymah, cradling the dead caterpillar in her hands as if it were a baby. "I'm going to tell!" "If you tell, I'll squash all these bugs!" Threatened Gug. "No! No! Don't!" Begged Millymah. "Then, don't tell." Said Gug. Millymah shook her head. "I'm telling on you because I know you wont squish any more!" "Okay, you asked for it." Said Gug. He began stamping on as many caterpillars as he could find. "No! No!" Millymah began to cry so loudly, that all of Albia could have heard it.

Xanten came rushing towards her from the hot room. "What's wrong Millymah? What's happened? Are you alright?" He shouted anxiously. Millymah shook her head. "No, Elder Xanten! Gug nasty, he kill wormy bugs!" She sniffed, showing Xanten the squashed catterpillar in her hands. "He said if I tell, he squish more! He did too, look!" She burst out crying again.Xanten gave Gug a withering stare. "Gug, follow me please." He growled. "Uh oh." Thought Gug. Xanten took Millymah by the hand grabbed Gug by the scruff. Xanten led them to a teleporter. Next thing they knew, Gug, Millymah and Xanten where by the incubator. There before them, stood Saxtus, the oldest Norn of their tribe and the leader. He was so old and wise, even the elders called him Elder Saxtus. His white beard was so long it touched the ground. "Ah, hello there my friend!" He smiled at Xanten. " And hello to you too, youngsters. What brings you here?" "This young rascal." Said Xanten, shaking Gug. "He's been causing trouble again, Elder Saxtus. Gug stared at the floor guiltily. Saxtus's smile faded. "Oh? And what, may I ask, has Gug done?" He frowned. Millymah sniffed. "He hurt wormy bug! Look." She said, showing Saxtus the catterpillar she was still carrying. "And he killed many more, just because Millymah was going to tell an Elder on him. He upset Millymah very much, Elder Saxtus." "It seems Gug has no respect for living things." Growled Saxtus angrilly. "Xanten, will you take little Millymah someplace else? I want to have a word with Gug alone." "Yes Elder Saxtus." Nodded Xanten. He touched the teleporter and they both vanished. "Now then, why did you upset little Millymah? What has she ever done to you? Hmm?" Asked Saxtus sternly. He folded his arms and tapped his foot. "Oh c'mon Elder Saxtus, they were just stupid bugs." Said Gug quietly. "I didn't mean to upset her, honest!" "Yes, but you knew very well how upset she was when you killed one, why did you threaten to kill them all if she told an Elder? That is cowardice, young Grendel!" "I know, I.... didn't mean it!" "I'm ashamed of you Gug. I thought you were doing really well, but now I can see you really can't behave yourself." "I can, Elder Saxtus, really I can!" Said Gug. "You have no respect for living things, you killed that bug for no apparent reason. You're a bully Gug, and I dislike bullies greatly. If I get any more complaints about you upsetting little Norns then I'm afraid it'll be the ultimate punishment for you, young Grendel." Gug ran off crying. The ultimate punishment was being spliced by the genetic splicing machine. Saxtus would never do that to any creature, he just said that to frighten Gug. He sighed and stroked his enormous beard. That Grendel sure had a way with Norns.

Xanten let Millymah stay by the garden area, where Zarder, a young male Norn often played with his best friend Hayladine, a female Ettin. He was there now, looking rather pleased with himself. Millymah went over to him. "Hello Zarder. What you happy about?" She asked. Zarder smiled at the baby Norn. "I have just turned into an adolescent. Just found out this morning!" He beamed with pride. "Oh! That means you're a grown up, doesn't it, Zarder?" Asked Millymah. Zarder nodded. "Anyway, what brings you here Millymah?" Millymah didn't have the heart to tell Zarder what had happened that morning. Zarder could be horrible to Gug, he hated him. "Millymah just wanted to say hello to Zarder, haven't seen him for a long, long time!" Said Millymah. That was true, she did want to see him. "Thanks Milly!" "Where's Hayladine?" "I'm here, Millymah!" Came a voice. There sat a sweet young female Ettin. She was a lot older than Zarder, a youth, but they were still the best of friends. Only an Elder was classed as an adult in their tribe. "Lovely day!" She hopped off the rock and smiled at the baby Norn, her big red eyes sparkling. "We were playing I spy. Wanna play? " She asked. Millymah nodded eagerly. "Yay! Millymah love I spy! She giggled.

Kronian had given up trying to teach young Axor new words. He was now chatting to Faith while Axor played with the toy dog. Axor spotted Gug walking past and pointed at him."Nut!" Kronian turned to face Axor. "What's that? Where? What's a nut?" "Nut!" Axor pointed. Kronian looked in the direction Axor's finger was pointing. He noticed Gug was looking very miserable. "Hi Gug!" He shouted. Gug faced him. "Hello Elder Kronian." He replied. Kroniuan was concerned, he didn't look happy at all. "What's wrong Gug? Is something wrong?" He asked. Gug shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong Elder Kronian." Immediatley, a thought sprung to Kronian's mind. "Has Zarder been giving you grief again?" He asked Gug. "No, I haven't seen him today. It's nothing, really." Said Gug. He walked off across the bridge, leaving the three Norns. "Poor Gug, I bet it is that mean Zander!" Said Faith. "Now Faith, don't jump to conclusions. Gug may have done something bad, you know what he's like sometimes." "Nut!" "Hmm... well I do wish he'd cheer up. He's great fun when he's in the right mood, which is rare." She sighed. "Nut!" "Yes, his good moods are pretty rare, aren't they?" "Nut!" "Yes. I wonder if Zander has said anything to him though..." "Fruit! Axor want fruit!" Cried Axor. Faith and Kronian stared at the baby Norn. "Axor, you talked! Clever Norn Axor, clever Norn!" Cried Faith. "Here!" Said Kronian, giving Axor a tomato. "You can have all the fruit you like, you just have to ask for it!" He laughed. Axor took the fruit and ate it. "Hehehee, nut!" Axor giggled. Kronian and Faith groaned.

Pennybright was the second oldest Norn in the tribe. She was Saxtus's mate, and very kind and gentle. She and Saxtus were the sole survivors of the hatchery Norns, the six Norns that began everything. She began humming a tune to herself as she cleaned the beach of toys and devices. All of a sudden, she stood on a green plant. She got a shock when the green plant moved. She realised that it was no green plant she had stepped on, it was a Grendel's tail. "Gug, is that you?" She asked nervously. The Grendel came face to face with Pennybright. That was not Gug. This Grendel was an adult, an enormous and vicious adult Grendel. She tried to run, but it was too late. The Grendel had bitten her, and she passed out.

Zarder, Hayladine and Millymah had enough of I spy and decided to have a walk around the beach. Hayladine picked up a coconut and tried to crack its furry shell open. Zarder rested against a tree and started digging his foot into the hot, golden sand, while Millymah went looking for shells. Then all of a sudden, she noticed something brown in the sand. She thought it might be a bit of driftwood, so she went to investigate. Then all of a sudden, she gave an almighty scream. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Hayladine and Zarder rushed over to Millymah. "Millymah, are you alright?" Asked Zarder. "Oh my Albian stars! It's Elder Pennybright!" Cried Hayladine. Zarder gasped. "Quickly, we need to get her to the incubator as fast as we can!" He said. All the Norns, Ettins and Gug stood in a circle around Pennybright. She lay lifeless. "Is she.... dead?" Asked Saxtus shakily. Jonako, the doctor Norn, shook his head. "No. She's not dead, but she's critically ill. If something isn't done soon she will die." He said. "She has a disease. It isn't contaigous but it's lethal." "How did she get it?" Asked Kronian. "A Grendel bite." "I knew it!" Shouted Zander. "You disease ridden scum! You've hurt Elder Pennybright! I don't know why anyone accepted you into our tribe, once a Grendel, always a Grendel! Ever since you came here you've been trouble, she's going to die, and it's all your fault!" "I haven't touched her, honest! I haven't got any diseases, why are you so mean to me?" Sniffed Gug. "Go back where you came from, with your own kind, and leave us Norns and Ettins to lead peaceful and happy lives. I want to see the day your kind are wiped out. Your a mistake, a big mistake that the Shee made. You were never meant to be, nobody wanted you!" Shouted Zander. "Zander! Stop this immediatley! If you dare utter another word you'll find yourself in that splicing machine do you understand me?" Shouted Saxtus. Zander nodded sulkily.

"Yes, Gug. We know you didn't do it. Another Grendel, a nasty Grendel, did this. You are a friend to the Norns, and we don't know what to do without you." Said Saxtus softly. He turned back to Jonako. "Is there a cure?" Jonako nodded. "Yes." He said. "The sap of the Icemore flower, found in the remotest regions of Albia, contains an essential chemical that the advanced science kit does not have. However, the Shee kept this beautiful flower safe by altering its genetics. The flower will only bloom if a special tune is played to it. This tune is also known as the Bolero Of The Shee." All the creatures gasped. "The Bolero Of The Shee? That's only a legend!" Said Xanten. "Maybe, but what if it's true? Tell us more, friend." Said Saxtus. "I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than that." Said Jonako. "I don't know the tune, and I don't know the wherabouts of the Icemore flower." "The Bolero Of The Shee?" Said Gug. He looked thoughtful. "I know something about that, if I'm allowed to speak." He glared at Zander. Who bared his teeth at Gug. "Of course you can Gug. We need all the help we can get." Said Saxtus. "I remember, when I was very tiny, my mother told me a story of the Bolero Of The Shee. The Shee were so wary about keeping this mysterious melody under wraps, that they didn't even tell their machines or computers it. Instead, they engraved it on a stone. The Shee had to trust someone to guard the stone, but only a creature with total viciousness, a savage fighting race could guard the stone. The Shee entrusted it to the Grendels, as the Ettins were too stup... er, occupied and the Norns too friendly to guard it. So, this sacred stone got to be called the Grendel's Stone. It had been passed down from generation to generation of Grendels, and it ensured the Shee's survival. However, the Shee are long gone, but the Grendels apparently are still loyal to their promise and won't let any creature but another Grendel see the stone." Explained Gug. Zander snorted. "At least you're good for something, if it's true!" "Gug, you never told us!" Said Saxtus. "I didn't think you'd be interested." Said Gug. "This is too risky. To learn the melody, we need to wander into Grendel territory." Said Xanten. Gug shook his head. "You don't, I do." He said. Everyone stared at Gug. "What?" Gasped Saxtus. "Listen, you're my friends! I can't let you go into a place plagued with evil Grendels, you'll die in seconds! Since I'm a Grendel too, I can venture in there safely, learn the tune and tell you guys. It's the only way!" He said. "But Gug, you're only a child! It's too dangerous!" Cried Kronian. "Don't worry about me." Smiled Gug. "I'll be alright." There was a pause. "You aren't a coward, Gug. I take that back. You're the bravest Grendel I know, and I'm very proud of you." Said Saxtus. Gug gave a small smile, and ran off in the direction of a huge area of Grendel territory. "Good luck Gug!" Shouted Millymah. "Nut!" Shouted Axor. But he was too far away to hear their cries of luck, even though he seriously needed them.

Gug cautiously crept towards the Grendel colony near the hot room. There were millions of Grendels, each one looked mean and nasty. Despite being one himself, Gug didn't know how Grendels treated each other. Like the Norns, he was brought up to believe they were all nasty to one another, but suprisingly, they acted just as nice towards one another as any Norn or Ettin. Gug overheard a mother helping her youngster get food because her baby couldn't reach. He also saw two Grendels playing with one another, and another Grendel mother protecting her newly hatched baby. He was shocked when a fully grown female approached him. "Hi!" She smiled. She smelt bad, but otherwise seemed quite friendly. "Hello." Said Gug nervously. This was the first time he had ever met anyone of his own kind. "You don't look so good. You've been with too many Norns by the look of it!" She laughed. She was joking, but Gug wondered if she was serious. "Come and get some trumpet fruit, it's fresh off the trumpet flower, and very good for you!" She said. He followed her, carefully avoiding the molten lava pits. He ate the red, juicy fruit. It tasted very good. "Have another!" Said the female. "Please, help yourself." "Thanks." He said. He was baffled by the female's hospitality. Perhaps Grendels were greatly misunderstood. They weren't nasty at all. He decided to ask about what he was actually there for. "Do you know where the Grendel's Stone is?" He asked. The female nodded. "Sure, I thought every Grendel did. Oh, unless you were born someplace else?" "Yeah." "Oh. Well, the Grendel Stone is up on the big machine structure on the left. There's a set of stairs leading up to it. Here, I'll take you to it if you like." "Yes please." "Alright, follow me!" The female rushed ahead, Gug could barely keep up with her. He noticed lots of Grendels at the foot of some steps. "This youngster wants to see The Stone." She said. The Grendels moved aside to let Gug past. "I'll have to let you go from here. My mate will be worried if I'm gone too long. He gets awfully anxious you know." "Thanks, bye." "Bye." Gug ran up the steps to see a huge, black, shiny slab of stone. There was a musical staff on it and notes. Not being able to read music very well, Gug took out a peice of paper and a pen and copied all of the notes and the staff down. He carefully put the paper in his pocket. He noticed a young male Grendel watching him. "Do you know how it goes?" He asked. Gug shook his head. "No." He replied. "Would you like to hear it?" He asked. Gug nodded eagerly. "I'd love it!" "Okay." The young male took a harmonica from his pocket and played the tune. It was a wierd, spooky melody, yet at the same time it was a suprisingly beautiful tune. It sent chills down Gug's spine. "Thanks, you played it good." He said. "Thankyou." Said the young male. Gug went back down the stairs and quickly left the colony. He had the tune.

"I hope young Gug is alright!" Sighed Saxtus. The Norns and Ettins were worried about him. When would he return? He was taking an awfully long time. "I bet he's stayed with them, good riddance to him too." Zarder muttered under his breath. Millymah cried. "Will he ever come back Elder Saxtus?" She shivered. Millymah was extremely fond of Gug, she always hung around with him. Saxtus put his arm around her. "Of course he will, Millymah." He assured her. "Of course he will." "If he does, then we'll know the legend is true. If the Bolero Of The Shee exists, then the flowers of Icemore certainly will!" Said Xanten. Then, all of a sudden, Kronian sprinted towards them. "He's done it! He has the tune!" He cried. He was closely followed by Gug , who had a huge smile on his face. All the Norns and Ettins cheered, except Zarder, who looked at the floor rather guiltily. "Here it is." He panted, giving it to Saxtus. "Great! Now, Zarder, you're the only one of us that can read music and play instuments. Play the tune!" Zarder took the paper and picked up his saxaphone. He played it exactly like the young Grendel on the harmonica. "That's it! That's exactly how the Grendel played it! " Cried Gug. All the creatures cheered, including Gug. "Now, we need to find the flowers of Icemore." Said Faith. "But where are they?" Asked Kronian. "Nut!" "Quiet Axor!" Said Faith. Then, all of a sudden Jonako smiled. "Axor, you're a genuius!" He cried. "Nuts! The soil needs to be extremely moist for the Icemore flower, just the exact opposite it needs to be for nuts!" "What?" Asked Xanten. "Nuts grow in dry places or the desert and sandy regions, right?" Everyone nodded. "Then the Icemore flower must grow in conditions wetter than any normal soil!" "Are you saying, Jonako, the Icemore flower grows underwater?" Asked Faith. "Presicely. " Grinned Jonako. "And there's only one Norn here that can play and instrument and breathe underwater." Everyone turned to Zarder. "I'll do it." Zarder nodded. "What do I have to do?" "Go to the bottom of the ocean, and play the tune through your saxaphone." "But that's silly! You won't hear any sound!" "That's the idea! The Shee meant that to happen, what's the good of having a secret tune, if someone passing by hears it?" "Jonako, you're the genius!" Smiled Saxtus.

"Okay Zarder, you're ready to go!" "Wait." Said Zarder. "There's something I have to do first. " He walked over to Gug. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about all the things I've said and all the names I've called you. You're a very brave Grendel and I take everything I've ever said about you back. Do you forgive me?" He asked. Gug nodded. "Sure." He smiled. They shook hands. "My Albian stars! Are you alright today, Zarder?" Said Saxtus. Zarder smiled. "I'm going. Wish me luck creatures!" With the saxaphone in one hand, and the paper in the other, Zarder went up the lift. He dived into the water and swam to the bottom. He played the tune on his saxaphone (even though he didn't hear it) and waited. Nothing happened. But there was a vibration. Then, Zarder spotted a tiny green weed growing in front of him. The weed grew bigger, and bigger until it was the size of his waist. Then, the leaves opened, and the most beautiful flower bloomed out of it. It had icy blue petals and tall anthers that reached up to Zarder's nose. Quickly, Zarder picked it and returned to the incubator. "I have it, I have the flower!" Cried Zarder. "Give it to me, quickly, Elder Pennybright is getting worse!" Said Jonako. He took the flower and put it in a glass jar. He squashed it until a bright green liquid poured out of it, and the took the flower out. "Elder Pennybright, drink this." He said. She groaned and opened her mouth a little. Jonako poured the green drink into her mouth and she began to swallow it. Suddenly she sat bolt upright and glanced back and forth. "What happened? What's going on?" She asked. Everyone cheered loudly. Saxtus hugged Pennybright and kissed her. "It's alright, we'll tell you later. Right now, you just get some rest!" He sighed with relief. "This story shall go into the history chronicles!" Smiled Kronian. "It shall be passed down from generations for the little Norns and Ettins to listen to. Or Grendels!" Everyone nodded. They couldn't agree more.

Pennybright was more wary from that day on. Little Axor got over his obsession with the word "nut," and is now a very talkative Norn. Faith and Zander are mates and have had there first child, a girl called Gukronia, named after Gug the Grendel and Faith's good friend Kronian. Gug and Zander are now good friends, though they still argue sometimes. Hayladine has now been elected as the new chronicle keeper, as tragically the chronicle keeper before that, Elder Kronian, sadly died three days after Faith and Zander's baby hatched. Gug and Millymah are still the best of friends. Gug has been staying out of trouble, but I imagine that shouldn't last very long! Jonako has many Icemore flowers and has now added the chemical to the advanced science kit. He named the chemical Gugzanderomium, after the two brave creatures that helped to find it. It is proving useful even now. Xander and Millymah both want to be musicians, so are taking lessons off Zander, though Millymah isn't doing very well! Saxtus and Pennybright are still going strong, however they have decided that by the time they reach seven hours old they would splice themselves to create a new Norn rather than die. Saxtus has given Elder Xanten the honour of being leader when he goes.