FIFTH STORY. The Little Robber Maiden

In the dark wood, little Gerda’s carriage, shining brightly, attracts robbers who believe it to be gold. They seize the carriage, rough up the servants, and captivate Gerda. The robbers, led by an old, bearded woman, contemplate killing Gerda until her plans are thwarted by her own wild daughter, the Little Robber Maiden, who decides Gerda will be her new plaything. The Little Robber Maiden, characterized by her dark eyes and untamable spirit, claims Gerda’s belongings and demands her company, protecting her from harm under the condition of Gerda’s obedience.

Together, they journey through the woods to a robber’s stronghold, described as dilapidated yet bustling with life from its peculiar inhabitants, ranging from magpies to fierce bull-dogs. Inside the robbers’ hall, amidst a bizarre domestic scene of cooking and communal living, Gerda finds an unexpected semblance of hospitality. The Little Robber Maiden introduces Gerda to her domain of animals and asserts her ownership over them in a display of dominance mixed with childlike intrigue, further complicating her fierce but childlike character.

Their night together is troubled for Gerda; sleeping next to the knife-clutching Little Robber Maiden, she fears for her life while the robbers’ revelry continues around them. Amidst this, a moment of hope surfaces as wood-pigeons share sightings of Kay, hinting at his presence in Lapland under the Snow Queen’s influence. This revelation sparks a glimmer of direction in Gerda’s quest, despite the Little Robber Maiden’s threatening demeanor.

By morning, the interaction between Gerda, the Little Robber Maiden, and the knowledgeable Reindeer crafts an unlikely alliance hinted at by talks of heading towards Lapland. This chaotic yet whimsical chapter weaves threads of danger with those of camaraderie and uncovers the depths of Gerda’s courage and the unexpected forms that aid can take.