“So, how are you today, ANEA?” “Very well, Arthur, thanks! Shall we set out for the Arctic Ocean?” “Yes, ANEA, now we’re off to the north. A good thing that you have warm clothes.”

Presently, their journey with Arthur’s carriage begins, rocking them gently across the wondrous blue of the infinitely deep sea, past fish of all kinds and colours waving at them amiably. This is so nice, ANEA thinks, everything is so beautiful here, but then the water gets darker and the currents of the sea get stronger, making the carriage swing more and more, gliding through turbulences and huge masses of water. A huge school of mackerel dodges the fast carriage at the last second and Arthur is struggling to keep his balance.

“Hold on tight, ANEA, here in the north the waters are somewhat turbulent. Please don’t be afraid, I know my way and I know where the difficult spots are.” “Thank you, Arthur, what a relief.”

They continue their journey and suddenly the carriage plunges into the depths at a tearing pace, speeding up. What on earth is going on, ANEA wonders, getting rather agitated. Why are we travelling at a nearly unsustainable speed into the depths? Arthur, short of breath, is struggling violently with his fins, so as not to lose control, but he knows the way and is a good captain. “Hold on, ANEA, the ride will get even wilder!”

As soon as he says that, the carriage with Arthur and ANEA whirls in ever faster circles into the depths, where it gets darker and more desolate. There are no more fish here. Suddenly a flash of lightning illuminates the dark, but then they are back in the dark. The whole carriage is drawn further into the depths by a gigantic vortex, making their journey appear endless.

ANEA stares fearfully into the black void, seeing the frothing masses of water and smelling a strange odour that is rather pungent and makes her eyes burn. However, Arthur, the walrus, keeps struggling unflinchingly and bravely. “Hold on, ANEA, we’re nearly there!”

Arthur’s loud words help ANEA to calm down. Though she feels safe in the carriage, she does not like what is going on outside. Let’s hope this infernal trip soon has an end, she thinks, feeling very tense, her eyes glued to the carriage window. Again, she hears a hissing sound. Strange, ghastly shapes, monsters with distorted faces and huge teeth show up like buzzing shadows everywhere, sending a chill through ANEA. Please let us continue quickly, I don’t like it here at all. Then, however, something makes everything stop abruptly.

The water becomes still and Arthur comments briefly: “A good thing it is so quiet here. I have to repair the left side of the carriage. It has been damaged through the vortex, and needs to be fixed before we continue. I hope you are ok, dear ANEA. I know this journey is dangerous, but soon we’ve made it, and then we will have reached the other side.” Well, ANEA thinks, that’s good. Arthur has quickly fixed the damage and now they continue their journey more smoothly and steadily. The darkness yields and a light blue appears all around. That feels good, after this fright I can now enjoy the tea and the delicious biscuits I brought along, ANEA thinks, humming merrily. Sitting in her carriage, she looks out of the window full of wonder, while eating her provisions. The water is now light blue, turquoise and then ice-blue.

“Oh, a baby seal”, ANEA calls out, “how pretty it is!” In the far distance, a big block of ice can be seen. Could that be the first iceberg the sea fairy mentioned earlier? Arthur glides unerringly towards the iceberg, as if driven by an invisible compass. And with a jolt, the carriage comes to a halt on the white mountain of eternal ice and snow.

“Many thanks, dear Arthur, what an adventurous journey that was, thank you!”, she says, giving him a big kiss on his fat walrus nose. Rather embarrassed, he says that it was an honour for him. “Now just walk straight ahead to the large ice lake where Hiru, the Eskimo lives. He will definitely help you!” And then he is gone, towards his homeland, disappearing with a leap back into the sea. “Goodbye Arthur”, she calls after him hastily, “please give my regards to everybody!”

Everything here is white, made of snow and ice. How fortunate that I have brought my warm fur clothes with me. That was really nice of the sea fairy. She continues straight ahead, as instructed by Arthur, heading towards what should be the large ice lake...