Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

their return.
Elisabeth would watch their belongings, could they bring Otto along? Oh, there was
plenty of room in the sleighs and at the house there would be a throng of their own children for
him to play with.
Konrad was overwhelmed by so much unexpected hospitality.
"Look," said Alexandra, dressing Otto in his warmest clothes, "they live out here in the
woods on their baronial estates, two hours by train from the nearest larger city, the company of
friends is their only real pleasure."
The horses steamed and snorted clouds in the cold air, jingling harnesses, an
occasional crack of Bredow’s whip. They flew across the snow, dark woods, frozen lakes and
more woods. Wrapped in several rough blankets sitting between his parents Otto said.
"Mummy, the blanket scratches me. Where are we going?"
Alexandra tucked the blanket away from his face. "To the Snow Castle, Otto, deep in the
woods. Herr von Bredow lives there with his many children."
Otto burrowed with his small arm through the blankets until he found his mother’s hand.
"Mummy, tell me the story of your grandfather’s castle."
Putting her arm around him she began. "Once upon a time my grandfather built a castle
for Grandmother and their many children in a beautiful valley where grapes grow and the sun
shines. From the house they could see the high snow mountains, but it never snowed in the
valley. In the high mountains lived wild men who envied the people in the valley their grapes
and good life. One night, when my grandfather was not home they came down on their horses
and broke into the house and captured Grandmother and all her children. They took them to
their hideout deep in the woods. Grandfather was very sad when he found his wife and all his
children gone. But the Emperor of Russia came to Grandfather’s aid and gave him much
money to ransom his children. With that money Grandfather filled a whole wagon with gold
pieces, drove into the mountains, and brought back Grandmother and her children. They lived
many years happily thereafter. Grandfather died, but Grandmother is still alive in that castle
with Uncle David and Uncle George and their children. Next year I will take you to Kakheti to
Grandfather’s castle."
"Mummy," said Otto, "are there wild men in these woods?"
Von Bredow turned around and laughed. "No Otto, our soldiers have driven them all
across the border."
Alexandra smiled. "Where they live happily ever after."
Bredow cracked his whip over the horses and sighed. "We hope so, but who can
foretell."
Soon the Snow Castle appeared, an elegant manor house surrounded by farm buildings
and old oaks. Friedrich’s wife, a tall, gaunt woman with the first few strands of gray in her blond
hair and laughing blue eyes, welcomed her guests at the door.
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