The evening was cold, the air sharp and clear. A low autumn sun lit up the sky over the horizon, and as it sank into the sea it left a trace of pure gold. Out on the open ocean a rowing-boat rested and wobbled in the harsh waves. On board were two brothers. They were out fishing like so many times before. Both were tall, much taller than regular people, some even called them giants. Their great strength was widely known. Normal wooden oars would not do for the brothers and they snapped like matchsticks when they rowed heavily. The wooden ones had therefore been exchanged for iron oars. Numerous rumours whirled about them, one wilder and more fantastic than the other. Many feared them, while some admired the men and saw them as great heroes. They were the Tunes Brothers.
They had been fishing for hours, but that day the ocean seemed emptied of fish. Only one fish lay in the boat, a medium sized halibut. Finally the brothers had to realize their luck had left them and they headed home in their boat. Just then the sky darkened and clouds gathered. Small drops of water began to land in the ocean. Before they knew it the world had become rain, wind and waves. They rowed and rowed but not even the Tunes Brothers could compete with Mother Nature. When they seemed doomed the brothers asked their god to save them. With salt water whipping their faces they promised to give the church on Tunes a halibut made of silver. Now all they could do was hope their god had heard them.
After a while the weather calmed and the brothers safely reached their harbour. They held their promise and made a silver halibut to decorate the church. Many saw the fish as a bringer of luck while others would not see the same. Some even feared the silver halibut would attract unwelcome guests.
Rumours about the silver halibut spread quickly. Before long a gathering of Russian pirates came to know of the valuable possession, and convinced the treasure would soon be theirs, they began their journey. Still, they had heard stories about the Tunes Brothers and the threat they made, so they knew it wouldn't be as simple as merely collecting it from the fishing village.
One evening the brothers came back from fishing. It was winter and both had looked forward to coming home and into the warmth of a house. Not far from the fishing village they noticed a peculiar ship anchored that neither of them could recognize. The brothers became suspicious, but nothing seemed wrong so far.
As usual people were gathered on the shore to welcome them home. Despite this the brothers were cautious, and soon they noticed something was not right. All the grown men who had gathered, behaved strangely. Cautiously the brothers inspected the crowd and they could see that many of them had weapons such as swords and spears. The brothers looked upon one another.
When they came ashore they were attacked. Apparently the people on the beach were Russians disguised as Norwegian fishermen and peasants. But the brothers were prepared and started beating the enemy with their iron oars. The Russians tried their best. Attacking from every direction, screaming and with their arms raised, they failed to harm anyone before being struck down by an oar. Russian after Russian fell to the ground until only a handful were left. The enemy realized the battle was lost and escaped in their ship.
The real villagers had barricaded themselves inside the largest house on Tunes. The Russian bandits had collected firewood to set fire to the house, but they never finished before the brothers arrived. Unfortunately the whole story does not end well, because several villagers did not make it to safety. Some were brutally murdered by the pirates, among these a young girl who was the brothers' niece. When they discovered what had happened to her, they were both overwhelmed by grief. In anger and despair they swore to take revenge on every Russian who ever set foot on Tunes.
The brothers acquired thick leather armours which protected them from spears, arrows and rocks, and before long they became useful. Several times the Russians returned to avenge the dead and finish the hunt for the silver halibut, but each time they were overpowered and defeated by the raging brothers. Tunes was gradually emptied of people because they moved to safer places, while the brothers remained in the fishing village.
Time passed. The Russians came back many more times, only to be defeated again and again. Christmas came, and the brothers felt they had deserved at least one day of celebration. And celebrate they did! Fair amounts of strong wine was consumed and late at night they went out to sea to fish. After a successful catch the brothers rowed home. The night was dark and icy cold so they decided to continue the celebration as they returned home.
Time passed. The Russians came back many more times, only to be defeated again and again. Christmas came, and the brothers felt they had deserved at least one day of celebration. And celebrate they did! Fair amounts of strong wine was consumed and late at night they went out to sea to fish. After a successful catch the brothers rowed home. The night was dark and icy cold so they decided to continue the celebration as they returned home.
The brothers acquired thick leather armours which protected them from spears, arrows and rocks, and before long they became useful. Several times the Russians returned to avenge the dead and finish the hunt for the silver halibut, but each time they were overpowered and defeated by the raging brothers. Tunes was gradually emptied of people because they moved to safer places, while the brothers remained in the fishing village.
Time passed. The Russians came back many more times, only to be defeated again and again. Christmas came, and the brothers felt they had deserved at least one day of celebration. And celebrate they did! Fair amounts of strong wine was consumed and late at night they went out to sea to fish. After a successful catch the brothers rowed home. The night was dark and icy cold so they decided to continue the celebration as they returned home.
After some time had passed one of the brothers had to walk outside to empty his bladder. His head was dazed and in the dark he did not notice the figures nor the silent steps in the snow. Only when he glimpsed a movement in the corner of his eye did he know something was wrong. Before he was able to react, he was overpowered by Russian pirates. He strove to fight them, but they were too many. As he drew his final breath he cried out for his brother.
His brother immediately sensed that something was wrong and reached for a weapon before he stepped outside. When he saw what the Russians had done to his brother he was filled with rage. Russian upon Russian fell to the ground, but he was drunk and without armour, and despite his long and hard fight he was also killed.
The Russians celebrated their victory. Both brothers were dead and nobody could prevent them from taking everything they found of value. With pride they carried the silver halibut out of the church, the main symbol of their glory. They left Tunes and brought the fish to Russia. Everybody knew the brothers were now dead and the battle over.
With the two brothers gone, times became more peaceful on Tunes. The Russians never returned and in time people returned to the fishing village. Soon life was back to normal again, but with no Russians, no silver halibut and no Tunes Brothers. Most people felt their death was for the best, but some still believed they were alive, and that one day they would come rowing in from the sea with the largest catch ever seen.
