huldra

Yes, in truth, once inside you had to literally chop your way forward, expecting the worst, not lose your cool for one single moment or turn your back to or let yourself be seduced by the lovely voice of the analysand, because, like a huldra she could inveigle you to into entering marches out of which you would never by yourself, find your way out.

Archive 2009-04-01 Eric Dickens 2009

When you bear away your lady-love, over hill and through forest, be sure you turn not round; be sure you never look back -- the huldra sits laughing behind every bush; and when all is done -- [In a low voice, coming close up to him.] -- you will go no further than she will let you.

The Feast at Solhoug Henrik Ibsen 1867

Figures like the huldra, a troll-like creature from local folklore who appears in the form of an unbearably beautiful young woman and lures men to their doom, or the haunted old storyteller in my current novel-in-progress, a man named Kyrre Ericson, who sees what nobody else does.

Travel news, travel guides and reviews | guardian.co.uk 2009