Bröderna Lejonhjärta (1977)

Karl Lejon, “Skorpan,” is not yet 10 years old, but he knows he is going to die of his illness (tuberculosis). His older brother, Jonatan, comforts him and tells him what happens after death: about the land of Nangijala, where it is still “the time of campfires and fairy tales.” Some time later, their house catches fire, and Jonatan saves Skorpan by carrying him on his back and jumping out of the window. Skorpan survives, but Jonatan does not. Some time later, Skorpan dies and arrives in Nangijala too, where they live together in a little house and each have a horse to ride around on. Skorpan can both swim and ride. They visit the Golden Rooster inn, where the innkeeper, Jossi, welcomes them. Jonatan tells of Thorn Rose Valley, which is now occupied by the evil Tengil. Thanks to Sofia’s doves, messages can be sent between the valleys. There is a traitor in Cherry Valley, but no one knows who it is. Because of the traitor, Tengil’s men have captured Orvar, the resistance leader in Thorn Rose Valley.