The End of Drum-Time

As a child, Risten witnessed her sister, Elle, drown in a lake, an event that has haunted her through nightmares and a sense of guilt over not being able to save her. This tragedy and Elle’s burial during Easter imbues Risten with a persistent fatalism and fear that affects her adult life.

As Easter approaches, Risten's engagement to Mikkol is at the forefront of her mind. She wrestles with conflicting emotions about her brief connection with Ivvár and her commitment to Mikkol, who represents stability and safety, unlike the unpredictable and unreliable Ivvár. Despite her efforts to convince herself that marrying Mikkol is the right choice, she cannot completely dismiss her feelings for Ivvár. Her inner turmoil about her past and future intensifies, especially as she reflects on her father's possible visit to a sieidi, a sacred Sámi site, driven by worry about the wolverines. The winter persists despite the increasing daylight.

Meanwhile, Willa remains preoccupied with Ivvár, finding herself increasingly disillusioned with her father's fervent religiosity and the burdens of her domestic life. She questions her faith and the relentless routine of her existence, feeling a growing disconnect between her spiritual upbringing and her desires. Willa's encounters with Ivvár become the only bright spots in her otherwise monotonous life.