In a Scotland beset by Norse invaders, the Herla are fighting their own war. A tyrannical new Lord of the Herd has ended the old way, the yearly play of antlers that ensured a change of leadership.

After hearing how the toy nutcracker that she and her brother received for Christmas got his ugly face, Marie helps break the spell he is under and watches him change into a handsome prince. Illustrated notes throughout the text explain the historical background of the story.