The story takes place in Elsinore in 1658 during the second Swedish war. The Swedish King, Carl X Gustav, regretted that he did not conquer all of Denmark in the first war in 1657-58. In August 1658 the Swedes entered Zealand again and moved towards Copenhagen. August 17, 1658 Field Marshal Gustaf Wrangel marched into the unfortified city of Elsinore with his army of 3000 men. 12 year old Henrik lives in Skyttenstræde with his mother, Ane, and three small brothers and sisters. Ane has a stall at their house. They live through the dreadful Swedish occupation with the Swedish soldiers ravaging the country. The beautiful castle, Kronborg, is defended by 250 men. Among them is the soldier, Soren Hansen, Henrik's father. Henrik has a good friend, Erik. They have to go on an assignment for Ane to fetch food for the stall from Henrik's grandmother who lives in the small village Espergærde. It turns out to be an exciting trip leading them on another mission: taking a letter to the Danish King Frederik III. The letter is from the commander of Kronborg who asks for permission to surrender the castle? Who will win the battle of Kronborg?
