Christmas in the Faerie Lands Part 2

Christmas in the Faerie Lands

<Part I~*~Into the Deadlands: Chapter I>

Part II: An Adventure on Yuletide’s Eve

          The following morning everyone had a difficult time getting up, it wasn’t until late in the night that the party had ended.  Head pounding and sore all over, Ed crawled out of bed and made his way out to the hall, a bundle of newly wrapped gifts in his arms.  He laid them under the tree and staggered to the kitchen to boil some water to make breakfast.  After grabbing the morning paper from the front door, Ed sat in the kitchen and began to read the paper as listened to the bubbling of hot water from the pot on the stove.

          There came a rap at the window sill.  Ed opened it to see Little Dill in a knitted coat and hat holding a large bag of presents.  “Hallo!” the little toy squeaked.  “I comes with p’esents!”

          “Presents?” Ed said confused.  “Yuletide Eve isn’t for a few more days.”

          “Nopes.” Little Dill replied.  “It’s tos day.”

          Ed looked shocked.  How did he not notice? He ran to the calendar.  Written on the nineteen were the worlds “Ed comes home” with a red circle around it.  Of course! Ed thought.  I told Ryan that I was going to be late but be back just before the festival.  Ed couldn’t help but chuckle at his foolishness as he let Little Dill into the house.

          “Dids you forgets?”  Little Dill quizzed.

          “Apparently I did.” Ed replied.  “Would you like some breakfast?”

          “Woulds I evers!”  Little Dill agreed and joined Ed to some boiled eggs and toast with some hot tea to wash it all down.

          Eventually Travis and Zach joined them, both equally as worn out as Ed.  They too had a good laugh with Ed when they learned of his error.

          “Thank goodness we got here when we did, then,” Travis replied.

          Everyone sat down to the boiled eggs and toast while Ed went over the plan for the day.

          “Tonight, there is the service at St. Percy’s church.  The bishop travels all the way from Newvin to oversee the festivities.  After the service everyone gathers for a party.  Usually Bloom and Lord Hucklestone are there to pass gifts out to the children, but I guess Lord Hucklestone will be doing it this year.  Tomorrow we’ll head over to George and Emma for dinner and exchange gifts.  That’ll be it.”

          Zach seemed to have a grim look to his face.  “You know how I feel about religion.” he grumbled.

          “You don’t have to go.” Ed replied.  “Though I would kindly advise you to save your views on religion for someone cares.  The Imperial church is an institution that I like to attend when possible.”

          “Then why weren’t you going when we were here last time?” Zach commented.

          “We had pressing matters at the time,” Ed rebuked.  “As I just said, you are welcome to stay.  There’s usually good stuff on the tv and you know where the books are.  If you want to pick petty fights, you can find somewhere else to have ‘em.”

          Zach just sat back in his chair and huffed like a child.  Presently Alice came down the stairs, she had been rudely awoken by Ed and Zach’s arguing.  Ed took little time to bring her up to speed on the plans for that evening.

          “Like I told Zach,” Ed went on, “You don’t have to go.  I’m going, there’s a party being held afterward, and I will be attending it.  George, Emma, Pumpkin Stone, and Teddy will be there, so it won’t be a bunch of strangers.  Plus, there’s always free food to be had there.”

          “You didn’t mention free food the first time,” Zach interrupted.

          “Because that’s not the point of going,” Ed replied, leaning into Zach so that they were both nose to nose.

          “I mean, I’ll go,” Travis replied calmly.  “It’d be fun to have another party.”

          “I’ll go,” Alice yawned.  “It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do.”

          “Right,” said Ed, clapping his hands and helping himself to another slice of toast.  “With that dealt with, what shall we do for the day?”

          “Why don’t we sit in.” Zach added.  “I’m too tired to want to go anywhere.”

          “Speak for your self,” Alice protested.  “I’d love to go to the forest” – she then looked at Little Dill – “How are the brownies since we were on Spyrus?”

          “Goods,” the small toy replied.  “Misters Bloom promised to puts in a memorial for those who didn’t makes it back for the brownies.  They just gots the funds fors it so theys hopes to starts in the springy time.”

          “That’ll be nice.” Alice replied.

          It wasn’t before everyone agreed to go to the woods for a few hours and see the brownies.  After everyone had finished breakfast and were dressed for the day, Ed, Alice, Travis, Zach and Little Dill all set out on foot in the bright, sunny, snowy day.

          The forest looked peaceful with the trees covered in snow and the river frozen in a thick layer of ice.  You could only hear the tittering of squirrles, the trees groaning from a light breeze, and the crunch of snow benieth the group’s boots as they trekked through the woodland.

          The soon came to a point in the woods where the trees grew more wildly, shooting and jeering in anyway they felt right.  Travis nearly tripped over a root while Zach – who was too busy laughing at Travis’ own accident – ran face first into a low hanging branch.  Soon they arrived at the little Brownie village where a sea of toadstools with stout chimneys poking from the red and white spotted domes.  All about were brownies and gnomes wrapped in their little coats and scarves playing, singing, and decorating.  A little brownie in a blue coat, green scarf, and a red pointed hat puttered up to the group.

          “Hallo,” the gnome greeted, “I am Lob.  What brings you to our little town.”

          Alice was first to speak.  “We were wanting to see how you all were since the battle against Manoo,” she said.  “Is the brownie Hob about.”

          “Hob happens to be my cousin seventeen time removed.” Lob replied.  “He’s gone south to visit some family that live among the Night Elves.  He won’t be back for some months I’m afraid.”

          Alice’s heart sank.

          “He did tell me to give you all something in case you did come to visit.” Lob went on and then ran off for what seemed only a few minutes and returned with a large box, the kind that looked like it would carry cigars.  “He said they were a ‘thank you’ for the adventure and for the festival.”

          “But how has everyone been since the fight?” Zach repeated.

          “Oh?” Lob replied, sounding a little confused but then seemed to catch on.  “We’ve been doing better.  We do miss those that couldn’t make it back, but we are quite proud to have been able to serve.  Mr. Kina and Mr. Little Dill saw our usefulness and we are glad to not have been ignored and seen as some little fay folk that wonder about the grass.”  Lob then made a curt bow and then said: “I would love to talk more but I have to return and help decorate our house.”

          Everyone watched the gnome retune to the village and join his compatriots.

          “Now what,” Travis asked.

          “Let’s go back to the river.” Ed said as he drew out his pipe and began to put tobacco into the bowl.  “There is always something going on there.”

          Everyone made their way back to the foot path near the river where they found some people bundled up and walking while children made snowmen near the embankment.

          Travis looked to Ed and Ed looked to Travis.

          “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Travis rapped.

          “Snowman?” Ed said in equal pace.

          “Snowman.” Travis replied.

          The two went right into it like kids.  They grabbed the snow into tightly packed balls and rolled them along the ground.  Alice jumped right in too, while Zach stood watching – he didn’t seem to have much interest in joining in.

          That’s when it started.  No one knows how it happened but a one of the near by children lost their balance and began to roll down the embankment onto the ice.  It seemed safe, the ice and snow made it look like there was a think layer of protection on the river, so no one took notice at first.  Suddenly, the ice cracked, and the child suddenly fell through only to bob back up and grab onto the edge of the hole.  Ed, Travis, and Zach ran to the river to investigate while Alice and Little Dill ran for help.

          The three men sized up the situation.  “We’ll need to be careful,” Ed cautioned.  “One of us will need to lay on the ice to spread their weight.  Travis you’re the lightest so you should go.”

          Travis was in no position to argue and laid upon the cold white.  As Travis began to inch closer, Zach then grabbed Travis’ leg and Ed did likewise to Zach.  The trio inched closer and closer.  Travis’ heart skipped a beat as the child grabbed onto his hand.  Ed and Zach began to pull, inching their way back to the shore and helping Travis pull the child out of the hole.

          “Keep flat to the ground,” Travis warned to the child.  “The ice might crack again if you don’t.”

          Presently, Alice and Little Dill returned with two policemen, one of them carrying a coil of rope with them and a blanket.  By the time they got to the bottom of the embankment, Ed, Zach and Travis were nearly at the shore.  Once everyone was safe, one of the policemen helped to pull the others to safety while the other wrapped the child in the blanket.

          “We’ll get you to the station to warm up,” the policeman explained to the child, “and we’ll call your parents to get you.”

          “Thank you, lads, for your service,” the other policeman said before leaving with his partner.

          Everyone watched as the policemen set off with the child.  Zach was still lying in the snow looking slightly bewildered at Ed and Travis, who were standing with thick tufts of snow all along their fronts.  It didn’t take very long for everyone to agree it was for the best to go home for the time being.

          At the house, everyone sat in the kitchen to warm up to some tea.  No one said a word on the ride back.

          Zach took one sip of his tea and spat it out.  “What the hell did you put in it?” he snapped.

          “Nothing special, just some hot water and a shot of brandy.” Ed replied casually.

          “You know I don’t drink,” Zach fired back.

          “You looked shocked.” Ed continued in the same casual tone.  “I thought you could use something to loosen up.”

          “Tea would have been enough.”

          “I could have made George’s McTrotter Family remedy, we all know how much you liked it when we need to shake that chill from falling in the water.  Was that, one or two spoon fulls of vinegar?”

          Zach shot Ed a dirty look as he went to the cupboard to get another tea bag and make a fresh cup for himself.

          The rest of the afternoon was quiet. Little Dill had the idea to play some games to waste time until the service and that is just what they did.  For the remaining hours, Ed, Alice Travis and Zach all gathered around the table for a few rounds of cards before it was time to get ready for the service.

          Getting ready for a church service, usually you know what you want to wear, or you may have a few options to chose from.  Alice was the former situation, having found a nice purple and blue dress she had worn for her office Christmas party and decided it would be perfect for anything formal.  Ed however, was the latter.  He had several suits sprawling across the bed and was in no way sure which one he wanted to wear.  Plus, being the dandy that he was, Ed also had several ties and shirt collars laid out too.

          “I never know what to wear,” Ed complained as he stood in black trousers and a while collarless shirt.

          “Just where the black three piece,” Zach suggested, slowly becoming annoyed with the whole thing.  He was already in dressed in navy-blue suit with a black and grey paisley bowtie and was losing his patience in Ed’s moment of eccentricity.

          “Got it!” Ed ejaculated as he pulled a light brown tweed suit from the closet.  “I’ve been meaning to wear this one.  Plus, the material is perfect for a drafty old church any day.”

          Zach sighed and went to join Travis and Alice and Little Dill in the living room.  Alice in her dress, Travis in a simple shirt and tie with a burgundy jacket and Little Dill in his familiar purple coattails.  Zach collapsed into a chair and let out another sigh.

          “The princess is almost ready,” Zach said annoyed.

          “What’s your problem?” Alice inquired.

          “Him,” Zach replied.  “He’s fussing about like were going to some fancy dinner or something and can’t make up his mind.”

          “You and I both know how he can be,” Alice replied.  “You seem to forget our prom.”

          “What happened with that?” Travis asked.

          “Well,” Alice replied, “Ed got asked by Jess Hamilton to with him to the prom.  He got real fussy about the whole thing.  The limo, the tux, even what hair style he ought to get.  He worked himself up into a panic attack and nearly scared off Jess with it.”

          “So that’s why he’s never had a girlfriend.” Travis replied confidently.

          “No,” said a voice, “it’s because if I has a girlfriend, I wouldn’t have money for books.”

          Everyone looked up and saw Ed in his tweed suit with a watch chain riding across the front of the waist coat.

          “Now, are we ready to go?” Ed inquired.

          “Only if you’re not going to run back up stairs and change,” Zach mocked.

          “Well ma’be I should,” Ed fired back with a cheeky grin.

          “That’s enough Romulus and Remus,” Alice interrupted, worried they were going have another argument, “it’s time we’d be going.”

          “Alright,” Ed replied as he opened the front door and gestured to Zach.  “Incandescent lightbulbs first.”

          The drive to the St. Percy’s was uneventful.  The stars twinkled over the town as a large pale moon illuminated the night as Ed drove everyone to the old church on the edge of town.  They were greeted by a priest in a red robe with a white collar around his neck.

          “Welcome,” the priest said, “and may you have a happy Yule and Long Night.”

          Ed and company then filed into the church.  The pews were crowded with people talking and taking their seat.  Travis spotted George and Emma trying to wave to them and all four quickly went to join the old couple.  Just as they joined with the pair, there came the deep sound of a trumpet or horn of some kind and everyone sat.  From their seats, Ed, Alice, Travis and Zach could see Lord Hucklestone and their wives in a special private seat near the pulpit.

          “Welcome to all,” the priest began, “and all are welcome on this eve before Yule and the Long Night.”

          “And also with you,” the congregation replied in unison.

          The service commenced.  There were hymns sang, but Zach, Travis and Alice just silently stood as they were not able to read the writing in the hymnals.  The first carol seemed familiar, following the same flow of In the Bleak Midwinter:

Long in time the sun sank,

Tired of his throne.

Darkness filled the full sky,

Leaving silence where e’er it roamed.

Then there came the stars so bright

With hope of good to come.

Long in time the sun sank

Oh! So long ago!

  Then there came a large bowl with smoke emitting from it.  A page stood behind blowing air into the bowl from a tube.  It was in essence – so far as Zach, Alice and Travis were concerned – a glorified pipe.  The bowl was brought to the nave behind the priest and water was poured into the bowl, causing more smoke to emit from it nearly covering the entire floor in a grey fog.  After some more chanting and hymns sung, the service ended, and everyone went into the chambers next to the church for refreshments and games.

          The party was the high light.  Children competitively threw balls at coconuts on stands while old parishioners tried to make the biggest smoke rings possible.  Along the tables of refreshments were cakes, pies, sandwiches of every sort, pots full of hot tea, and big bowls of hot ciders and cold punches.  Everywhere you looked there were people laughing, singing and talking as they enjoyed in the festivities.

          “There was an old man named Cole Min’san who carried seed in a ladle,” Teddy Jelly sang in red faced joy, “and every glass and bowl that he would fill would sprout with spruce and maple…”

          “What’s he on about,” Zach whispered to Pumpkin Stone.

          “He must have had a few too many glasses of the punch.” Pumpkin Stone explained.  “Probably made by O’Mulligan, his punches are lethal.  Ferments it for a year.  It’s enough to put ten strong men on their arses if they aren’t careful.”

          Travis and Ed were busy trying to blow big rings of smoke from pipes but seemed be losing out to George, who was able to make rings that seemed to reach nearly five feet in width or more.

          Suddenly the lights flashed off and back on.  Before everyone was a man furs and a large bag full of gifts.  The children, in paroxysms of excitement, ran up to the man as they all knew it to be Father Yule (or Lord Hucklestone to the adults).

          Soon it was time for everyone to leave.  Rose faced, and light hearted, the parishioners waved to the priest and each other as they crowded into their motors, wagons and sleds for the voyage home.

          Ed, Zach, Alice and Travis all crowded into the car and set off for home.  It was quiet as they drove home in Newtown, a peaceful quiet where everything just felt right, and you were okay where ever the pieces had landed.  That was the feeling as Ed, Zach, Alice and Travis rolled through town to the familiar house.

          “That was lovely,” Alice declared as they all walked into the house.

          Ed collapsed into an arm chair by the tree and stared up at the ceiling.  “Alice, my dear,” he said, “you couldn’t be anymore right.”

          Travis staggered in with Zach acting as his crutch.

          “Tha’ wash so mush fun,” Travis slurred.  “We gotta do thish nech year.”

          “He didn’t have O’Mulligan’s punch, did he?” Ed inquired.

          “I think so,” Zach replied.  “You could light his breath on fire.”

          “Five sheets to the wind?” Ed joked.

          “Five sheets and the mattress they came on.”

          Travis pulled himself away from Zach and staggered to a nearby couch and landed head first into the cushions.

          “Welp,” Zach said, “I hope he’s comfortable.”

          Ed pulled himself from his chair and leaned over to inspect Travis, who had passed out and drooling on the cushion.  “Well, I believe I’m going to have a glass of Royal Punch and then probably read before bed. We got a big day tomorrow.” Ed declared as he made his way to the ice box.

          Ed searched through the ice box for several minutes before finally finding the bottle of punch.  He began pouring the fluid into his glass when there suddenly came the sound of a crash and the sound of wood snapping and slate shattering from the end of the backyard.

          Zach ran into the kitchen.  “Did you hear that?”  he cried.

          “Sounded like it came from the back yard.” Ed replied.

          Grabbing a meat cleaver from the wall, Ed and Zach ran out the investigate.

          Ed and Zach ran down the slopped backyard to the tool.  The dust was still settling as they ran, the snow crunching beneath their feet.  When they had the shed, they stood before the door, which had fallen in.  There came the slight sound of someone trying to move from the wreckage.  From the light of the moon, they could see that what ever was inside had crashed through the roof and left a large hole where the tile had been

          “Who goes there?” Ed called.

          “Someone extremely sore,” came a familiar voice.

          At last the door was pushed back and landed on the snow.  Standing before Ed and Zach was an old wizard in silk clothes.

          “Bug-a-boo?” said Ed confusedly.

          “Sorry about your shed Ed.” The wizard apologized.  “There’s been a bit of an accident.”

          A small elf poked its head from one of Bug-a-boo’s pocket.  “You’re telling me,” it snapped.  “We’re getting nowhere out here.”

          “Perhaps we best go inside and discuss this.” Bug-a-boo said as he cautiously stepped out of the shed.  Just as the wizard was clear from the building, all four walls fell in on itself.  Ed looked horrified.

          “Sorry about your shed.”  Bug-a-boo said.  “We can fix it later.  Right now, we have more pressing matters.”

          Once inside, everyone met in the kitchen to hear what Bug-a-boo had to say.  Little Dill jumped with excitement when he saw the elf.

          “Stimble!” the doll exclaimed.  “I haven’ts seen yous in years!”

          “Little Dill!” Stimble replied.  “How are you ol’ sport!”

          “We can spare the introductions for later,” Bug-a-boo interrupted, “we have an emergency to handle at the moment.”

          “What seems to be the problem Bugs?” Zach inquired.

          “Would you believe me if I told you that Santa Claus has crashed his sled in the woods?” the wizard whispered cautiously.

          “What?” Ed cried.

          “Exactly.”  The wizard replied.

          “How did that happen?” Zach continued, still sounding calm.

          “I do not l know,” Bug-a-boo continued.  “All I know is I was summoned to the sleigh after it crashed.”

          “Speaking of crashes,” Ed muttered.

          “What? The shed?”  Bug-a-boo went on.  “Well, I needed to find someone to help me in this situation and thought of finding you lot.  I figured it might be faster to get to you using these.”

          Bug-a-boo pointed to a pair of purple boots on his feet.

          “What’s so special about a pair of boots?” Zach mocked.

          “These are none other than a pair of moon boots from my friend Maggie Magpie.  They’re supposed to allow you to travel far distances by jumping.  These pairs appear to be duds.”

          “What do you need us for?” Alice quizzed.

          “I need someone help with the repairs.  Claus had to look after the reindeer while I went to get help.  It looks like the damage is with the sleigh but were not sure where.”

          “Where’s the sleigh at?”  Ed asked.

          “Looked like near Hapton Landing.” Bug-a-boo replied.

          “That’ll be hard to get to with the motor.” Ed pondered.  “If we… of course!”

          Ed began to make his way to the front door to grab his coat and hat.

          “What are you on about?” Zach cried.

          “We’ll need to go to Wood’s farm.” Ed explained.  “We’ll need a sleigh ourselves to get to the landing as the road there is too unsafe for motors.”

          “Are we really going?” Alice asked, becoming excited.

          “We may as well.” Ed replied.  “Though I don’t know if we want to wake up Travis.  He’s still pretty drunk.”

          “Leave him to me.” Bug-a-boo insisted.

          Ed and the old wizard went into the living room where Travis was still passed out.  After some coaxing, Travis awoke.

          “Ish it mornin’ yet?” Travis slurred.

          “Not yet,” Ed replied.  We need to go out though.”

          Bug-a-boo nudged Ed and passed him a small flask.  “Give him some of this,” he said.

          Ed gave Travis the flask, who drank it in an instant.

          “What’s in that stuff?” Travis, who seemed stone sobor.

          “Mr. Wacky’s Wonder Tonic,” Bug-a-boo explained, “it’s a good stimulant and cure for any bouts of drunkenness.”

          “Well, it certainly worked,” Travis agreed.

          Everyone crowded into Ed’s car made their way out along the country side.  Travis was brought up to speed as they made their journey.  Quiet sleepy houses rolled by as they entered to countryside and turned onto a dirt road.  The car jumped and bounced over the holes and mounds of ice as it drew up to a quiet little farm.

          As soon as the car came to a halt, everyone got out and followed Ed to the door of the house where Ed banged on the door ferociously.  The door opened to reveal a weather-beaten man with bushy whiskers in a collarless shirt and grey trousers.

          “What be all this abou’?” the farmer cursed.

          “Sorry Wood,” Ed explained, “but we have an emergency and need your sleigh and horses.”

          “Emerg’ncy, eh?” Wood replied.  “Why canne ye use yer mot’r?”

          “It’s up in Hapton Landing.  We’d go but you know how bad the roads are up that way.  We’d be stranded if we tried.  I seem to remember your steam tractor tipped over last spring going that way.”

          Wood scratched the hair on the back of his head.  “A’right,” he said at last, “bu’ mah ‘orses be’er no’ be ‘urt.”

          “I personally promise to return them safely.”

          Wood grabbed his coat and let the party to the barn where two handsome horses slept in their stables.  In the far end of the barn was a modest sleigh next to a tired old cart and steam tractor.  After a few minutes the sleigh was hitched, and the horses harnessed for the journey.  Wood waved “goodbye” as he watched them ride off in to the abyss.

          It was very quiet as Ed, Zach, Travis, Alice, Bug-a-boo, Little Dill and Stimble traveled onto a snow-covered road that twisted and wound dangerously.  The only sound heard was the clinking of the bells on the horses and the snow crunching beneath the horse’s hooves as they marched through the darkness with only the sleigh’s oil lamps to guide them.  The septet only knew that they were on the right road from a sign warning of the conditions when they turned onto the route.

          “Stop!”  Bug-a-boo ordered as they reached a point in the woods.

          Ed steadied the horses and had them turn off the road onto the hilly plains.  Soon they began to see a pale light in the distance.  It was then that they had reached their destination.

          They beheld a sleigh of ancient make with a team of ten reindeer harnessed to it.  Each deer looked young and lively and each had polished leather harnesses that displayed their names on gold labels – Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, Juno, Minerva, and Apollo.  Upon the sleigh was a large sack made of ruddy tanned leather.  It was then they saw him, looking nothing, and everything found in those books of childhood.  A large old man with a great fur coat and a mighty beard of snow white.  His face was care worn but still had the twinkle of youth in his eyes.  It was then they beheld Santa Claus.

          “What a fine mess,” the old man said in a gravelly hushed voice, “and we were making good time too.”

          “I thought this would happen,” Bug-a-boo snapped as he got out if Ed’s sled.  “I’ve told you every year that this old thing needs repairs and you never listen.”

          “What is that supposed to mean?” Santa fumed.  “This sleigh has worked for the past few centuries with little trouble.  It’s normal for well run tools to act up occasionally.”

          “It wouldn’t be wrong if that sled wasn’t so derelict.”

          “Derelict?  Let me-”

          “Enough,” snapped Ed.  “What is going on?”

          “That’s just it,” Santa replied, “I was riding my sleigh, making my way to town to finish my trip and there was suddenly a shudder.”

          “Looks like the runner came loose from the frame.” Zach commented as he jumped out of the sleigh examined Santa’s.

          “Is there a tool box in the sled?” Zach called.

          Travis and Alice rummaged through the back of their sleigh before finally finding a small tool box underneath the seat.  Both got out to give the box to Zach.  While Zach and Ed worked on making the repairs, Alice and Travis joined Bug-a-boo and Santa, who were smoking their pipes thoughtfully.

          “So,” Travis asked, “what happened to Dasher and Dancer?”

          “Hm?  Oh, them.” Santa replied.  “They retired ages ago.  I’ve been using this team for half a century now.”

          “Do you miss them at all?” Alice asked.

          “Sometimes.” the festive sage replied.  “They were the best team I ever had and are much remembered.  Doesn’t help when Clement Moore spotted me one night on my travels and heard me call them by name.  Or was it Henry Livingstone Jr. who spotted me?  Anyways, everyone knows them from that poem.”

          “Do you always give gifts for this world?”

          “Oh yes.  I usually travel this way for the festival and then travel to your world for Christmas.  Where ever there is a world with a Santa Claus, I’m there.  That’s not even my real name; it’s Nicolas.”

          “How did you know we’re not from here?”  Travis asked.

          “Simple,” Santa explained.  “I was taught by Odin himself to see all.  Mind you he could only do it with one eye, while I am able to use both!”

          “All fixed!”  Zach called.

          Santa examined the work.  “Well done.” he complimented.

          “Thank you,” Zach replied.  “Also, I don’t think we met.  I’m-“

          “Zaccheaus Dartmouth of Peterborough.  You got your girl friend a necklace from her favourite anime for Christmas.  In addition, when you were a boy - 12 if memory recalls - you spotted me and called out: ‘I don’t care who you are fat man, get your reindeer off my roof!’”

          Zach looked bewildered.  “Wha- wai- how?” was all he could replied.

          “Young man,” Santa went on, “I’m what you would call ‘the real deal.’”

          “If you leave now,” Bug-a-boo interupted, “you should be able to make up for lost time.”

          “Afraid not,” Santa replied, “I would need to skip Newtown to get back the time lost.”

          “We could help,” Ed volunteered.

          “Uh,” Zach protested, “some of us would like to sleep.”

          “What’s the worse that can happen?”

          Santa pulled from his sleigh and pulled the sack from the back.  Upon opening it he revealed a slightly smaller bag that was over stuffed with presents.

          “These are all the gifts left for Newtown.” The sage explained.  “If you can make those stops I will b able to finish my journey before the next realm.”

          “Well,” Ed coaxed, “what do you say?”

          Alice and Travis agreed, but Zach was still more hesitant.

          “Come now,” Ed insisted, “if we all joined in, we can have this whole thing done in no time.”

          “Fine,” Zach replied, “but I’m not going to like it.”

          “When do you ever,” Travis muttered to himself.

          “Before you go, you will need these.” Santa said and produced from the sack four robes of ruddy complexion with sashes and white trim.  “I seem to recall you wanted one of these long ago, Ed.”

          Ed’s eyes lit up with excitement.  “W-w-will we need to – uh – return these?” he asked.

          “Parish the thought!  Think of them as gifts of thanks for your efforts.”

          “Best be off,” warned Bug-a-boo, “otherwise there’ll be anther town you’ll have to skip.”

          “Quite right.” Santa replied.

          The festive sage boarded his craft and grabbed the leather reigns.  “Alright you lot,” he called to the reindeer, “get shiftin’.”

          The deer, upon hearing the order, began to pull on the sleigh.  Slowly at first, like a steam engine starting, but soon began to gather speed and very soon were rising from the surface like an aeroplane taking off.

          “Happy Yuletide!” Santa called.  “And a Merry Christmas!”

          While Santa Claus, or Nicolas as he also goes by, flew off, Ed and company got back into the sleigh and began to prepare for their mission.

          “How are we going to even make it to all of Newtown?”  Zach snapped.  “These horses can’t fly like his.”

          “I’ll have you covered there,” Bug-a-boo replied as he tired scarves around the horses’ necks.  “These scarves’ll get them off the ground.  Also, don’t worry if you don’t know where to go first, the bag’ll let you know when you are at the right place.”

          “Aren’t you coming?” Travis asked.

          “Of course, I will be.” The wizard replied.  “Some one needs to be there in case you get into a jam.”

          “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Zach muttered to himself.

          Ed tugged on the reins to signal the horses, who began to pull the sleigh.  As the horses and sleigh began to rise, the horses began to become frightened by the sudden climb.

          “Steady on!”  Ed ordered as he pulled on the reins for control.

          Soon the horses began to calm and started to trot like they were on the hard ground.

          “Odd,” Bug-a-boo commented thoughtfully.  “Those scarves should be making them think they’re on the ground still.  Must’ve delayed it effect.

          The septet looked below.  The sleepy town looked empty with only lamps lit along the street to show where they were.  Presently, the sack began to glow red.

          “Stop approaching,” Stimble announced.

          Ed tugged at the reins and the horses landed the sleigh on the roof of a warn down cottage on the edge of town.

          “Right,” Ed declared, “who’s going first?”

          “You should,” Zach demanded.  “You dragged us into it, you do it.  Besides, you’re scrawny enough to fit that chimney.”

          “Yeah,” Ed flounced, “but I’m look nothing like Father Yule.  You have a beard and fat enough to pull that off.”

          “What are you insinuating?” Zach fired back, going red faced.

          “Have you ever heard of the freshman fifteen?”  Ed replied slyly.

          “That’s enough,” Travis ejaculated.  “We’ll be all night if you two kept going.”

          Travis grabbed the sack and made his way to the chimney.  It was stout and narrow, no one would’ve been able to fit into that!  But Travis did.  It was hard for him to explain.  The opening and the whole pipe seemed to widen until both Travis and the bag full of gifts went down.

          Travis was horrified by the inside of the cottage.  It was sparsely furnished with a barren tree in the corner that looked to be in rough shape.  In one corner was a wood burning stove and a small bundle of wood next to it waiting for their turn.  In the other corner was a single mattress with husband and wife huddled together and a babe bundled in a basket.

          Travis set to work taking out the gifts and laying them one by one under the tree.  The last gift was hard to pull out as he tried to wipe tears away from his face and pull what turned out to be a large hamper full of food stuffs from the sack.  Once finished, Travis made his way to the chimney, where the sack pulled him back up to the roof.

          Travis was oddly quiet when he returned.  After some coaxing from Bug-a-boo and Ed, he finally explained what he saw.

          “It is quite unfortunate.” Bug-a-boo replied.  “There is nothing that can really be done however.  What was given will help, but that is that can be done for now.”

          There was little trouble from there on to the other houses.  A method was developed where Bug-a-boo would drop off someone at a house with the gifts needed and would collect them for the next house once complete.  It was three o’clock when it as all done and the sleigh returned to Wood’s farm.

          “I’ll worry about the horses,” Bug-a-boo insisted, “I’ll deal with them.  You lot get home for some sleep.”

          Bug-a-boo was good as his word.  He left everything just so, adding a bag of gold coins and a thank you letter for allowing them to use the horses.

***

Next Morning, Ed awoke early.  Despite only having a few hours sleep, he felt wide awake.  Once at the kitchen, Ed looked out the window to see the tool shed was indeed in ruins.

          So, it really did happen, Ed thought to himself.

          After setting up the kettle, he went into the ice box to find the eggs when he found a random box with a note attached to it.  Upon opening it he found a collection of sausages and a few rashers of thickly cut bacon.  Ed opened the letter, it read:

Dear Ed,

          Thank you very much for the help last night.  Please accept the bacon and sausages as a thank you and nice change from just boiled eggs and bread shoulders.  As for the shed… I will look into it in the next week or so once things have settled.

Yours,

Bug-a-boo

          Ed chuckled and set to work getting out the pans.  Soon the smell of fried bacon and sausage filled the house, waking Zach, Alice and Travis.  After breakfast, everyone readied them selves for the drive to the McTrotter’s to spend Yuletide.

          The streets looked quiet with the new fallen snow.  Houses seemed to glow with the feeling for festivity as Ed and company drove down the road.  At last they reached the familiar town house, where Ryan was shoveling the drive.

          “Morning you lot.” Ryan greeted.  “Mom and Da’ are inside if you wan to go see them.”

          The four made their way up the steps, each with parcels to be opened once inside, and were greeted by Emma, who was in a new dress and apron.  They were led to the living room, where George was busy trying to get the fire started.

          “I had to spend a good bit of time cleaning out the fire place this morn’.” George explained.  “Something fell though the flue and knocked all the soot and ash out, was every where.”

          “Look on the bright side,” Zach said innocently, “at least your chimney is clean.”

          “Aye,” George replied, “we have that blessing, at least.”

          Soon Ryan returned, this time with Pumpkin Stone and Teddy, who also had gifts and treats to share.  At last everyone gathered under the tree and exchanged gifts.

          “I’m surprised Pumpkin Stone,” George commented.  “I would have thought you would have tried to trick me this year.”

          “I figured it would be for the best not to rock the boat this year.”  Pumpkin Stone replied innocently.

          Emma came in with a cross look on her face.  “George,” she fumed, “I’ve told you a thousand times not to leave the sugar bowl uncovered!  Now, look what’s crawled in!”

          George looked in and beheld a shining new watch chain, tied with some brown cord and a tag reading: “To George; From Pumpkin Stone.”

          “You crafty devil!” George cried.

          Everyone laughed and soon delve into the opening of gifts.  There was a good deal of knitting given from Emma.  “It was all I could do while trapped in bed.”  she explained.  Alice loved the new cardigan from Emma and put on at once while Ed had to be coaxed into putting on the newly knitted tie.  “It’ll clash with my suit!” he insisted.  Zach and Travis relished their knitted socks and had put them on at once.

          At last George had the fire started and could open his gift from Ed of the traditional pound of tobacco.  The old man instantly plugged his pipe with the substance and was soon making the same massive smoke rings from the night before.

          By the time everyone had finished opening presents, it was time for the speech from the queen.  Everyone crowded around the television set in the corner and watched as Queen Claire II spoke and sent her best wishes of the Yuletide.

          As soon as the speech was over, everyone returned to enjoy their time together.  Emma ran back and forth to check on the goose cooking in the oven and make the other things to go with it.  George entertained everyone with stories from the world of the Faerie Lands while Pumpkin Stone heckled from the background as always.

          Soon the goose was ready, and everyone congregated in the dinning room with excitement.  The meal was eaten with gusto as shovels of mashed potatoes, boiled carrots, and stuffing were thrown about to plates with glasses of cider and punch to wash it down.  After the main course came the cake, a tall layered cake with dainty decorations that was served with tea.  It was when the dinner was finished, and everyone had eaten and drank their fill that it was time to leave.

          That night, Ed, Alice, Travis and Zach all sat in the living room.  The radio playing some popular song while they sat in silence, enjoying the company they had together.  Tomorrow Ed’s three guests would be off home for Christmas, but they won’t forget this holiday.  It would be hard not to!