Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 109-End

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A babe born, in darkness braved Bring love to the world if only for a day No questions asked, nor answered, nor saved Let peace abide in every child, we pray ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As they stood watching their son, enthralled in his helplessness, lost in his beautiful blue eyes, he thought of Seileach's question. Yes I'm certain he thought to himself as he whispered, “Claus, “Claus!” He smiled at the baby lying there. Jessica looked at him as she wiped the tears from her face, then gently reached up and wiped one from his cheek as well. He leaned down and kissed her. “Klaus,” Dyndoeth said loud enough for everyone to hear, “but spelled with a C-Claus.” The sighs that followed were loudly audible. “With all of the world going through such great changes, Joulupukki's one concession to naming their child was that he did not want his child's name to be confused with his own. He feels that Claus will be remembered long after he and Erlenkönig have been forgotten.” “Claus,” the former king whispered again. My beautiful child. My beautiful little helgen. Claus, Saint Claus.” “Santa Claus,” Jessica smiled at Joulupukki with a knowing look on her face. From that day forward, Santa was the nickname that Joulupukki endowed upon his child. “Santa Claus!” The young elf cried out. “Yes young one, Santa Claus,” the red cloaked figure said as he smiled at all of them. “I knew it was you, I knew it,” she said as many of the other children chimed in, interrupting the tale that Santa had been telling them all evening. Mixed among them were children and adults of all ages, elves and humans of all clans and colors. It was late evening, December twenty fifth and Santa Claus was growing tired after his long trip and many deliveries the night before, and spending the day recounting the tale of his family. He thought he would let Mrs. Claus tell the tale next Christmas. He had been telling it since it was turned over to him by his mother many, many years before. There was no getting out of it. It seemed to be the highlight of the year for many of the people in Village both elf and human. Mrs. Claus poured him a cup of hot chocolate and settled down beside him with a plate of freshly baked cookies. He glanced around the Great Eating Hall in the Keep where the after Christmas banquet was held each year. So many smiling faces looked up at him. He stopped on one he knew well. Lumi, was shaking his head and rubbing his tummy. He leaned toward him, “You know how hungry you get when you fly with the deer, if it wasn't for all of the milk and cookies the children leave, I would starve.” Both he and Chroí laughed as she nudged the elf and defensively but playfully warned him, “Leave him alone.” “How is your mother and father?” Lumi asked the big man. Santa let out a deep breath and replied, “They are well. They chose to spend the season in Nordgrend this year. Mother was feeling her age and did not want to make the trip. I stopped to see them last night. They seemed content. Mother is getting older and father dotes over her like an old maid.” He smiled as he said this, “the once great King.” “Perhaps we will go see them when the seasons change,” Lumi offered. “They would like that,” Santa replied. “Then it is settled.” Chroí added. “I think it is time for me to retire. I have had a long couple of days.” Santa stood, “If you will excuse me.” They both nodded to him. “Everyone, if I may have your attention.” He spoke with an authoritative voice. “I'm afraid it is time for me to get some rest. Please, do not leave on my account. The food will be out for as long as you are eating it and the music will play until the musician's fingers grow tired.” One of the musicians played a few notes from a Jig letting them know they were ready for dancing. “Good night all.” As he made his way across the floor he heard from one of the elfin children. “I liked last year’s better. There were more polar bears in it and not so much mushy stuff.” A second child, this time a human, chimed in, “Yeah, and there was actual magic.” Santa laughed at this, ruffling the human child's hair. “Ha ha ha, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho,” his deep voice resounded. “Now James, don't be naughty and next year I'll try to leave out some of the mushy parts.” The boy looked up at him smiling, as he stroked his long white beard and wiggled his finger then slowly laid it aside his nose. His body dissolved into a sparkle of lights that swirled around the two children, out of the open door and rose up the circular staircase in the vestibule, quickly disappearing from sight. “I wish Joulupukki would show me how to do that.” Lumi stood and reached for his wife's hand as she stood giggling. “What,” he said? She put her arm around him and replied, “I hope you never grow up.” He leaned over and gave her a long full kiss on her lips with hundreds of eyes watching them. Lullaby For the Son of the King sleep, come sleep, come sleep my son, sleep do hasten to my child's weary eyes, in morning you'll awake to a bright sunrise rock my child, rock him rock him to sleep in a throne made of gold Let Mani keep him safe in his hold In the morning when day breaks let Sol guide your way through the window, beams, your tale, to awaken all your dreams.