Chapter 6: In Which Daystar Gets a Nifty Idea
Mendanbar showed the ambassador the sack when they got back to Morwen's home. "There's not a whole lot left. Grincheezer recklessly used so much of it when he was fighting us. We tried all we could to replenish it. We even sang Christmas carols to get the Christmas spirit stirred. But since the magic is from an exterior source, there was nothing my sword and I could do."
"Let me have a closer look." Mendanbar handed the ambassador his pack. "Actually, there's enough for the trip. There's enough magic for going up and down chimneys and to make the job last all night, but there's not enough for the biggest job of all--getting my reindeer and my sleigh to fly. Oh, the poor children on Christmas Eve--"
"No," Morwen said as she came in to give him her Christmas punch. "I don't even want to hear you talk about it. Don't you give Christmas Eve a second thought."
"What Morwen? Are you saying that you have a solution, and you do not want me to worry?"
"No, I'm saying that you're in no condition to make a trip of such magnitude. You probably won't be until New Years."
"Oh the children!"
"Now, it's not all lost. Can't your wife take over for once, or maybe your chief toy maker elf?"
"Morwen, you weren't listening," Shiara told her plainly.
"We were just discussing that there isn't enough magic anyway," Cimorene said.
"Oh. Well, that is a problem," Morwen mused.
"Well, you know, this just might be a blessing in disguise," Mendanbar said.
"What do you mean, Father?" Daystar asked.
Mendanbar started pacing the floor, his face showing indications that he was deep in thought. "Grincheezer was evidently trying to make Christmas a commercial holiday. That's easy to do. But everybody, even those who don't make Christmas a religious holiday, just know that there is something more to it. I mean, every time the commercialism is stripped away, everything Christmas really stands for always seems to come through. The Cratchits could make a feast out of a meager supper on Christmas Day. The Whos down in Whoville, when they lost all their presents, still found joy enough to sing carols together, as they did every year. In one of my favorites, a young couple sacrificed their greatest treasures to get each other a Christmas gift, only to discover that all they had was each other. Situations like these just force us into considering our most precious gifts given to us freely by our Creator, and most of all the greatest gift ever--love."
Everything went silent for a minute or two. Cimorene gave Mendanbar a hug. Daystar held Shiara's hand, and she looked at him in bewilderment. Morwen wiped a tear from her eye. The silence was interrupted when a cat yowled up at her. "No, it is not mushy!" Morwen replied sternly.
"Well, Mendanbar, I wish many in the world were as analytical as you," the ambassador replied. "Unfortunately, most of them will never quite see that. And that may be my fault. But there are so many children that have been good all year, most of them out of the goodness out of their own hearts. I just feel like they deserve a reward. They have been looking forward to it all year. And I've tried to compromise. My gifts are simple, made by all of Willin's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and a few cousins. When is he ever going to come and visit them all anyway?"
"He keeps telling me he's planning that for his next vacation," Mendanbar grinned. "Of course, the only way to get that elf on vacation is to force him."
"I do admit I forgot about that when Grincheezer was my partner. Still, I've come close so many times to canceling Christmas. I have several nightmares every year about a year when Christmas Eve passes me by, seeing all the children crying on Christmas day. I just can't let that happen ever."
"But there is nothing we can do," Cimorene said softly. "Really, if people want to give and receive gifts that badly, they can do it themselves, and they probably will."
"Well, there is something we can do," Daystar said. "I got a nifty idea."
***************
"No! Absolutely not!" Kazul snorted a puff of fire. "We have our own festivities to tend to. We don't even celebrate human holidays."
"But the feast of the Solstice isn't for days, and this is just for one night anyway," Daystar whined. "Please, Kazul, your majesty, think of all the children."
"Who'd probably be scared out of their wits if they saw us. Dragons, for the most part, aren't children friendly. Besides, think about it Daystar. Would you want a dragon landing on your roof?"
"Oh I'm sure Dad and Telemain can do something about that. They could probably even make all of you invisible."
"Sorry, but we just can't spare the time."
"Mom, talk to her," Daystar whispered. "You've been with her longer."
"Well, I'm sure you'd be up to the challenge," Cimorene said. "I mean, I bet you can fly faster than any old reindeer could."
"Well, yes, of course, but--"
"Kazul!" a young voice called from the back of the cave. It was the dragon Daystar and Shiara had developed. "What's this you're talking about reindeer and flying?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I come to tell you that I've gathered enough sheep skins like Roxim told me to, and I heard you all talking about flying reindeer. What's it about? Are flying reindeer good to eat? Do you want me to catch some for our festival?"
"No. Your friends were just asking me if some dragons could take the place of Santa Claus' flying reindeer on Christmas Eve, and of course we can not. We have to prepare for the festival."
"Ooh, it sounds like fun!"
"Grandson, work comes before fun. You know that."
"But I've been working for days on the festival. My friends and I are tired."
"You have to fly around the world in one night. Do that and tell me if you're not tired.
"Actually, we were thinking about splitting up the work," Cimorene said. "Mendanbar will take one part of the world, Daystar and Shiara will get another part, and Morwen and Telemain will do another part. We just need to string some jingle bells and--"
"Jingle bells?" the young dragon squealed. "Please, let us go! We hardly ever get a change of scenery, and wearing something as ornamental as jingle bells!"
"All right, all right, the young dragons can go," Kazul muttered. "But you best be quick!"
"Yes!" the dragon yelled.
"You sure you don't want to come, Kazul?" Cimorene asked.
"Well, I would like to come, but I have important work to do. I'm sure the kids will enjoy it."
"I guess you might as well get that one," Cimorene whispered to Daystar indicating the young dragon.
"Might as well." Daystar ran after the dragon who was going out the cave.
"Norbert! Norbert! Guess what? You're going home!" the dragon called.
He was speaking to another young, dark green dragon. "Huh? What? I'm going home?" The dragon spoke with an English accent.
"Just for a visit. You'll have to introduce me to Charlie and your father. Oh, Norbert, this is my friend Daystar."
"Hello."
"Greetings, and may you find good fortune on your travels especially during this holiday season," Daystar replied while bowing. "Good fortune has certainly found you thus far, since you have already been blessed with a name before your time."
"You like it? My human father chose it for me."
"Human father?"
"Norbert came from Romania," the other dragon explained.
"He did?"
"Yes, worked with a young chap named Charlie. He raised for a while, and then said I was a healthy dragon and I was free to go. So I came here, where all dragons belong."
"If you're going to take me, you'll have to take Norbert along," the other dragon said.
"Well, certainly."
So when Christmas Eve came along, Shiara and Daystar agreed that they would go to the United Kingdom and Romania to see Norbert's countryside, but they would pay closest attention to Africa and South America. Morwen and Telemain got Europe and half of Asia. Mendanbar and Cimorene would get the other half as well as North America and Australia. Everyone dressed in garbs like the ambassador's and were on their way.
It was quite an amazing experience to Daystar. Most of the children they visited were very poor. Daystar felt more compelled to give more to them. At times, he tried to slip some kind of treat to a poor child who didn't celebrate Christmas just so that child would have something to make him happy.
It did take a long time to get everything out, but they managed. They got back to the castle, and the real ambassador was waiting for them.
"You have done such wonderful things for me," the ambassador said.
"Well, you're the one who came up with this whole deal," Mendanbar said. "You have such a wonderful heart."
"Yes, well, I still have special presents for all of you." And he handed them out, and they had a joyous time together.
"Shiara, over here!" Daystar hissed. She got away from the fireplace and came to Daystar. "I have something for you. Merry Christmas." He handed her a long box wrapped in gold foil.
"Wow, Daystar. Goodness, I don't know if I should accept this."
"Well, you'd better. I'm your prince, and I order you to accept it!"
"Alright," she giggled. She opened the gift, which was a beautiful, gold necklace. "Oh, it's lovely!"
"And do you see this pendant? What's that there?"
"It looks like something blue."
"Yeah. It's a little bit of snow magic encased in amber, which is regarded by firewitches as a fire stone. So when you wear this, you can play in the snow without melting."
"Oh, thank you. This is great. Wish I had something to give you?"
"Well, there is something you can give me right here and now."
"What are you talking about?"
Daystar pointed up. They were standing underneath a sprig of mistletoe.
"Oh."
"Come on, just one."
"Alright, just a little one." She quickly kissed his cheek, and then he grabbed her and kissed her lips. She pushed him off. "Daystar!" They were laughing.
"Come on, kids, let us have a turn," Mendanbar said.
"Yes sir," Daystar said stepping aside. "Come on, Shiara, let's go build a snowman. Father said they come to life, so we can make him into a minister. And he'll say, 'Are you married?' and we'll say, 'No, but why you're around--'"
"We'll say no and leave it at that!" Shiara answered.
Meanwhile, Mendanbar gave his wife a sweet kiss. "Merry Christmas, Dear Heart," he said tenderly.
"I waited sixteen years to hear you say that," she laughed.
(Sorry I kinda glossed over this ending, but I wanted to get this story done. Have a happy new year!)
Mendanbar showed the ambassador the sack when they got back to Morwen's home. "There's not a whole lot left. Grincheezer recklessly used so much of it when he was fighting us. We tried all we could to replenish it. We even sang Christmas carols to get the Christmas spirit stirred. But since the magic is from an exterior source, there was nothing my sword and I could do."
"Let me have a closer look." Mendanbar handed the ambassador his pack. "Actually, there's enough for the trip. There's enough magic for going up and down chimneys and to make the job last all night, but there's not enough for the biggest job of all--getting my reindeer and my sleigh to fly. Oh, the poor children on Christmas Eve--"
"No," Morwen said as she came in to give him her Christmas punch. "I don't even want to hear you talk about it. Don't you give Christmas Eve a second thought."
"What Morwen? Are you saying that you have a solution, and you do not want me to worry?"
"No, I'm saying that you're in no condition to make a trip of such magnitude. You probably won't be until New Years."
"Oh the children!"
"Now, it's not all lost. Can't your wife take over for once, or maybe your chief toy maker elf?"
"Morwen, you weren't listening," Shiara told her plainly.
"We were just discussing that there isn't enough magic anyway," Cimorene said.
"Oh. Well, that is a problem," Morwen mused.
"Well, you know, this just might be a blessing in disguise," Mendanbar said.
"What do you mean, Father?" Daystar asked.
Mendanbar started pacing the floor, his face showing indications that he was deep in thought. "Grincheezer was evidently trying to make Christmas a commercial holiday. That's easy to do. But everybody, even those who don't make Christmas a religious holiday, just know that there is something more to it. I mean, every time the commercialism is stripped away, everything Christmas really stands for always seems to come through. The Cratchits could make a feast out of a meager supper on Christmas Day. The Whos down in Whoville, when they lost all their presents, still found joy enough to sing carols together, as they did every year. In one of my favorites, a young couple sacrificed their greatest treasures to get each other a Christmas gift, only to discover that all they had was each other. Situations like these just force us into considering our most precious gifts given to us freely by our Creator, and most of all the greatest gift ever--love."
Everything went silent for a minute or two. Cimorene gave Mendanbar a hug. Daystar held Shiara's hand, and she looked at him in bewilderment. Morwen wiped a tear from her eye. The silence was interrupted when a cat yowled up at her. "No, it is not mushy!" Morwen replied sternly.
"Well, Mendanbar, I wish many in the world were as analytical as you," the ambassador replied. "Unfortunately, most of them will never quite see that. And that may be my fault. But there are so many children that have been good all year, most of them out of the goodness out of their own hearts. I just feel like they deserve a reward. They have been looking forward to it all year. And I've tried to compromise. My gifts are simple, made by all of Willin's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and a few cousins. When is he ever going to come and visit them all anyway?"
"He keeps telling me he's planning that for his next vacation," Mendanbar grinned. "Of course, the only way to get that elf on vacation is to force him."
"I do admit I forgot about that when Grincheezer was my partner. Still, I've come close so many times to canceling Christmas. I have several nightmares every year about a year when Christmas Eve passes me by, seeing all the children crying on Christmas day. I just can't let that happen ever."
"But there is nothing we can do," Cimorene said softly. "Really, if people want to give and receive gifts that badly, they can do it themselves, and they probably will."
"Well, there is something we can do," Daystar said. "I got a nifty idea."
***************
"No! Absolutely not!" Kazul snorted a puff of fire. "We have our own festivities to tend to. We don't even celebrate human holidays."
"But the feast of the Solstice isn't for days, and this is just for one night anyway," Daystar whined. "Please, Kazul, your majesty, think of all the children."
"Who'd probably be scared out of their wits if they saw us. Dragons, for the most part, aren't children friendly. Besides, think about it Daystar. Would you want a dragon landing on your roof?"
"Oh I'm sure Dad and Telemain can do something about that. They could probably even make all of you invisible."
"Sorry, but we just can't spare the time."
"Mom, talk to her," Daystar whispered. "You've been with her longer."
"Well, I'm sure you'd be up to the challenge," Cimorene said. "I mean, I bet you can fly faster than any old reindeer could."
"Well, yes, of course, but--"
"Kazul!" a young voice called from the back of the cave. It was the dragon Daystar and Shiara had developed. "What's this you're talking about reindeer and flying?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I come to tell you that I've gathered enough sheep skins like Roxim told me to, and I heard you all talking about flying reindeer. What's it about? Are flying reindeer good to eat? Do you want me to catch some for our festival?"
"No. Your friends were just asking me if some dragons could take the place of Santa Claus' flying reindeer on Christmas Eve, and of course we can not. We have to prepare for the festival."
"Ooh, it sounds like fun!"
"Grandson, work comes before fun. You know that."
"But I've been working for days on the festival. My friends and I are tired."
"You have to fly around the world in one night. Do that and tell me if you're not tired.
"Actually, we were thinking about splitting up the work," Cimorene said. "Mendanbar will take one part of the world, Daystar and Shiara will get another part, and Morwen and Telemain will do another part. We just need to string some jingle bells and--"
"Jingle bells?" the young dragon squealed. "Please, let us go! We hardly ever get a change of scenery, and wearing something as ornamental as jingle bells!"
"All right, all right, the young dragons can go," Kazul muttered. "But you best be quick!"
"Yes!" the dragon yelled.
"You sure you don't want to come, Kazul?" Cimorene asked.
"Well, I would like to come, but I have important work to do. I'm sure the kids will enjoy it."
"I guess you might as well get that one," Cimorene whispered to Daystar indicating the young dragon.
"Might as well." Daystar ran after the dragon who was going out the cave.
"Norbert! Norbert! Guess what? You're going home!" the dragon called.
He was speaking to another young, dark green dragon. "Huh? What? I'm going home?" The dragon spoke with an English accent.
"Just for a visit. You'll have to introduce me to Charlie and your father. Oh, Norbert, this is my friend Daystar."
"Hello."
"Greetings, and may you find good fortune on your travels especially during this holiday season," Daystar replied while bowing. "Good fortune has certainly found you thus far, since you have already been blessed with a name before your time."
"You like it? My human father chose it for me."
"Human father?"
"Norbert came from Romania," the other dragon explained.
"He did?"
"Yes, worked with a young chap named Charlie. He raised for a while, and then said I was a healthy dragon and I was free to go. So I came here, where all dragons belong."
"If you're going to take me, you'll have to take Norbert along," the other dragon said.
"Well, certainly."
So when Christmas Eve came along, Shiara and Daystar agreed that they would go to the United Kingdom and Romania to see Norbert's countryside, but they would pay closest attention to Africa and South America. Morwen and Telemain got Europe and half of Asia. Mendanbar and Cimorene would get the other half as well as North America and Australia. Everyone dressed in garbs like the ambassador's and were on their way.
It was quite an amazing experience to Daystar. Most of the children they visited were very poor. Daystar felt more compelled to give more to them. At times, he tried to slip some kind of treat to a poor child who didn't celebrate Christmas just so that child would have something to make him happy.
It did take a long time to get everything out, but they managed. They got back to the castle, and the real ambassador was waiting for them.
"You have done such wonderful things for me," the ambassador said.
"Well, you're the one who came up with this whole deal," Mendanbar said. "You have such a wonderful heart."
"Yes, well, I still have special presents for all of you." And he handed them out, and they had a joyous time together.
"Shiara, over here!" Daystar hissed. She got away from the fireplace and came to Daystar. "I have something for you. Merry Christmas." He handed her a long box wrapped in gold foil.
"Wow, Daystar. Goodness, I don't know if I should accept this."
"Well, you'd better. I'm your prince, and I order you to accept it!"
"Alright," she giggled. She opened the gift, which was a beautiful, gold necklace. "Oh, it's lovely!"
"And do you see this pendant? What's that there?"
"It looks like something blue."
"Yeah. It's a little bit of snow magic encased in amber, which is regarded by firewitches as a fire stone. So when you wear this, you can play in the snow without melting."
"Oh, thank you. This is great. Wish I had something to give you?"
"Well, there is something you can give me right here and now."
"What are you talking about?"
Daystar pointed up. They were standing underneath a sprig of mistletoe.
"Oh."
"Come on, just one."
"Alright, just a little one." She quickly kissed his cheek, and then he grabbed her and kissed her lips. She pushed him off. "Daystar!" They were laughing.
"Come on, kids, let us have a turn," Mendanbar said.
"Yes sir," Daystar said stepping aside. "Come on, Shiara, let's go build a snowman. Father said they come to life, so we can make him into a minister. And he'll say, 'Are you married?' and we'll say, 'No, but why you're around--'"
"We'll say no and leave it at that!" Shiara answered.
Meanwhile, Mendanbar gave his wife a sweet kiss. "Merry Christmas, Dear Heart," he said tenderly.
"I waited sixteen years to hear you say that," she laughed.
(Sorry I kinda glossed over this ending, but I wanted to get this story done. Have a happy new year!)