{"id":5901,"date":"2017-12-21T10:35:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T15:35:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=5901"},"modified":"2018-01-01T07:38:57","modified_gmt":"2018-01-01T12:38:57","slug":"holiday2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/holiday2017\/","title":{"rendered":"First Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Christmas
\n<\/strong>By Michael DeAngelo<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once upon a time, many days and nights ago, a loving family visited a land of ice and powdered snow.\u00a0 Though they didn\u2019t know the details\u2014the whys and whens and wheres\u2014there was one thing they knew for certain: a Christmas wish had brought them there.\u00a0 Their time spent there was filled with merriment and cheer, and the man who summoned them could not wait to see them that next year.\u00a0 As the weeks and months flew by, they tried to quiet their anticipation.\u00a0 This didn\u2019t work of course, and as the holidays drew near, they knew it was time for a celebration.\u00a0 You\u2019re invited, too, friends and family, to join us on this quest\u2014to visit Santa, his wife, the elves and even all the rest.\u00a0 So sit back, relax, get cozy, and prepare for a tale of endless elation.\u00a0 Get ready to visit a land of magic and make-believe, and pure imagination.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blind to the steps below him, he ventured forward with the utmost caution, seeking solid ground with his foot as though he was on the edge of a hazardous cliff.\u00a0 He could hear the frantic pacing of the petite, brown dog behind him, eager to follow him wherever he went\u2014but there was no making sense of being on the stairs at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should have got a real Christmas tree this year,\u201d his beloved insisted from firmer, flatter ground to his side.\u00a0 \u201cWe say we\u2019re going to do it every year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd every year I have to remind you that with your allergies, it would never work,\u201d he teased.\u00a0 \u201cYou<\/em> say we\u2019re going to do it every year, and then you relent because I\u2019m always right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I hate that about you,\u201d she agreed.<\/p>\n

He arrived on the floor then, and set the potted tree down before sidling out into the living room proper.\u00a0 Free of his burden, he noticed the peculiar object in the auburn-haired beauty\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d he grumbled, though he already knew the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cCustom made!\u201d she cried, holding the ornament ever closer.\u00a0 The small dire penguin stared at the man with beady red eyes, and fangs protruded past the inanimate creature\u2019s beak.\u00a0 \u201cCan you believe it\u2019s almost been a year since all that happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIt feels like a dream, doesn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Nobody believes<\/em> it happened besides us.\u00a0 They think we just sent out bookmarks for funsies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, none of that matters,\u201d Rhianna said. \u00a0\u201cWe know what happened.\u201d\u00a0 The woman moved the tree into place in that room, and hung the penguin in place.\u00a0 \u201cWe saved Christmas for Santa last year.\u00a0 I think that\u2019s a pretty big deal!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just remember almost being a snack for those things,\u201d Michael replied.\u00a0 \u201cThat was the kind of harrowing experience I wasn\u2019t expecting earlier that day!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying you wouldn\u2019t do it all over again?\u201d<\/p>\n

An impish grin was on Michael\u2019s face the next moment.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t say that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell that\u2019s good.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting to be that time of year again,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we\u2019re going to have another adventure?\u201d<\/p>\n

The beautiful woman tapped on the penguin ornament and watched it bobble in its position on the tree.\u00a0 \u201cHe said he wanted to see us again.\u201d\u00a0 She snapped her fingers, and ran over to their china cabinet, and sorted through piles of junk, scraps of paper, and a plethora of envelopes before she found what she was looking for.\u00a0 \u201cAha!\u00a0 And I quote: \u2018It was so nice having the four of you here for a visit.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t have done so well last night if it wasn\u2019t for the help of the DeAngelo family.\u00a0 Merry Christmas and Happy Wintertide!\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to see you again next year!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The man turned to her with an arched eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean to tell me that you can\u2019t find one thing in this house\u2014ever\u2014but you had the location of that card memorized?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d she said with a smile as she dug through the collection in that drawer again.\u00a0 She plucked out another pair of objects, and pulled them onto her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI remembered where these were.\u00a0 How am I supposed to forget a gift from Santa?\u201d\u00a0 She rubbed her hands together, the archery gloves warm and cozy.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaking of which, where did you put your <\/em>present from Santa?\u201d<\/p>\n

He winked at her, and pulled up one of his pant legs.\u00a0 \u201cAlready wearing them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cYou haven\u2019t been wearing them every day this month, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael snickered.\u00a0 \u201cEw, no!\u00a0 It\u2019s the 23rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 It\u2019s exactly one year from when we made our trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you do <\/em>think we\u2019re going to go back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWishes do come true,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThe three of you got exactly what you asked for last year: You wished for our animals to be able to talk, and they were yappy as you can believe; Zelda wanted to fly, and she took us for a whirlwind tour in an icy canyon; even Peanut got her wish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to Santa letting her call it in a few hours later,\u201d Rhianna reminded.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big juicy bird,\u201d Michael recalled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m kind of glad it wasn\u2019t one of those penguins.\u00a0 They looked like they\u2019d be a bit tough.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bright smile appeared on the redhead\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cThe Christmas turkey was appreciated well enough!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 So you all got your wishes,\u201d the man said then.\u00a0 \u201cI was just smart enough to make a perpetual wish.\u00a0 Every year\u2014that\u2019s what I said!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true, I remember it!\u201d a reply from a voice they hadn\u2019t heard for an entire year piped up.<\/p>\n

The married couple looked at one another before passing a glance at their adorable little dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cZelda, you\u2019re talking again!\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know!\u201d she exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I would have had more to say earlier if you two would ever let me get a word in!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cDoes that mean Peanut can talk again too?\u201d<\/p>\n

All three of them looked to the lazy feline, cuddled up in her bed.\u00a0 A trio of inquisitive stares landed on the cat, who gazed back with a perturbed visage.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d she finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s happening!\u201d Rhianna exclaimed.\u00a0 She ran through the kitchen, looking out the back door of the house.<\/p>\n

Michael was quick to follow her, though when he arrived there, he noticed the sour expression on her face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

She shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no snow like last year.\u00a0 How are we supposed to get a portal to Tellest without any snow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s how it works,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

Just then, however, they heard a knocking at the front door of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cA roo roo roo roo!\u201d Zelda cried.\u00a0 She tilted her head to the side, then.\u00a0 \u201cIs that how I always sound?\u201d she wondered.<\/p>\n

The man walked past the confused pup, patting her on the head as he went.\u00a0 He opened the front door, and noticed the small parcel on the front step.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s kind of early for mail,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat could that be?\u201d\u00a0 He swung the screen door open and plucked the item up, bringing it inside and shutting the way behind him.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever it is, it\u2019s light.\u00a0 What did you order off Amazon now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not from Amazon,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cLook at the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her husband turned the parcel until he could see the label affixed to it.\u00a0 He grinned when he saw the address on the return label, in colorful lettering.\u00a0 \u201cSanta\u2019s Workshop,\u201d he read aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen it, open it, open it!\u201d Zelda demanded.<\/p>\n

He did as commanded, prying open the cardboard box and spotting the contents within.\u00a0 A round, silver object was there, polished so well that he could nearly see his reflection in it.\u00a0 A clicking sound echoed out from there without the box lid there to muffle it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

Michael pulled it free of its container, and held it out in front of him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a clock.\u00a0 That\u2019s strange.\u201d\u00a0 He alternated glances at it, and the digital clock that always displayed in their entertainment center.\u00a0 \u201cBut hey, at least it\u2019s showing the right time.\u00a0 Look: almost five o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he said that, the delivered item ticked one last time, sending the big hand straight over the twelve.\u00a0 A loud bell tolled, frightening everyone in that room.\u00a0 Zelda ran into the corner of the room, sitting beside the nonplussed puss, Rhianna jumped and grabbed her chest and Michael released his hold on the clock.<\/p>\n

But that timepiece wasn\u2019t let to fall, no.\u00a0 It hovered in the air where it had been dropped, shaking as the gears and components continued to move.\u00a0 To his surprise, Michael noticed that the clock\u2019s hands spun backward, and they were gaining speed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d his wife asked.<\/p>\n

Before he could answer, the face of the clock broke away, sucked into the device only to disappear.\u00a0 In its place, a bright light shone out, blinding the man who once held the object.\u00a0 He brought his arm up to shield his eyes, and that light seemed to dim.\u00a0 It was only then, when he thought to venture another glance that he saw another land displayed in the far reaches of that timepiece.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u00a0 You know that snow you were hoping to see?\u201d he asked his wife.\u00a0 \u201cWell it is right in\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he could finish the sentence, the clock tolled again.\u00a0 Michael existed in that room for only another instant, and then he was sucked into that beacon, his words left to hang in the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael!\u201d Rhianna cried.<\/p>\n

Almost as if responding to her yelp, the clock, still hovering in the air, spun about and faced the woman.\u00a0 Her eyes grew wide and she silenced herself, only a single gasp escaping from her lips then.\u00a0 She saw the same land that her husband did: trees and a nearby field all covered in snow.<\/p>\n

She couldn\u2019t even offer up a warning to the fluffy animals to her side before that loud noise chimed again.\u00a0 Just as before, that next victim of the clock was only there for a moment before she was stretched into the device itself.<\/p>\n

Zelda spun about and pushed behind Peanut, burying her nose in the blanket beside the cat\u2019s rump.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d the feline asked.\u00a0 Our humans were just sucked into another dimension, and you\u2019re going to run and hide?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m scared!\u201d the dog admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the Zelda I know,\u201d Peanut said, standing up from her cuddle spot.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s the dog who bravely leapt into the portal to Santa\u2019s manor last year?\u00a0 Where\u2019s the pup who pulled a magical sleigh through a canyon of toothy penguins?\u00a0 Where\u2019s the Zelda who annoys me incessantly?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little brown chihuahua perked up at that last bit.\u00a0 \u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound very encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 That last bit was just for me,\u201d the cat confessed.<\/p>\n

Letting a nervous sigh flare her nostrils, the dog rose to her feet once more, and walked to the edge of the couch, just as the clock was spinning in their direction.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re coming with too, right?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Before she received her answer, that bell chimed again, sucking Zelda into that other world to join her humans.<\/p>\n

Peanut spun around in a circle, finding a comfortable groove in that bed once more.\u00a0 A small feline smile showed up on her face then, and she tilted over to the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that I have some peace and quiet, perhaps I can get some work done,\u201d she said.\u00a0 At that, she lifted her paw just before her nose, and licked between the padding on her foot.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for her to realize that the clock had not finished its task.\u00a0 It floated over toward her and pointed in her direction, and Peanut knew that it had one more victim it meant to claim.\u00a0 She rose up to spring away, but that bell chimed one final time.\u00a0 The cat was whisked away, leaving the room empty.<\/p>\n

A puff of snow shot out from the face of that clock, and it fell to the bed where the animals once were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

With a confused shout, Michael plunged through that portal, landing on that snowy, icy ground without any manner of grace.\u00a0 He lost his footing and rolled over several times until he came to a stop on his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back, Mike,\u201d he muttered as he looked to the spinning sky.\u00a0 As the man sat up and rubbed his head, he realized that none of the area around him looked familiar.\u00a0 \u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind him, he heard that strange toll of the bell once more, though that time it was dissonant and warbled.\u00a0 He looked over his shoulder, watching the rippling portal pulse and thrum.\u00a0 Without any warning, his wife went racing through that gateway.\u00a0 She managed to land on her feet, despite the awkward journey through that rift.\u00a0 The woman slid for a few moments on that icy ground before she lost her footing, and fell to her rump.<\/p>\n

\u201cRhianna!\u201d Michael cried, scrambling to her side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d she assured him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to have a huge bruise on my butt though, I just know it!\u201d<\/p>\n

He helped her to her feet, and wrapped her in a tight embrace, as though he hadn\u2019t seen her for years.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just glad you\u2019re okay.\u00a0 Nothing got scrambled going through there, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it would be far worse.\u00a0 That clock was so small.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely not the same way we traveled last year,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not the same place we traveled to<\/em>,\u201d Rhianna replied.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t Santa\u2019s home.\u00a0 Where are we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael turned to look at that vast field of white.\u00a0 There were some coniferous trees here and there, but he couldn\u2019t see much else.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not quite sure,\u201d he confessed.\u00a0 \u201cWherever we are, it\u2019s cold enough where I wish we could have packed a sweater or a jacket or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came in pajamas last year,\u201d Rhianna reminded him.<\/p>\n

He snickered at that memory, but couldn\u2019t reflect on it for long.\u00a0 That bell tolled again, the trilling noise announcing another arrival.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d the husband and wife heard then.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that\u2014?\u201d Michael began.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Zelda!\u201d his beloved said.<\/p>\n

They both turned to the portal, where a chestnut-colored swirl went tumbling toward them, bigger and bigger, until it was the size of their dog.\u00a0 Michael lunged forward, and caught the pooch against his chest.\u00a0 Zelda shook her head, clearing that befuddlement before she looked at her humans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember flying being a lot more fun last time we did it,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Michael and Rhianna could tell by her voice that she was a bit woozy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you alright little puppers?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

Before they could pry much further, another chime of that bell announced the final member of their family\u2019s arrival.\u00a0 Zelda yipped and launched herself away from Michael\u2019s arms, just in time for Peanut to come shooting out of the portal.\u00a0 She slammed into the man\u2019s stomach hard enough to knock him off his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she cried when she saw herself surrounded by all that snow.\u00a0 \u201cIt was nap time!\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhianna couldn\u2019t contain her laughter.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s always nap time for you, Peanut,\u201d she said, scooping her up off Michael\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, you understand!\u201d the cat lamented.<\/p>\n

Zelda jumped around the woman while Rhianna held the feline close to her chest, petting her just behind her ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine by the way,\u201d the man said, still lying on his back in that snow.\u00a0 His taunting gone unnoticed, he was the only one left to watch as that portal shuddered before finally closing.\u00a0 No longer obscured by that magical rift, the other side of that snowy landscape was visible to him.\u00a0 With mouth ajar, he climbed to his feet, in awe of the sight before him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is this place?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

The rest of his family turned to observe what he saw then as well.\u00a0 Beyond another long stretch of snow, they saw a heap of shaped metal, Christmas lights hung on them in interesting patterns, and large spotlights casting their glow into the grey sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are definitely not at Santa\u2019s manor,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr his workshop,\u201d Michael added.\u00a0 \u201cEither way, there\u2019s no other place I can think of to go besides there.\u00a0 We were brought here for a reason.\u00a0 Shall we?\u201d\u00a0 Once he saw that Rhianna and the animals made their way in that direction, he led them forward.<\/p>\n

As they drew nearer to that stunning locale, they could hear festive music from within.\u00a0 A far cry from their last visit, everything seemed so modern.\u00a0 A giant slab of concrete was under their feet, recently swept clear of snow.\u00a0 Michael looked at his wife, his eyebrow arched in confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that\u2026symphonic metal?\u201d he wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething is definitely strange about this place,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t let your guard down.\u201d<\/p>\n

They proceeded forward, following the sound of that music.\u00a0 The building at the center of the area seemed as good a bet as any, and before long, they were standing in front of the thick, steel door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could really use a sword right about now,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cJust in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Daddy!\u201d Zelda offered up in a quiet but eager voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll protect us!\u201d<\/p>\n

With a smile on his face, he reached down and patted the pup on her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you, Peanut?\u201d Rhianna asked.\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to pull your weight?\u201d<\/p>\n

The cat looked up at the woman with pleading eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever you do, don\u2019t put me down on this cold concrete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWe all ready?\u201d\u00a0 Without waiting to hear if they were, he pushed open that door, and the music roared out of that building.<\/p>\n

Inside it was dark.\u00a0 None of the visitors realized that there were no windows fashioned in to the building.\u00a0 The only traces of light were far inside that singular room, except for when another one sparked into existence.<\/p>\n

The lone inhabitant of that building jerked upright then, noticing the light that poured into the room.\u00a0 They turned around, and their oversized goggles, set into a mask to shield their face, reflected the outside world back at the visitors.\u00a0 Michael brought up his arm to shield his eyes from that illumination, aided only a moment later by the flare of a welding torch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re in the wrong place,\u201d he said, backing away with his hands upraised.<\/p>\n

The dweller of that strange structure stood up, and advanced on the entrance to that building.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re in the right place, alright,\u201d a deep voice resonated.\u00a0 He could see that the being was smaller than he first considered, standing just slightly taller than navel level.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael, let\u2019s get out of here,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re early,\u201d the masked individual said.\u00a0 A deep laugh echoed out behind that mask as they considered those words, and they reached up and plucked the mask off their face.\u00a0 Free of the headwear, the DeAngelos realized their host was not at all what they expected.\u00a0 The gnome laughed again, shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cImagine that: early to this <\/em>place.\u201d\u00a0 A bright smile was on her face then, and she slapped her palm against her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, we haven\u2019t met yet.\u00a0 I\u2019m Narala.\u00a0 I\u2019m one of Santa\u2019s helpers.\u201d\u00a0 She continued across the way, dropping her welding mask on the ground.\u00a0 As she drew closer to the light, the visitors could see her a little clearer.\u00a0 She wore a work uniform that was comprised of plenty of leather\u2014mostly covering her hands and her feet, though she also had a sturdy apron\u2014though some metal was affixed to her outfit on her knees and shoulders.\u00a0 A red headband kept her hair up and back, away from her eyes and her mask when she wore it. \u00a0Wearing that mask kept her face unmarred from her work.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the DeAngelo family, right?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 \u201cOh, what am I saying\u2014of course you are!\u00a0 You\u2019re just as Revan described.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Revan?\u201d Zelda piped up, stepping into the workshop.\u00a0 She spun around, unable to contain her excitement.\u00a0 \u201cMommy, Daddy, that\u2019s the one who gave us the potions last year!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis doesn\u2019t look like Santa\u2019s workshop though,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 Peanut leapt from the woman\u2019s arms then, crawling into the building and letting her nose draw her toward interesting scents.\u00a0 Zelda was inspired by that curiosity too, and fell in line behind the cat.<\/p>\n

Narala snickered again.\u00a0 \u201cWell you don\u2019t think the big man has just the one workshop, do you?\u201d\u00a0 She walked up and scratched the pup beneath her chin before taking a step to her side and flicking an unseen switch.\u00a0 The workshop buzzed with activity then, brass and copper machines coming to life against the perimeter of the building.\u00a0 \u201cRevan and her folks are in charge of making sure Santa\u2019s sleigh gets airborne, and stays there.\u00a0 Then there are the people who work making toys and gifts.\u00a0 Me, I\u2019m in charge of making sure there\u2019s enough time to do everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I get it,\u201d Michael chortled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why this year\u2019s portal was the clock.\u00a0 So it was<\/em> you that sent for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

That grin on the gnome\u2019s face grew wider.\u00a0 \u201cYou liked that, huh?\u00a0 Just a small piece of equipment to get you here fast.\u00a0 Most of my stuff moves a bit quicker than all that, of course, but I wanted to get you here in one piece!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to be rude or anything,\u201d Rhianna said, \u201cbut we were expecting Santa.\u00a0 He said he\u2019d see us again this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gnome interlocked her fingers together, and extended her arms, flipping her hands over to crack her elbows.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not rude at all,\u201d she assured her guests.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you\u2019ll definitely see the big man before your trip is over.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that, well\u2026it might not be the way you were expecting.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see,\u201d Narala went on, \u201cSanta has tasked you four with a super-secret mission this year.\u00a0 It\u2019s not just the fate of Christmas that\u2019s in your hands, but the fate of \u00a0every Christmas, across all of history and into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo pressure or anything,\u201d Michael said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that, Narala?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

Clapping her hands together, the gnome gestured with her head to the opposite side of the room.\u00a0 \u201cCome this way,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cSanta couldn\u2019t be here to welcome you because of how clandestine this meeting had to be.\u00a0 If our enemies knew you were here, they would try and come up with some sort of plan to stop you.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t chance that, as you can guess.\u00a0 We needed you to be able to go back in time unobstructed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you say back in time?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the first Christmas,\u201d Narala said with a forceful nod.\u00a0 \u201cSanta\u2019s first Christmas.\u00a0 Let me explain.\u201d\u00a0 She grabbed a small remote, and clicked the sole red button on it.<\/p>\n

Behind the married couple, a loud noise resonated, and a large screen began descending from the ceiling.<\/p>\n

Rhianna leaned over, and whispered in Michael\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cWe could use a TV that big in our living room.\u201d<\/p>\n

The device finally clicked into place, and the husband and wife waited for the presentation to begin.\u00a0 Behind them, another pop resonated, and they heard a faint buzz.\u00a0 They looked back to see a warm light projecting in front of them, but after that could not shed their eager anticipation.<\/p>\n

That screen was awash in that glow, illuminated so that it looked like parchment.\u00a0 Just then, a tremendous shadow took shape over the screen.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t take long for it to morph into a form they could make sense of.\u00a0 Michael chortled to himself and smacked his hand against his face.<\/p>\n

Rhianna looked back and confirmed their suspicions.\u00a0 Narala set her hands together in front of the lamp she turned on, and a series of mirrors threw that light show onto the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cShadow puppets!\u201d the redhead giggled as she drew in close to her husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d the little gnome shouted.\u00a0 Rhianna jerked upright, embarrassed at her scolding, but when she cautiously turned about, she noticed that Narala wasn\u2019t looking at her.\u00a0 Instead, she was gazing across that workshop, to the animals who were investigating the perimeter still.\u00a0 Peanut was on one of those workbenches, sniffing at the brass objects there, while Zelda investigated on the floor.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u201d Narala called out again.\u00a0 \u201cBe careful over there.\u00a0 That\u2019s some pretty important stuff!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not dangerous, is it?\u201d Michael asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah,\u201d the gnome said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just my lunch.\u00a0 Anyway, where were we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the beginning, I think,\u201d the man replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes!\u201d Narala said.\u00a0 \u201cThe very<\/em> beginning.\u201d\u00a0 Once again, those hands went up, creating rudimentary shadow puppets.\u00a0 Birds and wolves were just the start, and once the gnome was warmed up, she put together some very impressive impressions.\u00a0 \u201cThousands of years ago, before the gnomes were even here on the surface of Tellest, a man, his wife, and their friend arrived on an unfamiliar shore.\u00a0 That man was destined for greatness, but he had lost faith in himself after some terrible happenings in the land he came from.\u00a0 His wife assured him they could make a new life in this unfamiliar place, but he didn\u2019t know where to begin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat man,\u201d the gnome went on, \u201cwas Santa.\u00a0 In time, he grew used to this place and flourished here.\u00a0 But more important than that: he helped it get better as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot everyone has been so content with his time on Tellest though.\u201d\u00a0 Narala sighed, and put her hands together to make what looked like a vicious fiend of a person.\u00a0 Angry shadow eyes seemed to stare at Michael and Rhianna, and though they knew it was just the gnome\u2019s doing, they still shifted in that discomfort.\u00a0 \u201cThis is Shathlin, and he\u2019s the worst grouch you\u2019ll ever see.\u00a0 He\u2019s an elf that blames all his problems\u2014and those of his greater family\u2014on Santa\u2019s arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like a Grinch,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what that is,\u201d Narala replied.\u00a0 \u201cBut if it\u2019s bad, I agree!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo was this\u2026Shathlin\u2014is that right?\u201d Michael asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he around when Santa first arrived here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, but his father was.\u00a0 He poisoned his son\u2019s mind with false accusations against Santa, and no matter what we\u2019ve tried to tell him, Shathlin cannot be swayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s the problem?\u201d Michael pressed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s he done that is worth worrying about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what he\u2019s going to do,\u201d the gnome said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what he\u2019s already done.\u00a0 Nothing is set in stone yet, but within the past few weeks, he attacked this very laboratory and stole some of my equipment!\u00a0 Now, we\u2019re lucky because what he found was pretty rudimentary.\u00a0 He won\u2019t be able to do exactly what he wants, but he knows enough people who have it out for Santa that he\u2019s going to be a problem for us.\u00a0 If they figure out how to tweak the settings on the things they pilfered, we\u2019re all in a lot of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how do we fit into all this?\u201d Rhianna wondered.<\/p>\n

Narala smiled and hopped from her perch.\u00a0 She approached the husband and wife, and tossed a blue velvet bag to Michael.\u00a0 \u201cDo me a favor and look in there, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man righted that bag and opened it up, spotting nothing unusual inside.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s empty,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, now Rhianna, verify that for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

He handed the bag to her, and she nodded when she too saw nothing of value inside it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow watch this,\u201d the gnome said as her eager grin grew even wider.\u00a0 She approached the perimeter of that room, and looked at one of the many work desks.\u00a0 \u201cAh,\u201d she said as she found the item she was looking for.\u00a0 Turning about, she saw the little animals, still conducting their search of the workshop.\u00a0 \u201cYou there, on the tables,\u201d Narala said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re Peanut, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The feline sat up upon hearing her name, and tilted her head to the side to consider the strange gnome.\u00a0 \u201cI only give up that kind of information to those who are willing to part with treats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala chortled upon hearing that.\u00a0 \u201cWell then I think I have just the one for you.\u00a0 How\u2019d you like to chase this little mouse?\u201d she asked, holding out her hand and presenting a small copper rodent.<\/p>\n

At once, Peanut was ensorcelled by that artificial animal.\u00a0 She jumped to the ground, her eager eyes looking up at the engineer who was only a few feet taller than her.<\/p>\n

The gnome was careful to place the mouse on the stone floor, and when it was there, she gave a few twists of the dial.\u00a0 At once the clockwork mouse was filled with life, and it moved across the ground.\u00a0 Peanut went into hunter mode at once, chasing the rolling rodent as it wheeled away.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t notice as Zelda skittered away from the strange noise, hiding beside her humans.<\/p>\n

Drawing close, the cat placed her head near her paws as she raised her haunches.\u00a0 As soon as she pounced though, a blue light pulsed from the mouse, and it disappeared from sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Peanut cried, looking about in every direction.\u00a0 \u201cWhere did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala chortled as she looked at the humans again.\u00a0 \u201cRhianna, would you do me a favor and look back in that bag again?\u201d<\/p>\n

The auburn-haired beauty spread the velvet bag open, and sure enough, the little brass mouse was inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou teleported it!\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d the gnome giggled.\u00a0 \u201cSo we\u2019re going to essentially do that same thing to you guys, okay?\u00a0 Only we\u2019re going to teleport you through time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, what?\u201d\u00a0 Michael asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou four are going to be Christmas guardians,\u201d Narala said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s only a matter of time before Shathlin manages to figure out the gear he took from this workshop.\u00a0 When he does, he\u2019s going to end up heading back in time to try and stop Santa from putting together that first Christmas.\u00a0 If he does that, every<\/em> Christmas will be ruined!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis sounds incredibly unsafe,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cHow do we know we\u2019ll end up in the right place?\u00a0 What about the right time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for that matter,\u201d Michael added, \u201chow do we manage to get back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sill humans and your \u2018safety precautions,\u2019\u201d Narala teased.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry about anything.\u00a0 Shathlin might not know what he\u2019s doing, but I have extensive training in the art of chronomancy!\u00a0 I\u2019ve been doing this since you were in grade school, Rhianna.\u201d\u00a0 The gnome turned about and rooted underneath the work desk before plucking out an object that was considerably bigger than the mouse she used to taunt the cat.\u00a0 That device, a twelve-sided, brass object, was heavy enough to elicit a grunt when Narala hoisted it onto the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a time travel buoy,\u201d she said, knocking on it with her knuckles.\u00a0 \u201cThis is what\u2019s going to get you into the past, and what\u2019s going to get you back from it.\u201d\u00a0 She waved Michael over, and pushed a button on that brass device.\u00a0 One of those panels slid away, revealing a black screen.\u00a0 At once, a blue light shone out in a triangular formation.\u00a0 \u201cPut your finger right there, would you?\u201d the gnome asked.<\/p>\n

With trepidation, Michael pushed his index finger into that blue light.\u00a0 A two-beat tone sounded, and the man took his hand back, almost cradling it against his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere we go,\u201d Narala said. \u201cAaaaand boop!\u201d\u00a0 The gnome lunged toward the device, and pushed another button.<\/p>\n

That brass dodecahedron rose into the air with a quiet thrum, and hovered in back of Michael.\u00a0 Without warning, the blue light on the buoy expanded a hundredfold, enveloping Michael in its glow.\u00a0 A surprised shout was the only noise he could produce before he and the device disappeared from the room.<\/p>\n

Peanut skittered across the floor then, hiding behind Zelda, who couldn\u2019t keep from shaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you just do?\u201d Rhianna shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to worry,\u201d Narala said.\u00a0 \u201cI configured the device one hundred percent to the correct specifications.\u00a0 At least I think I did.\u00a0 Anyway, he should be back in a couple of minutes, so why don\u2019t we get the rest of you synched up with your own buoys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe because you just made my daddy vanish!\u201d Zelda yipped.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not doing anything until you bring my husband back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala brought up her hands.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, that\u2019s fine.\u00a0 I suppose it is a little harrowing to go through all that and watch the patriarch of the family just\u2014poof<\/em>\u2014out of existence.\u00a0 While we wait for him to come back, let\u2019s get the missus out of those plain clothes and into something a little more specific to the time you\u2019ll be visiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow, that proposal did offer up a fine distraction to the woman, and the two animals that followed her.\u00a0 Narala led the trio to the back corner of that building, where a rudimentary closet had been fashioned.\u00a0 The gnome opened the door, and a candy cane striped outfit with bells on it was prominently displayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Rhianna muttered.<\/p>\n

Narala couldn\u2019t stifle a giggle then.\u00a0 \u201cThat ones for Revan.\u00a0 Sorry!\u201d\u00a0 She spun the base of the closet, and the outfit rotated out of view, bringing another one into sight.\u00a0 That one, a leather outfit that was lined with fur with some matching boots, was much more to her liking.<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh,\u201d the woman said as she drew nearer to her new clothes.<\/p>\n

The cat behind her scoffed and shook her head. \u00a0\u201cTypical,\u201d Peanut said.\u00a0 \u201cMichael is missing and she\u2019s busy being distracted by clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually,\u201d Narala said as she looked down to her wrist, \u201cit should only be a few more moments before we see him again.\u00a0 Everybody count to three!\u00a0 One\u2026two\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nobody counted along with the gnome, but her anticipation was wrong, as that blue light came back into view on the count of two.\u00a0 A crackle of electricity accompanied that light, and when the DeAngelo family looked back to where they once stood, Michael stood there.\u00a0 The man stared ahead with wide eyes, unable to focus on anything in particular.\u00a0 His clothes were torn and tattered, and covered with smudges and grime.\u00a0 The time travel buoy was floating by his side again, bobbing in the air like a ship on the ocean.<\/p>\n

Rhianna was able to wrench her focus from the outfit, and she ran to her husband.\u00a0 \u201cHoney!\u00a0 Are you okay?\u201d\u00a0 When he didn\u2019t answer her, she wrapped him in a tight embrace and turned him toward her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were dinosaurs,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cThere were dinosaurs.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t give me any warning, but there were dinosaurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala let a sheepish grin stretch across her face.\u00a0 \u201cI may have forgotten to change the settings on that buoy after my last vacation.\u00a0 Let me just tweak a few things here.\u201d\u00a0 She hopped up and grabbed that device from the air, pushing on the buttons here and there until she saw Michael\u2019s angry face not far from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not send me back there!\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you dare push any more buttons!\u201d<\/p>\n

The gnome let fly a nervous chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll let you decide when it\u2019s time to go, and I\u2019ll show you how to read it before you push the button to time hop on your own, kay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Decked out in new clothes, the husband and wife appeared much more prepared to face the hardships of Tellest, in any era.\u00a0 Michael\u2019s outfit was also a warm leather ensemble, but he also wore black trousers whereas his wife showed some skin between her boots and the hemline of her dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext year I want an outfit,\u201d Zelda declared.<\/p>\n

The man and his wife leaned over the table while the gnome pulled up a chair to get a better look at each of those items.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Narala said.\u00a0 \u201cIs it all to your satisfaction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf all this information is correct, and you\u2019re not sending us back to dinosaur times again, I think we can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d the gnome said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have to touch that blue spot to synchronize it to your bio-signs again, and then I\u2019ll show you once again how to make the jump.\u201d\u00a0 She grabbed two smaller versions of the device and turned to the DeAngelo pets, which shied away as Narala drew closer.\u00a0 \u201cNow which one of you wants to go first?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhianna looked to her husband and tapped him on the arm.\u00a0 \u201cSo should I be worried?\u00a0 What was it like going back in time?\u201d<\/p>\n

He forced a not-too-convincing smile to his face.\u00a0 \u201cRemember when we went to that waterpark earlier this month, and I went on that trap-door slide?\u00a0 It was kind of like that.\u00a0 Although I guess this was nicer, since I didn\u2019t get any water in my nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about once you were there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if our lovely host hadn\u2019t dropped me right into a pachycephalosaurus nest, everything would have been fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA pachy-whatsit?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Michael replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou know\u2026those head-butting dinosaurs?\u00a0 I was so busy watching my time buoy disappear in front of me that I didn\u2019t realize I was in any trouble.\u00a0 But if she puts us in the right place and the right time, I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll have anything to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo\u2026not\u2026want!\u201d they heard Zelda shout then.\u00a0 Narala struggled to put the dog\u2019s paw on the blue light, with the pup tugging away with all her might.\u00a0 \u201cHelp, help, help!\u201d she pleaded.<\/p>\n

Michael snickered as he walked to his frazzled fur-baby.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s just like this when we take her to the vet.\u201d\u00a0 He looked to the dog then, and bent down to kneel beside her.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to do it yourself, Zelda?\u00a0 High five!\u201d he said as he moved the buoy in front of her.\u00a0 She slapped the black screen of the device, and a tiny tone registered the success.\u00a0 The blue light pulsed for a moment, and the object floated up into the air beside the pup.<\/p>\n

Rhianna sighed and pushed her finger against the glowing spot on her buoy as well.\u00a0 When it floated into the air, she approached Narala with concern in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAny advice you\u2019d give us?\u00a0 I get vertigo on long car rides,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Michael said the buoy disappeared, and there were head-butty dinosaurs and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax,\u201d the gnome said with a laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got everything configured perfectly now.\u00a0 You guys won\u2019t see any big ol\u2019 monsters on this trip, and you\u2019ll be there quicker than you think.\u00a0 It won\u2019t even feel like a bump in the road.\u00a0 And as for the buoy disappearing, that\u2019s not a defect, it\u2019s a feature.\u00a0 You can\u2019t very well show up in the past with all kinds of future technology following you around.\u00a0 But it\u2019s not gone, just cloaked.\u00a0 It\u2019ll follow you around and won\u2019t let you get stuck anywhere you\u2019re not supposed to be!\u201d<\/p>\n

As Narala finished that statement, Michael arrived beside them, cradling each of their pets under his arms.\u00a0 Two of those floating buoys followed behind them.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m the only straggler,\u201d the man said.\u00a0 He placed the animals on the ground, and pushed his finger against the dodecahedron that was configured for him, and sure enough, that tone sounded and it floated up beside him.\u00a0 \u201cTruth be told this thing is starting to grow on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sure you can\u2019t go with us?\u201d Rhianna asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve done this so much, I feel like we could use your expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou probably could!\u201d Narala teased.\u00a0 \u201cBut the problem is gnomes weren\u2019t there yet in Tellest\u2019s history.\u00a0 If Santa or his wife or his companion saw me, that could arouse some suspicion that I\u2019d rather avoid.\u00a0 Plus, if you do run into Shathlin, he\u2019ll recognize me, but you four won\u2019t even be a blip on his radar!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cExcept we don\u2019t know what he looks like either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala chortled.\u00a0 \u201cTrust me: you\u2019ll know him when you see him.\u00a0 Millennia of being an old grouch definitely made him an angry looking fellow.\u00a0 Now, if we\u2019re all set, we should get you moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOff to save Christmas,\u201d Zelda piped up.\u00a0 \u201cAgain!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we\u2019re ready then, Narala,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cAny last bits of advice you can give us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, you\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Just look out for any yetis or things like that, and stick to the plan.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be back here before you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYetis?\u201d Rhianna echoed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there are any, I mean,\u201d the gnome replied.\u00a0 \u201cNot that I\u2019ve ever seen any.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThis keeps getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright everyone, grab your buoys.\u00a0 You\u2019re just going to hit that little button right behind the\u2014no not that one\u2014this one right over here\u2014you\u2019re sure I can\u2019t do this for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got this,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cSee you all on the other side!\u201d\u00a0 He pushed that button then, and that blue light encompassed him completely.\u00a0 Just like before, he vanished in that powerful glow; leaving the rest of his family wondering if everything went as planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sense waiting, I guess,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cHere goes nothing!\u201d\u00a0 She followed her husband\u2019s lead, and pushed that button, and in an instant, she was gone as well.<\/p>\n

The pup blew air our through her nose before she spun that device about, locating the button that her family was pushing to activate the buoy.\u00a0 After a moment\u2019s hesitation, she looked away and slapped her paw against it.\u00a0 \u201cSee you there Peanut!\u201d she said before that blue light enveloped her and whisked her away.<\/p>\n

For a few moments, Peanut just stared at the beacon, floating in the air in front of her.\u00a0 Narala stared at the cat, which finally looked back up at the gnome.\u00a0 \u201cI refuse,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut your family is already back in time,\u201d Narala said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that my problem?\u201d Peanut asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, I\u2019ll just push your buoy\u2019s button myself,\u201d the gnome replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNuh uh!\u201d the cat yelled as she darted away from the engineer.\u00a0 The device followed after her, and Narala just missed it when she lunged for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to save Christmas!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

A gentle snow was falling when that man fell a few inches to land on his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch better than dinosaurs,\u201d he said as he looked about on those wintery plains.\u00a0 It was quiet in that field, the snow leaving the place sounding silent for miles.\u00a0 And without the man\u2019s family nearby to offer up witty remarks or curious observations, he couldn\u2019t discount the loneliness there.\u00a0 Far beyond there though, just beyond a line of trees in the distance, he saw a column of smoke rising into the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that where Santa lives?\u201d he heard.\u00a0 When he turned about his wife was there, and the time buoy she traveled with was just beginning to fade away, cloaking itself the way Narala had indicated it would.\u00a0 \u201cI was kind of hoping we\u2019d be dropped off a little closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t even hear you arrive,\u201d he said, crossing through that tall snow and wrapping his wife in a hug as though he hadn\u2019t seen her in quite a long time.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a first,\u201d he teased.\u00a0 He spun about then, looking at that smoky pillar once more.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it makes sense to be this far away.\u00a0 If he was out and about, he\u2019d certainly have seen us.\u00a0 And if the buoys didn\u2019t have time to disappear\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve always got to see the bright side of things, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 Can\u2019t you just complain with me for once?\u201d she asked, playfully poking him in the ribs.<\/p>\n

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not too cold are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she replied in an exuberant tone. \u00a0\u201cEven with all this snow on the ground, it doesn\u2019t feel as chilly as it looks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u00a0 And that\u2019s good.\u00a0 The snow is firm and a bit crunchy, but it\u2019s tall.\u00a0 Hopefully our fluffies don\u2019t end up caught in any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s as tall as they are,\u201d Rhianna chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I guess we\u2019ll just wait here until Peanut and Zelda come through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be long.\u00a0 They were both right by me when I made my jump.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael nodded, but was left waiting there for some time.\u00a0 He crossed his arms over his chest and starting tapping his foot against the snow.\u00a0 When yet more time passed with no sign of their pets, he clicked his tongue, mimicking a clock\u2019s pendulum.<\/p>\n

As soon as he opened his mouth to speak though, a bright blue light pulsed thirty feet away.\u00a0 Even from that distance, they could see the cat and her brass buoy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat little twit,\u201d the feline grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cFaster than she looked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had us worried for a moment Peanut,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cWe were worried you weren\u2019t coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cat jumped at the surprising sound of her human\u2019s voice, but when she turned around she wore a saccharine grin.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t possibly let you three come here on your own.\u00a0 We\u2019re a family\u2014we go on adventures together.\u201d\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t discount the cold sensation under her foot much longer, and she brought her paw off the ground, flicking it several times.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a brave kitty,\u201d Rhianna said, plucking the cat from the snow.<\/p>\n

Michael was there a moment later, running his gloved hand across Peanut\u2019s furry spine.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re glad you got here safely, Peanut.\u00a0 Did you come through before Zelda?\u201d<\/p>\n

As if finally understanding that the final member of their family was nowhere nearby, the cat crooned her neck to look over the woman\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 She looked all about those plains though, and didn\u2019t spot the little copper-colored pooch.\u00a0 \u201cShe should be here already,\u201d Peanut muttered.\u00a0 \u201cShe came through a while before me\u2014that is, uh\u2026 I had a lot of questions for Narala.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the three of us,\u201d Rhianna said, though she couldn\u2019t disguise the nervousness that made its way to her voice.<\/p>\n

Peanut\u2019s ears flicked a few times, and she stepped onto Rhianna\u2019s shoulder, looking in the direction of those trees and that pillar of smoke in the distance.\u00a0 \u201cI hear something over there.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s Zelda!\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael was already running in that direction before the cat made her thoughts clear.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon,\u201d he called out to Rhianna.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Narala\u2019s calculations weren\u2019t as well as she thought they were.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cHellooooo!\u201d the dog shouted, her little voice echoing through that forest.\u00a0 \u201cMom?\u00a0 Dad?\u201d\u00a0 After a short pause, she bowed her head a little.\u00a0 \u201cPeanut?\u201d\u00a0 She swallowed away the anxious feeling that was welling up in her throat.\u00a0 Those trees were so big, though, and she knew beyond all doubt that she was lost.<\/p>\n

The buoy had faded from view minutes before, but she could still hear the subtle thrum that followed her with every few steps she took.\u00a0 It would have been lost to human ears, no doubt, but that hidden device did offer her some solace.\u00a0 If she somehow wasn\u2019t able to find her humans, at least they would all return to the workshop together again.<\/p>\n

She recalled the gnome\u2019s explanation for everything, though.\u00a0 Those buoys wouldn\u2019t pull them back to that place for hours.\u00a0 Zelda bowed her head again, and sniffed at the thought of being alone all that time.<\/p>\n

Just then, though, she heard the crack of a fallen branch.\u00a0 The pup gasped and moved to hide beside the nearest tree.\u00a0 Though her reddish-brown coat was sure to be seen against that white canvas, the bark of that evergreen disguised her well enough.<\/p>\n

Zelda heard whatever was out there drawing nearer to her, loud breaths echoing against the ground.\u00a0 She looked all around, noticing that nearest to her, the snow wasn\u2019t able to stack as abundantly.\u00a0 The branches above protected the ground, and some strands of grass poked out through the frost.<\/p>\n

A noisy snort preceded the sudden appearance of a huge furry face.\u00a0 Zelda gasped and her body locked up as the creature inched forward, grazing at that grass surrounding that tree.\u00a0 The horns on its head came into view then as well, as well as its massive body.<\/p>\n

The reindeer spotted the dog, then, and gazed at her for a second before grunting and returning to eating.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi!\u201d Zelda said once she was sure the creature meant her no harm.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a really pretty dog, and I like those things on your head.\u00a0 Is that like a hat?\u00a0 I\u2019m going to call you Svetlana, is that alright?\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to meet you Svetlana.\u00a0 Oh, I\u2019m Zelda!\u201d<\/p>\n

A moment later, the reindeer was upright again, looking out past the nearest trees.\u00a0 It grunted again, almost sounding like a cow\u2019s bellow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard me trying to call my family?\u201d Zelda wondered.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for trying to get them to hear me!\u201d\u00a0 She spun about to face the same direction as the reindeer and sat down, crooning her head back.\u00a0 \u201cHellooooo!\u201d the dog howled again.<\/p>\n

Whether it was because of that noise from the dog, or just because it sensed something out there, the reindeer bellowed again, lifting its own head toward the canopy above.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Zelda said.\u00a0 \u201cIf they\u2019re around here, they\u2019ll definitely hear both of us!\u00a0 Hellooooo!\u00a0 We\u2019re over here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her tail was wagging before she ever saw her people.\u00a0 She could hear their hasty approach, and in a moment, she saw Michael and Rhianna just beyond the furthest trees.<\/p>\n

Michael spotted her, and quickened his steps.\u00a0 As he sprinted toward the little dog, kicking up snow along the way, she stood up on her hind legs and kicked at the air.\u00a0 \u201cDaddy!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

He plucked her up and grabbed her tight.\u00a0 \u201cWe were worried, little puppers!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m alright,\u201d she said, licking his face before he set her down.\u00a0 \u201cSvetlana was keeping me company.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSvetlana?\u201d Michael asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, this big dog,\u201d Zelda said.\u00a0 She spun around to introduce her new friend, but the reindeer was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s odd.\u00a0 She was just here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you weren\u2019t just playing make believe?\u201d the man teased.<\/p>\n

Before the dog could answer, Rhianna arrived.\u00a0 \u201cWe were so worried!\u201d she exclaimed as she bent low beside her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy said,\u201d Zelda replied with a big smirk on her face.\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s okay.\u00a0 We\u2019re all together again.\u201d\u00a0 She looked past her humans, and saw the careful, deliberate approach of the cat.\u00a0 \u201cEven Peanut\u2019s here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Kitty,\u201d the woman said.\u00a0 \u201cWe still have to go a bit farther to meet Santa at his lodge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it\u2019s the same place we\u2019ve been before?\u201d Michael asked.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we\u2019re in the same location, just thousands of years earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be cool!\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, the family pushed through the woods, until they reached another wide open field.\u00a0 In the middle of that area though, they could see the cabin that was sending that pillar of smoke into the sky.\u00a0 Another small building was off to the side, but it didn\u2019t appear that it was in use.\u00a0 Still, it looked festive enough, with giant candy canes strewn about outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s got to be it,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cRemember, nobody tell him that we\u2019re from the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr from another world,\u201d Rhianna added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what, it might be better if you guys don\u2019t talk either,\u201d the man said as he looked at the DeAngelo animals.\u00a0 \u201cWhere he\u2019s from, they probably don\u2019t have talking dogs or cats.\u201d<\/p>\n

They walked across that snowy field, noting that it felt somewhat colder then.\u00a0 The sun began its descent, and dark clouds rolled across the area.\u00a0 That dark sight had each of them moving a little quicker, and before they realized it, they were in front of the cabin, close enough to hear the raucous group of people inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we\u2019d only be seeing Santa and his wife, and like\u2026one friend,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds like a party in there,\u201d Michael agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBe on your guard for anything everyone.\u201d\u00a0 He moved up to the stone step in front the door, and knocked on that sturdy wood.<\/p>\n

It only took a few moments, but the way swung open, and a man not much older than Michael answered the door.\u00a0 \u201cNanna, I think some of your friends are here!\u201d he called out.\u00a0 If she heard him beyond the ruckus of that celebration, nobody else knew.<\/p>\n

The folks outside the door looked at that man, a broad, fit fellow who had a thin beard lining his beard.\u00a0 Speckles of silver were apparent in that beard, the same as the long mop of hair on his head.\u00a0 He arched his eyebrow at the sight of that observation, revealing piercing blue eyes.\u00a0 The man chortled and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cSo, who exactly are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael shook his head and extended his hand.\u00a0 \u201cSorry about that.\u00a0 I\u2019m Michael, and this is my wife Rhianna.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to meet you,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cFor the first time.\u00a0 Ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd these are our pets, Peanut and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The dog simply couldn\u2019t resist her cheerful urges.\u00a0 She ran up to that step and sat before the youthful fellow.\u00a0 \u201cSanta!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Zelda.\u00a0 I can\u2019t talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael simply stared at the fellow and slowly allowed a sheepish grin to appear on his face.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve\u2026uh\u2026we\u2019ve told her not to talk to strangers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The youthful version of their friend let out that big belly laugh that they had heard when they first met him.\u00a0 It set everyone at ease\u2014even Peanut.\u00a0 He waved them inside, and they were eager to oblige him.<\/p>\n

When everyone was safe inside that warm cabin, they realized just how many people were sharing in the mirth of the spirit of Christmas himself.\u00a0 Several of them were humans, but the majority of the guests appeared to be dwarves. Ale was spilling from tall wooden mugs, and a great feasting table was abutted against the wall opposite the fireplace.\u00a0 More than once, as those visitors moved from one place to another, one of the animals was forced to dodge out of the way of a sturdy boot or frothy liquid.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how did you meet Nanna?\u201d Santa asked as he led them through the room.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t met a lot of humans around here.\u00a0 They\u2014uh, that is, we\u2014don\u2019t usually like the cold that much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um\u2026\u201d Michael started.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t actually meet Nanna,\u201d Rhianna piped up.\u00a0 \u201cWe heard about this little shindig while on our travels and wanted to drop by and see if you needed anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very thoughtful!\u201d Santa declared.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve only been here about a year now, so I apologize if I\u2019ve seen you around and haven\u2019t said hello just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s alright,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re only in this area about once a year as it is.\u00a0 And we may not be neighbors, so to speak, but it\u2019s good to know that good people are living out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for the kind words,\u201d Santa said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s plenty of food and drink to go around, so please help yourselves.\u00a0 And if there\u2019s anything you need, just let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael took a step after young Father Christmas then, holding up his hand.\u00a0 \u201cUh, actually\u2026travelers might not be the right word for us.\u00a0 We\u2019re more\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHelpful adventurers,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

Her husband nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe sort of go wherever we\u2019re needed, and more often than not, we don\u2019t even know why we\u2019re needed there.\u00a0 But we were drawn here, so maybe there\u2019s something we could do to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Santa said, lifting up his hands as though he were about to be robbed.\u00a0 \u201cMy wife and I have spent a considerable amount of money setting up a shop in Thurn Todur. We don\u2019t really have anything left to spare.\u201d<\/p>\n

The visitors were already shaking their heads.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cWe help out of the goodness of our hearts.\u201d\u00a0 He turned a bit to the side, and looked at Rhianna in his peripheral vision, then.\u00a0 \u201cThough if you remember this for thousands of years, I really wouldn\u2019t mind a new laptop,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Santa asked.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a truly selfless attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe live to serve,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 As if pushing back a headache then, she placed her hand upon her temple.\u00a0 \u201cAh, I\u2019m getting something.\u00a0 Are you by any chance having any problems with any nearby elves, or anything of that sort?\u201d<\/p>\n

Santa\u2019s eyes grew wide at that question.\u00a0 His mouth hung open just a bit, and he looked around, as though he were trying to see if anyone was playing a joke on him.\u00a0 \u201cCome with me,\u201d he said.\u00a0 He led the DeAngelo family into an adjoining room, where his bed was made with thick maroon blankets.\u00a0 Once the door was shut behind them, he looked at them with concern in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been having some trouble with the elves,\u201d he divulged.\u00a0 \u201cAs I said, my wife and I have been here for nearly a year, and we\u2019ve made inroads with a lot of the locals.\u00a0 But the elves have been a little more reticent to make any alliances.\u00a0 Some of them are pushing for some kind of agreement, and the others almost seem prone to violence.\u00a0 Nanna and I are worried that if we push things, we might incite some kind of civil war between them\u2014or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we can be sort of like your ambassadors,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cWe could try and ease the tensions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before they could talk much longer, everyone heard a knock on the door.\u00a0 It swung open, then, and they saw a woman who looked to be no older than Rhianna.\u00a0 Long blond hair hung down past the fur lining of a cloak, and draped onto a beautiful ornate cuirass.\u00a0 She pointed her piercing blue eyes at the man draped in red, and offered up her lovely smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you are, Baldur.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know we had more guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael turned to his wife and arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 He mouthed the name that the woman had used.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone, this is my wife, Nanna,\u201d Santa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPleased to meet you all,\u201d the woman said.\u00a0 \u201cI just wanted to let you know, the snow has begun to fall.\u00a0 The envoys from Shene Thalore are on their way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, thank you my love.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be out to welcome them in just a moment.\u201d\u00a0 When the door shut, he turned back to his guests, and gave a nervous nod.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019ll be them, then\u2014the elves I was talking about.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if you caught what my wife said, but this particular tribe of elves can do something really amazing.\u00a0 Whenever it snows, they can send one of those snowflakes back into the sky with a story.\u00a0 That single snowflake tells all the rest of them whatever the elf said, and when they all come down, anyone touched by the snow as it falls can hear the story like a voice inside their head.\u00a0 It really is unlike anything I\u2019ve ever heard of.\u00a0 Of course, they use it for things like this too, letting us know when they\u2019re on their way, or warning of danger.\u00a0 It really is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt certainly is,\u201d Michael agreed.\u00a0 \u201cSo if you\u2019re going to be meeting these elves, do you want us to come along with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He brought his hand up to his beard and stroked toward his chin.\u00a0 \u201cThat is a kind offer, but it may not be wise to bring strangers to this meeting.\u00a0 Though we\u2019ve been here a year, we\u2019re still somewhat unfamiliar to the elves.\u00a0 Bringing yet more faces to the summit may make things uneasy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026Baldur.\u00a0 That\u2019s an interesting name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it?\u201d he asked with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhere I\u2019m from, it was a fine name.\u00a0 We had to leave, though\u2014there were some problems with some members of my family, and\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He looked out the nearest window at that falling snow, letting those words drift away then.\u00a0 \u201cBut on to better things, as they say.\u00a0 My wife and I are here now, and we\u2019re making the best of our lives here.\u00a0 We were lucky enough to have our friend Litr along with us on the journey, too.\u00a0 Without him here, I don\u2019t think we would have as easy a time making allies of the other dwarves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you can tell by your guests out there that you\u2019ve made some good friends,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been very lucky in this new land.\u00a0 When we first arrived, there was nothing but snow and blustery cold.\u00a0 You couldn\u2019t see the sun, and we were running out of food.\u00a0 But then one year ago today, the sun came out, and we met the dwarves from the nearby city\u2014all in one day.\u00a0 Everything changed from there on out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTurning the tide of winter,\u201d Michael said with a bright smile on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWintertide,\u201d Santa replied.\u00a0 \u201cI like that.\u00a0 Now if we could only get the elves on terms that friendly.\u00a0 I suppose we\u2019ve got a good start ahead of us.\u00a0 When they learned that Litr and I were craftsmen, they gave us a mighty hammer to forge some of our goods with.\u00a0 I\u2019ve actually been using it to work on something for the leader of the elves for some time and just wrapped it up yesterday.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping it will be a symbol of our friendship for a long while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a feeling you and the elves are going to have a long history together,\u201d Rhianna teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hope!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Another knock on the door came then, though that one was far more urgent.\u00a0 A dwarf flung open that room and ran inside, gasping for air.<\/p>\n

\u201cLitr!\u201d Santa said, rising from his seat on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is wrong, my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe elves that are on their way,\u201d the dwarf said between pants, \u201cthey\u2019ve come under attack.\u00a0 They just sent a message to us through the snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of worry came over the figurehead of Christmas.\u00a0 \u201cStop everyone from drinking.\u00a0 Get Mammok, and let him know we\u2019re going to the aid of the elves.\u00a0 Get the horses ready tacked and ready.\u201d\u00a0 Santa turned to his new visitors and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but might I ask for your help with all this?\u00a0 We\u2019ve come too far with the elves to let something happen to them today.\u00a0 Sometimes they can be a superstitious bunch, and I don\u2019t want them to think they can\u2019t depend on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be right behind you,\u201d Michael agreed.<\/p>\n

Santa rushed from the room then, and when the door was left ajar, the visiting family was impressed with how quickly his other guests had mobilized.\u00a0 That buzzing cabin was empty of people, and they could feel the draft that was let in from the open front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s not right,\u201d the DeAngelo patriarch said when he was sure Santa was far enough away.\u00a0 \u201cShathlin wouldn\u2019t attack his own people, would he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot unless he\u2019s trying to scare them,\u201d Rhianna said with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019d imagine they\u2019d easily outmatch him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he\u2019d have to be pretty stupid to risk running into some of his own elven tribe\u2014what if he changed the course of history?\u201d<\/p>\n

The husband and wife looked at each other before looking at the one who spoke that wise remark.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a pretty smart observation, Peanut,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d the cat said with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cI pay attention whenever you\u2019re watching Doctor Who.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael chortled, but then he narrowed his eyes as those words reached him.\u00a0 He snapped his fingers then, and looked to his wife.\u00a0 \u201cShathlin isn\u2019t after the elves.\u00a0 He\u2019s after the hammer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhianna nodded then.\u00a0 \u201cOf course!\u00a0 If Santa lost such an important symbol of friendship with the elves, it would create a schism between them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to get to the forge,\u201d Michael said, pushing out of that room and into the gathering area.\u00a0 \u201cHopefully we don\u2019t look too cowardly staying behind.\u201d\u00a0 He gestured outside, where they saw Santa and his guests riding toward the woods on horseback, while several dwarves raced forth, the snow coming halfway up their greaves.<\/p>\n

Zelda was the first of the family to make it outside, and when she turned to the forge, she saw the distant figure approaching from the woods.\u00a0 \u201cThere he is!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

Michael and Rhianna arrived outside then as well, and spotted the sinister looking elf as well.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s got to be him,\u201d the man said seeing that dark armor with the impressive looking spaulders.\u00a0 Gold inlays were affected on it, leaving it looking quite impressive.\u00a0 The elf had long, raven black hair, and war paint covering his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYep.\u00a0 Not imposing in the slightest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get that hammer,\u201d Rhianna said.<\/p>\n

Together, the four of them rushed into that forge, and sure enough, there was a mighty looking hammer resting on the anvil before the fire there.\u00a0 Michael went forth and grabbed it then, noting that even though it was tremendous, it felt quite weightless.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go, let\u2019s go, let\u2019s go!\u201d Zelda said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s getting closer!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet to the stables,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t be able to reach us if we\u2019re mounted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keeping their pace, the four of them rushed to that other building, steam rising from their lips as they panted and gasped for air.\u00a0 As they entered the stables, though, hope left them.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cAll the horses are gone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael growled.\u00a0 \u201cI should have seen that coming.\u201d\u00a0 He looked about, spotting the other end of the building, and the secondary exit there.\u00a0 \u201cRhianna, take the hammer, and take the fluffies.\u00a0 Get out of here through that door back there.\u00a0 Find safety.\u00a0 I\u2019ll buy you some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck do you know about fighting elves?\u201d his wife protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to get yourself killed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to fight him,\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cI just have to distract him long enough for you to take the hammer away, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhianna sent an angry gaze in her husband\u2019s direction.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m getting out of here, but it\u2019s not to run away from you, you jerk.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to find a weapon of my own, and I\u2019ll be right back!\u201d<\/p>\n

A groan escaped Michael\u2019s lips.\u00a0 \u201cJust don\u2019t be seen by this guy, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned forward and planted a kiss on those lips.\u00a0 \u201cSee you soon,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cCome on you two,\u201d the woman said to the anxious animals.\u00a0 Peanut and Zelda hurried after her, out into the snow at the rear of the stables.<\/p>\n

Rhianna didn\u2019t realize that Zelda had slowed her pace, and turned around to look back into that building where her daddy lay in wait.\u00a0 The pup heard the deliberate footsteps of that intruder inside, and peeked around the corner of that doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did not leave with the others,\u201d the elf said.\u00a0 He led with his sword drawn, and Michael raised his hands as he stepped away.\u00a0 \u201cThat is unfortunate for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure what you want, but we don\u2019t have much to give you,\u201d the man replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re just visiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you are,\u201d Shathlin replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you just so happened to walk away with the one thing I needed.\u00a0 Oh, you\u2019re visitors alright\u2014sent through time, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael couldn\u2019t hide his grin then.\u00a0 He lowered his hands and drew out his own blade, a loud scrape echoing out in that building.<\/p>\n

\u201cFool,\u201d the elf spat.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve no training, and no idea who it is you\u2019re trifling with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re trying to ruin Christmas,\u201d Michael replied.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all I need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside, Rhianna could hear the chorus of steel on steel.\u00a0 She snuck around to the side of the building, and peered over, spotting those footprints that the elf had left behind.\u00a0 The woman blew out a sigh, conflicted with whether she should listen to her husband.\u00a0 \u201cJust this once, Michael,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, you two,\u201d Rhianna said, her gaze leading her to the forge once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou are nothing!\u201d Shathlin roared as he came forth with that sword once again.<\/p>\n

Despite his lack of training, Michael was able to bring his weapon to bear, parrying against that onslaught of attacks.\u00a0 Those swords kept singing into the stables\u2014but the elf was done testing his foe.\u00a0 With one deft sweep of his blade, he outmaneuvered the human, sending Michael\u2019s longsword flying out of his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as I suspected,\u201d that elf from the future spat.\u00a0 \u201cYou lack any discipline.\u00a0 And now, you\u2019ll pay for trying to stand against me.\u201d\u00a0 He advanced on the unarmed man, then, bringing that sword closer and closer.<\/p>\n

Michael could move no further back.\u00a0 With the horse trough behind him, and wooden pillars on either side of him, his only hope was for mercy.\u00a0 He put up his hands and sent Shathlin a pleading gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have reconsidered helping Claus,\u201d the elf said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll send him your regards\u2014along with, perhaps, some of your entrails.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just outside the stables, the little brown dog gathered up her courage.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what entrails are,\u201d she muttered, \u201cbut here are my claws!\u201d\u00a0 She raced into the building and leapt at the vile elf.<\/p>\n

Caught off guard, Shathlin couldn\u2019t prepare move his arm out of the way as Zelda clamped down on his bracer.\u00a0 Despite her small stature, she packed a ferocious bite, and he felt it through that leather piece of armor.\u00a0 Flailing about, he couldn\u2019t escape her.\u00a0 Snarling, he turned his sword toward her.<\/p>\n

Her human only saw red after that.\u00a0 Gone was any fear for himself as Michael charged in, grasping the elf by the wrist and driving forward.\u00a0 That enraged attack sent the elf\u2019s sword flying then as well, and he could feel his arm starting to bend into an uncomfortable position.<\/p>\n

Not to be deterred, even against those odds, Shathlin grimaced for a moment, fighting against the pain in his arm.\u00a0 He sent his sinister glare toward the human, the only warning he would receive before he drove his head forward, smashing it against Michael\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n

The man lost hold of his opponent at once, and he stumbled backward.\u00a0 He was too disoriented to see as Shathlin flailed his arm enough to send the dog flying. Zelda yelped as she landed, but she was otherwise alright.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cHelp!\u00a0 My daddy is about to be pummeled!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the vote of confidence,\u201d Michael muttered as he struggled to stand once more.<\/p>\n

Sure enough though, that elf\u2019s fist went flying in, and knocked the man back to his knees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you hear that?\u201d Peanut said as she followed Rhianna to the stone entryway into the forge.\u00a0 It was only then that she realized Zelda wasn\u2019t with them anymore.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u201d she cried to her mom.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u00a0 The dog isn\u2019t with us anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Rhianna exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she went back into the stables to help the other one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhianna looked around, lost in the confusion of all that was unraveling around her.\u00a0 She found the answer to her problems when she looked up, then.\u00a0 \u201cPeanut, come here,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI need a little bit more height.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His head was spinning, and colors weren\u2019t showing up the way he knew they should, but Michael fought hard to stay cognizant.\u00a0 He blocked another of those vicious hooks then, and sprang up, jabbing Shathlin in the nose.<\/p>\n

The elf used his other arm to retaliate then, spilling Michael to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d Shathlin cried.\u00a0 He ran to the man\u2019s side, and plucked him off the ground.\u00a0 A moment later, Michael\u2019s face was submerged in the horse trough there.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d Zelda cried again.\u00a0 \u201cNow he\u2019s drowning!\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael could hear the distraught pup, but beneath that water, it was obscured and warbled.\u00a0 The elf pulled him up by the hair, and Michael took a deep breath.\u00a0 Everything seemed foreign and distant, and he heard a buzzing just to his side.<\/p>\n

A knowing look crept to his face then.\u00a0 Shathlin pushed him toward that trough again, but Michael placed his hands on the rim and kept himself upright.\u00a0 While the elf struggled, the man kicked back, sending his opponent stumbling backward.\u00a0 In one fluid motion, Michael reached to his side, his fingers wrapping around the camouflaged object there.\u00a0 Shathlin didn\u2019t even think to avoid that blow, but he surely felt it.\u00a0 The invisible brass object slammed into his head, and spilled him to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, buoy,\u201d Michael panted.\u00a0 \u201cThat sounded a lot better in my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite that tremendous blow, Shathlin labored to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll pay for that, human.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to send you back to the future piece by piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zelda gasped that next moment, and the elf looked back at her with that angry gaze he was known for.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t looking at him though.\u00a0 He turned about and noticed what she had.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggy!\u201d Zelda cried.<\/p>\n

But it was no dog.\u00a0 The reindeer she met earlier was there, and it offered the elf no warning before it barreled forward with those antlers leading.\u00a0 Svetlana struck him hard, and he flung into the nearest stall with a loud grunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cFriend of yours?\u201d Michael asked his pup.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is never going to work,\u201d Peanut said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a cat, and even I realize the physics won\u2019t work!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Rhianna said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Christmas, it\u2019s magical, it\u2019s fine.\u201d\u00a0 She finished knotting that fabric around the large red and white post, and blew out a sigh.<\/p>\n

The woman, nor the cat, could hold back their surprise when they saw the reindeer burst from the stables.\u00a0 Even more impressive was the man and the dog on her back.<\/p>\n

It only took Michael a few moments to notice Rhianna\u2019s contraption, and he steered Svetlana away from the stables.\u00a0 How he was able to convince the reindeer to endure the bit and bridle or that blanket that served as a saddle was lost to the woman on the ground.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t allow that curiosity to distract her.\u00a0 Though Peanut didn\u2019t have much faith in the plan, she kept to her duties, and finally rolled that snowball toward the oversized slingshot.\u00a0 Rhianna bent low and scooped it up; noting that by then it was bigger than the cat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed\u2026more\u2026upper body strength,\u201d she groaned as she hoisted it into the air and into place on the ribbon.<\/p>\n

Rhianna timed that feat perfectly, for the elf stomped out of the stables at that moment, eager to follow the man and his allies.\u00a0 He was confused at the sight before him though, for the woman had the hammer at her side, but opted to remain behind.\u00a0 Instead, she had tied together two of those large striped crooks with ribbon, and held some object aloft atop it.<\/p>\n

She pulled back on that ribbon, keeping that cold ball of snow in between her hands.\u00a0 Whether it was perfect planning\u2014or magic, as she said to the cat\u2014when she released her hold on that ribbon and launched that projectile across the way.<\/p>\n

Shathlin could only stare, mouth ajar, as that massive snowball went soaring at him.\u00a0 It collided into his chest, sending him flying back into the building.<\/p>\n

Michael came back around, urging Svetlana to the front of the forge.\u00a0 \u201cThat was brilliant!\u201d he commended his wife.\u00a0 He looked at the contraption, and noted the wreath lying on the ground in the entryway as well.\u00a0 \u201cVery smart thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem surprised,\u201d Rhianna teased.\u00a0 She accepted his hand, and he hoisted her onto the reindeer\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cI have good ideas sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael reached down and plucked that hammer off the ground, passing it along to his wife.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s keep this away from Shathlin until Santa gets back, shall we?\u201d\u00a0 He turned his attention to the cat then, and extended his hand once more.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Peanut, it\u2019s time to go!\u201d<\/p>\n

That finicky feline scoffed at the thought of riding on that beast.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not getting on that thing,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n

Michael grumbled at his cat\u2019s dissent.\u00a0 \u201cZelda, a little help?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The dog grabbed her mommy around the arm and stood up on her hind legs, then.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead, Svetlana.\u00a0 You know what to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

With a little grunt and a bellow, the reindeer lowered her head, and swept up with those massive antlers.\u00a0 Peanut couldn\u2019t escape them, and clung on for dear life when Svetlana was upright again.<\/p>\n

By then, they could tell that they were no longer alone.\u00a0 The furious elf was outside of the stables again, his sword drawn once more.\u00a0 \u201cYou will give me that hammer!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to catch us first,\u201d Rhianna dared.<\/p>\n

Michael clicked his tongue and squeezed his legs together, urging Svetlana around and back toward those woods where they first reconvened with their pup.\u00a0 Though the reindeer had quite a burden on her back (and dangling from her antlers), she pushed through the fatigue.<\/p>\n

Shathlin never gave up though, pursuing those fleeing humans and their pets with unbridled zeal, even as they passed between the trees.<\/p>\n

A whistle above was the only warning he received before he saw that metal ball soaring in his direction.\u00a0 \u201cNot again,\u201d he growled, once again accepting his fate.\u00a0 That ball struck his breastplate and opened up, a net expanding out from within.\u00a0 In mere moments, he was covered in those ropes, unable to pursue any longer.<\/p>\n

As Michael slowed the reindeer\u2019s pace and turned about, they saw a diminutive figure drop from the bough above.<\/p>\n

\u201cNarala?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

The gnome turned to the other time travelers and lifted up her goggles.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t think I would make you do everything on your own, did you?\u201d she teased.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t risk being seen by Santa or any of his friends, but once you brought this grouch far enough away from the cabin and the forge, I could offer a little help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how did you we\u2019d come through this way?\u201d Michael wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime travel,\u201d she said matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n

Struggling to free himself of that netting, Shathlin let fly an exasperated cry.\u00a0 \u201cYou will release me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will do no such thing,\u201d the gnome assured.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re coming back with us, and that\u2019s final.\u201d\u00a0 Narala left him entangled there, and approached the family atop that reindeer then.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re running out of time before those buoys pull you back to the correct time.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got to hurry and get that hammer back to the forge, alright?\u00a0 I\u2019ll meet you back at the workshop, and we\u2019ll get you home with a new story to tell!\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael nodded and led that reindeer back through the woods and across the field, and in mere moments, they were back to Santa\u2019s forge.\u00a0 One by one they hopped from Svetlana\u2019s back, landing in the snow just outside the building.\u00a0 Michael plucked the dangling cat from the reindeer\u2019s antlers, and tossed her onto the dry wooden floor of the forge.<\/p>\n

While Rhianna went inside and placed the hammer on the anvil once more, Michael heard the beeping tones beside him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time, Rhianna,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you in a few moments or a few thousand years!\u201d\u00a0 He hurried to her side and planted a kiss on her lips, and in that next moment, the blue light of the beacon enveloped him, and he was gone from sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet ready you two,\u201d the woman said as her own beacon sounded off.<\/p>\n

While Peanut paced in that forge, Zelda\u2019s attention was elsewhere.\u00a0 She looked up at the reindeer that rescued them, and tilted her head to the side.\u00a0 \u201cThanks so much for helping us, Svetlana,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad we met you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she could say anything more, another blue light pulsed, and Rhianna was whisked away to the future again.<\/p>\n

The little dog sighed, and looked back to the reindeer one more time.\u00a0 \u201cHopefully we get to see each other again!\u201d\u00a0 Her own buoy began to pulse then, and she sat down, waiting for it to take her back to her own time.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t forget you!\u201d she called out as the blue light rippled over her.\u00a0 Her voice echoed out into the area, caught in that snowy landscape.<\/p>\n

Svetlana let fly a sad bellow, and she lowered herself to the ground.\u00a0 With her new friend gone, she laid her head in the snow.<\/p>\n

The cat, the only member of that family left behind then, simply shrugged.\u00a0 A few moments passed, and she started clicking her tongue just to pass the time.\u00a0 \u201cThis is where I pay for avoiding coming back here,\u201d she said.\u00a0 When her beacon starting buzzing, though, she sat up straight, and waited for her time to leave.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell the dog you miss her too,\u201d Peanut said.<\/p>\n

One last light flashed, then, and the four members of the DeAngelo family were whisked back through time, to return to whence they came.<\/p>\n

On the edge of the forest, the gnome who brought them there watched and waited.\u00a0 She saw the sad reindeer remain there for some time.\u00a0 It only stood once more when it heard the approach of the man that lived there.<\/p>\n

Narala brought a set of binoculars to her face, and looked on as Santa and his guests\u2014including the elven ambassadors\u2014returned to his cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry once again for any confusion,\u201d one of the elves said.\u00a0 Beneath that calm snow, his voice seemed to travel for miles.\u00a0 \u201cOne of my tribe that doesn\u2019t quite agree with this arrangement must have created a story to put you on edge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d Baldur, the young Santa Claus, said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re just happy that you weren\u2019t in any danger.\u201d\u00a0 As he neared the cabin, though, he saw the strange sight of that reindeer with the bit and bridle.\u00a0 \u201cWhat the\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Svetlana walked off, back to the stables, while Santa hopped off his horse, and made his way to the forge.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraining reindeer as beasts of burden?\u201d the elven ambassador wondered.\u00a0 \u201cNot a terribly bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confused as could be, Santa was caught looking at the other things that were out of place.\u00a0 He saw the ribbon tied around the candy canes, and the wreath it once hung on discarded on the floor of the lodge.\u00a0 From that vantage though, he couldn\u2019t see inside the forge though, and his heart started beating as though it would pound out of his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to go ahead and look at something,\u201d Narala whispered to the captured elf.\u00a0 She handed him the binoculars, and he labored to put them in front of him.<\/p>\n

The elven ambassador waited outside of the forge, but dismounted his own horse and surveyed the place where Santa lived.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything alright in there?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Santa breathed a sigh of relief, then, as he stood beside his anvil and placed his hand upon the hammer.\u00a0 It was still there, but he could tell it had been moved from its original position.\u00a0 Somehow, against all odds, it remained in his possession.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have something for you,\u201d he said to his guest outside, then.\u00a0 Santa rummaged around in the forge for a few more moments, but he exited the building bearing that gift.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook now,\u201d Narala whispered.<\/p>\n

Santa presented the elven ambassador with a beautiful set of armor.\u00a0 Dark with ornate shoulders and lined with gold inlay, it didn\u2019t look unfamiliar to Shathrin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my great-grandfather\u2019s armor,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cMy armor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Narala nodded, then.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it\u2019s stood the test of time.\u00a0 Just like the friendship between Santa and the elves.\u201d\u00a0 She watched as he continued peering through those binoculars.\u00a0 \u201cNow then, are you ready to come back home with me?\u201d the gnome asked.<\/p>\n

He was quiet for some time, watching as that elf that was gifted the armor clapped his hand on Santa\u2019s back, and swung around to walk back to that cabin.\u00a0 Shathrin\u2019s mouth hung ajar, but he finally shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s stay,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cJust for a little while longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hot cocoa and coffee sat side by side that morning, little wisps of smoke still rising into the air in front of the Christmas tree.\u00a0 On the other side of that coffee table, the dog and the cat eagerly noshed on their treats, leaving the house sounding quiet, except for the subtle hum of the heater off to the side.<\/p>\n

A knowing smile stretched across both the husband and wife\u2019s faces when they heard that rapping on the door.<\/p>\n

Michael hopped up from the couch, and made his way there, swinging the way open and looking at the front step.\u00a0 Sure enough, a package was there waiting for him, a wreath with a red ribbon lying on top.\u00a0 He scooped it up and brought it inside, laying it down on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did we get, what did we get?\u201d Rhianna asked.<\/p>\n

Her husband set aside the wreath, and began plucking items out one by one.\u00a0 Neither of them could hold back their laughter as he displayed the small headband with antlers upon it.\u00a0 He giggled as he nestled it into place upon her head.<\/p>\n

Peanut\u2019s eyes went wide at the sight of another red ribbon, that one long and thin.\u00a0 Michael let that ribbon hang from the air while she swatted away at it, her paw sending it flying with adorable little smacking sounds.<\/p>\n

While he was distracted, Rhianna scooped up the next gift.\u00a0 An old-looking tome, its front cover was written in an old runic language that she couldn\u2019t hope to understand.\u00a0 She was relieved to see English on the first page when she opened it.\u00a0 \u201cNorse Mythology,\u201d she read, and she smiled as she saw the heart drawn onto that page, and the signature from Narala.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, we\u2019ve got all our stuff,\u201d the redhead said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019d you get for Christmas, my love?\u201d<\/p>\n

He set the ribbon down and turned yet again to the box.\u00a0 There was one more box inside, and he set to opening it up.\u00a0 It only took a few moments for him to realize what was left for him.\u00a0 \u201cYes!\u201d Michael said.\u00a0 \u201cHe remembered after all these years!\u201d\u00a0 He plucked the object from its container, and his wife laughed once she saw it in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cA new laptop, huh?\u201d she teased.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s got to be the longest inception ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd timed perfectly,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

Pleased with the gifts, and excited by the memories, the DeAngelo family gathered on that couch to breathe in another Christmas.\u00a0 While Michael waited for that laptop to boot up, Zelda, in all her antler-y glory laid her head on his lap instead.\u00a0 Peanut cuddled up on Rhianna\u2019s lap on the opposite side of the couch while the woman flipped through the pages of that old book.<\/p>\n

Her eyebrow arched as she read that entry of the book that had a familiar name upon it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI think I know where Santa came from before he went to Tellest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Happy Holidays everyone!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First Christmas By Michael DeAngelo Once upon a time, many days and nights ago, a loving family visited a land of ice and powdered snow.\u00a0 Though they didn\u2019t know the details\u2014the whys and whens and wheres\u2014there was one thing they knew for certain: a Christmas wish had brought them there.\u00a0 Their time spent there was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5895,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[145,146],"tags":[695,38,1604,1603,1602,610],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/47_Tellest_Bookmark_130.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-1xb","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5901"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5901"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5905,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5901\/revisions\/5905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}