Yuletide: Cookies And Cakes

 
 

Cookies And Cakes

King Harrick waved his hand over at a table full of baked delights. It was an explosion of sugar in pretty festive colors.

“I really don’t think the children will care as long as it is sweet.” Prince Dragas said. “It looks like you will have your hands full of over excited and hyper children in a few hours.”

“Let’s not be hasty. I wouldn’t mind doing a bit of sampling, Sire.” Prince Paddrick said. “You wouldn’t happen to have some gingerbread would you?”

“Yes. I believe there is some over there.” The King pointed to a plate of little dragon cookies.

“They are dragons?” Prince Paddrick looked confused. He was expecting little people.

“The children from Astoria are draconian.” Princess Endora told him. “Like my sisters. They can turn into dragons.”

Paddrick looked shocked at Lady Victra and Lady Aura. “You can turn into a dragon?”

“Aura can but I can’t.” Lady Victra said. “She is more like our father and I am more Fae like our mother.”

“That is true.” Prince Dragas laughed and nudged Prince Paddrick. “I try to never make her angry. She is very scary in her fire breathing form.”

“I always thought she was beautiful.” Princess Endora said.

Dionne nodded in agreement. “Very much so.”

Lady Aura smiled at the faeries and glared at her husband. “I’m glad someone thinks so. We should go look at the decorations in Alton. We need to get going before the Queen sends the Sidhe Guard after Endora and Dionne.”

“Oh! Of course! Let me know what you think of the decorations in Alton.” King Harrick said. “The Ladies of the Court did them too.

Yuletide: The ‘Who-Knows-What-It-Is’

 

The ‘Who-Knows-What-It-Is’

The group took their leave of the King and headed out towards the Palace gates and into the town of Alton. The snow had let up just a bit and they were having no problem seeing where they were going.

They stopped in front of the butcher’s shop and Prince Dragas pointed to the decoration hanging on the outside of the door. “There that’s it that is the ‘who-knows-what-it-is’. They are everywhere.”

“They are penguins.” Princess Endora said. “Adela in the candle shop in Rosemont told me.”

“They are hideous.” Prince Dragas said. “Are they some kind of bird?”

“I think so.” Princess Endora said. “They are from where the snow falls all the time. They like the cold, I think.”

“Aura what do you think?” Lady Victra asked her sister.

Lady Aura stated laughing. “They are funny looking but they are not hideous. You are just upset because they are not using holly and mistletoe like they have in prior years.”

“Does anyone else think they are hideous?” Prince Dragas asked.

They all looked at him and shook their heads.  Prince Dragas rolled his eyes and stormed off. 

Yuletide: What About Tradition?

 

What About Tradition?

Prince Dragas needed to walk off his frustrated at everyone. He walked to the gazebo in the center of Alton and looked at the large tree in the center. The tree even had the creatures on it. He resisted the urge to yank them off and sat down on the steps.

Lady Aura came looking for him. “Dragas, they are more for the children to look at than they are to celebrate the solstice. The children are excited about the presents and the decorations.”

“Who will teach them the real meaning for the celebration?” Prince Dragas asked.

“Their parents, just like our parents taught us.” Lady Aura put out her hand to help him up.

Prince Dragas took it. “I hope you’re right. I hope our ways are not forgotten in all the gifts and feasts.

They walked back to the others that had stayed back to give them privacy. Lady Aura understood his frustration and shared it.       

Yuletide: Crackers And Nuts Too!

 
Crackers And Nuts Too!

Dionne had strayed over to the dry goods store window and was looking in at the cheeses and nuts on display there. They were wooden soldiers with slack jaws standing in a row.

Princess Endora and Prince Paddrick came up behind her. They looked in the window too.

Princess Endora points to the wooden soldiers. “I wonder what they are.”

“Those are nutcrackers the people in Wales use them to break open nuts.” Prince Paddrick said. “You put the nut in the mouth and pull the lever.”

“Why not just use a mallet?” Princess Endora asked.

“It keeps the nuts whole and the mallet breaks them too much.” Prince Paddrick said. “My mother had the cooks start using them for baking with nuts.”

“Why are they soldiers?” Dionne asked.

“They aren’t always. The ones we have are made in the shape of birds.” Prince Paddrick told them.

“The Tylwyth Teg must revere birds a great deal. They are very well represented in art.” Princess Endora said.

“We fly as they do. It makes us understand them better I think.” Prince Paddrick said. “Are you cold?”

“No. I’m fine.” Princess Endora looked over at Dionne. “Are you cold, Dionne?”

“I’m a bit cold but I’ll be fine.” Dionne said.

“We need to go.” Lady Victra said. “I have to get across the lake before it gets too dark. Klaus and I will see you all later.”

Lady Victra and Klaus waved as they headed off to the dock to take the boat back to Alban isle. 

Lady Aura smiled at Dionne and Princess Endora. “I trust that Paddrick can get you back to the Mist Passage. Come to the cottage tomorrow and help me decorate the tree.”

“There wasn’t a tree there before.” Dionne said.

“Klaus is having one delivered first thing in the morning.” Lady Aura told them. “Go on before Dionne freezes.”

Princess Endora and Prince Paddrick shimmer with Dionne following right behind them.   

Yuletide: Loyalty Has Its Own Reward

Loyalty Has Its Own Reward

Prince Paddrick and Princess Endora appear at the opening of the Mist Passage. Dionne pops in right after them.

“I was going to come find you tomorrow to give you something but I can give it to you now if you like.” Prince Paddrick said. “It’s a little something for Yule.”

“You already gave me a Yule gift.” Princess Endora said.

“That was an official one. This one is because I think you will like it.” Prince Paddrick said. “Do you want it?”

“She wants it. Don’t let her say ‘no’.” Dionne said.

Princess Endora shot Dionne a look.

Prince Paddrick laughed and took a small box wrapped in red paper out of his cloak. “Here you go. Dionne, I have a gift for you as well.” He took another package wrapped in green paper out of his cloak and gave it to Dionne.

Princess Endora nodded to Dionne to open hers first. In the box was a green glass dragonfly with red eyes. 

“Thank you, My Lord! It’s beautiful.” Dionne smiled. She had never owned anything so beautiful.

“There is a gold cord to hang it on your tree.” Prince Paddrick said.

“I think it’s to pretty to only have it out once a year. I have a place I want to put it in my room.” Dionne said with a smile. “Thank you!”

“Now Endora, open it.” Prince Paddrick said.

Princess Endora sighed and opened the box. There was a clear glass ornament with a tree inside and little birds painted on the outside. Princess Endora gasped. “Is this the palace?”

“Yes it is. You will be seeing it soon.” Prince Paddrick said. “Now go on, before you both freeze.”

Dionne smiled and waved as she headed through the passage.

Endora blushed and gave Paddrick a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for including her. She is very dear to me.”

“I know. Loyalty like hers is hard to come by and she is very loyal to you. I respect that.” Prince Paddrick said. “Go on. I will see you tomorrow.”

Princess Endora nodded and headed through the Mist Passage to the Tuathan Realm.      

Yuletide: Starry Night

Starry Night

Princess Endora and Dionne walked up the road to the Palace Gates. Everything around them is white and sparkly in the starlight. It was very quiet and dark. The fresh snow crunched under their boots.

“Isn’t it pretty tonight?” Princess Endora said with a love struck smile on her face. “It’s so peaceful.”

“Yes it is.” Dionne looked at Princess Endora. “That was very generous of Prince Paddrick. He didn’t need to get me a gift. I’m just your servant.”

It’s just his way. He knows you are loyal to me. He wanted to show his appreciation. Dionne, you know you are more of a friend than a servant.” Princess Endora told her. She sighed.

“I like him better than Prince Brandon.” Dionne said. “You like him too. I can tell.”

“I do.” Princess Endora admitted as she blushed. “He knows it too.”

“Will you go to Wales to live?” Dionne asked.

“No. He will live here because I’m in the direct line to the throne. He is fifth of sixth. I forget. It just makes more sense for him to live here.”

“Oh. I wonder if they are looking for us yet.” Dionne said.

“No. I don’t think so. It’s too quiet they most likely thought we were staying with Aura and Dragas.” Princess Endora said.

They reached the door to the palace just as it opens. The Captain of the Sidhe Guard stood in the open doorway. “Princess! The Queen just sent me to look for you.”

Dionne looked at Princess Endora who shrugged in response and smiled.

“Tell the Queen I’ve gone to my chambers.” Princess Endora told him.

“Yes My Lady.” The Captain of the Sidhe Guard bowed and went off to do as she asked.

“Let’s get to bed, Dionne. It’s been a long day.” Princess Endora headed up the stairs to her chambers.

Dionne followed her to help her prepare for bed before she heads off to her own chambers.