Yuletide: Mistletoe And Penguins

[sidhe_faerie]

 

Mistletoe And Penguins

The next morning, Princess Endora, Dionne and Prince Paddrick headed out of the mist passage for Lady Aura’s cottage in Rosemont. Lady Aura asked them to come early to help set up the food and do last minute things.

“I have a question.” Dionne said as they were walking.

“Well?” Endora looked at her.

“Remember the counting calendar that we picked up for Aura?”

“Yes. Was that the question?”

“No but remember the way Prince Dragas reacted to the penguins in Alton?”

“Yeah. was that the question?”

“No. my question is was that counting calendar possibly for Prince Dragas?” Dionne finally asked.

“Oh.” Princess Endora wrinkled her nose. “That better not had been for him or I will be disowned for sure.”     

“I don’t think Lady Aura will be upset with you.” Prince Paddrick said. “She is your sister.”

“She also has a temper.” Endora told him. “There isn’t anything that I can do about it now.”   

They walk on in silence until they reach the cottage. They walk in and hang their cloaks and warm by the fire.  Lady Aura had wrapped gifts and placed them under the tree.

“Good! You’re here. I have to go to the community center for a minute but I will be right back.” Lady Aura picked up two packages from the tree threw on her cloak. “Could you sit the food out on the dining table? Everything is in the kitchen on the counter.”  

“Sure. Will everyone be her soon?” Princess Endora asked.

“Any minute! Dragas went to get Puff and Argonne from the sanctuary early this morning. Myra is doing better so Puff will be able to come home for a day or two.”

“That is wonderful news.” Princess Endora smiled.

“I’ll be right back.” Lady Aura rushed out the door.

“Who are Puff and Argonne?” Prince Paddrick asked as he followed them into the kitchen.

“Puff and Argonne are her dragons.” Princess Endora said as she handed him a platter of sandwiches.

“Dragons?” Prince Paddrick looked a little upset. “How big are they?”

“Average sized really.” Dionne said as she picked up a large bowl of fruit salad. “Puff has always been smaller than the rest. Argonne is a bit bigger.”

“He and Myra are about the same size. The earth dragons are always smaller, I think.” Princess Endora said as she picked up a platter of faerie cakes. “Aura made a lot of food I wonder how many are coming.”

“Lots. There are six crocks of cider.” Dionne told them.

“That means everyone is coming.” Princess Endora looked at Paddrick. “They all must want to meet you.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint them.” Prince Paddrick said as the put the food on the dining table.

“Uncle Drake and Aunt Benna must be coming. There is dragon fruit in that bowl.” Princess Endora said. “I wonder if Aura’s cousin Darrick is coming.”

“Maybe King Harrick, too.” Dionne said as Paddrick started to get nervous. “Lady Aura is now a part of all three magickal families and she unites the two oldest thrones on Ogham-Duir.”

They make one more trip to the kitchen and start to walk into the front room.

“Freeze!” Dionne called out.

“Why?” Princess Endora turned to look at her maid.

Dionne pointed up at the top of the doorway. “Mistletoe! You have to kiss.”

Prince Paddrick and Princess Endora looked at each other awkwardly. They gave each other a quick peck on the cheek.

Dionne started laughing but stopped as Prince Dragas came through the door with two dragons.

“Don’t touch the food yet you two. Is Aura at the community center still?” Dragas looked around.

“Yeah.” Princess Endora told him. “The table is ready and ….. “

Lady Aura came through the door with Lady Victra and Klaus as well as two other people, a man and a woman. Klaus and the other gentleman were carrying large sacks full of packages.      

“Most of us are here so let’s start the celebration.” Lady Aura said. “Oh I should introduce you. Prince Paddrick of the Tylwyth Teg this is Lord Drake Draconis, my father and Lady Benna Aster, my aunt. My cousin, Darrick wanted to be here but he is needed at the sanctuary.”

Prince Dragas passed out mugs of cider. “First we toast to family and friends. Then we eat.”

Aura laughed.

There was a knock at the door and Lady Victra opened it to reveal Lady Starr and her son, Kyo and Grim Ranger. Dulcina slipped in behind them.

“Are we late, Aura?” Lady Starr asked. “I had to round everyone up.” She looked at Dulcina who shrugged apologetically.

“No.” Aura hugged her friends and handed a candy cane to Kyo. “I made blood pudding.”

Lady Starr laughed showing her fangs. “That is our favorite. Isn’t it Kyo?” Kyo nodded and handed a bottle of starrberry wine to Lady Aura.

“Where is the hard stuff?” Grim asked as he looked in the mug Dragas handed him.

“In the kitchen.” Klaus whispered as he patted grim on the shoulder. “Come with me.” He and Grim Ranger headed off to the kitchen.

“Oh, this is Prince Paddrick of the Tylwyth Teg. He and Endora are getting betrothed soon.” Lady Aura said quickly as she went to get Puff away from the faerie cakes.

Lady Starr looked surprised. “Really?!”

Princess Endora nodded. “Paddrick this is Lady Starr of Vusamsern and her son, Kyo. These two are Grim Ranger and Dulcina Thottie.”

“Nice to meet you all.” Prince Paddrick smiled.

“No husband?” Prince Dragas asked Lady Starr.

“There is some trouble to the north in the Thunderbird territory. He and some others went to help out. There is a dispute over nesting areas with the Eagles. I hope they can settle it without fighting.”

“That wouldn’t be good for anyone if the Thunderbirds and Eagles get into it. Maybe the Phoenixes should have stayed home.” Lord Drake said thoughtfully.

“Pyros is always up for a good fight.” Lady Starr said.

“No more war talk. It’s time for presents.” Lady Aura said as she grabbed Dionne’s hand and pulled her along. “Dionne, help me.”

Paddrick looked around the room at the people and wondered what kind of family he was marrying into. Puff took that opportunity to come sit at his feet and stare up at him. Paddrick looked around and sighed.