Chapter 32
A MERRY ELVEN CHRISTMAS
No one can quite prepare oneself for the reunion between mother, sister and daughter.
I bounced on my heels and fiddled with my deep crimson gown as Elden placed a hand reassuringly on my back.
We stood atop the dais where I was first led unwillingly and angry into Elkhaven.
Where my hate for the elves had festered so fully in my heart.
But now there was only love and joy there.
My heart was full to bursting as I grasped onto the hand of the king, so strong and sure, enveloping my own.
“They should be here any moment.” Elden smiled, his golden eyes twinkling.
Before I could release another breath of nerves, the walnut carriage promenaded into view from afar off.
“They’re here!” I squealed. I ran from my spot atop the dais and into the street as the gilded carriage approached at last.
“Noelle!” Daisy’s sweet high-pitched voice called out from the open window of the walnut carriage. Her sweet little hands waved wildly. Could it be that she’d gotten bigger since I’d last seen her only a fortnight ago?
“Daisy! Mother!” I cried through a trembling throat.
My entire body quaked as my mother and sister burst from the carriage and enveloped me in a powerful embrace.
“You came,” I cried. “You’re here.”
“Oh my sweet Noelle, we’re together at last.” Mother shook as her tears wet my shoulder.
“And we will never be parted again.”
I crouched down and pulled Daisy into my arms. I kissed her on her full cheeks over and over tasting the salt of her tears. But as we held one another, our tender tears turned to wide smiles and a tinkling sweet laughter. A sound that I had missed ever so much.
“Your magic spoon.” I produced the wooden spoon from my satchel and displayed Daisy’s sweetly carved heart with pride. “This, saved our world from the darkness, Daisy. Your dear heart saved us all.”
A flushed smile flashed on Daisy’s face, but she buried her tears in my chest. “I lub you, “Elle. Forever and ever.”
Mother pulled me back and studied my face.
“So, what is this I hear about you and the king of the elves, Noelle?” Mother’s eyes shone with worry.
I remember that pain, the pain of separation had stung like nettles.
But the love I felt towards Elden had eased the pain like a balm.
Mother hadn’t been there. She didn’t know him or the mysterious elves at all, for that matter. That would take time.
I could not hide the smile that widened my face, even as heat crept into my cheeks. I turned to find the Elf King standing a few paces away, a matching smile on his handsome face. She needed to see us, to see him, differently.
“Mother, I would like you to meet Elden.” I beckoned Elden to approach, which he did in two long strides. Sweet Christmas he was beautiful. “He and I, well. We’re both so similar. Stubborn and prideful, yet, he and I—”
I laughed, tears stinging my eyes. Mother looked me over, her stony veneer cracking like an overcooked soufflé.
The Elf King bowed to my mother and sister. “Well met.” Elden took the hand of my mother and placed a kiss atop it. “I wish to welcome you and your precious daughter, Daisy, to the Undying lands of Ravensong. Welcome to Elkhaven.”
A deep blush colored my mother’s cheeks, her eyes widening at the kiss upon her hand.
It seemed all of my carefully planned explanations would not be needed. Mother’s mouth popped open as a blush spread across her cheeks. One couldn’t help but be dazzled by the king.
Daisy, not to be outdone, held her hand up to Elden. “I needs a kiss, too!”
I felt Elden’s answering laugh down to my toes. “Of course, my lady.”
Elden knelt before Daisy and kissed her little fist. Daisy stepped closer to Elden and placed her sweet little hands on either side of his face. “You’re pretty.”
A laugh burst from both mother and I as Elden struggled with what to say, then Daisy’s attention shifted to all the other elves in attendance, a small one in particular. Aldaar. Aldaar’s tall ears jumped at the attention of my little sister, but he made his way down from the dais.
“Do I have to kiss her hand, too?” Aldaar wrinkled his nose.
Elden chuckled, then nodded towards my mother and sister. “Virginia, Daisy, this is my little brother, Aldaar.”
“Happy to meet you,” Daisy said, eyes already on the enormous castle. “Gots any secret passages in there?”
A mischievous smile spread across Aldaar’s boyish face. “Loads.”
And before another word was said, Daisy and Aldaar disappeared through the castle doors, giggles sounding as sweet as any symphony to my ears.
I turned to my mother and took a hold of her arm. “I have so much to tell you, but first, let me take you to your new rooms. They are right beside my own and have the most gorgeous view of the castle.”
My mother smiled, both relief and joy in the planes of her beautiful face. “I never thought I would see you again, my beautiful girl, but to see you not only alive, but happy, thriving. Well, it’s the best Christmas gift I could ever receive.”
My mother and sister weren’t the only surprise visitors Elden had planned.
A week after the incredible arrival of my family, Tabitha, Todd, and Terrine from Spindlewood arrived at the castle doors holding a fresh bag of salted caramels.
Several days after that, Scarlet, Rowan and their boys joined us.
Little Hawthorne ran straight to Elden, happily squishing Elden’s face in his tiny hands. Elden’s answering laugh echoed through the castle hallways. The sound was that of pure joy.
“We can’t celebrate the first Christmas in Elkhaven without you.” Scarlet squeezed my hands. “You brought it back to us, Noelle. I can’t thank you enough!”
In the weeks that followed, the elven kingdom of Elkhaven was turned upside down as the elves prepared for the first Christmastime in six hundred years.
The elves had always celebrated the Winter Solstice.
The shortest daylight of the year and the longest night centered on bringing light into the darkness.
They decorated with fir and pine, yule logs crackled, and there was a feast. But I taught the elves to sing and play from our old carol books, we wrapped thoughtful gifts, and spoke of flying reindeer in the night.
Rafia and I were granted free rein over the decorations, blending the sensibilities and traditions of both human and elf.
Every day was as busy as the last as Elden and I worked side by side. But even as we labored, we would steal away as many moments together as we could alone. Elden held onto my skirt like a lifeline, not wanting to be parted for more than a few minutes at a time.
The first order of business was to get the grandest Christmas tree.
Far from the trips to the Moon Forest at the edge of town with just my mother and sister for company, now we boasted a crew at least tenfold in size.
Everyone chose their favorite trees of various shades and sizes, but Daisy had the final pick.
She and Aldaar had run far and wide through the large expanse of the forest, cheerily singing carols as they went.
Her tree towered over all the rest, the veritable queen of the forest in its own right.
I couldn’t wait to get back to my kitchen cottage.
Daisy and mother were eager to see where I’d been spending my days.
Rafia and Elden stopped what they were doing and escorted us one early morning, which I found wonderful, but a bit odd, until I spotted both Joshua and Gotto beaming proudly outside the brand-new hand carved cottage door.
Apparently, they’d been hard at work while I’d been away.
I stepped into the cottage and my jaw dropped to the floor.
It was so like my kitchen back in the human realm, but new, repaired, and polished.
Beautiful. I ran my hands over the expert craftsmanship of exquisitely carved kitchen shelves and pantries.
Two new ovens had been installed, both a striking forest green.
Copper pans gleamed, and silver utensils sparkled in their places.
It was new and shiny, but looked as if it’d all been there for generations.
Joshua didn’t object too much as I squeezed him and Gotto half to death, in love as I was with my new kitchen cottage.
Rafia served us up a fresh cup of hot apple cider as we sat around the fire on fluffy new couches.
Then Elden, Aldaar, and Daisy happily followed orders as they helped me create the castle’s first grand gingerbread palace.
The beautiful, slightly wonky masterpiece would be the centerpiece for our Christmas feast.
Day after day, the castle transformed before my eyes until the great night of the feast arrived, Christmas Eve.
Mother, Daisy, and I made our way down the winding staircase to the ground floor.
Elden stood at the bottom, eyes roving over my sparkly green gown.
The dress wrapped tastefully about my bosom and waist, then flared out in waves of fine green tulle, with the white horns of Elkhaven embroidered upon my bodice.
Elden’s beaming smile matched my own as I made my way to his awaiting arms.
“You look…” Elden shook his head in awe. “…effervescent.”
I stared up into the golden eyes of the king, my stomach fluttering wildly. Would I ever grow accustomed to his beauty?
“As are you,” I said at last. Then I hopped up on the tips of my toes and met him with a sweet kiss.
Elden offered an arm to both my mother and me, which we took gracefully. Daisy and Aldaar followed behind as we strode out into the front courtyard of the palace.