Nick: A Winter's Tale

Chapter Eleven: The Calm before Christmas

From within their burrowed houses, the elves emerged curiously as Nick, Alice and Lu'cian walked into town. Lu'cian was calling loudly, drawing out the townsfolk and gathering them around the large oak table where Nick had first met Ar'gin. The elves muttered and pointed in awe and astonishment as Nick passed with the sword of Klaus strapped to his back.

Soon, everyone had gathered around the table, curious to what Lu'cian was about to say.

"The hour of doom draws near," he said gravely, "Anha Dah'mia draws ever closer, her power is reaching its height. But, there is hope yet."

He gestured at Nick, who drew the sword and held it aloft. Whispers were exchanged, fingers were pointed, and the blade seemed to hum with power as the moonlight bounced from its blade.

"We have a fighting chance," Lu'cian continued, "The Sword has been found, the champion of Klaus stands with us, and he has a plan."

All eyes turned to Nick, wide with hope and curiosity. Nick could feel the pressure weighing down on him, but he didn't let it shake him. He mustered his courage, and began to speak.

"The creature we face is the embodiment of misery," he addressed loudly, "Her power grows from sorrow, and in this time of darkness she is at her most powerful. But there is hope yet."

More whispers and glances were exchanged. Nick could feel the nerves building inside him, but they were stayed when he felt Alice's hand clutch around his, squeezing supportively.

"We are going to take her power," Nick went on, "We will provide to the people of Hilldale a light within the dark, a spark of happiness to combat the sorrow."

"With respect, champion," said an elven woman across the table from Nick, "How are we to conjure enough power to combat that of a demon?"

"There is no greater power in this universe than an act of kindness, and a look of wonder in the eyes of a child," said Nick. He shared a glance with Alice, and a soft smile. Alice pulled from her coat the small wooden Dove.

"We're going to give them something to be thankful for," said Nick, "Every child in Hilldale will wake up tomorrow morning with a gift, a small toy, and all of them together, through their laughter and play, will weaken Dah'mia enough for us to strike."

Murmurs swept the crowd, and Nick noticed that the elves seemed to understand his plan. Some, however, seemed slightly sceptical, and soon one elf voiced that opinion.

"How do you expect us to deliver all of these toys in one night?" the elf asked, "One reindeer won't be able to run that fast with that many gifts."

"Don't worry, I have a plan," said Nick, turning to look at Alice, "You'll need to sneak back to Hilldale, up to my cabin. You know what to do."

Alice nodded in understanding. Nick continued to brief the elves on their assignments, and when he was finished, the village became a flurry of movement, the cacophonous sounds of tools and splintering wood filling the air.

With Nick's help, the elves began to assemble all manner of miniature figurines, trains, sleds and animals. Nick showed them all how he had done it all those years back in his cabin. The Elves picked it up quickly and expertly, their magical connection to the wood of the forest helping them assemble the beautiful figures.

Meanwhile, Lu'cian and another team of elves were dismantling every sled they had, repurposing the materials for something far larger. Nick couldn't help but smile as his plan came together. Even the thought of what they were doing, imagining the reactions of every child the following morning, was enough to combat the sense of dread he had for what lay afterwards. He watched for a while, until Alice pulled him aside to speak.

"You're doing a wonderful thing, Nick," she said sweetly, "But... I'm not sure at how tomorrow will go, and I may not get to say this..."

"What is it?" asked Nick, "What's special about tomorrow?"

"Have you forgotten?" Alice asked, "I suppose it's been a busy few days. Tonight is Christmas Eve, Nick."

Nick remembered with stark realisation. With all the confusion and emotions of the last few days, he had entirely forgotten the date, but it was true. It was indeed the night before Christmas Day.

"I just wanted to say, before I go," said Alice, "Merry Christmas, Nick. I love you."

Alice kissed him on the cheek, and the two embraced, before Alice left to complete her part of the plan in Hilldale. Nick had taught her the ways of communicating with Donner, and so as she approached the buck, she knew to bow politely. Donner bowed back with a friendly grunt, and she climbed onto his back. Nick watched her leave, his smile still on his face, and stood there for a moment or two before Lu'cian approached him.

"Are you sure this will work?" he asked solemnly, "Because if it doesn't, we won't have any more time to prepare."

"It has to," said Nick, "It needs to, or else... I don't know..."

Nick looked up at the old elf, and could still see the loss in his eyes after Ar'gin's death. Lu'cian looked up, and began to talk.

"Nick, I... I know I already said, but I truly am sorry," he said gravely, "I didn't tell you you had died because... well, I was afraid that it was my fault. I wasn't thinking straight and... if I had used logic, I might have been able to save you..."

"Lu'cian," Nick cut him off, "What happened that night was not your fault. I made my choice, and your family is safe because of it."

"I shouldn't have been afraid," Lu'cian pleaded, "I've trained my entire life to protect this forest from the darkness, and when it finally shows I... I am afraid, and I forget my training."

"There's no shame in being afraid," said Nick, putting a comforting hand on Lu'cian's shoulder, "You did your best, that's all I can ask of you."

Lu'cian smiled, and the two went back to assist the rest of the elves in their jobs. Meanwhile, Alice had returned to Hilldale and was making the climb towards Nick's cabin. Donner's hooves pounded the snow with haste, kicking up plumes behind him as he ran. The streets were quiet as the night grew late, and a gentle fog was rolling in.

When she finally reached Nick's cabin at the edge of the forest, she clambered down from Donner's back, and approached the fence. She could see the large field reaching all the way back to the treeline behind the cabin, and dotted about it were the rest of Donner's herd, who all grunted in response to the Buck's calling.

"I hope this works, Nick," said Alice. She began to fiddle with the gate, trying to get it open and struggling as her fingers numbed in the cold. She stopped suddenly as she heard movement behind her, and turned around to face whomever it was.

To her surprise, a great eagle was watching her with beady eyes, having perched on Donner's great antlers. It seemed to study her closely, an air of judgement in its eyes as it did so. Alice felt nervous in the bird's presence, but did not move or make a sound. Then, the bird transformed.

As it jumped from the buck's antlers, a shimmer of light appeared around it, and Frau-Perchta stepped towards Alice intently.

"Your cause is noble, your heart kind" she said gracefully, "The champion heart is once again whole. Perhaps I may offer assistance?"

Alice nodded and stepped back. With a flick of her wrist, the lock slid free and the gate swung open. But that was not where she stopped. A golden thread of magic trailed behind her outstretched hand, and with a gentle breath she blew it like a cloud of glimmering dust into the field. Each of the deer, including Donner, seemed to sneeze for a second as the magic began to work its way into them.

"A gift of my own, that you may defeat this great shadow," Perchta said in a song like way, "Might I ask of your name?"

"Alice," she replied, "Alice Tertell."

"Alice... what a beautiful name," said Perchta. And with that, she transformed back into a great eagle, and took to the skies, disappearing once again. In her wake, Alice turned to see seven more magnificent reindeer had come towards her, and stood neatly in a line, awaiting instruction.