The Santa Clause Fanfic

Silver Bell and Holly

Bernard was making his way through the halls of the workshop while Merry tried to keep up with, despite all the wonderful things happening around her. It really felt like a dream, but she wasn't sure if this was reality or was it just pretend. "Wait up, Bernard" she said, "You're walking so fast, it's hard to keep up"
"Then keep those legs moving, Sugarplum" said Bernard, "Ah, here we are"
The head elf came to a stop before opening the doors to reveal a smaller workshop. Merry entered, removing the Santa hat on her head as she did so, looking around the room. It wasn't as colorful as the main workshop where all the elves worked on toys, but it was just as wondrous with handcrafted jewels, wooden planes, watches, clocks, and many more. Bernard was standing by a desk, dusting his hands after tidying up a bit, before glancing at the female across the room. "So, there's some important business I'd like to discuss with you" he said, "You better pay attention, cause I'm only gonna say this once"
Merry held the hat tightly in her grasp, making her way towards Bernard and pay close attention to his words.

"Now, you're probably wondering why I summoned you here," said Bernard, "Well, I'll tell you! Since your father put on the suit and you put on the hat, that means you two are now in a binding contract. Same rules apply but instead of becoming another Santa, there is a possibility of you becoming... an elf"
Merry sat in silence, processing everything the head elf just told her, "An elf?" she asks, "Pointy ears and everything?"
"Yep, but don't worry it won't happen to you right away. Maybe it won't affect you at all. But that's not the only thing I need you to do"
"Then what do I have to do?"
"I need you to keep an eye on your dad, he'll start going through some... changes himself"
Merry raised a brow, "What kind of changes?"
"Just growing a white beard, gaining a little weight, being jolly, and learning everyone's names. It's known as the Santafication Process, nothing dangerous I assure you"

Merry nods and walks around the small workshop to admire the craftsmanship as she spoke, "So you want me to report to you about the changes in my dad for the next 11 months until Thanksgiving right?"
Bernard leans against the desk, arms crossed over his chest, "Precisely"
"Then how exactly am I gonna report to you from home? A teenager writing a letter to the North Pole isn't exactly a good look"
The head elf took notice of that, it would be rather strange for a 16-year-old writing a letter to the North Pole. It was then he got an idea, and walked up to Merry with a smile on his face. Merry blushed at how close Bernard was standing until he said, "Close your eyes for me, I promise it would be quick"
She hesitates before closing her eyes while Bernard does his thing. He makes his way behind the girl and places something around her neck, his fingers gently brushing against Merry's warm skin as something cold touches her collarbone. "Okay, Merry" he said, "You can open your eyes now"

Merry's eyes flutter open and look down to see a beautiful silver bell hanging around a silver chain with a holly on top. She turned to her reflection and admired the necklace around her neck. "Oh, it's beautiful, Bernard," she said in awe, "You made this?"
"I did, actually" said Bernard, "This is a way for you to contact me, just ring the bell three times and I'll appear"
Merry then removed the bell from the necklace and held it between her finger tips, seeing how it worked before placing it back onto the chain. "Just one more question" she said, "Has this ever happened before? A binding contract I mean"
"Not in several hundred years" answered Bernard, "I believe it was 1734 when the first ever binding contract was ever created"
"I see"

The two stood silently for a moment, not an awkward silence but a rather comforting one. A knock on the door was heard before a young female elf dressed as a princess appeared with a smile, "The room's ready for you, Merry" she said
"Oh perfect timing, Merry follow Judy she'll bring you to your new room and get some rest" said Bernard, "And don't worry, you won't be the only one monitoring Santa"
Merry hesitates to leave until Bernard reassures her that everything will be fine. She nods the following Judy down the halls of Santa's workshop until they come across a beautiful door with snowflakes on the glass. The female elf opens the door which leads to a beautiful bedroom with crystals on the ceiling that represent snowflakes, a blue velvet bed with white pillows, and hints of gold around the bedroom. Judy presents a set of blue pajamas for Merry to put on for the night, which Merry kindly accepts. "Thanks, Judy" she said
"I left some cocoa for you to enjoy on the table" said Judy, "Make sure it doesn't get cold, have a good night"

Once Judy leaves, Merry makes her way to the table by the window overlooking the North Pole and enjoys the cocoa. It was probably the best hot cocoa she'd ever had, possibly better than her own cocoa. She drinks every drop so it wouldn't go to waste before preparing for bed, tying her hair into a bun until her eyes traveled to the silver bell and holly around her neck. Her fingers gently stroke around the item, thinking back to Bernard's gentle touch as he placed it around her neck and his smile when she admired his work. A blush crept on her face before heading straight to bed, her head resting on the soft pillows beneath her and closing her eyes as she drifted off to sleep.