"Elf" - A Reylo AU

The North Pole

You're here for a story, yes? A story about Christmas? How about a story about Santa's helpers? Yes, I'm talking about elves. Who else would I be talking about? You don't see the reindeer building toys, do you? Oh - you've never been to the North Pole.... Right... So you wouldn't know... Well never mind then.

Fun fact about elves! There are only three jobs an elf can have. The first is making shoes for an old cobbler while he sleeps. Second, baking goods inside a hollow tree. An occupational hazard, but it puts bread on the table. Both literally AND figuratively. The third and final job an elf can have - a job only the luckiest of elves are able to acquire - is working for the big man in red himself. Santa Claus.

Toy making is perfect for an elf. With their nimble and slim fingers, creative mindset, and a constant cheerful outlook on all aspects of life - Santa's workshop is the place where elves thrive. No human being has ever set foot inside Santa's workshop before. That is, until 20 years ago. Which, you guessed it, is where our story begins.

X0X0X

On a calm and quiet Christmas Eve, the orphaned babes at Niima's Home For Children were put to bed one by one. Each child was tucked in with either a lovingly donated blanket, or one hand knitted by one of the Niima Sisters. Sister Mary cradled a drowsy baby girl in her arms, stroking her soft locks of chocolate colored hair.

"Sleep tight little one." Sister Mary said to the baby as she placed her inside a wooden crib whose paint had seen better days. "May God watch over you tonight. Perhaps you will finally have a home by next Christmas."

The child's eyes fluttered shut as Sister Mary exited the nursery. A flurry of snowflakes breezed past the window, soon followed by a faint jiggling of bells. A rustle of dirt and soot dribbled down into the fireplace at the far end of the nursery. The floor slightly vibrated as the jolly man himself dropped down into the remnants of the evenings last logs.

Santa peered around the nursery, sighing at the number of cribs that were lined up before him. There were more than last year. While the children may have lacked a family, they would know they were loved when they would wake to a brand new teddy bear or bunny snuggled up to them in their crib. Santa walked past each crib, reaching into his velvet bag for a plush the toys he deposited into the beds.

His wrist happened to bump against one of the crib railings as he removed his hand from the bunny he had just placed next to a sleeping baby. He thought nothing of it as his job here was almost done. All that was left was a quick snack. He laid his bag on the floor softly as he spied a plate of cookies and a frosted glass of milk at the front of the room. The crunch of the cookies in his ears distracted him from the slight rustling noise his bag made as an intruder made her way inside.

X0X0X

"Congratulations to another Christmas in the bag!" Santa announced to the elves crowded inside his workshop. The elves cheered, whooped, and hollered.

"When can we start getting ready for NEXT Christmas?" One of the elves asked Santa.

"Right away of course!" Santa said.

"HOORAY!!!!" The elves yelled. They scattered back to their work tables, grabbing screwdrivers and hammers as they went.

"Um... Santa???" One the elves piped up in a squeaky voice.

"Yes Artoo. What is it?"

"Your bag....." The elf said, pointing to Santa's velvet toy bag that still lay in his sleigh.

Everyone's attention was on the bag as it rustled, the movement inside becoming greater and greater.

"What in the stars is THAT?" shouted an elf.