the second occasion

[deepest_magic]

House. Wardrobe. Coats.

Comments

[deepest_magic]

So does Bella.

And there they may sleep quite peacefully, until they hear the jingling of bells.

Mr. Beaver is out of the hideaway in a flash and scrambling up the riverbank, and then voices are heard.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth listens.

That definitely doesn't sound like the Queen. Still - that doesn't mean it's friendly. She stays put.

[deepest_magic]

"It's all right!" shouts Mr. Beaver. "Come on up, it's safe, it isn't her!"

Bella sits up.

[neverbeatme]

Elizabeth decides to take his word for it. Out she comes.

[deepest_magic]

Bella follows, and so does Mrs. Beaver.

[pythbox]

And when they reach Mr. Beaver, they find... a man in a red coat, with a long white beard and brilliant blue eyes, standing by a sledge to which are harnessed six large shaggy brown reindeer.

"I've come at last," he says. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last."

[deepest_magic]

Oh wow.

Santa Claus.

Only that name doesn't sound quite suitable for this personage. He's - gladdening and solid and more like the Ghost of Christmas Present than like a soft drink commercial.

"Father Christmas," she says, quite sure.

[pythbox]

"I am," he agrees. "And now for your presents. There is a new and better sewing machine for you, Mrs. Beaver. I will leave it in your house as I pass."

[deepest_magic]

"If you please, sir," says Mrs. Beaver, curtseying, "it's been locked up."

[pythbox]

"Locks and bolts make no difference to me," says Father Christmas. "And as for you, Mr. Beaver, when you get home you will find your dam finished and mended and all the leaks stopped and a new sluice-gate fitted."

[deepest_magic]

Mr. Beaver is quite speechless with delight, mouth open very wide.

[pythbox]

"Son of Eve," says Father Christmas, addressing Elizabeth.

[neverbeatme]

Slightly confused, she says, "Yes?"

[pythbox]

"These are your presents," he says, handing her a sword and a shield. "The time to use them may be very near at hand. Bear them well, and let them guide you when you have need of guidance."

[neverbeatme]

She accepts her presents with a thoughtful look. The shield is bright silver, bearing the device of a red lion; the sword has a golden hilt with the pommel shaped like a lion's head.

[pythbox]

He turns to the other human present. "Bella, Eve's Daughter."

[deepest_magic]

"Yes?"

[pythbox]

"In this bottle," he says, handing her a round vial of transparent crystal with innumerable shining facets, "there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. A few drops will heal sickness or injury up to the very point of death, although not beyond."

Next he hands her a silver staff with gold detailing of curves and angles that matches the gold cap with silver detailing on the little bottle; the top of the staff bears a sphere of transparent crystal matching the bottle's many-faceted shape.

"And this, I think you will find particularly useful. Its magic will leave you surefooted while you hold it, and it can be called upon to make light against the darkness, to speak with your friends though you be separated by great distances, and to find what you are looking for. I caution you that this last power can be temperamental, and it is better not to rely on it unless you have no other choice."

[deepest_magic]

Bella nods, pocketing the vial and taking hold of the staff at once. "Thank you. Thank you very much."

[pythbox]

"And now," he says, "a little something for all of you—" and he produces a silver tray bearing four teacups and a large steaming teapot, with milk and cream and lumps of sugar all set out next to it. He sets it down in the snow, climbs back into his sledge, and cries "Merry Christmas!" as his reindeer pull him smoothly away.

[deepest_magic]

Bella walks around in a little circle, testing her surefootedness, before sitting down for tea.

"Best presents."

[neverbeatme]

"That was definitely something," says Elizabeth. She finds that she can wear the sword and shield comfortably on her back if she adjusts the sword-belt just so, and for ease of sitting down to tea, she does just that.

[deepest_magic]

Bella is now testing out the features of her scepter. It does indeed light up - a bit too dramatically; she darkens it again at once. She cups her hand around the crystal at its top and whispers into it, clear in Elizabeth's ear: "Can you hear me, testing one two three, why'd he call you a Son, do you know?"

[neverbeatme]

"Crystal clear," she murmurs back with equal clarity, although her voice is too quiet to carry across the few feet between them. "I'm - not sure. I have the feeling that I know but not the actual knowledge."

[deepest_magic]

"Huh." Bella props her scepter in her lap, pats her pocket to make sure the cordial is safe there, and sets about sugaring a cup of tea for herself. "Well, I approve very much of Father Christmas, I wonder why he doesn't come around like that on Earth?"