Twas the day before Christmas! What was Santa to do?
Rudolph had a case of Red-Nosed Reindeer Flu!
"Much too sick to be flying," said the vet when she came.
He got a second opinion, but that vet said the same.
*
"What will we do?" Santa asked Mrs. Claus.
"The gifts must go out! It's one of our highest laws!"
Mrs. Claus just smiled. "Call Heironymous, dear.
Doesn't he owe you a favor for that thing last year?"
*
"You mean that time in the place with that thing he was after?
Oh, that was fun," he recalled with some laughter.
"But I do think it's really the elves that are owed.
After all, it was them that handled that load."
*
"Trust me, dear, call him. Heironymous will be here.
The elves will understand with Christmas so near."
"She's right, Santa, call him," said one of the elves.
"We helped him to help you, not to be helping ourselves."
*
"Well then," smiled Santa, "bring my phone, and we'll see
If he still has the second oldest number in D.C."
The elf dashed away, and in just a short while,
Brought Santa his phone which he unlocked and dialed.
*
Meanwhile, in D.C., Heironymous was bored.
He had been reading files, but at the moment he snored.
His partner, Rebecca Hendrix, just shook her head,
And sat on a couch where she'd read them instead.
*
Sometimes the paperwork was a nice change of pace
From busier days that were more of a race.
She had just started to read, and kicked up her feet,
When she heard a faint noise that would start, stop, and repeat.
*
"Heironymous," she called, stirring him from his dreaming,
"I know this sounds odd, but... I think your bookshelf is ringing."
"If we weren't here," said the dragon, "then yes, it just might.
Third shelf from the top, and fourth book from the right."
*
Rebecca followed directions, and pulled down the book,
Opened it up, and flipped through for a look.
There in a hollowed-out space in the midst of its pages
Was a sight that she thought must be one for the ages.
*
A small phone sat inside, it's ringer still piping.
It was scented, and glittered, and had peppermint striping.
She started his way, but he said, "That's too near.
Put it back in the book. I can smell it from here."
*
"But don't you want to answer? I think you just might-
The I.D. says... 'Santa?' You're kidding me, right?"
"Why would I kid about Santa?" he asked with a wink.
He pulled out his phone, and said, "They're both linked."
*
"Then why have me find this?" she asked closing the pages.
"I thought you'd like it," he smiled. "It's one for the ages."
Rebecca just smirked as she put the book on the shelf,
And Heironymous answered, "Santa! How are you, Old Elf?"
*
He listened for a minute, looking quite worried indeed,
Then said, "Don't worry, Santa- we'll be there. Top speed!"
He hung up and stood up, and said, "Partner, let's roll!
We've got to leave now if we're going to reach the North Pole!"
*
"The North Pole?" she beamed, throwing files aside.
Quickly she moved. "Now you're talking! Let's ride!"
He pointed. "Bottom shelf on the left, very first one.
Bring that phone with you, and we'll call on the run."
*
Rebecca did as instructed, and caught up in the hall.
"Why all these phones? Just synch them all."
"Not that one," said the dragon. "Not on your life.
That phone is the one that's meant for my wife."
*
"That monkey you married?" she laughed, making fun.
Heironymous frowned slightly, but said, "That's the one."
Hendrix laughed again, then stopped. "Wait, but that's--"
"--Yes, the very same one that's in the Volcanic Flats."
*
Rebecca danced a quick step while clapping her hands.
Sounding downright giddy she squeaked, "The Fairylands?!"
"Yes, and before you ask, we will stop in Oz,
But only just briefly, because we have to reach Claus."
*
Hendrix drummed her hands on Heironymous, before cheering, "Let's go!
Maybe we'll get a chance to play with elves in the snow!"
She ran ahead to the elevator while he rolled his eyes,
But chuckled and said, "You don't want a snowball fight with those guys."
*
So, they called ahead to the wife, and then to Glinda the Good,
And she got them there as quick as any good witch would.
He looked to Princess Emma after he explained the situation,
and said, "How's a visit to Santa's Village sound for a vacation?"
*
Emma beamed brightly, and asked, "Ozma, please? Can I go?"
"Look at that smile," Ozma laughed. "Dare I say no?"
So, they skipped down Red Brick Road, and quicker-than-that
They soon found themselves standing in the Volcanic Flats.
*
Brought before his wife, she said, "Heironymous! Sweetie!"
"Swingy-Dingy," he grinned. "It's time to honor our treaty."
"We're all ready to go," the monkey said brightly.
Then she jumped to his shoulder and hugged his neck tightly.
*
Heironymous blushed, Hendrix and Emma just laughed,
And they were soon once again on their way down the path.
"We'll get there faster this way," Emma said, making a portal.
She gave a shy grin. "Glinda says I'm 'good for a mortal'."
*
Coming out of the portal, they were in the North Pole.
The Village was bright, and cheery, and cold!
They were taken to Santa who was loading his sleigh,
and he said, "Oh, Heironymous! We've lost so much day!"
*
"Not to worry, Saint Nick, we'll get them all out.
That's why all these Fire Monkeys here are about.
They can fly, and breathe flame, and they light their own way.
They can take some of the gifts, and then we'll take the sleigh!"
*
"Why, Heironymous, dear dragon! That's splendid, indeed!
They can each team with an elf for some much-needed speed!"
He hugged the dragon, the monkey, Rebecca, and Emma,
Happy to see an end to this Christmas dilemma.
*
"Wait," said Rebecca, "I can do just the same!
I am strong, I can fly, and I even breathe flame!
Team me with an elf for some much-needed speed--"
"--And this will go even faster!" Santa agreed.
*
They all got to work, and the air filled with laughter,
And each of them knew they would all be friends after.
Everyone ready, and all knew what to do,
Emma made portals, and sent them all through.
*
Santa was amazed at the sight of the portal.
And said, "Glinda is right- she's good for a mortal.
Dear girl," Santa said, "you're good, and quite clever!
This just might land you on the Good List forever!"
*
So, with the gifts all divided, and each team away,
They at last turned their attention back to the sleigh.
"This is what's left, and that's up to me,
But you know, without Rudolph, it'll be hard to see."
*
"That's why I'm here," Heironymous said with a grin.
"We've got this Santa, so strap yourself in!"
Heironymous changed form, and can you imagine the sight?
Santa’s sled had eight tiny reindeer and a dragon that night!
*
He was strong, and could fly, and could even breathe flame,
So, what Rebecca and the rest did, he did the same!
"Heironymous," called Santa, "with your flame so bright!
Thank you for guiding my sleigh tonight!"
*
Heironymous beat his wings, and gave a loud roar,
And it was a great sight indeed to see that team soar!
They flew through the night, and made all of their rounds
Then back to the Pole where they finally touched down.
*
They celebrated and cheered, and to Rebecca's delight,
They played with elves in the snow before leaving that night.
The snowballing was epic, as Heironymous did say,
But not quite so one-sided with Fire Monkeys in play.
*
At last, Hendrix said, "I don't want this to end,
But I have to get back for my family and friends."
"Right you are," Santa said, happy tears in his eyes.
They hugged, exchanged numbers, and said their goodbyes.
*
Emma made a portal, and 'fore it winked out of sight,
Santa called, "Merry Christmas to all! Thanks for the great night!"
They retraced all their steps back the way they had roamed-
Past the Flats, back to Oz, and then they were sent home.
*
Heironymous and Hendrix, now back in D.C.,
Found two cards and two gifts waiting under a tree.
Both of them thought it a wonderful sight-
A great start to Christmas, and end to their night.
*
THE END
-cbishop
December 10, 2022
Merry Christmas!
Notes: |
---|
Story and original characters owned by Chris Bishop, copyright 2022. Heironymous, Rebecca Hendrix, Princess Emma, The Volcanic Flats, Swingy-Dingy, Fire Monkeys, Heironymous' office and phones, and the Fairylands (my version) were all created by Chris Bishop (cbishop). The Red Brick Road was plucked out of The Wizard of Oz movie and made a thing by Wildvine. Oz, Princess Ozma, and Glinda the Good were created by L. Frank Baum. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created by Johnny Marks. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Santa's Elves, Santa's Sleigh, Santa's Reindeer, Santa's Village, and the North Pole are all Public Domain (or gosh, I sure hope so). D.C. (Washington, D.C.) is a non-fictional place (or gosh, I sure hope so). |
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