by Arilana
Long ago there lived a toymaker. His toys were the most sought after in the land, and not just by children. They were marvels of intricacy and detail, often having a hidden 'surprise'. Our story isn't about the toymaker; it's about his last toy.
The toymaker had lived a long lonely life up atop a cold mountain. He once had a wife and child but the dreaded disease cholera had taken them from him. Ever since then the old toymaker had searched and searched for the right material. It took him several years to find the right wood and ever since he worked on that one toy. The toy for his dead son.
The Christmas morning dawned clear and crisp that year as the children woke up. Toys and toys they found waiting for them, all carved by the old toymaker. When the village parents went to thank the old man they found the cottage dark and cold. The old man had finally finished his toy, a small redheaded wooden samurai.
The clock struck midnight Christmas Eve. It was the only time he woke up anymore that magical time between Christmas and Christmas Eve. He expected to see the same wooden box around him as he had last time and the time before that. It had been many Christmas Eves since he had been out his wooden box. But the sight that greeted the redhead's eyes was new. Snow drifted gently down on a quiet shop lined street. A full moon shone down, casting its light upon the snow who reveled in it, gleaming. Boughs of evergreen adorned shop doors and windows, a festive green and red. Across from the samurai's window stood a bakery, fake pies and cakes calling their wares to an empty street.
The soft murmur of voices brought him jerkily around, limbs still deadened from sleep. Out stretched a child's dream. Toys of all sorts were stuffed on shelves, a carefully chaotic pattern. A few were left out from earlier that day the signs of play obvious. As wide violet eyes watched a teddy bear swiped the frilly pink bonnet from its head with a growl. It was almost more than he could handle. Numbly he sat, propping his sword up and leaning against it.
He wasn't alone on the window shelf. The soft sound of bickering drew his attention. Down a soft felt valley stood a trio, a young girl doll dressed in a gi and hakama stood yelling at an obviously newer and younger boy. His eyes locked on the girl. Long flowing black hair made of silk was tied in a high pony tail and painted sapphire eyes glared. Thin elegant fingers grasped a wooden sword tightly as she berated the youngster. So involved was he that the samurai barely noticed the last of the trio, a familiar fighter who was holding the girl back.
"Hey missy! It's Christmas, cut the kid some slack!"
"Yeah ugly! Don't you even have a little Christmas sprit?"
The bickering continued as he was content to watch them or rather her. Alone on his felt hill, the samurai kept watch that Christmas eve. A small smile etched onto his face, to stay until he next woke up. As the clock began to chime the hour the small group rearranged themselves to the original positions and the samurai smiled wider. Voices as clear as the bell chimes they called out to each other still oblivious to the toy above. 'Merry Christmas..', he wished.
"Merry Christmas guys."
"Merry Christmas Missy."
"Yeah, Merry Christmas Kaoru."
'...Kaoru.'
TBC
AN: This is the result of working eight hours with the song Toyland playing the background. Well, at least it's good for something. I can't wait to hear from you guys. Give me an early Christmas present and review!