A Midwinter Carol
Chapter One

Stacks of paperwork towered over Dom's desk. He glanced up at one, then went back to work. Six years earlier, Dom had gotten the news that his older brother, Cailan, was dead. His death elevated Dom to lordship of Masbolle. The fief he inherited was in desperate financial trouble, and it took Dom a very long time to get everything straightened out.

Now every ledger in Masbolle was kept with painstaking accuracy. As the overlord, Dom took very seriously his responsibilities of keeping the castle and the surrounding land. He saw to every detail himself.

Dom was a very busy man. A typical day began with a light breakfast, during which Dom opened and read safety reports from nearby fiefs. Then he would move into his study to pass several hours reviewing accounts, books, and letters.

On this particular day, a letter from his mother was among the dispatches. Dom opened it first.

My dearest Domitan,

I hope that this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I am well, and have been enjoying the time I spent in the warm south. Legann is as lovely as ever. I spent nearly every day on the beach.

Dom skimmed the rest of the letter. He was slightly interesting in the going-ons at Port Legann,, but a attack of papers on his desk was winning the battle for his attention. Near the end of the letter, he started reading again.

As nice as the warmth was, it just isn't Midwinter without snow. I've decided to go to Queenscove for the holidays. I know you're busy at home, Dom, but I'm sure you could spare a little time to visit. Aunt Kristina would love to see you.

I miss you too, Dom. I often think of the way things used to be, when you and Cailan were children. How happy we all were! I hope one day, we can be together at Midwinter and be happy once again.

Take care of yourself.

All my Love,

Mother

Dom set the letter down with a sigh. He already knew that he would not be going to Queenscove. He just didn't feel like celebrating Midwinter anymore. What was the point?

Spending money that could be saved seemed silly. Besides, he had to compare trade offers from other fiefs.

It was late when Dom finally stopped working. Since his view didn't conform to the general consensus, Dom gave the servants the holiday off. He found his own supper, though it had given him a burning sensation in his chest. At first only greasy foods caused his indigestion, but lately he felt that way no matter what he ate.

Dom settled himself in an armchair placed near the fireplace. The warmth given off by the still-orange embers felt good. Dom blew out the candle that lit the room and pulled a crocheted blanket over his lap.

It was quite dark. So when the room filled with a blazing green light, Dom startled to say the least. He jumped out of his seat, the blanket sliding to the floor, and looked all around the room. At first he saw no one. Then all of a sudden, a figure appeared, floating just in front of him.

The apparition crossed his arms, looking down at Dom.

"Cailan?" Dom whispered. The ghost, arms crossed over his chest, shook his head disapprovingly.

"This isn't much of a life, Little Brother."

Dom was blinking rapidly, trying to make sense of the situation. "It's not real," he said to himself. "It's just indigestion."

His brother's ghost chuckled. "Could indigestion do this?" he asked. He lowered himself to the floor and walked towards, and then through, Dom. The still-living brother felt a terrifying cold as the shadow passed through his body. He shivered. Just as suddenly it was gone. Cailan came to face him again.

"How can this be?" Dom demanded.

"I was sent here to warn you, Dom. Your life is spiraling down a dangerous road. If you keep going as you have, your death will not be peaceful, or slow in coming. Chains are forged by our acts of greed." For the first time Dom noticed that his brother was draped in links of chain. Cailan's eyes followed his brother's. He fingered a specific link. "This one is for the time I passed up an old lady who was begging for food, and this one for when I turned away a homeless lad and his puppy. It's a gruesome drapery, but this chain is nothing in comparison with the one that is being prepared in your name, Little Brother."

"What can I do?" Dom asked, beginning to feel nervous.

"You must observe the error in your ways and correct it," Cailan said, sinking into Dom's chair. The ghost leaned back, crossing his legs comfortably.

"How?" Dom insisted.

"Never fear, Little Dom. You will not be alone. Three spirits will guide you through your journey. You will journey through your life with the Ghosts of Midwinters Past, Present, and Future. Expect the first ghost at first bell."

"I've had enough haunting to last me a lifetime," Dom told his long-dead brother. Once again, Cailan chuckled.

"At first bell," he insisted. Cailan began to disappear. Then his head resumed semi-opacity. "Tell Mum I miss her."

In an instant Dom was alone. He took a deep breath.

"Indigestion," he whispered, with a tone of finality.

AN: So that was the first chapter of my Christmas story. I'm excited about this one. I wrote most of it last year, but it was too late to post it. But now that all the Christmas stuff is out in Wal-Mart, I can finally post it. It's going to follow the original very closely, but I am adding my own little twists. I mean, how boring would it be if I followed the movie dialogue word-for-word?

Anyways, let me know what you think.