Tree Trimming

Words/Prompts Used: Icicles, Elf, Ornaments, Gingerbread, Jingle, Tinsel, Wrapping Paper, Ribbon, Mistletoe, Presents

Gwen rubbed her arms as she looked out of the window at the dripping icicles hanging of the tree outside. They had just had a unexpected snowfall and it was already starting to melt. Her hopes for a white Christmas were dwindling with each drop.

"Guinevere, come help me with the tree." Arthur wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her close.

Gwen laughed at the elf hat that he was wearing. "Where on earth did you find that thing?"

"It was in the box with the ornaments." Arthur smiled and kissed her neck. "It's our first Christmas as a married couple. Don't spend it staring out the window. Come help me."

Gwen sighed. "As long as you take the hat off. It belonged to my brother's dog."

Arthur snatched it off his head and ran his fingers threw his hair. "What is it doing in the decorations?"

"Elyan must have put it in there." Gwen went over and picked up a gingerbread man ornament with Elyan's name on it. "I wonder how he's doing so far away."

"Guinevere, they have Christmas in the military." Arthur pulled a jingle bell necklace out of the ornament box and put it over her head. "Let's call him on Christmas morning and surprise him."

Gwen nodded. She held up the jingle bell and smiled. "This was my mum's. I started wearing it after she died. It made Dad happy to see it. He said that it meant she was with us for Christmas."

"Where is your dad? Shouldn't he be here already?" Arthur pulled the tinsel out of the box and looked at it. "How old is this stuff?"

"I bought some new." Gwen pointed to a bag by the door. "It's in the bag over there with the wrapping paper and ribbons."

Arthur went over and pulled two packages of tinsel out of the bag. "Are you sure this is enough?"

"Yes! Just don't bunch it up." Gwen held out her hands. "Let me do it."

Arthur handed the packages over and grinned. He pulled something from his back pocket and dangled it over Gwen's head when she turned around. "Look up."

"Mistletoe!" Gwen dropped the tinsel and turned around throwing her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I like mistletoe."

"I like mistletoe too." Arthur gave her a kiss.

The door opened and Tom walked in with his arms full of presents. They both turned and smiled at him.

"Look what I found on the sidewalk." Tom stepped aside and Elyan walked in the door.

"Elyan!" Gwen ran into her brothers arms. "How?"

"I drew the short straw." Elyan shrugged. "Hello Arthur."

"Good to have you home, Elyan." Arthur smiled. He went to close the door and found Merlin and Morgana just about to come inside.

"Hey Arthur. Where can I put these?" Merlin held up two huge bags of presents.

"Over there for now. We aren't finished with the tree." Arthur pointed to where tom had sat down his packages.

"Is this everyone?" Gwen looked around. "Merlin, where is Gaius and your mum?"

Merlin jumped. He had been peeking in a bag. "What?"

"They're on their way." Morgana gave Gwen a hug. "They have some last minute things to pick up. we are quite a large group, aren't we?"

"The word is family, Morgana." Arthur kissed his sister on the cheek. "Help me with the ornaments."

Gwen went to get the eggnog. By the time she had it passed around the doorbell rang.

Arthur opened the door and Gaius and Hunith came in loaded down with presents.

"Mum would have loved this." Elyan put his arm around Gwen's shoulders. "A full house at Christmas."

Gwen glanced down at the jingle bell and smiled. "Yes, she would."