Remember 8888 means scenes are simultaneous, 8888888888888888888 means hours later. My quirky shorthand. Any way I own nothing, this is just written for fun! Enjoy!
One-A Happy Yule Begins
Blythe couldn't contain her smile at the sound of her husband's grumbling coming from the front hall. It was quite the colorful score of words and euphemisms, she was glad her older son Bofur and his little friend Nori were playing in the front yard with her nephew Bifur keeping watch and her youngest was taking a nap.
Out of earshot.
Not that the older ones didn't already know the words, but the less they heard them in use the better.
Blythe poked her head out of the kitchen and asked in slight sing song "What's wrong dear?"
Ivur walked over to his wife and blew out a breath of annoyance.
"I can't find me snow boots and coat! Again!"
Blythe's smile only grew bigger, "Bifur has them dear, he's out in the front yard right now with the young ones."
She pointed towards the window in the kitchen that faced the front yard and Ivur walked over to look through it, minding the sink full of dishes his wife was obviously in the middle of cleaning. He saw his son and his friend running around the yard, obviously lost in the ever shifting imagination game they always played with each other and the neighbor girl down the street. He gave them a final glance before continuing with his mission, and that's when he saw him.
There in the white snow and wind was his nephew, clad in Ivur's favorite old thick coat and comfy boots. He also wore a grey and red scarf wrapped around his neck and face. His black hair stuck out through gaps in the scarf at the bottom and around his face in odd spikes. With hands clad in a pair of old, grey mittens he built a figure in the snow, it looked like a bird with its wings outstretched.
Ivur rubbed his face and let out a helpless huff as he leaned on the counter next to the sink.
"Why does that boy always steal me gear? Me sister and her husband bought him that fancy insulated jacket and those high priced fur lined boots. Just so he could be out in the cold like he is making figures in the snow! But no, year after year it be the same. He comes in with all the latest and not 'til the last day does he wear it again!"
Blythe rolled her eyes at her husband's whining, and yes it was whining.
"Yes, and while he wears your old things- that you refuse ta let rest no matter what I say- he leaves his fo' you to wear instead. Which you can and do quite comfortably if I remember, because our thoughtful and just as rustic minded nephew has grown up strong and broad just like everyone else in this family. And our nephew's o' so giving yet o' so busy parents don't realize that giving their boy expensive things does not make up fo' lost time."
She paused a moment and watched her husband deflate a bit, really it wasn't a big deal. And Ivur had once told her how he marveled at how warm the new coat and boots were - he should, if the internet was right the items cost just a bit more than that large dental bill for Bombur last year, his oral hygiene was now a strictly monitored thing-so they should at least be good for their primary purpose.
Not to mention he himself did the same thing with all of the nice clothes his sister bought for him, only wearing them when there was no other option.
"Why do you want to go out anyway? It's the Eve of Yule and it's almost time for everyone to start arriving for the party."
The woman raised a brow and put her hands on her hips, eyeing her husband critically. Her smile turning into a thoughtful frown.
Here Ivur put on a nervous smile, in his agitation he had forgotten the reason he had wanted to slip out of the house unnoticed. Now he had to try to recover before his wonderful and far too perceptive wife discovered him.
"You were trying to sneak out before my parents got here weren't you?"
Too late.
Ivur tried to explain to his wife that no, he was not really trying to avoid her parents' arrival, it's just they were more fun after a few d-that was, he wasn't sure if they had enough holly-yes holly- for the house décor. As Blythe dryly watched her husband try to cover his arse her son was under heavy fire.
Sir Bofur Urson, Royal Guardian of the Holy Relic otherwise known as the Shimmering Stone, ducked under the cover of his hand made snow fort. The great King of Thieves Nori Rivers was currently pelting his last line of defense in order to steal the Relic from him and gain control of the Kingdom of the Front Yard from the mighty King Bifur Kadir, Sculptor of the Ice and Snow.
Bofur looked to his King and saw that his cousin was making good progress on his dragon, he was just starting on the face. Bofur turned his attention back to the situation at hand, the snow balls had stopped falling. He sat still for a moment and then rolled just as a large pile of snow fell upon the spot he was just sitting.
Readjusting his mighty helm-the warmest and most dashing fur hat ever made- he stood up and grinned at an impressed King of Thieves.
"Nice timing."
"Helps when your assassin keeps snickering."
The two simultaneously bent down to scoop up a snowball and held them at the ready to throw when a scolding voice cut through the air.
"Nori! What have I told you about wearing proper gloves and tying your scarf?!"
Both turned to see Nori's older brother and guardian, Dori, walking toward them. He was dressed warmly and held a box full of presents in his hands, which he quickly set down before going over and bundling up a protesting Nori as Bofur watched and snickered.
When Dori finished he huffed and asked," What are you two doing out here anyway? Aren't you cold?"
The two young boys just shrugged their shoulders.
"We're waiting for Bard and watching Bifur make his sculpture." Said Nori as he tugged at his now tightly wrapped scarf.
All looked over to see Bifur and his creation, he was still working on the detailing of a dragon that had its wings outstretched and head held high.
"Huh. He gets better every year."
"Yup, doesn't matter what it is. Wood, snow, clay, Bifur can make great stuff!" Boasted Bofur proudly.
Nori rolled his eyes, Bofur's praise of his cousin never changed. When Dori continued on his way to greet Bifur and then go into the house the two boys continued with their "epic battle". When Nori finally managed to get the Holy Relic- a pretty stone they had found at Nori's house not too many days before- the game changed to the two being mighty gladiators fighting for rights to the "prize", with Bifur being the mighty "Emperor" who decided their fate.
They played as the sun began to sink toward the horizon and Bifur finished his sculpture. They continued to play even after more guests had arrived and the few of Bofur's younger cousin's joined in the game. Only stopping when Blythe called them inside for hot chocolate and a snack.
Bofur, Nori, and Bifur lagged behind the other children, concerned but wanting refreshment. A stern look from Blythe had Bofur and Nori hurrying inside but Bifur just leaned on the door frame and looked down the street.
Blythe regarded her nephew, the lad was known to "speak" more with action than words. He was a silent soul, and she guessed that was why he never seemed to connect with his own parents. But over the years she and her family had managed to get a good feel for her nephew's moods and she smirked when she saw that faraway pining look the young man was directing toward the road.
"She'll be here you know, she always is." She said fondly.
She laughed when she got a sniff in response, she then took a moment to look down the road herself and smiled when she saw the small figure of Enid Bard walking down the street. The girl held a box filled with a few small presents in her hands.
Her laughter could be heard once more when Bifur made his way down to the girl and made a point to not only take the box but escort her to the door. The girl protesting and blushing the whole time.
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An old man wearing grey clothes and a smile made his way toward the warm house of the Urson family. By the sounds he could hear on his way from his car the party was in full swing. He stopped in front of the house to take in the uninterrupted scene for a moment.
Laughter and music could be heard through the softly falling snow, a cheery reef hung from the door. A rather impressive snow sculpture of a mighty dragon sat in the yard, a silent guardian for the happy group inside the home.
The old man gave a small laugh and said admiringly, "He gets better every year."
With a final look at the house he adjusted the bag of presents he carried and made his way to the door. This would be it.
Blythe made her way to the door after miraculously hearing the doorbell through the music and laughter of drunken relatives. Her already large smile growing infinitely wider at whom she saw was at the door.
"Gandalf! Good to see ya!"
"Hello my dear, it is a pleasure to see you as well."
Okay, First of all Merry Christmas to all!And second yes I made Bofur, Nori and Girl!Bard cohorts once more. I'm sorry but they have decided to be friends in my head and are perfectly happy to be so. Sorry =P
Okay, Blythe means Cheer and Kadir means strength. Tell me what you think and feel free to give me suggestions of other plays/stories to write for this series. hahaha