A/N: This is a little Christmas fic I just felt like writing. I know it's a bit early for Christmas, but never mind. I also know that the Fowls don't live in a town, but use your imagination. They probably travelled there. Ireland has lots of towns. I hope I don't get flames (tis the season to be jolly!), but I'll appreciate constructive criticism. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Artemis Fowl the First, Artemis Fowl the Second and Angeline Fowl belong to Eoin Colfer, not me. I also do not own the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
A Magical Christmas
Artemis Fowl the Second was freezing. His legs were sore. His fingers were numb. His toes felt frostbitten. But he had never been so happy in his life.
He stood between his parents, in front of a house in the poorer part of town. He felt his father squeeze his mittened hand, their prearranged signal, and looked up to see both parents smiling at him. He nodded and grinned, his face shining with happiness. Then, he began singing. His sweet voice carried clear into the winter night.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas; let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.
Halfway through, his voice cracked with emotion. He glanced at his father's prosthesis leg, and at the lines and scars the tumultuous events of the year had etched on his face. Blinking away tears, he continued steadily, albeit a little more emotionally. Fowl Senior noticed his son's sadness, and added his voice to the song, causing Artemis to look up in surprise. Encountering his father's tender gaze, his heart overflowed with love, and together, their voices weaved exquisite harmonies.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas; make the yuletide gay
Next year all our troubles will be miles away.
Angeline Fowl regarded her husband for a moment, and was shocked to see a tear running down his face. Artemis never cried. She joined in the song, her voice warming the melancholic atmosphere. Her eyes met his, conveying a message of comfort. Slowly, their heart-rending voices rose to the sky, not quite a choir of angels, but beautiful nonetheless.
Once again as in olden days, happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were near to us will be dear to us once more.
The front door of the dilapidated house opened. A mother appeared in the doorway, carrying a small baby, with two small, pyjamas-clad children in tow. The children listened with rapt fascination; the woman's eyes gleamed with unshed tears. The little family huddled in the doorway, enchanted by the music of the night.
Someday soon we all will be together, if the fates allow
Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Artemis smiled at the little family. Then, reluctantly, the Fowl family left to continue carolling. They strolled down the lane, hand in hand, each lost in their own thoughts. As Artemis gazed at the star-filled sky, a feeling of inexplicable happiness spread throughout his being. It was truly a magical Christmas.
A/N: Merry Christmas, everyone!