AN: I don't own any of The Hobbit characters I am just taking them out of Tolkien's toy box and playing with them.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis' the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Troll the ancient Carol,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry Noel
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la la la la la.
Deck the Halls - Day 4.
It started in the Company's communal area at first, just over four weeks before the Winter Solstice. The large mantle over the fireplace gained garlands of Ivy, draped carefully so it didn't catch fire and with gold threaded green velvet bows at its points of attachments. Swags of fir and holly were hung from the wall sconces, decorated with a large green, cream and golden bow and several small glass bead that gleamed and glinted in the candle light. Bilbo's happy smile stopped them saying anything and they could even be heard to admit that it added a homeliness to the room.
Next it was all the major staircases in the kingdom. The happy giggles of dwarflings could be heard as Bilbo enlisted their aid in hanging great garlands of twined Ivy and Yew. The sweet scent of Rosemary and Bay filled the air as nimble, young fingers attached small bunches of the herbs with ribbons of gold taffeta to hide the ties holding the garlands in place. Rounds of song echoed through the corridors as Bilbo taught them a traditional Shire song and the slight ringing of sweet bells joined as tiny silver and brass bells were woven onto the greenery to shine in the torch light. Many a grown dwarf clapped their hands in delight at the festive appearance their reclaimed homeland seemed to take on.
Merchants in the Erebor market place took up Bilbo's idea next and soon stalls had Ivy twining up their supports, garlands of Yew and Holly dressing their canopies and their tables covered with branches of Pine, Rosemary and Bay.
The taverns and inns were next with small swags and garlands decorating the wooden bars and some even went as far to drape their visible beer kegs with ivy.
The idea carried into the dwarves' homes and the children were once again roped into help hang the greenery and tie ribbons. Soon doors hung with welcoming swags of holly and pine, tied with ribbons of the family colours. Mantles were dressed with trails of ivy, and in place of pinecones the families placed rocks and pebbles of an array of colour.
It was Bilbo's final attempt that drew Erebor to a standstill and even silenced the Woodland King Thranduil on his yearly visit, while Bard was his usual dower self, the appreciate awe could be seen in his eyes.
In the Greeting Hall the massive, ancient throne that had been passed to Thorin was twined with garlands of ivy, the pale gold margins of its variegated leaf glowing in the warm torch light and a wreath crown made up of fine branches of Pussy Willow, Blue Spruce and Ivy. The three thrones that had been added on Thorin's insistence had wreathed in three different plants. The slightly shorter backed one used by Dis was crowned with Laurel and Ivy, the Ivy trailing from the crown to twine around the arms of the throne and of a variety with white variegation. The two identical thrones set slightly lower and used by Fili and Kili also had wreath crowns, one of Rosemary, mixed with Holly and one of Bay, threaded through Yew. The walls had thick garlands of Ivy and Blue Spruce, hanging from the wall sconces the points of which were tied by bows of royal blue and silver, stiff voil. Under theses bows and attached by velvet ribbons of the same blue hung swags of Blue Spruce and Yew. The swags were decorated with tiny silver bows, gilt edged pinecones and trails of silver-green variegated ivy hung in loops down from them. Thorin did take a moment to wonder how their miniscule burglar had managed such a feat, but he was forced to concentrate on maintaining a dignified approach to his greeting of the elven king and the silent human king.
His façade fell as he led them into the Royal Banquet Hall that evening. The large fire mantle was dressed with boughs of Blue Spruce, silver edged pinecones and garlands of silver-blue Ivy. The two large floor candelabras were entwined with the same Ivy and the holders themselves had miniature wreaths of Ruscus aculeatus, its red berries glowing in the candle light. The red berried Contoneasta mingled with gold leafed Aucuba japonica in silver bow tied swags on the backs of the dark wooden chairs. Swags of Blue Spruce and white berried Contoneasta, tied with silver-green Ivy hung from the wall sconces and the Ivy trailed to almost the floor. Garlands silver-green Ivy, Blue Spruce and Pussy Willow hung from the vaulted ceilings, highlighting rather than hiding the magnificent architecture. Thorin took his place at the table and felt a swell of pride as Thranduil's jaw dropped at the table decorations. Bowls of cut crystal filled with Bilbo's speciality silver-white roses were nestled in among runners of Blue Spruce and the roses themselves sparkled with tiny gems and the edges of their petals had been skilfully gilded with silver. The thick candles were wreathed in silver-green Ivy, woven with the tiny white flowers of Cyclamen. Thorin glanced down the room as he carefully seated himself. Even the lower tables had been decorated in some manner. Wide bowls filled with the flowers of Cornus Kousa var chinesii glowed in their beds of Rosemary and Pussy Willow. He nodded amicably as the one of the elven king's sons complimented him on his decorations and smiled widely at Bilbo when Bard asked for where he had found his ideas.
After dinner he led his guests into the Main Hall with a sense of anticipation. He was starting to enjoy Bilbo's Shire Yule traditions and even liked the plant life decorating his halls. He nodded to the two guards, who flung the doors wide open and he stepped into a green decorated wonderland. The large ceiling chandeliers had been wreathed with crystal dipped Pussy Willow and the floor candelabras had wreaths of white Hellebore and trailing silver-green Ivy. At their bases were urns filled with Bilbo's roses and stems of Pussy Willow. The large marble fireplace had a mantle of Blue Spruce, Silver-green Ivy and the white berried Contoneasta. Thorin swallowed and stepped to one side to let his guests in to the room. His musicians were seated under a canopy of woven Ivy that was hung with blue and clear glass candle holders that flickered like thousands of glow worms. He gave the signal and they started to play, the music shocked his guests into moving, and they filled the room in a swirl of colour. Thorin settled onto a seat twined with ivy and looked around the room in awe. Their hobbit had out done himself. Swags and garlands hung from the walls and ceilings, all showing the colours of Durin and yet seemingly magical and mystical with the pale flowers and fluffy heads of Pussy Willow glowing in candle light. Ivy was woven around the carved support columns and yet more tiny glass lights hung from them in strategic places Large pots were overflowing with trails of Ivy and branches of Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn' and Pussy Willow. It wasn't until he watched Bilbo lead his sister onto the dance floor that the words of the tune his musicians were playing came to him.
To the wonder of all Thorin swirled the red-haired elven guard onto the dance floor and his rich baritone could be heard singing the now well-known song. "Deck the Halls…"
AN: Leave me a review and let me know what you think.
*Greenery at Christmas.*
Holly, Ivy and other greenery such as Mistletoe were originally used in pre-Christian times to help celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival and ward off evil spirits and to celebrate new growth.
When Christianity came into Western Europe, some people wanted to keep the greenery, to give it Christian meanings but also to ban the use of it to decorate homes. The UK and Germany were the main countries to keep the use of the greenery as decorations. Here are the Christian meanings:
*Holly*
The prickly leaves represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified. The berries are the drops of blood that were shed by Jesus because of the thorns.
In Scandinavia it is known as the Christ Thorn.
In pagan times, Holly was thought to be a male plant and Ivy a female plant. An old tradition from the Midlands of England says that whatever one was brought into the house first over winter, tells you whether the man or woman of the house would rule that year! But it was unlucky to bring either into a house before Christmas Eve.
*Ivy*
Ivy has to cling to something to support itself as it grows. This reminds us that we need to cling to God for support in our lives.
In Germany, it is traditional that Ivy is only used outside and a piece tied to the outside of a Church was supposed to protect it from lightning!
*Laurel*
Laurel has been worn as a wreath on the head to symbolise success and victory for thousands of years.
It symbolises the victory of God over the Devil.
*Fir & Yew Trees*
Fir and Yew trees are evergreen and so signify everlasting life with God.
Fir is also very commonly used for Christmas Trees.
*Rosemary*
Rosemary was connected with the Virgin Mary (because it was thought to be Mary's favourite plant) and people thought that it could protect you from evil spirits. It is also sometimes called the friendship plant and it was the most common garnish put on the boar's head that rich people ate at the main Christmas meal in the Middle ages!
It is also known as the remembrance herb and was used at Christmas as this is the time that we remember the birth of Jesus.
*There will be 24 chapters in this collection dedicated to the days of Advent. 1 chapter dedicated for Christmas day. And 12 chapters leading us up to the Twelfth Night and through the Twelve Days of Christmas.
*Any and all requests will be taken into account. If I can't fit them in this I will dedicate them to you in one of my other collections of short stories as a Christmas present.