Chapter Twenty Seven- Christmas Day
"I wouldn't allow any of the Smurfs see their mother until I could cast a spell that would make her wounds invisible; similar to the spell that covers my scars." Papa finished sadly. "I sent her to Éternal and created a headstone for her on the outskirts of the village. Nosmurf will talk about her."
"It bugs you, doesn't it?" Archer guessed. "To talk about someone you loved that you lost."
"Are you always this good at guessing games?" Johan shook his head.
"I don't want anysmurf to remember that horrible night. So I hid the scars so they didn't stare or feel bad." Papa said. "I can't let them feel that pain again."
Archer stared off in thought. "You know, the Smurfs were awfully young then."
"So?" Papa asked.
"So, they're nearly adults now; all of them, minus the Smurflings, are at least 150 years old, if not older." Archer reasoned. "I think they're ready to know. They're old enough to understand and I'm sure they're curious."
"What makes you say that?" Johan questioned.
"I've heard them talk." Archer explained. "I hear everything in the village. They do think about her and it's obvious they don't know much about her. And they want to know more. I'm sure it would be a great way to connect with them. They're your children. Don't you trust them?"
Papa stared off into space for a long time. "I don't know."
"Spend time with them." Archer insisted. "Maybe talking about Luna would help you move on."
Papa smiled. "Archer Smurfette, you are so good at reading people."
Archer smirked proudly. "Thank you smurfily much."
Papa laughed. "Alright, I'll see if they're ready. Who knows? I could always give them more than one Christmas gift."
The trio was jolted awake the next morning when some rocks were knocked loose. Sunlight poured in. Archer loaded her bow and waited, her muscles tensing. But she relaxed when Harmony and Gutsy's heads peeked in.
"They're here!" Harmony called. "Hold on, guys, we'll smurf you outta there in no time!"
Minutes later, Harmony and Gutsy (joined by Peewit) dug their friends out of the cave. Harmony and Gutsy each hugged Papa and Archer. Peewit almost tackled Johan in a hug and returned his sword.
"When you didn't return this morning," Peewit explained. "I got really worried."
"So he convinced us ta smurf up 'ere ta get ya." Gutsy finished.
"Let's get out of here." Archer urged. "It's Christmas today and, on a more serious note, Gargamel might come back."
"How right you are!"
"Gargamel!" Everyone shouted as they ran. Normally, Johan would pull his sword on him, but he already knew that was a bad idea. So he and Peewit scooped up the Smurfs and hurried through the snow.
Archer remained on the ground, having the ability to keep up with Johan and Peewit's pace. She looked all around her, trying to find a quick way to get rid of the wily wizard and his equally as crazy cat. But all she saw was snow and ice. What's worse, they were running downhill, and Gargamel was catching up. Then, she spied a tree up ahead and got an idea.
"Follow me!" Archer ordered as she scurried up the tree. The others were close behind.
"How is climbing a tree gonna help?" Peewit demanded.
"We'll be safe up here." Archer replied.
"But Gargamel and Azrael can climb!" Harmony cried.
"Don't worry about them." Archer assured.
"I'll get you wretched Smurfs!" Gargamel shouted as he approached the tree.
"Worryin'!" Gutsy snapped.
"Harmony, play your trumpet. Peewit, start singing." Archer instructed. "As loud as you two can."
"Are you smurfed?" Harmony exclaimed.
"Just do it!" Archer urged, keeping her eyes on Gargamel and Azrael.
"Archer, I don't think—" Peewit said uncertainly.
"Do it before I put an arrow into your skulls!" Archer shouted.
Harmony started blowing hard on his trumpet. Peewit belted out his highest notes. Everyone else covered their ears in pain. Even Gargamel and Azrael winced at the sound. Suddenly, Peewit and Harmony stopped when a rumbling noise rang out. Everyone in the tree clung to the bark as a wall of snow cascaded down towards them. Gargamel and Azrael screamed and high-tailed it down the mountain.
"Curse you Smurfs!" Gargamel shouted as he and Azrael were swept away.
The Smurfs and humans continued to hold the shaking tree as the avalanche thundered past. Gutsy came close to falling off, but Archer grabbed him and pulled him in close. It was a long while before the snow finally settled and they could release their death grip on the fir.
Peewit cheered. "Now that was awesome! Good thinking, Archer!"
Archer smirked in triumph. But when she turned, she realized she was still holding Gutsy. The two Smurfs separated quickly, much to the others' amusement.
"Come on." Papa encouraged as they climbed down the tree. "Let's smurf home. It is Christmas after all."
"We should be getting home as well." Johan nodded.
"But Biquette and Bayard are still in the Smurf village." Peewit protested. "And—"
"Let me guess, you're hungry?" Archer laughed. Peewit only chuckled sheepishly.
"Why don't you two join us for Christmas?" Papa suggested. "At least for a while. You need rest and food."
"Oh boy!" Peewit cheered. "Can we, Johan? Huh? Can we?"
"We don't want to be a bother, Peewit." Johan scolded gently.
"Don't worry about it." Harmony insisted.
"Our home is yer home." Gutsy added.
Johan finally smiled and nodded. He and Peewit followed their friends through the snow-covered forest to their village. As they walked, Papa stole glances towards Archer, noting how she kept staring at the trees and she wasn't smiling like earlier. In fact, as Papa mentally noted, Archer had been acting very strange this past month, especially when it got close to Christmas time.
Papa moved closer to Archer and nudged her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Archer shrugged.
Papa huffed. He took Archer's shoulder and stopped her walk. "You all go ahead." He told the boys. "We'll catch up." The boys hesitated a moment, but nodded and moved on.
Papa turned Archer so she faced him. Her indigo-silver eyes locked with his dark cerulean ones. "What's going on, my little tomboy Smurfette?"
Archer smiled a little and sighed. "I've just been feeling a little...alone."
"Alone?" Papa repeated.
Archer nodded. "I spent thirty years' worth of Christmases watching from the trees. I lived in the village hardly a year. I don't know, I just feel like there's a gap between me and the other Smurfs. Like I don't really know them. And I want to know them. But I..." Archer sighed. "I feel like I'm not really part of this family."
Papa stared at her. He noticed Archer unconsciously rubbing her tattoo. "Where exactly did you get that?"
Archer looked down at the mark on her arm. "It's a permanent reminder. The mark of a freak, an outcast...a mistake..."
Papa knew better than to push it. He smiled and pulled Archer into a hug. Archer froze, a little surprised but also at ease. After a moment, Papa held Archer out at arms' length. "Now listen to me, my little one. It doesn't matter where you come from. It doesn't matter how you see yourself. And it most certainly doesn't matter what terrifying or strange origins you come from. You are my daughter. You're my little tomboy Smurfette. I promised I would always take care of my family. And no matter what you say or do, I promise that you will always be a part of this family. I will protect you when you can't protect yourself." He made sure Archer was still looking him in the eyes. "You understand me? You're my child, and you always will be."
Archer's face broke into a smile. She wrapped her arms around Papa's neck in a tight hug. "I love you, Papa."
Papa Smurf gladly returned the hug. "I love you, too."
"You're back!"
"Hooray!"
"Smurfaroo!"
"Oh, Papa Smurf! We were so worried!" Smurfette hugged Papa tightly, shaking a little from relief.
"I'm fine, really." Papa assured the Smurfs that surrounded him and Archer.
"Hey Archer!" Nat huffed as he and the Smurflings came up. "When are ya gonna stop trying to kill yourself ya hickory nut?"
"I don't go looking for trouble." Archer shrugged. "Trouble finds me."
"Can we open our presents now?" Snappy asked impatiently.
"Hush up, Snaps." Farmer scolded. "Let 'em breathe."
"You haven't opened your presents yet?" Papa blinked in surprise. "I put the sled right next to the tree."
"We wanted to wait for you." Clumsy insisted. "It's not Christmas unless we're all together as a family."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Papa laughed. He led the way as the Smurfs journeyed to their Christmas tree. Johan and Peewit tread carefully as they followed. The Smurfs gathered around the tree as Papa pulled he sled out.
"Before I give out these, I have one more gift for you." Papa took off his pack and called for a ladder. Handy pulled one out as Papa took out some of the glowing crystals from the cave on Ice Mountain. Papa climbed the ladder and up to the star at the top of the tree. He took the crystals and magically stuck them to the star. The crystals made the star glow faintly. The Smurfs stared in awe.
"It'll look a lot brighter tonight." Papa called as he climbed down the ladder. "One of three gifts for you all. And now, for these. He pulled out a stool and took a present from the top of the tall pile. He checked the tag. "Gutsy!" Papa called, tossing the gift. Gutsy easily caught it and opened it. He pulled out a new hat with the usual blue puffball.
"Thanks Papa!" Gutsy called.
Papa continued to hand gifts, most of them tossed to their receivers. Even Don Smurfo and Smartette each got a new hat: Don Smurfo's was in his usual style but with a white plume instead of red and Smartette's hat was like fresh snow; plus, Papa had built little pockets on the inside for her colored pencils.
Then, Papa called Archer forward. There was only one present left. "As an honorary member of the family, I think you deserve a new hat like everyone else."
Archer took the gift and opened it. When she saw the contents, her eyes widened. She pulled out her hat to get a better look. It looked like a regular Smurf hat, but black obsidian arrowheads had been sewn all over it, including one hanging off the tip.
"The perfect hat for Archer Smurfette." Papa said proudly.
Archer smiled broadly. She pulled off her plain white hat and put on the arrowhead-covered one. It was a perfect fit, and it suited Archer nicely. Everysmurf "oohed" and "aahed" at the sight.
"Thanks Papa." Archer sighed happily. "This is truly great."
"You look absolutely smurfy!" Sassette said.
"Really?" Archer asked. The Smurfs voiced their agreement, nodding.
"Now you're really one of us!" Dreamy cheered.
Archer raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"You've always been a part of our family." Smurfette said, hugging Archer tight. "But now that you have your own hat, you're even more so!"
Archer laughed and wriggled from Smurfette's grip. "I don't understand."
"You're our family, Archer." Clumsy said, putting an arm around her shoulders. "All for one and one for Smurf, right?"
Archer looked around. There was a warm comforting smile one everysmurf's face. A welcoming smile. And there was a feeling in Archer's chest; like she was truly at home. It was the one feeling she had longed for since she discovered she wasn't the only Smurf in the world.
Archer put an arm around Clumsy's shoulders, giving him an affectionate side hug. "All for one and one for Smurf."
"When Hotap started insulting the beast, Mandrake took him in his caws and threw him against a tree." Papa said. "He was out like a light. That's when things got very bad."
The Smurfs listened intently, some of them (especially Scaredy and Panicky) hid under the blankets they did. The light from the star on the Christmas tree cast a soft glow in the dining hall everysmurf sat in. As Christmas Day continued, Papa had realized that Archer was right: the Smurfs were ready to know who their mother was. Especially Grandpa, Nanny, and the Smurflings. So, after Johan and Peewit departed for home and when dinner was over that night, all the Smurfs grabbed pillows and blankets and made themselves comfortable in the dining hall. Papa set up his rocker, seated himself in it, and began the story, starting exactly where he did when he told the story to Archer and Johan. The Smurfs were excited at first, but the levels of anxiousness rose and fell as the story continued. Papa was initially concerned about revealing the traumatic fate of his previous village (Grandpa covered his eyes with his hand in grief when he heard) but he continued the story, knowing that the Smurfs had a right to know.
Archer stood in the back, her arms crossed, leaning against the wall. She remained solemn and silent as Papa recounted his tale. She noticed many of the Smurfs crying when they heard the part of Mandrake clawing their mother. What was worst was when Luna died listening to their lullaby. There wasn't a dry eye in the room, not even from Archer.
"You're Mama Smurf was the bravest, strongest, and kindest Smurfette I had ever met." Papa finished. "And she loved you all more than anything in the world. All she and I wanted was to keep you safe; so you all could live longer than our last village. She died trusting that you all were in good hands." Papa sighed, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"We are in good hands." Archer piped up. "You were named leader for a reason." All the Smurfs turned to her as she continued. "Everything happens for a reason. You earned the title of 'Papa Smurf'. No one else deserved it more."
Papa smiled. "Thank you, Archer." He readjusted Baby in his lap. "Well, that's the story. That's why Mama Smurf isn't around anymore."
"Chatterin' Chipmunks, she sure sounds smurfy." Sassette sighed, sniffing a little.
"She was." Gutsy nodded, pulling his blanket closer around his shoulders. "She was da bravest of anysmurf I knew."
"Do ya miss her?" Slouchy asked.
Gutsy smiled and side-hugged the little Smurfling. "You bet I do. But I don' think about it. All I think about is da good times."
"That's the important part." Papa agreed. "When someone you love dies, you think about the happy moments you had with them."
"Like th' time Gutsy almos' gave Ma a hear' attack." Farmer laughed.
"I believe I did dat more dan once." Gutsy corrected.
"How about when we ran into that moat monster and Mama had to save us because Papa was visiting Mother Nature?" Brainy laughed.
"Now that was an adventure." Hefty nodded.
"I hate adventures!" Grouchy huffed.
"What happened?" Nat asked.
"Yeah, tell us!" Snappy urged.
"I'd like to hear something like that." Grandpa agreed.
"Gutsy, you were the leader for that operation!" Jokey laughed. "Why don't you tell it?"
Gutsy laughed. "I don't see why not!"
Archer smiled broadly. She looked around at all the Smurfs that listened intently to the story. They laughed as Gutsy recounted the crazy tale of the moat monster and how many of the Smurfs were almost eaten. Archer sighed happily. This is what she had always wanted. A family talking and laughing at Christmas. Snow falling softly outside. The Christmas tree still glowing with lights and the star. Back at Aleron's castle, Christmas was always a wonderful time of the year. They put up a tree and the children that stayed at the castle helped decorate it. They even exchanged gifts. It was a great time, but Archer never felt like they were a proper family. Many of the children teased her on a regular basis, so Christmas wasn't much better. But this, this, was perfect. As Archer continued to listen and smile, she couldn't think of how this could be any better.
It wouldn't last much longer.
A/N: Happy New Year folks! Hurray! And, as a special treat for you all, I will be uploading the next two or three chapters tonight and possibly more tomorrow! At this point, I have all the chapters typed up, I'm just trying to decide whether or not to upload them all at once or spread them out over the weekend. What do you guys think?
Have a wonderful New Year's Day. For those of you in school, have a wonderful rest of the school year. Countdown to summer vacation! :D
