Hello again. Don't care if I'm not doing overly well in the review section, but that doesn't matter; I'm gonna finish this dangit!
And as an early Christmas present I give you this. Enjoy!
Elf Shortage
By Jordy
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir stood wordlessly and watched as Bran fidgeted with the reins while Prancer stood there doing nothing. Soon enough Bran managed to entangle himself in the bell encrusted reins, while the reindeer continued to stand there and do nothing.
"Prancer!" Bran screamed desperately. He meant to walk over to the reindeer and give him a good talking to, but tripped over himself and the reins in the process. He was now a sad, pitiful heap on the ground.
Prancer swung his head lazily about to look at the fallen helper of Santa. He gave Bran a disinterested look and then brought his head to look at Legolas and the twins. The three elves stared back. They could have sworn that Prancer heaved a sigh before sauntering toward them. They looked at each other and murmured about what to do.
"Are you alright?" Legolas couldn't stop himself from asking. "Do you need help?"
Bran gave a haughty shake of the head and proceeded to roll around on the ground, trying to get the right leverage to right himself. He managed a sitting position before bringing his knees up and bouncing to his feet.
"Ha!" he said. "Now I have you in my clutches! Prancer, bring them this way."
The elves looked around for the beast. Elladan was the first to look backwards and find the reindeer lower its head, giving a lovely view of its antlers. Elladan tapped Elrohir and Legolas and brought their attention to the new development. Just then Prancer began to move toward them once again.
The three companions began to move away from it, inadvertently nearing the sleigh and its owner. Legolas kept looking back and forth between Prancer and Bran. This was an odd predicament. He hadn't had the chance to lay hand on his bow yet, and even if he had, he wasn't sure he'd be able to actually shoot Bran. The being was just trying to do a job, after all.
Elrohir noticed that Bran was doing a successful job of freeing himself from the jingling prison he had accidentally constructed. Elrohir knew that they were only blocked on two sides, and their flanks were still wide open. Maybe if they all split up...
But as soon as he outstretched his leg to take a step from the group, Prancer made a lunge for him.
Elladan clutched his brother to him, looking at the reindeer with a new opinion. Legolas tried talking to the beast softly in his native tongue, hoping to calm it. But Prancer was having none of it. It poked the elf rather roughly in the chest, silencing him.
Legolas rubbed the spot where he was almost certain a bruise was about to develop. He looked once again at his impending captors, wondering what he had done to deserve something like this. The next thing he knew there was a rope slung across this chest. He tried to turn around to glare at Bran, but found that he was in the same loop with Elladan and Elrohir. Instead Legolas turned his head as far as he was able to find that the bell reins had been discarded on the ground and Bran stood, holding the end of the rope.
Bran then began to run in circles around the three companions, laughing gleefully. The bonds held the three fast. Tying off the end, Bran took a few steps back, took a stance next to Prancer and admired his handiwork. He now had three tall, disgruntled elves.
"Great work, Prancer," he said. "Santa will be pleased." With that he rushed the elves.
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir, being tied together, either needed to make a sloppy retreat or be felled by the charging Christmas elf. It was like having a three legged race, only with one body and six legs.
"Bran, stop this madness!" Legolas cried. He truly didn't appreciate this kind of handling, and he knew that Elladan or Elrohir felt the same, judging by their protests.
But Legolas' pleas were unheeded as Bran continued to advance. Elladan felt something at his side. He looked over to the red sleigh blocking their path. They were trapped. But Bran kept on coming. He collided with the group.
Legolas and Elrohir, sandwiched between the two, had nowhere to go, but Elladan pitched forward into the sleigh. Legolas and Elrohir, being bound to him thusly, followed his fall.
Bran laughed maniacally at seeing his quarry in the sleigh. The red hull began to rock as the three captives kicked and leaned and attempted to right themselves and get Elladan some air.
"We did it!" Bran started jumping in circles and waving his arms. "We did it we did it we did it!" Prancer just stood there, oblivious to the Christmas elf's joy.
Finally three heads appeared over the side of the sleigh.
"Bran," Legolas said through gritted teeth. "Release us and I will consider letting you live." His opinion of the little fellow had taken a change of direction in the last five minutes.
"Not a chance," Santa's little helper snapped. "I finally did something right, and I'm not going to let it slip through my fingers. Do you know how happy Santa will be? I might even get a promotion! Not only am I a loyalist, I'm a recruiter!"
"More of an abductor, I'd say," muttered Elladan, but wanting to be heard by the crazed pointy-shoed one.
"Our father will be furious when he hears of this," Elrohir threatened.
"Not when he hears how it's for the sake of the children," Bran retorted.
"But what could be possibly do for them?" Legolas asked.
"Toys," Bran answered.
Legolas raised his eyebrows. Was that supposed to answer everything? Before he had a chance to inquire, Bran had shuffled off to rein in Prancer. While carrying the reins, the little fellow began to sing, jingling the bells to his tune.
Legolas' jaw dropped at the air of casualty about Bran. Was he going to kidnap three people just like that? No remorse? Hardly a motive?
In no time Bran had Prancer back in the reins and in front of the sleigh. He climbed laboriously into the front of the sleigh and took a seat. He took up the reins in his little hands and made himself comfortable.
"How do you even plan to get out of these woods in a contraption like this?" Elladan said. He thought he had their captor beat. "Even if this thing had the proper wheels, you'd never be able to maneuver it around all this trees without overturning it."
Bran threw his head back and laughed, confusing the three elves. He looked back at them, then looked skyward. "Looks like a fine day for flying," he said enigmatically. Legolas narrowed his eyes. Had the little being lost his sanity? Abruptly Bran snapped the reins, spurring Prancer into motion.
The sleigh jerked forward, objecting to the movement along the uneven ground. Then it began to slide forward, the skis on the bottom producing little friction on the soft earth. Prancer heaved the thing forward, across the clearing, gaining momentum. Soon he was in a run. What bothered the elves in the back of the sleigh was the fact that the reindeer was running out of space to run; trees were fast approaching.
Then something that they weren't expecting happened. The sleigh tilted upward at a steep angle, throwing the captive elves backward. They couldn't hold back their small shouts of surprise and shock. They were flying! This was physically impossible!
And once again Bran was laughing at their predicament.
The sleigh barely cleared the trees, their bare branches scratching the bottom of its hull.
Legolas kept his gaze skyward; no matter how close or far away from the ground he was, the sky always seemed the same distance away. As long as he didn't look down, the believed he could still be on the ground. But when he looked over the edge of the sleigh to make sure he wasn't plummeting to his death, he saw something he had mixed feelings about.
The ground was far below them now, and getting even farther away. Elrohir saw Rivendell shrinking into the distance. "No!" he shouted. "This isn't right! Bran, return us at once!"
Cries of agreement rose from the throats of Legolas and Elladan. Bran ignored them.
Seeing it as a useless task, Elladan rested his voice. He looked over the side of the sleigh, looking at the sprawling lands, the rivers, gleaming silver in the light, and small settlements teeming with people. Was this how Gwaihir the Wind Lord saw the world? Elladan wondered. It was a marvelous sight, disregarding the circumstances under which he was seeing it.
But soon the familiar features of Middle Earth faded away, yielding to a vast body of water. But this wasn't the sea to the west or the Bay of Belfalas, the elves knew. They were heading north. But why? What was north? They crossed this unknown, unnamed ocean for a number of hours. The abducted elves lost all track of time, other than the sun falling closer and closer to the horizon. At long last the water gave way to land. But on observation, the land was a barren place. Snow covered the ground; no sign of life was visible at all. For another number of hours the unchanging landscape filled their view. Whenever Bran was asked where they were being taken, the elves received no explanation.
Legolas was about to nod off when the ground began to rush up to meet them. Suddenly the skis bearing the sleigh made much more sense, and the landing they made was relatively smooth compared to their launch. But Prancer didn't stop. He began to drag the sleigh along, a bit more conventionally.
"What's happening?" Elrohir asked drowsily. He had fallen asleep some time ago and had apparently just woken up.
"We have met the ground once more," Elladan said. "Though I know not where we are." He sighed as he looked around. There was nothing eye-catching about the place; it was just snow everywhere, and large glaciers looming over them every now and again. He felt wetness on his face. He looked up, and though clouds obscured most of the sky, he saw snow falling upon them.
"Just what this place needs more of," He whispered to his companions.
He received grunts of agreement from them.
This leg of the journey didn't take as long as Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir had expected. Within a quarter hour something began to emerge before them. A small mountain range loomed above them, with lights glowing from beyond it. Legolas looked to Bran, who hadn't said a word since they left Middle Earth, and saw a smile growing on his face. He was directing the sleigh toward a pass in the mountains, taking them towards the spectacle. Passing through the valley, the elves began to wonder at their fate-and their salvation.
When at last they cleared the mountain pass, they couldn't believe their eyes. Bran had taken them to a town-a town, in the middle of nowhere! Legolas had thought the place inhabitable. But here he was, in a town, with buildings made of brightly colored materials, steep roofs, people milling about. And the people-more people like Bran! They wore the pointy shoes, gaudy dress, the hats, everything. And they were his size as well.
As they came into the town proper, Legolas and the twins were beginning to feel very out of place. They were attracting more and more stares, and some of the small beings ran off, outpacing the leisurely walk of Prancer.
"Where are we?" Elladan asked worriedly.
"Welcome to the North Pole," Bran finally spoke. "Home of Santa and his elves. On your right you'll see the painting department, and over there is the carving shack. Up ahead you may rest your eyes on..."
But his captives weren't listening. Legolas felt a bit lightheaded, and Elrohir seemed to be in shock. Elladan was murmuring to himself about how he must have had something bad to eat and was hallucinating, at home in reality.
"And this," Bran said loudly and dramatically, snapping the three elves out of their stupor, "is Santa's main workshop."
Bran had brought them to a large building, bigger than the ones they had passed. It was several stories high, with a number of stairs leading up to its tremendous double doors. Above the door was a large sign reading "Santa's Workshop". The workshop was surrounded by a large open space, like it was a town square. Bran stopped the sleigh in the middle of the space and stepped out and stood close by, as if waiting for something.
A large crowd had followed them in thus far, circling the newcomers. Had they become a public spectacle?
A hush fell over the gathering, expectancy hanging heavily in the air. Legolas and the twins began looking every which way that they were able, expecting an attack of some sort. This proved an odd sight, seeing three elves tied together all looking rapidly in different directions.
Then the big doors opened, yielding a large man-average sized, to the elves' relief-who stood there a moment. He was dressed in a red suit, white furry trim, and heavy looking boots. A big white beard adorned his face as well. A good amount of the elves burst into cheers, though many remained silent. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir stared at the man in stunned silence. They honestly had no idea what to expect next.
"Santa!" Bran shouted in greeting. He rushed to meet the man coming down the stairs. "I did what you said and found some more elves, Santa! I know they may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but they were the first ones I found and-"
The large man known as Santa held up a hand to silence Bran. He came closer to the sleigh, inspecting the catch, Bran following closely. Santa then stood before the captive elves, looking at them one by one, meeting each of their gazes.
"They don't seem pleased," he commented.
"Well, I had to-"
"He abducted us is what he did!" Elladan snapped. He heard a vacuuming sound as almost the entire gathering gasped. "We were minding our own business, when we encountered this little fellow in the woods outside my father's city. Well, I guess our business coincided with his, but that was all your fault," the last bit was muttered to Legolas.
"This is all a misunderstanding," Legolas said hastily. Fortunately Santa was being patient. "You see, I accidentally shot this cart while doing something completely unrelated, I assure you, and I tried to apologize to Bran, but he seemed to lose his sanity at that moment and abducted us. All we want is to go home. We all have other pressing needs to attend to."
Santa nodded mutely. He looked to Bran for confirmation, and knew what Legolas said was true when Bran wouldn't meet his gaze.
"What are your names?" the big man asked.
Legolas was taken aback. Was this man trying to make small talk when he should have been making amends? "Legolas is my name," he answered after a moment. "And these are the twins Elladan and Elrohir," he indicated with a shake of his head toward each elf respectively.
Santa nodded. "And have you been good this year?"
Legolas narrowed his eyes once again. "What has that got to do with anything?"
"Have you been naughty or nice?" Santa pressed.
There was another moment of silence before the question was answered. "I would suppose so, overall," Legolas said. How did he become spokesperson?
"Over all, hm?" Santa said. He rocked on his heels for a second. "How would you like to help me out? You see, I make a run every year, to deliver toys to all the good boys and girls. But, since some of my elves have gone on strike, I've fallen behind schedule. Now, if I don't do something, some of the children won't get anything for Christmas, and that wouldn't be very good at all."
"No, it wouldn't," Legolas agreed. "But why are the... elves... on strike? What would make them stop working in the first place? Why are we needed?"
"Well," Santa thought. "They were going on and on about this union that they made up, and all these labor laws and things, and liberal mumbo jumbo that has no place in a workshop like mine. I just work to make toys. It doesn't need to be that complicated, does it?" He cast a disapproving look out into the audience. "And now I'm just looking for a few extra hands to help out around here."
The elves in the sleigh looked at each other. "I'm sorry," Legolas said. "But I'm sure we don't know anything about making toys."
"Can you make anything?" Santa asked. He would admit that he was becoming slightly desperate.
"I'll have to make more arrows on occasion," Legolas supplied. "Or a makeshift shelter when needed. But nothing in the toymaking art." Elladan and Elrohir shook their heads to show they knew little other than what Legolas did.
"We have a basic training program," Santa offered.
Legolas again looked to the twins. This man was being much more reasonable at least than Bran had been.
"Suppose we did agree to assist you," Elladan said. "How long would you need us here?"
"Only a few days," Santa answered quickly. "We were almost done with production when the strike began. Usually we work year-round."
Again the elves looked to each other.
"I say we help the man out," Elrohir whispered. "He's being kind enough."
"And we only need be here a few days," Elladan backed. "I'm sure he'd send us right home once our duty was fulfilled."
"But what about the Ring?" Legolas said. "It's a bit more pressing than toys, think you not?"
"Come now, Legolas," said the big man. "Where's your Christmas spirit?"
Legolas really didn't know how to reply to that, seeing as how he had never even heard of Christmas up until earlier today. He heaved a sigh of resignation. "Very well," he said to Santa. "We will help you for as long as we are able. But only if you promise us that we will be returned when we wish back home."
"Agreed," Santa said immediately. Bran jumped in victory. "Though you are only three elves," Santa added. "You would have to work mighty hard to catch up with the project. Can you do that?"
The three still sitting in the sleigh exchanged glances.
"If it's any consolation, the strikers and I have almost worked out a compromise, and it won't be for very long," Santa said.
They nodded their consent, wanting to do anything to get home right now.
"Do you think we'll have to wear their garb?" Elrohir whispered to his brother.
"I certainly hope not."
***
I was hoping to get a little farther than this, but oh well. I guess another two chapters will have this wrapped up.
Please review!
And Merry Christmas!
And as an early Christmas present I give you this. Enjoy!
Elf Shortage
By Jordy
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir stood wordlessly and watched as Bran fidgeted with the reins while Prancer stood there doing nothing. Soon enough Bran managed to entangle himself in the bell encrusted reins, while the reindeer continued to stand there and do nothing.
"Prancer!" Bran screamed desperately. He meant to walk over to the reindeer and give him a good talking to, but tripped over himself and the reins in the process. He was now a sad, pitiful heap on the ground.
Prancer swung his head lazily about to look at the fallen helper of Santa. He gave Bran a disinterested look and then brought his head to look at Legolas and the twins. The three elves stared back. They could have sworn that Prancer heaved a sigh before sauntering toward them. They looked at each other and murmured about what to do.
"Are you alright?" Legolas couldn't stop himself from asking. "Do you need help?"
Bran gave a haughty shake of the head and proceeded to roll around on the ground, trying to get the right leverage to right himself. He managed a sitting position before bringing his knees up and bouncing to his feet.
"Ha!" he said. "Now I have you in my clutches! Prancer, bring them this way."
The elves looked around for the beast. Elladan was the first to look backwards and find the reindeer lower its head, giving a lovely view of its antlers. Elladan tapped Elrohir and Legolas and brought their attention to the new development. Just then Prancer began to move toward them once again.
The three companions began to move away from it, inadvertently nearing the sleigh and its owner. Legolas kept looking back and forth between Prancer and Bran. This was an odd predicament. He hadn't had the chance to lay hand on his bow yet, and even if he had, he wasn't sure he'd be able to actually shoot Bran. The being was just trying to do a job, after all.
Elrohir noticed that Bran was doing a successful job of freeing himself from the jingling prison he had accidentally constructed. Elrohir knew that they were only blocked on two sides, and their flanks were still wide open. Maybe if they all split up...
But as soon as he outstretched his leg to take a step from the group, Prancer made a lunge for him.
Elladan clutched his brother to him, looking at the reindeer with a new opinion. Legolas tried talking to the beast softly in his native tongue, hoping to calm it. But Prancer was having none of it. It poked the elf rather roughly in the chest, silencing him.
Legolas rubbed the spot where he was almost certain a bruise was about to develop. He looked once again at his impending captors, wondering what he had done to deserve something like this. The next thing he knew there was a rope slung across this chest. He tried to turn around to glare at Bran, but found that he was in the same loop with Elladan and Elrohir. Instead Legolas turned his head as far as he was able to find that the bell reins had been discarded on the ground and Bran stood, holding the end of the rope.
Bran then began to run in circles around the three companions, laughing gleefully. The bonds held the three fast. Tying off the end, Bran took a few steps back, took a stance next to Prancer and admired his handiwork. He now had three tall, disgruntled elves.
"Great work, Prancer," he said. "Santa will be pleased." With that he rushed the elves.
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir, being tied together, either needed to make a sloppy retreat or be felled by the charging Christmas elf. It was like having a three legged race, only with one body and six legs.
"Bran, stop this madness!" Legolas cried. He truly didn't appreciate this kind of handling, and he knew that Elladan or Elrohir felt the same, judging by their protests.
But Legolas' pleas were unheeded as Bran continued to advance. Elladan felt something at his side. He looked over to the red sleigh blocking their path. They were trapped. But Bran kept on coming. He collided with the group.
Legolas and Elrohir, sandwiched between the two, had nowhere to go, but Elladan pitched forward into the sleigh. Legolas and Elrohir, being bound to him thusly, followed his fall.
Bran laughed maniacally at seeing his quarry in the sleigh. The red hull began to rock as the three captives kicked and leaned and attempted to right themselves and get Elladan some air.
"We did it!" Bran started jumping in circles and waving his arms. "We did it we did it we did it!" Prancer just stood there, oblivious to the Christmas elf's joy.
Finally three heads appeared over the side of the sleigh.
"Bran," Legolas said through gritted teeth. "Release us and I will consider letting you live." His opinion of the little fellow had taken a change of direction in the last five minutes.
"Not a chance," Santa's little helper snapped. "I finally did something right, and I'm not going to let it slip through my fingers. Do you know how happy Santa will be? I might even get a promotion! Not only am I a loyalist, I'm a recruiter!"
"More of an abductor, I'd say," muttered Elladan, but wanting to be heard by the crazed pointy-shoed one.
"Our father will be furious when he hears of this," Elrohir threatened.
"Not when he hears how it's for the sake of the children," Bran retorted.
"But what could be possibly do for them?" Legolas asked.
"Toys," Bran answered.
Legolas raised his eyebrows. Was that supposed to answer everything? Before he had a chance to inquire, Bran had shuffled off to rein in Prancer. While carrying the reins, the little fellow began to sing, jingling the bells to his tune.
Legolas' jaw dropped at the air of casualty about Bran. Was he going to kidnap three people just like that? No remorse? Hardly a motive?
In no time Bran had Prancer back in the reins and in front of the sleigh. He climbed laboriously into the front of the sleigh and took a seat. He took up the reins in his little hands and made himself comfortable.
"How do you even plan to get out of these woods in a contraption like this?" Elladan said. He thought he had their captor beat. "Even if this thing had the proper wheels, you'd never be able to maneuver it around all this trees without overturning it."
Bran threw his head back and laughed, confusing the three elves. He looked back at them, then looked skyward. "Looks like a fine day for flying," he said enigmatically. Legolas narrowed his eyes. Had the little being lost his sanity? Abruptly Bran snapped the reins, spurring Prancer into motion.
The sleigh jerked forward, objecting to the movement along the uneven ground. Then it began to slide forward, the skis on the bottom producing little friction on the soft earth. Prancer heaved the thing forward, across the clearing, gaining momentum. Soon he was in a run. What bothered the elves in the back of the sleigh was the fact that the reindeer was running out of space to run; trees were fast approaching.
Then something that they weren't expecting happened. The sleigh tilted upward at a steep angle, throwing the captive elves backward. They couldn't hold back their small shouts of surprise and shock. They were flying! This was physically impossible!
And once again Bran was laughing at their predicament.
The sleigh barely cleared the trees, their bare branches scratching the bottom of its hull.
Legolas kept his gaze skyward; no matter how close or far away from the ground he was, the sky always seemed the same distance away. As long as he didn't look down, the believed he could still be on the ground. But when he looked over the edge of the sleigh to make sure he wasn't plummeting to his death, he saw something he had mixed feelings about.
The ground was far below them now, and getting even farther away. Elrohir saw Rivendell shrinking into the distance. "No!" he shouted. "This isn't right! Bran, return us at once!"
Cries of agreement rose from the throats of Legolas and Elladan. Bran ignored them.
Seeing it as a useless task, Elladan rested his voice. He looked over the side of the sleigh, looking at the sprawling lands, the rivers, gleaming silver in the light, and small settlements teeming with people. Was this how Gwaihir the Wind Lord saw the world? Elladan wondered. It was a marvelous sight, disregarding the circumstances under which he was seeing it.
But soon the familiar features of Middle Earth faded away, yielding to a vast body of water. But this wasn't the sea to the west or the Bay of Belfalas, the elves knew. They were heading north. But why? What was north? They crossed this unknown, unnamed ocean for a number of hours. The abducted elves lost all track of time, other than the sun falling closer and closer to the horizon. At long last the water gave way to land. But on observation, the land was a barren place. Snow covered the ground; no sign of life was visible at all. For another number of hours the unchanging landscape filled their view. Whenever Bran was asked where they were being taken, the elves received no explanation.
Legolas was about to nod off when the ground began to rush up to meet them. Suddenly the skis bearing the sleigh made much more sense, and the landing they made was relatively smooth compared to their launch. But Prancer didn't stop. He began to drag the sleigh along, a bit more conventionally.
"What's happening?" Elrohir asked drowsily. He had fallen asleep some time ago and had apparently just woken up.
"We have met the ground once more," Elladan said. "Though I know not where we are." He sighed as he looked around. There was nothing eye-catching about the place; it was just snow everywhere, and large glaciers looming over them every now and again. He felt wetness on his face. He looked up, and though clouds obscured most of the sky, he saw snow falling upon them.
"Just what this place needs more of," He whispered to his companions.
He received grunts of agreement from them.
This leg of the journey didn't take as long as Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir had expected. Within a quarter hour something began to emerge before them. A small mountain range loomed above them, with lights glowing from beyond it. Legolas looked to Bran, who hadn't said a word since they left Middle Earth, and saw a smile growing on his face. He was directing the sleigh toward a pass in the mountains, taking them towards the spectacle. Passing through the valley, the elves began to wonder at their fate-and their salvation.
When at last they cleared the mountain pass, they couldn't believe their eyes. Bran had taken them to a town-a town, in the middle of nowhere! Legolas had thought the place inhabitable. But here he was, in a town, with buildings made of brightly colored materials, steep roofs, people milling about. And the people-more people like Bran! They wore the pointy shoes, gaudy dress, the hats, everything. And they were his size as well.
As they came into the town proper, Legolas and the twins were beginning to feel very out of place. They were attracting more and more stares, and some of the small beings ran off, outpacing the leisurely walk of Prancer.
"Where are we?" Elladan asked worriedly.
"Welcome to the North Pole," Bran finally spoke. "Home of Santa and his elves. On your right you'll see the painting department, and over there is the carving shack. Up ahead you may rest your eyes on..."
But his captives weren't listening. Legolas felt a bit lightheaded, and Elrohir seemed to be in shock. Elladan was murmuring to himself about how he must have had something bad to eat and was hallucinating, at home in reality.
"And this," Bran said loudly and dramatically, snapping the three elves out of their stupor, "is Santa's main workshop."
Bran had brought them to a large building, bigger than the ones they had passed. It was several stories high, with a number of stairs leading up to its tremendous double doors. Above the door was a large sign reading "Santa's Workshop". The workshop was surrounded by a large open space, like it was a town square. Bran stopped the sleigh in the middle of the space and stepped out and stood close by, as if waiting for something.
A large crowd had followed them in thus far, circling the newcomers. Had they become a public spectacle?
A hush fell over the gathering, expectancy hanging heavily in the air. Legolas and the twins began looking every which way that they were able, expecting an attack of some sort. This proved an odd sight, seeing three elves tied together all looking rapidly in different directions.
Then the big doors opened, yielding a large man-average sized, to the elves' relief-who stood there a moment. He was dressed in a red suit, white furry trim, and heavy looking boots. A big white beard adorned his face as well. A good amount of the elves burst into cheers, though many remained silent. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir stared at the man in stunned silence. They honestly had no idea what to expect next.
"Santa!" Bran shouted in greeting. He rushed to meet the man coming down the stairs. "I did what you said and found some more elves, Santa! I know they may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but they were the first ones I found and-"
The large man known as Santa held up a hand to silence Bran. He came closer to the sleigh, inspecting the catch, Bran following closely. Santa then stood before the captive elves, looking at them one by one, meeting each of their gazes.
"They don't seem pleased," he commented.
"Well, I had to-"
"He abducted us is what he did!" Elladan snapped. He heard a vacuuming sound as almost the entire gathering gasped. "We were minding our own business, when we encountered this little fellow in the woods outside my father's city. Well, I guess our business coincided with his, but that was all your fault," the last bit was muttered to Legolas.
"This is all a misunderstanding," Legolas said hastily. Fortunately Santa was being patient. "You see, I accidentally shot this cart while doing something completely unrelated, I assure you, and I tried to apologize to Bran, but he seemed to lose his sanity at that moment and abducted us. All we want is to go home. We all have other pressing needs to attend to."
Santa nodded mutely. He looked to Bran for confirmation, and knew what Legolas said was true when Bran wouldn't meet his gaze.
"What are your names?" the big man asked.
Legolas was taken aback. Was this man trying to make small talk when he should have been making amends? "Legolas is my name," he answered after a moment. "And these are the twins Elladan and Elrohir," he indicated with a shake of his head toward each elf respectively.
Santa nodded. "And have you been good this year?"
Legolas narrowed his eyes once again. "What has that got to do with anything?"
"Have you been naughty or nice?" Santa pressed.
There was another moment of silence before the question was answered. "I would suppose so, overall," Legolas said. How did he become spokesperson?
"Over all, hm?" Santa said. He rocked on his heels for a second. "How would you like to help me out? You see, I make a run every year, to deliver toys to all the good boys and girls. But, since some of my elves have gone on strike, I've fallen behind schedule. Now, if I don't do something, some of the children won't get anything for Christmas, and that wouldn't be very good at all."
"No, it wouldn't," Legolas agreed. "But why are the... elves... on strike? What would make them stop working in the first place? Why are we needed?"
"Well," Santa thought. "They were going on and on about this union that they made up, and all these labor laws and things, and liberal mumbo jumbo that has no place in a workshop like mine. I just work to make toys. It doesn't need to be that complicated, does it?" He cast a disapproving look out into the audience. "And now I'm just looking for a few extra hands to help out around here."
The elves in the sleigh looked at each other. "I'm sorry," Legolas said. "But I'm sure we don't know anything about making toys."
"Can you make anything?" Santa asked. He would admit that he was becoming slightly desperate.
"I'll have to make more arrows on occasion," Legolas supplied. "Or a makeshift shelter when needed. But nothing in the toymaking art." Elladan and Elrohir shook their heads to show they knew little other than what Legolas did.
"We have a basic training program," Santa offered.
Legolas again looked to the twins. This man was being much more reasonable at least than Bran had been.
"Suppose we did agree to assist you," Elladan said. "How long would you need us here?"
"Only a few days," Santa answered quickly. "We were almost done with production when the strike began. Usually we work year-round."
Again the elves looked to each other.
"I say we help the man out," Elrohir whispered. "He's being kind enough."
"And we only need be here a few days," Elladan backed. "I'm sure he'd send us right home once our duty was fulfilled."
"But what about the Ring?" Legolas said. "It's a bit more pressing than toys, think you not?"
"Come now, Legolas," said the big man. "Where's your Christmas spirit?"
Legolas really didn't know how to reply to that, seeing as how he had never even heard of Christmas up until earlier today. He heaved a sigh of resignation. "Very well," he said to Santa. "We will help you for as long as we are able. But only if you promise us that we will be returned when we wish back home."
"Agreed," Santa said immediately. Bran jumped in victory. "Though you are only three elves," Santa added. "You would have to work mighty hard to catch up with the project. Can you do that?"
The three still sitting in the sleigh exchanged glances.
"If it's any consolation, the strikers and I have almost worked out a compromise, and it won't be for very long," Santa said.
They nodded their consent, wanting to do anything to get home right now.
"Do you think we'll have to wear their garb?" Elrohir whispered to his brother.
"I certainly hope not."
***
I was hoping to get a little farther than this, but oh well. I guess another two chapters will have this wrapped up.
Please review!
And Merry Christmas!