I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed with the lack of reviews, but oh well. I said I'll have it done by Christmas and I'm gonna do it! So there! Reviews or not. [sigh] Well I tried.
Elf Shortage
By Jordy
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were released from their bonds, and for the first time were able to walk in this strange city. Santa beckoned them to follow him, and they did. He led them up the stairs, and threw the double doors wide to admit them inside.
Inside the elves noticed that Santa's Workshop was indeed a factory for toys. Dozens of the little helpers hammered, painted, and sewed away, pushed by the frenzied pressure of a fast approaching deadline. Legolas wondered what it must have looked like when all the workers were on duty.
"Bran, help my newest helpers get started," Santa instructed.
"Right away, sir!" Bran obediently said. As Santa turned away to tend to other business, Bran looked at Legolas and the twins. "First things first. We'll have to get you guys properly outfitted. To the tailor with all of you!" With that he started charging them, much like he had done to get them in the sleigh.
"Outfitted?" Elladan queried. "He doesn't mean we have to wear that, does he?"
Once again the trio was forced to move in the opposite direction to avoid getting pummeled by Bran. Back out the doors and into the square they went. But it didn't stop there. Bran herded them down the street, to a modest structure. Above its little glass doors a sign read simply, "Tailor: by Taylor."
Bran took a stance in front of the building. He pushed open the door and stood aside, offering to let the elves go in first. Legolas entered first, followed sourly by the twins.
"Taylor!" Bran shouted as soon as he came in behind his recruits. "I've got an order for you!"
"Coming," said a voice from behind the front desk. Soon appeared another of Santa's little helpers, a pincushion in hand and a tape measure draped across his neck. "What can I do for you this evening?"
"I need these three decked out as soon as possible," Bran said curtly. "New helpers, y'know." He winked.
"Oh," Taylor nodded understandingly. "Right away then. Come this way, please," he said to Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir. The three sighed before acquiescing to the request and followed him to a backroom behind the lobby. "Now who's first?" Taylor said.
Immediately the twins pointed to Legolas.
Legolas shook his head vigorously, knowing that he'd never hear the end of it. The only thing he had to look forward to was seeing Elladan and Elrohir decked out in the same apparel, later if not sooner. The twins shoved him forward when he failed to make a move. Taylor grabbed the unwitting elf and pulled him over to stand on a pedestal. Instantaneously the little helper also dragged over a stool to stand on to come closer to matching Legolas' height.
The Tailor took measurements, scratched them on a sheet of paper and handed them off to another helper. He did this with each of the elves, and while they were going through this ordeal, Bran was sitting in the lobby reading old magazines. Within two hours (dang those Christmas elves were quick) Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir emerged from the backroom, dressed as Santa's little helpers. Pointy shoes and everything. They were all very disgruntled.
"Not a word of this is to reach Middle Earth ever," Elladan quietly vowed. His companions nodded with mutual feelings.
"Excellent!" Bran shouted with delight. "Now we're ready to work. Back to the workshop!" Once again the three friends were herded out into the street. "Thank you much, Taylor!" Bran shouted backwards.
Back in the workshop, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were separated. Bran shoved each in a different direction, and they all were then plucked off to the side by more helpers.
Elladan ripped the pointy bell-tipped hat from his head. One of the little helpers thrust him towards a conveyor belt, lined with bits and pieces of toy soldiers.
"It's simple," the helper said. "Just pop the guy's arms and legs into his body and let him move down the line." With that the little being left Elladan and took up a position farther up the procession.
Elladan wasn't in the best of moods. His mood was actually a bit of a humiliated one. And it was mostly because of the uniform. He was beginning to see why some of the Christmas elves had quit. He looked at the dismembered soldiers moving past him on the conveyor belt and considered not doing anything. Maybe as long as I looked busy, nobody would bother me, he thought gloomily. But it seemed that everyone who walked past him told him to pick up the pace. It seemed he didn't have a choice.
He took the body of a soldier in his left hand and an arm in his right. He began to maneuver the limb into the socket, but it didn't want to cooperate for the frustrated elf.
He began to use a bit more force on the doll, thinking that maybe the piece was just a bit defective. Still the annoying arm wouldn't go into its appointed socket. Elladan positioned the body of the soldier on the edge of the table and took the arm in both hands. With all his weight behind it, he brutally shoved the disobliging limb into the hole it was meant to go into.
Elladan's eyes went wide when he heard a disconcerting crack. Immediately he fell off the toy to inspect the damage. Thankfully nothing had been badly broken. He placed the doll back on the conveyor belt and watched it slide along, deciding to let someone else deal with the rebellious toy.
Elrohir fared no better. He was set to work at a sewing station. He thought the task too womanly for him, and protested vehemently. A little girl of a helper had called him a sexist and ran off. With a sigh of defeat Elrohir had plopped down in a chair at the table's side and took up the fabric of a teddy bear.
The toy had just been stuffed and was simply waiting for somebody to close its seams. Even with the amazing eyesight of elves, he had a terrible time just trying to thread the needle. The thread managed to turn aside of the eye of the needle just when he thought he had it. Eventually he just held the two foes out to his neighbor wordlessly. The little helper groaned at the thought of having to pick up even more slack, but performed the deed anyway.
She shoved the needle and thread back at Elrohir. He set to work binding the bear's seams, but he kept pulling the thread too far though a hole before rethreading it, thus accomplishing nothing at all. He decided the easiest way to deal with it was to tie the ends together. This worked, but he kept poking himself with the needle. Thankfully he had developed slight calluses from all the years of swordplay.
Legolas was working in the gift-wrapping department. He watched the technique of the other helpers, since his wrapping skills did not extend past the occasional wrapping of a package of his father's to be delivered. The paper used was much thinner than was he was used to, and he ripped several yards worth of the stuff before he was pushed in another direction to work on something else. He blamed it on the fact that a warrior was not used to such delicate things.
His new job was carving blocks of wood into small figurines. Though he had much experience and skill with a knife in battle, he learned that he couldn't whittle to save his life. While the other little helpers produced wonderfully intricate and detailed works of art, Legolas had just managed to make himself a smaller chunk of wood. While doing this he acquired several splinters.
After a while the three companions were granted a break. They all rejoined and retreated from the Workshop. They wandered the streets of the town trying to find a place to get food, seeing as how they had not eaten since their abduction fairly early in the day.
"I wish to return to Rivendell now," Elrohir said, clutching his empty stomach. "I feel absolutely miserable."
"You have my sympathy," Elladan said. "Much longer in this place and I fear I shall die of grief."
Legolas heaved a heavy sigh. "I dare say I'm close to terminating my deal with the man they call Santa." He looked to the twins. "But maybe he would understand. I fear we are little else than detriments to these people. Our skills do not lie with business like this."
"No indeed," Elladan agreed. "Put any one of us on a battlefield and we would show our competency with flying colors. But a place like this rarely sees a war, I imagine."
"I smell something good," Elrohir commented. His brother ceased his speech and took a whiff of the air. Legolas followed suit.
"Whatever it is, it smells delicious," Elladan said.
"Undeniably so," Legolas granted.
They came to a small restaurant type of establishment. They walked inside and sat at the bar.
"What can I get you?" said a petite waitress that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "Our specials today include a tasty beef stew. It's really good."
"If that's what I'm smelling I'll take it," Elrohir interjected.
"But I'm afraid we have no money," Elladan realized.
"Aw, that's okay," The waitress said with a smile. "It'll be on the house just 'cause you guys are so cute. Three stews then?"
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir nodded their approval and watched as the waitress disappeared into the kitchen.
"Well that was very kind of her," Legolas said.
"Yes, it seems that we've finally had a bit of luck," Elladan commented.
A few minutes later the waitress came back, skillfully balancing three bowls of stew across her arms.
"Never before have I been so glad to see beef stew," Legolas said.
"Nor I," Elrohir agreed.
Once the food was placed on the bar before them, it was readily devoured.
Just then Bran burst through the door. His darting eyes scanned the modestly assembled crowd and came to rest on the elves he had brought. "There you are!" he shrieked. He began to stomp his way over to them.
"Bran, we need to speak," Legolas said, holding his hands out. "We're not helping your situation at all, and we just want to go home."
"Thinking of yourselves?" Bran asked incredulously. "What about the children? What about the deal you made with Santa? What about --"
"Listen!" Legolas had about lost his patience with this little fellow. He exhaled sharply before continuing. "If you've looked at our work, you'll find that it's obvious we are nothing but a hindrance to your efforts. In the meager hours we have spent here, we have already wasted resources and destroyed products. We have no place here." The three elves looked desperately at Bran for understanding.
It seemed a showdown between the four of them just then. Seconds of silence crawled by. Legolas blinked and looked away. It's hopeless, he thought.
Someone else burst through the door at that moment as well.
"The strike is over!" the Christmas elf shouted joyfully. "It's over! We can go back to work now!" With that he fled back out into the street to continue heralding the good news.
A fraction of the crowd in the room surged forward with cries of victory and ran out into the street, back to Santa's Workshop.
"And I suppose this frees us from our obligation," Legolas said surreptitiously. "Now that you have workers again, the duty that binds us is no more."
"But, but after all the trouble I went through to get you guys here," Bran rambled brokenly. He seemed devastated. "Just my luck the minute I actually finish Santa's bidding something would happen to undo it. Curse my luck!"
"Luck is a funny thing, isn't it brother?" Elladan said.
"I would have to agree wholeheartedly with you," Elrohir said.
And then a third person exploded through the doors to the restaurant. "Are the new guys in here?" he shouted.
"Yeah, they're here," Bran answered sourly. "Here and ruining my life." The last bit was muttered under his breath, though the elves heard it clearly.
"Santa's lookin' for 'em," the other replied.
"We will be back in a minute," Legolas called to the front of the building. With that the other helper left.
"Hopefully he is ready to release us from his service," Elladan said.
"Let us find out for ourselves," Elrohir alleged quickly. He pushed himself from the bar and walked briskly to the doors. Legolas and Elladan followed hurriedly after. Bran was left virtually alone at the bar.
"Aw, poor little guy," the waitress said from behind the counter. Bran turned at the distinction. "Let me make you some of my special peach cobbler, that'll cheer you up." She smiled at him.
He grinned back. "Thank you miss," he said while he took at seat.
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir arrived back at the town square to find Santa waiting at the base of the staircase leading up to his workshop. The three companions came to stand before him and were quietly respectful.
"Well," Santa said. "It seems I didn't need you here after all. I'm terribly sorry to have brought you here unnecessarily. I'll be sure to bring you all something extra special for Christmas."
"No need, good man," Elladan said. "All I ask is that we are granted leave to return home." His friends nodded enthusiastically.
Santa grinned. "That's understandable. As soon as I can secure a hand, I'll have a ride ready for you three."
"You are most generous," Legolas said. "You have our thanks and gratitude."
Santa's grin widened, disappearing into his beard. He let out a laugh, a deep chuckle from his belly that came out in a "ho ho ho" sound. He nodded to them and turned away, searching for what he had promised them.
"And in the meanwhile," Elladan said quietly, "I'm changing out of this and into my normal clothes."
"As am I," his brother said immediately afterward.
Legolas laughed. "Anxious to be rid of the 'Santa's little helper' uniform?"
"I know you are as well, don't you deny it!" Elladan retorted.
Legolas began laughing harder. Then he abruptly spun on his heel and began running off in the direction of Taylor's Tailor shop, where they had abandoned their clothes. With a shout, the twins darted after him.
***
"I seem to have misplaced my shoes," Elrohir exclaimed.
"Well, that's too bad. It's time to leave and we don't have time to look for them," Elladan said. He was anxious to be rid of this place, and held no patience for his brother's misfortunes.
"You expect me to wear these pointy things back home? What will father think?"
"He will probably be thinking about where we've disappeared to. We told him we would be due back at the end of the day at the latest. Remember how long it took us to get here? By the time we get back we will have been gone two full days!"
"Just do it," Legolas pressed.
"You have more shoes at home anyway," Elladan said. "Come! We need to go!"
Legolas was already out the door. Elladan held it open, watching as Elrohir was trying to walk and put the ridiculous shoes back on at the same time. He watched as his brother hopped out the door and followed.
Back at the square, Santa stood next to a sleigh, fashioned in much the same way as the first one they had encountered.
Santa again let out a merry laugh. "This is Kelly," he introduced the driver of the sleigh, a cute little Christmas elf. "And this is Dasher," Santa gestured to the reindeer.
"Santa understands our need for haste," Elladan whispered to his friends with a chuckle.
"Step in, boys, I know you wanted to get home," Santa said.
"Thank you, we are indebted to you," Elladan said, rushing through the formalities. He was already halfway in the sleigh when he said it.
"No, no no," Santa argued. "You owe me nothing. Just have a safe trip home."
Legolas and Elrohir said their thank yous and goodbyes, and felt was it was like to be inside a sleigh without being bound. They found it was much more comfortable and roomier than their first experience.
Dasher began to trot off down the street, leaving Santa and the square behind. The big man in red once again let out his hearty laugh and called after them, "Merry Christmas!"
Dasher followed the same route that Prancer and Bran had taken them on. At about the same point, Dasher began to break into a run.
"Please keep all hands and arms inside the sleigh," Kelly warned. She flashed a quirky smile back at her passengers. "Your estimated flight time is four hours and thirty-eight minutes."
Dasher leapt into the air, pulling the sleigh along with him, and they were airborne. The wind rushed at them, making the air seem much more colder. The elves' hair flew out behind them, and the town at the top of the world began to fade from view.
***
It was several hours (about four and a half) before Middle Earth appeared under them once more. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were overwhelmed with joy. They were so happy to see familiar land once again. And to see its features, not buried under a blanket of snow. They were thankful to be seeing it in all its glory right now. It was early morning, the sun just beginning to spill its light into the valley that Rivendell was nestled in.
Kelly and Dasher brought the sleigh down in about the same place as the encounter with Bran.
"Welcome!" Kelly said cheerfully. "Thank you for flying Sleigh Express. Have a nice life!" The elves were tumbling out of the sleigh, wanting to be back on known turf once again.
"Thank you," Elladan said, and reached over to hug Kelly. "Thank you for everything." He was truly happy to be home.
"Give Santa our regards," Elrohir called. He was already heading for home.
"I will," Kelly said. "Have yourselves a Merry Christmas. Bye!" She snapped the reins and sent Dasher off once again.
Legolas would never forget the sight of a flying beast like that. Elladan ran past him. He looked back, to see the twins running for home. He sprinted after them. Even if it wasn't home, it was familiar enough. He still had friends at Rivendell who were likely wondering where he was.
By the time they made it back to the gates of Rivendell, the sun had fully risen, cresting the mountains and shining in all her glory. Legolas has completely forgotten what devastation she shone on in the east at the moment.
Not five minutes after they were inside the compound were they greeted by Elrond.
"My sons," he said. He swept forward to embrace them. "Legolas. I was worried about you. Where did you disappear to? We looked everywhere and----Elrohir what are you wearing?"
They looked down to Elrohir's feet. He still wore the pointy shoes from the North Pole.
"You'll never believe it father," he tried to explain. Elrond draped his arms around his sons and led them away.
Legolas watched them go before he retreated to his room. The first thing he did was collapse on the bed. What an odd experience he had. He laughed softly. What will happen when the fellowship finds out? Or should he even tell them?
Aragorn will probably find out. Just to blackmail Elrohir, Legolas knew that Elladan would tell Aragorn about the pointy shoes that his brother had brought home. His thoughts didn't get much farther. He fell asleep right after that.
He slept the entire day, and much of the night. A night breeze had blown through his open balcony door, waking him gently. He looked outside. He didn't recall leaving the door open. He walked over to close it when a though struck him: this was the day that the fellowship would embark on their quest into Mordor. As soon as the sun would rise he would set about his last preparations. But he knew he should sleep.
He turned back to his bed. Something out of the ordinary caught his eye. Lying at the foot of his bed was a new travel pack. Granted, his old one was already nicely broken in, but he had a feeling that it would be making its last journey. He came forward and knelt down to inspect this new one.
Made of sturdy leather, he knew this one would last a while. He opened it up. It looked roomy enough. Yes, it would hold a lot. A bit of moonlight spilled into the bag. Legolas saw a piece of parchment tucked inside it. He pulled it out and walked over to the window to read it in the light.
"To Legolas from Santa
Thanks for all your help at the North Pole.
Merry Christmas!"
Legolas rushed back to the balcony and threw open the doors. He walked outside and looked skyward. He saw nothing, but he could hear that distinctive laugh that Santa had made often.
Legolas smiled despite himself. He couldn't wait to tell Elladan and Elrohir about this.
***
THE END
Thanks for bearing with me. Merry Christmas!
If you want you can give me a review for a present. Please?
Elf Shortage
By Jordy
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were released from their bonds, and for the first time were able to walk in this strange city. Santa beckoned them to follow him, and they did. He led them up the stairs, and threw the double doors wide to admit them inside.
Inside the elves noticed that Santa's Workshop was indeed a factory for toys. Dozens of the little helpers hammered, painted, and sewed away, pushed by the frenzied pressure of a fast approaching deadline. Legolas wondered what it must have looked like when all the workers were on duty.
"Bran, help my newest helpers get started," Santa instructed.
"Right away, sir!" Bran obediently said. As Santa turned away to tend to other business, Bran looked at Legolas and the twins. "First things first. We'll have to get you guys properly outfitted. To the tailor with all of you!" With that he started charging them, much like he had done to get them in the sleigh.
"Outfitted?" Elladan queried. "He doesn't mean we have to wear that, does he?"
Once again the trio was forced to move in the opposite direction to avoid getting pummeled by Bran. Back out the doors and into the square they went. But it didn't stop there. Bran herded them down the street, to a modest structure. Above its little glass doors a sign read simply, "Tailor: by Taylor."
Bran took a stance in front of the building. He pushed open the door and stood aside, offering to let the elves go in first. Legolas entered first, followed sourly by the twins.
"Taylor!" Bran shouted as soon as he came in behind his recruits. "I've got an order for you!"
"Coming," said a voice from behind the front desk. Soon appeared another of Santa's little helpers, a pincushion in hand and a tape measure draped across his neck. "What can I do for you this evening?"
"I need these three decked out as soon as possible," Bran said curtly. "New helpers, y'know." He winked.
"Oh," Taylor nodded understandingly. "Right away then. Come this way, please," he said to Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir. The three sighed before acquiescing to the request and followed him to a backroom behind the lobby. "Now who's first?" Taylor said.
Immediately the twins pointed to Legolas.
Legolas shook his head vigorously, knowing that he'd never hear the end of it. The only thing he had to look forward to was seeing Elladan and Elrohir decked out in the same apparel, later if not sooner. The twins shoved him forward when he failed to make a move. Taylor grabbed the unwitting elf and pulled him over to stand on a pedestal. Instantaneously the little helper also dragged over a stool to stand on to come closer to matching Legolas' height.
The Tailor took measurements, scratched them on a sheet of paper and handed them off to another helper. He did this with each of the elves, and while they were going through this ordeal, Bran was sitting in the lobby reading old magazines. Within two hours (dang those Christmas elves were quick) Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir emerged from the backroom, dressed as Santa's little helpers. Pointy shoes and everything. They were all very disgruntled.
"Not a word of this is to reach Middle Earth ever," Elladan quietly vowed. His companions nodded with mutual feelings.
"Excellent!" Bran shouted with delight. "Now we're ready to work. Back to the workshop!" Once again the three friends were herded out into the street. "Thank you much, Taylor!" Bran shouted backwards.
Back in the workshop, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were separated. Bran shoved each in a different direction, and they all were then plucked off to the side by more helpers.
Elladan ripped the pointy bell-tipped hat from his head. One of the little helpers thrust him towards a conveyor belt, lined with bits and pieces of toy soldiers.
"It's simple," the helper said. "Just pop the guy's arms and legs into his body and let him move down the line." With that the little being left Elladan and took up a position farther up the procession.
Elladan wasn't in the best of moods. His mood was actually a bit of a humiliated one. And it was mostly because of the uniform. He was beginning to see why some of the Christmas elves had quit. He looked at the dismembered soldiers moving past him on the conveyor belt and considered not doing anything. Maybe as long as I looked busy, nobody would bother me, he thought gloomily. But it seemed that everyone who walked past him told him to pick up the pace. It seemed he didn't have a choice.
He took the body of a soldier in his left hand and an arm in his right. He began to maneuver the limb into the socket, but it didn't want to cooperate for the frustrated elf.
He began to use a bit more force on the doll, thinking that maybe the piece was just a bit defective. Still the annoying arm wouldn't go into its appointed socket. Elladan positioned the body of the soldier on the edge of the table and took the arm in both hands. With all his weight behind it, he brutally shoved the disobliging limb into the hole it was meant to go into.
Elladan's eyes went wide when he heard a disconcerting crack. Immediately he fell off the toy to inspect the damage. Thankfully nothing had been badly broken. He placed the doll back on the conveyor belt and watched it slide along, deciding to let someone else deal with the rebellious toy.
Elrohir fared no better. He was set to work at a sewing station. He thought the task too womanly for him, and protested vehemently. A little girl of a helper had called him a sexist and ran off. With a sigh of defeat Elrohir had plopped down in a chair at the table's side and took up the fabric of a teddy bear.
The toy had just been stuffed and was simply waiting for somebody to close its seams. Even with the amazing eyesight of elves, he had a terrible time just trying to thread the needle. The thread managed to turn aside of the eye of the needle just when he thought he had it. Eventually he just held the two foes out to his neighbor wordlessly. The little helper groaned at the thought of having to pick up even more slack, but performed the deed anyway.
She shoved the needle and thread back at Elrohir. He set to work binding the bear's seams, but he kept pulling the thread too far though a hole before rethreading it, thus accomplishing nothing at all. He decided the easiest way to deal with it was to tie the ends together. This worked, but he kept poking himself with the needle. Thankfully he had developed slight calluses from all the years of swordplay.
Legolas was working in the gift-wrapping department. He watched the technique of the other helpers, since his wrapping skills did not extend past the occasional wrapping of a package of his father's to be delivered. The paper used was much thinner than was he was used to, and he ripped several yards worth of the stuff before he was pushed in another direction to work on something else. He blamed it on the fact that a warrior was not used to such delicate things.
His new job was carving blocks of wood into small figurines. Though he had much experience and skill with a knife in battle, he learned that he couldn't whittle to save his life. While the other little helpers produced wonderfully intricate and detailed works of art, Legolas had just managed to make himself a smaller chunk of wood. While doing this he acquired several splinters.
After a while the three companions were granted a break. They all rejoined and retreated from the Workshop. They wandered the streets of the town trying to find a place to get food, seeing as how they had not eaten since their abduction fairly early in the day.
"I wish to return to Rivendell now," Elrohir said, clutching his empty stomach. "I feel absolutely miserable."
"You have my sympathy," Elladan said. "Much longer in this place and I fear I shall die of grief."
Legolas heaved a heavy sigh. "I dare say I'm close to terminating my deal with the man they call Santa." He looked to the twins. "But maybe he would understand. I fear we are little else than detriments to these people. Our skills do not lie with business like this."
"No indeed," Elladan agreed. "Put any one of us on a battlefield and we would show our competency with flying colors. But a place like this rarely sees a war, I imagine."
"I smell something good," Elrohir commented. His brother ceased his speech and took a whiff of the air. Legolas followed suit.
"Whatever it is, it smells delicious," Elladan said.
"Undeniably so," Legolas granted.
They came to a small restaurant type of establishment. They walked inside and sat at the bar.
"What can I get you?" said a petite waitress that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "Our specials today include a tasty beef stew. It's really good."
"If that's what I'm smelling I'll take it," Elrohir interjected.
"But I'm afraid we have no money," Elladan realized.
"Aw, that's okay," The waitress said with a smile. "It'll be on the house just 'cause you guys are so cute. Three stews then?"
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir nodded their approval and watched as the waitress disappeared into the kitchen.
"Well that was very kind of her," Legolas said.
"Yes, it seems that we've finally had a bit of luck," Elladan commented.
A few minutes later the waitress came back, skillfully balancing three bowls of stew across her arms.
"Never before have I been so glad to see beef stew," Legolas said.
"Nor I," Elrohir agreed.
Once the food was placed on the bar before them, it was readily devoured.
Just then Bran burst through the door. His darting eyes scanned the modestly assembled crowd and came to rest on the elves he had brought. "There you are!" he shrieked. He began to stomp his way over to them.
"Bran, we need to speak," Legolas said, holding his hands out. "We're not helping your situation at all, and we just want to go home."
"Thinking of yourselves?" Bran asked incredulously. "What about the children? What about the deal you made with Santa? What about --"
"Listen!" Legolas had about lost his patience with this little fellow. He exhaled sharply before continuing. "If you've looked at our work, you'll find that it's obvious we are nothing but a hindrance to your efforts. In the meager hours we have spent here, we have already wasted resources and destroyed products. We have no place here." The three elves looked desperately at Bran for understanding.
It seemed a showdown between the four of them just then. Seconds of silence crawled by. Legolas blinked and looked away. It's hopeless, he thought.
Someone else burst through the door at that moment as well.
"The strike is over!" the Christmas elf shouted joyfully. "It's over! We can go back to work now!" With that he fled back out into the street to continue heralding the good news.
A fraction of the crowd in the room surged forward with cries of victory and ran out into the street, back to Santa's Workshop.
"And I suppose this frees us from our obligation," Legolas said surreptitiously. "Now that you have workers again, the duty that binds us is no more."
"But, but after all the trouble I went through to get you guys here," Bran rambled brokenly. He seemed devastated. "Just my luck the minute I actually finish Santa's bidding something would happen to undo it. Curse my luck!"
"Luck is a funny thing, isn't it brother?" Elladan said.
"I would have to agree wholeheartedly with you," Elrohir said.
And then a third person exploded through the doors to the restaurant. "Are the new guys in here?" he shouted.
"Yeah, they're here," Bran answered sourly. "Here and ruining my life." The last bit was muttered under his breath, though the elves heard it clearly.
"Santa's lookin' for 'em," the other replied.
"We will be back in a minute," Legolas called to the front of the building. With that the other helper left.
"Hopefully he is ready to release us from his service," Elladan said.
"Let us find out for ourselves," Elrohir alleged quickly. He pushed himself from the bar and walked briskly to the doors. Legolas and Elladan followed hurriedly after. Bran was left virtually alone at the bar.
"Aw, poor little guy," the waitress said from behind the counter. Bran turned at the distinction. "Let me make you some of my special peach cobbler, that'll cheer you up." She smiled at him.
He grinned back. "Thank you miss," he said while he took at seat.
***
Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir arrived back at the town square to find Santa waiting at the base of the staircase leading up to his workshop. The three companions came to stand before him and were quietly respectful.
"Well," Santa said. "It seems I didn't need you here after all. I'm terribly sorry to have brought you here unnecessarily. I'll be sure to bring you all something extra special for Christmas."
"No need, good man," Elladan said. "All I ask is that we are granted leave to return home." His friends nodded enthusiastically.
Santa grinned. "That's understandable. As soon as I can secure a hand, I'll have a ride ready for you three."
"You are most generous," Legolas said. "You have our thanks and gratitude."
Santa's grin widened, disappearing into his beard. He let out a laugh, a deep chuckle from his belly that came out in a "ho ho ho" sound. He nodded to them and turned away, searching for what he had promised them.
"And in the meanwhile," Elladan said quietly, "I'm changing out of this and into my normal clothes."
"As am I," his brother said immediately afterward.
Legolas laughed. "Anxious to be rid of the 'Santa's little helper' uniform?"
"I know you are as well, don't you deny it!" Elladan retorted.
Legolas began laughing harder. Then he abruptly spun on his heel and began running off in the direction of Taylor's Tailor shop, where they had abandoned their clothes. With a shout, the twins darted after him.
***
"I seem to have misplaced my shoes," Elrohir exclaimed.
"Well, that's too bad. It's time to leave and we don't have time to look for them," Elladan said. He was anxious to be rid of this place, and held no patience for his brother's misfortunes.
"You expect me to wear these pointy things back home? What will father think?"
"He will probably be thinking about where we've disappeared to. We told him we would be due back at the end of the day at the latest. Remember how long it took us to get here? By the time we get back we will have been gone two full days!"
"Just do it," Legolas pressed.
"You have more shoes at home anyway," Elladan said. "Come! We need to go!"
Legolas was already out the door. Elladan held it open, watching as Elrohir was trying to walk and put the ridiculous shoes back on at the same time. He watched as his brother hopped out the door and followed.
Back at the square, Santa stood next to a sleigh, fashioned in much the same way as the first one they had encountered.
Santa again let out a merry laugh. "This is Kelly," he introduced the driver of the sleigh, a cute little Christmas elf. "And this is Dasher," Santa gestured to the reindeer.
"Santa understands our need for haste," Elladan whispered to his friends with a chuckle.
"Step in, boys, I know you wanted to get home," Santa said.
"Thank you, we are indebted to you," Elladan said, rushing through the formalities. He was already halfway in the sleigh when he said it.
"No, no no," Santa argued. "You owe me nothing. Just have a safe trip home."
Legolas and Elrohir said their thank yous and goodbyes, and felt was it was like to be inside a sleigh without being bound. They found it was much more comfortable and roomier than their first experience.
Dasher began to trot off down the street, leaving Santa and the square behind. The big man in red once again let out his hearty laugh and called after them, "Merry Christmas!"
Dasher followed the same route that Prancer and Bran had taken them on. At about the same point, Dasher began to break into a run.
"Please keep all hands and arms inside the sleigh," Kelly warned. She flashed a quirky smile back at her passengers. "Your estimated flight time is four hours and thirty-eight minutes."
Dasher leapt into the air, pulling the sleigh along with him, and they were airborne. The wind rushed at them, making the air seem much more colder. The elves' hair flew out behind them, and the town at the top of the world began to fade from view.
***
It was several hours (about four and a half) before Middle Earth appeared under them once more. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were overwhelmed with joy. They were so happy to see familiar land once again. And to see its features, not buried under a blanket of snow. They were thankful to be seeing it in all its glory right now. It was early morning, the sun just beginning to spill its light into the valley that Rivendell was nestled in.
Kelly and Dasher brought the sleigh down in about the same place as the encounter with Bran.
"Welcome!" Kelly said cheerfully. "Thank you for flying Sleigh Express. Have a nice life!" The elves were tumbling out of the sleigh, wanting to be back on known turf once again.
"Thank you," Elladan said, and reached over to hug Kelly. "Thank you for everything." He was truly happy to be home.
"Give Santa our regards," Elrohir called. He was already heading for home.
"I will," Kelly said. "Have yourselves a Merry Christmas. Bye!" She snapped the reins and sent Dasher off once again.
Legolas would never forget the sight of a flying beast like that. Elladan ran past him. He looked back, to see the twins running for home. He sprinted after them. Even if it wasn't home, it was familiar enough. He still had friends at Rivendell who were likely wondering where he was.
By the time they made it back to the gates of Rivendell, the sun had fully risen, cresting the mountains and shining in all her glory. Legolas has completely forgotten what devastation she shone on in the east at the moment.
Not five minutes after they were inside the compound were they greeted by Elrond.
"My sons," he said. He swept forward to embrace them. "Legolas. I was worried about you. Where did you disappear to? We looked everywhere and----Elrohir what are you wearing?"
They looked down to Elrohir's feet. He still wore the pointy shoes from the North Pole.
"You'll never believe it father," he tried to explain. Elrond draped his arms around his sons and led them away.
Legolas watched them go before he retreated to his room. The first thing he did was collapse on the bed. What an odd experience he had. He laughed softly. What will happen when the fellowship finds out? Or should he even tell them?
Aragorn will probably find out. Just to blackmail Elrohir, Legolas knew that Elladan would tell Aragorn about the pointy shoes that his brother had brought home. His thoughts didn't get much farther. He fell asleep right after that.
He slept the entire day, and much of the night. A night breeze had blown through his open balcony door, waking him gently. He looked outside. He didn't recall leaving the door open. He walked over to close it when a though struck him: this was the day that the fellowship would embark on their quest into Mordor. As soon as the sun would rise he would set about his last preparations. But he knew he should sleep.
He turned back to his bed. Something out of the ordinary caught his eye. Lying at the foot of his bed was a new travel pack. Granted, his old one was already nicely broken in, but he had a feeling that it would be making its last journey. He came forward and knelt down to inspect this new one.
Made of sturdy leather, he knew this one would last a while. He opened it up. It looked roomy enough. Yes, it would hold a lot. A bit of moonlight spilled into the bag. Legolas saw a piece of parchment tucked inside it. He pulled it out and walked over to the window to read it in the light.
"To Legolas from Santa
Thanks for all your help at the North Pole.
Merry Christmas!"
Legolas rushed back to the balcony and threw open the doors. He walked outside and looked skyward. He saw nothing, but he could hear that distinctive laugh that Santa had made often.
Legolas smiled despite himself. He couldn't wait to tell Elladan and Elrohir about this.
***
THE END
Thanks for bearing with me. Merry Christmas!
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