I don't own the swan princess

Elise slowly walked along the shore of the lake by herself, enjoying the beautiful day and the fresh snow that had gently fallen on the ground. Christmas was in a week and her parents had been training her to handle 'Christmas Uberta' as they called it, as their journey to her kingdom was tomorrow. Elise was a little nervous. It wasn't just Christmas, it was also her official presentation as Princess of Swan Lake. She was shy, she admitted that, and attention never helped her. Suddenly, Puffin dove in and greeted the girl.

"Good morning princess!"

"Good morning Puffin! Hope you're keeping warm,"

"I'm fine princess! Say shouldn't you be at your lesson?"

"I snuck out while Rogers was arguing with Bridget. You and I both know that could go on for hours!"

"Despite that, you should still be in the study,"

"Oh Puffin, please don't tell anyone!"

"Alright princess, but be careful!"

Elise ran off to look for something to do. However, before she could reach the other side of the lake, a pair of strong arms snatched the child by the waist. Elise laughed as her father picked her up.

"So this is where you've been hiding you little rascal!"

"Sorry daddy,"

"It's alright sweetie. I can't count the number of times I've run off on Rogers! This will be our little secret, "

"Okay!"

"Now if I recall, I promised you a riding lesson,"

"Lets go!"

Derek and Elise ran across the field to the stables. Someone, unfortunately had beaten them there.

"Oh... Hi mommy,"

"Sweetie, why did you leave your lesson?"

"I was tired of Rogers and Bridget's bickering,"

"Odette, you know what it was like when we were her age,"

"Alright, but no riding today. We need to pack,"

"Okay," they both groaned. As they left, Odette giggled at her husband.

"You spoil her too much!"

"And you don't?"

The next morning, Derek loaded the sleigh and the royal family set out, all the while singing Christmas carols. When they reached the castle, Elise got her first taste of Christmas Uberta.

"Oh Elise! Your first Christmas with us!"

Elise was happy at first, thinking her parents had been joking about Uberta's alter ego. Then it appeared.

"Okay folks, we've got a lot of work to do!" Elise looked to her parents. Derek laughed.

"She very focus honey,"

"Derek, the tree! Move it! Odette follow!"

"Come on honey,"

"Can I go with daddy?"

"Well..."

"Plllleeeeaaasssee?" She asked with puppy eyes.

"Alright,"

"YEAH!" Elise hopped next to her father.

"Derek, keep a close eye on her!"

"Of course Odette!"

"HAY!" Elise cried to get the horse moving.

At the hunter's barn, Derek, Elise, and Bromely looked over the map for a place to find the royal Christmas tree.

"How about here daddy? There were plenty of beautiful Silver Nobles when the orphanage was passing through on a field trip,"

"The only problem honey is that that is pretty close to grizzle falls, and I don't think your mother would like me taking you there,"

"He's right to dangerous for a little child like yourself!" Bromely said quickly, scared as usual.

"But the bears are hibernating. Besides, we have the master hunter who will send them running scared!"

"Alright, you win. But take a bow just in case,"

Elise had been right about there being no bears, and finding amazing silver nobles. Her father allowed her to choose their tree. Returning with the tree, they were greeted by a cheering crowd. Derek raised Elise onto his shoulder and they began waving.

"CAN'T YOU HAUL THAT TREE ANY FASTER!?" Elise heard her grandmother scream.

"Oh, sorry, sorry,"

Elise and Derek began laughing, enjoying their father daughter time. After the tree was stored safely, Elise hurried to the basement to help set up for ornament day. Chamberlain suddenly appeared.

"Ah your highness! Your grandmother wishes to see you in the throne room,"

"Why?"

"It's a surprise!"

"Thank you Chamberlian!"

Elise began running to the throne room, when the subtle scent of gingerbread hit her. Not being able to resiste, she followed the scent to the kitchen where she found her mother making a gingerbread house. Odette smiled at her.

"I see someone's stomach has led her here,"

"It smells amazing mom! Can I have one?"

"Here, I made one specifically for you,"

Giving her the cookie, Uberta walked in.

"Elise, there you are! We must discuss something important. Follow!" Not wanting her daughter to suffer Christmas Uberta by herself, Odette followed the two. Coming upon the throne room, Uberta turned to her granddaughter.

"Now Elise, as you know, ornament day is fast approaching as well as your royal presentation. I've decided for your presentation, you shall be the one to place the royal star on top of the tree!"

"Really? That's amazing!"

"Mother I think you should give me some credit," Derek appeared, hoisting his daughter into his arms.

"Derek, what was her original plan?"

"It involved fireworks and a dancing panda, need I say more Odette?"

"I think that's enough daddy!"

Odette suddenly thought of something to seal Elise's adoption into their family.

"Elise, honey, why don't you preform in the Christmas Eve show?"

"Ugh, I, I can't sing!"

"I find that hard to believe. Unless all that singing I've been hearing was Jean-bob. Honey, I'll be there to help you!"

"Well, okay mommy!"

Uberta cheered at this.

"Just come back here after ornament day and we can get started!"

"Okay grandma!"

Odette suddenly took her daughter from Derek.

"Well for now, why don't you help me in the kitchen?"

"Okay!"

Elise obediently followed Odette, not once allowing her shyness to show.

After helping her mother, Elise decided to take a walk down by the pond to watch the servants skate, bringing her owns skates in case she wanted to join in. She then caught sight of Puffin and Speed who were laughing at something. She walked over to them.

"Fellas, can you help me? I have a bit of problem, starting with finding a song to sing at the Christmas Eve party,"

"Well, we'll help ya your highness as soon as our green little friend comes to a nasty little end," Puffin giggled. Elise then noticed the two circles or landing points and saw Jean-Bob sneaking up on a female servant.

"Oh no, not again. Oh well, may I join in?"

Elise drew circle. Then came the familiar screaming of Jean-Bob being launched into the air and landing dead center in Elise's circle.

"Well done Elise," Speed said in his slowly tone.

"You've train me well. Are you alright Jean-Bob?"

"Juzt fine Alise! Juzt fine! My father suffered a much worse fate, God rest that merry gentlemen," Elise grinned brightly.

"Jean-Bob, that's it! God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! I love that song! And I love you Jean-Bob!" Elise hugged the three animals and ran off to practice her song, all while keeping it a secret from her parents.

The next morning, Elise awoke to the sound of her grandmother's shouting.

"IT'S ORNAMENT DAY!"

Elise got ready for the day and journeyed out to find her parents. After about an hour, she decided to ask around.

"Excuse me, but have you seen Princess Odette and Prince Derek?" The servant smiled at her.

"Probably working on their ornaments, it is ornament day!"

"Well thanks anyway!"

After about another hour of wondering the halls, Odette finally found her daughter.

"There you are Elise! Come on, you and I have some errands to run while your father helps with the tree. Come on, we can have some mother daughter time!"

Elise and Odette spent the rest of the day spreading Christmas spirit throughout the village. In the evening, they returned to help decorate the tree. As Elise hung an ornament of her father helping a little boy notch an arrow, Derek snuck up behide her a hugged her. Elise smiled and gave him kiss on the cheek.

"Come Elise, your mother and I have something to show you,"

Elise followed her father to where her mother stood. Odette lightly kissed the top of her head. Elise saw her father pull something out of the box. It was an glass bulb with three of them hugging peacefully.

"That was the day we adopted you," Odette said hugging her daughter.

"Our little princess," Derek said, joining in the hug. Elise was so full of joy, she felt like she would burst. Suddenly, the ornament change, as a background was added and the clothes of the family matched the colors of a setting sun.

"It's a miracle!" Elise exclaimed.

"No, our only miracle is you Elise," Odette pronounced while still holding her. The family hung the ornament near the one of the parents waltzing. Elise then saw Uberta climbing to the top of the tree, motioning for her to follow. The queen began speaking.

"My friends! Today marks a very special occasion! Not only are we carrying out our ancient traditions, but now we have a new royal to pass it down to. To conclude ornament day, the royal star will be placed by none other than my first grandchild, Princess Elise of Swan Lake!"

Everyone cheered as Elise claimed the star and placed it at the top of the tree. This was her presentation and it had gone perfectly. At the bottom of the tree, Odette and Derek awaited their daughter, who ran happily into their arms.

"Merry Christmas, Mommy and Daddy,"

"Merry Christmas Elise," They said together.

"It will be the best Christmas ever!"