Derek hoisted Elise into the air as she hung the candy canes and tinsel on the railings. It was Christmas Eve and father and daughter had volunteered to decorate the stage while Odette finished her Christmas wish list so she could spend the entire next day day with her new daughter and husband.
After hanging the final wreath above the balcony the royal family was to be seated, Derek and Elise collapsed in the shade of the royal Christmas tree.
"Well, we're finally done!" Derek breathed out.
"That was sure tiring! I think I'll take a nap," in no time, the little princess had fallen asleep on Derek's shoulder. The prince smiled at his daughter and carried her back to her room. Kissing her gently on the forehead, Derek walked out and straight into his wife.
"So princess, you've finish that list of your's already?" He gave her a passionate kiss.
"Yes. I walked by the stage but both of you were gone. Where's Elise?"
"Sleeping. She was tired from helping me and needs her rest if she's going to preform tonight,"
"Very wise. I'll make sure she doesn't over sleep,"
"Okay, I love you,"
"I love you too Derek,"
A few hours later, Elise awoke to her mother smiling at her.
"Hi mommy, what time is it?"
"Almost time for the show! Come, lets get ready. You are the opening act,"
Odette brushed and braided Elise's hair into a golden wreath. Elise, who had insisted that her costume was a surprise, forced her mother out while she changed, promising to meet her at the show.
At the stage, Odette sat next to her beloved husband as they search the performers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the daughter's blonde hair.
"I wonder what her costume is,"
"I don't know. She didn't even let me peak!" Uberta appeared on the stage.
"My friends and subjects. Here we stand at our annual Chrsitmas party with the light of this joyous season in our hearts! Let this holiday remind us to remain kind and generous all year long! No without further a due, welcome a very special angle with a very special song to sing.
"God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day"
Derek and Odette knew it was Elise voice. On the stage, Elise stood in a pure white dress, decorated with two angelic wings, making her look like a perfect little angle. Her voice matched her cuteness.
"To save us all from Satan's power,
when we were gone astray,
Oh tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
Oh tidings of comfort and joy,
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy,"
Elise suddenly banged a gilded staff to the ground as her wings began to move. Light seemed to move to her song.
"Fear not," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of pure or Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy,"
As the background singers grew louder, the light grew stronger and seemed to illuminate the tree. It also encircled Elise. When she burst in at the final part, the tree became lit with golden speckles and Elise's costume now bore a sun crest and her eyes seem to glow with the sun.
"Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
We have gone astray
oh tidings of comfort and joy,"
As Elise finished, everyone burst into applause, flabbergasted at the child's performance. As the night drag on, Elise did not join her parents on the balcony. The final act began playing the Little Drummer Boy.
"Come, they told me
Pa rum pa pam pum pum
Our new born king to see
Pa rum pa pam pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pa pam pum pum
To lay before the king
Pa rum pa pam pum pum
Rump pa pam pum pum
Rump pa pam pum pum
So to honor him
Pa rum pa pam pum pum
When we come,"
Odette and Derek then heard the steady beat of a drum as the little drummer walked onto the stage. It was Elise garbed in a torn robe, playing a silver drum. She began singing.
"Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor child too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum,"
Elise played with all her heart as she drummed the ancient melody to honor the baby. She continued.
"Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum,"
At the least note of the song, the royal tree was lit up and Elise rushed to her parents. They gave her a big hug.
"That was beautiful honey!" Odette praised.
"Simply wonderful," Derek added. Suddenly, Elise head began to hurt as images flashed through her head. No sooner after, the full moon vanished from the sky as did most of the stars. People stood baffled.
"Oh no! We must leave!" Elise cried, motioning her parents to move. Shadows gathered at the center of the stage, and soon a teenage girl with black hair and cobalt eyes formed. She smirked evilly at the crowd.
"Hope you don't mind a party crasher. I'm just here to finish off something I started 2 years ago. Elise, why don't you just come down and we can get this over with?"