Chapter 2: Journey through Christmas Tree Forest
"I said only Santa Clause knows the other way around. He's the head elf of this place and the symbol of Christmas cheer." Ester made a left turn when the sleigh reached a forked path with a sign posted deep in the snow. The signs read Forbidden Caverns and the other read Candy Land. Candy Land was their next destination.
"Excuse me, but what exactly lies beyond Forbidden Caverns; something dangerous?" Maggie asked Ester curiously.
"That is something none of us are ever allowed to discuss in front of others. But my only advice is stay away from there. Beyond there lies Stone cold Mountain; home to Crystal…oops," Ester kept his eyes on the path feeling a bit edgy.
"Crystal, who is Crystal?" Grace turned her attention away from the Christmas trees. Ester slapped his forehead from having said too much. He should have known better than to give away secrets that are meant to stay hidden.
"Uh…forget what I said just now. That is not for you to know," he stuttered.
"What are you hiding from us?" Maggie eyed him suspiciously.
"Hey look, more Christmas trees!" Ester pointed his finger at a few acres of snow covered trees being decorated with ornaments and lights by forest animals. The cows had forgotten about Crystal (whoever that was) and became both enchanted and bewildered by what they were gazing at. Their eyes had been sparkling with delight. There were cute deer hanging colored balls with their teeth, squirrels hanging up angels or stars at the very top, and small blue birds that decorated with gold and silver snowflakes. The branches glittered with lit candles that never went out.
"Look Mom, three cows are sitting in Santa's sleigh!" a baby squirrel squeaked whilst jumping up and down in excitement.
"Now dear, haven't I told you before that it isn't polite to point and shout?" the mother held her baby back to prevent him from running after the sleigh
"But Mom, they're riding away!" the baby squirrel still wanted to follow them.
"Did someone say that there are three cows riding Santa's sleigh?" a puffy brown owl swooped down to land next to the squirrels. "That's impossible; everyone here knows that no mortal outside is allowed into the North Pole. Don't you know what would have happened if this place was discovered?"
"But there were cows, I saw them, I saw them!" the baby squirrel was once again jumping with joy and clapping his tiny hands. The rest of the forest animals paused for a few moments to listen to what the baby squirrel had to say.
"That's enough now dear," the mother settled her baby down to avoid attracting attention. "I'm sure they're just another one of the cows from the Pudding Palace."
"Ah, the young lad getting worked up over pudding cows?" The owl was a little unconvinced to believe that. "I'll go and see for myself." He lifted off and soared after the sleigh.
High above, he could see Ester holding on to the reins as the reindeer kept pulling through. To his surprise, the three cows had no coats of rainbow-like colors, just an average color of a normal dairy cow on earth. But to make sure, he flew down to have a closer look at them.
"Hey you, up here!" The cows looked up as they witnessed an owl flying above them then land in front of the sleigh. "Did you three ladies come from the Pudding Palace?"
"Are we from the what?" Mrs. Calloway stared straight at him as if he had just let out another secret of theirs that was meant to stay hidden.
"The Pudding Palace, the place where all the cows gather and create the best puddings of many different flavors," the owl answered with delight.
"Sorry, we're not from anyplace here, but whatever it is you just mentioned sounds awfully sweet," Maggie rubbed both her hooves together thinking about else what the Pudding Palace might hold.
"Not from here? Then where are you from?"
"We're from a barn called Patch of Heaven; home to all farm animals," Grace murmured. "We've traveled the entire west to catch a cattle rustler responsible for the loss of many ranches. Maggie here told us all about the North Pole, but Mrs. Calloway didn't believe a single word she said because..." Before Grace could give out any further information, Mrs. Calloway moved in front of her, meaning that she didn't want anybody in this strange territory to know about their adventures, unless someone not trustworthy were to ever eavesdrop on their conversations. And she sure did not want to take any chances.
"We really shouldn't be talking. We just have to go see whoever is in charge of this world so that he can send us back home."
The elderly owl seemed rather impressed with everything he heard just now; even if he understood why Mrs. Calloway did not want to talk to any strangers. He went to sit next to Ester, still in control of the sleigh ride. He had also been curious to know why the gnome had brought these outsiders to a place where they shouldn't be. Ester explained that he only wanted to prove to the three cows that the North Pole and Santa Clause really do exist. The owl couldn't blame him for that, knowing that Christmas is a wondrous holiday for everyone, no matter how different they are or where they're from. Still, he warned Ester that Santa might not be happy that he rode on his sleigh without permission; especially before Christmas Eve night. But the gnome was not the least bit scared of that since the head elf never lost his temper with anybody, no matter how bad a situation may look. Ester was willing to take that risk since he still excited about wanting to take the cows on a magical Christmas adventure.
Meanwhile, elsewhere
"Ah, it seems the foolish little man has brought along three visitors into this world," a harsh, cold, raspy voice belonging to a mysterious woman spoke inside the dark and twisting frozen caverns. "Must be planning to show them how sincerely wonderful, enchanting…AND IRRITATING," the dark woman pounded her fist on an ice block in fury. "…the Christmas spirit truly is!"
"I truly despise everything on earth that represents the Christmas season. It's always gift giving, caroling, and decorating trees with the brightest of all colors. And worst of all, Santa Clause. Why bother leaving presents for those he has never met or give something in return?" The woman's appearance was covered in dark shadows as she was now prancing around lost in thought on how to put an end to this silly happiness. Then she turned her attention back to her ice mirror to gaze at the image of the cows riding in Santa's sleigh ride and smirked cunningly.
"Maybe if I swipe the Christmas Star off the biggest tree, I can use its powers to create an entire world of icicles and then no more holiday cheer or anything happy. And I'm sure those cows would make the perfect servants to carry out my deed." Laughter echoed throughout the caverns.
Dicsclaimer: Candy Land is a trademark of Hasbro Incorporated. I own nothing of that boardgame.