-It was a successful Christmas, Norway thought as he looked at his family. They were sitting on the floor in front of the open fireplace, playing chutes and ladders. Everyone were relaxed and smiling, joking and laughing. The dice rolled over the floor and a piece moved on the board.
It was night in Norway. A dark, long and cold winter night. Christmas Eve. The other Nordics had arrived the day before, on Little Christmas. Iceland in the morning, to help prepare everything, and the others in time for the porridge party and tree decorating. Norway had been at the house since early in the morning on the 22nd, Black Christmas, and made the house habitable again. It had been empty for a long time.
That first day had been exhausting. The next one was much better, he enjoyed spending time with his brother, even when they were just working in silence. When the others came it was still nice, noisier (someone spoke, what a crime), but nice. The only competitive part had been when they hung the girlanders of flags on the tree. The three Scandinavians battled it out, with a few swears and choice insults, while Iceland and Finland retreated a bit, not wanting to get caught up in the childish fight. Norway's girlander got the highest. Finally, he made sure Iceland got to put the star on the top.
After decorating the tree they sat down around the table again, to eat dessert. They chatted easily about things that weren't really important, but meant something to them. Finland would jokingly nag Norway about eating more, and Norway would mock-scold him for only putting sugar and vanilla sauce on his chocolate pudding, whereupon he would dump two good spoons of whipped cream onto his plate.
The bowls and baskets in Norway's house were filled with fruits and nuts and cakes and sweets. They were never empty, Norway made sure of that. They all went to bed with full bellies and happy smiles.
They hadn't gone to church on the 24th. It wasn't that any of them were Christians, but old habits are difficult to break. Instead Norway had read it before they ate dinner. There was something solemn about it, his deep voice rolling through the room, all of them standing with folded hands and bowed heads. It was a tradition that had survived centuries, it was something familiar, something of the old in this modern ever-changing world.
Tradition was important, which was why Norway snuck out when he was sure the other were occupied, and set a bowl of porridge in the barn. A big bowl, with lots of sugar, a sprinkle cinnamon and a huge butter eye in the middle. He wouldn't offend the farm's nisse.
Food was also important. Norway had had far too little far too often. Now he had set a table that was a veritable cornucopia. There was an abundance of food of all kinds, fish, meat, bird, roots, soups, porridges, bread, fruit, salads, even pasta. Enough food to feed a football team, and still have leftover for the next month. The Nordics dug in.
The dessert was simpler, rice cream with sugar and raspberry sauce and a marzipan pig to whoever found an almond on their plate.
After eating they took each others hands and walked around the Christmas tree singing Christmas carols.
"You green, glittering tree good day
Welcome you whom we gladly greet
With Christmas lights, and Norwegian flags…"
They went round and round and round and round, sometimes faster and sometimes slower, sometimes doing moves to a song. Denmark would suddenly drag them around faster, and some of them would stumble, and the song would be interrupted by laughter. After an eternity they sunk down on the sofas, out of breath and red-faced from laughter. Denmark was soon again, energetic as always, and set about handing out the presents that had been under the tree.
Now they sat there on the floor, drinks in hand, and played chutes and ladders and ate the sweets Norway had set out. Later they would go to sleep, sated and content. They would sleep away the next morning, wake up late and laze away the day. Together. Yes, this was a successful Christmas.
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Translations:
None
Cultural Notes:
In Norway we decorate our Christmas trees with Norwegian flags, though we still use all the usual ornaments and stuff. It started as a protest during the WW2, strange how few who actually take the time to look at the decorations.
The nisse is like a house elf from Harry Potter, only if you offend them they'll kill your animals, make you sick and burn your house to the ground.
We open our presents on the 24th, it's much more relaxing that way. On the 25th we'll sleep in, no one ever plans any parties before five o'clock.
Author's Note:
I told you it'd be out by thirteenth day Christmas! I realize it isn't really 6th of January here anymore, but somewhere in the world it still is, and that's good enough for me. Besides, this is just how it is when inspiration suddenly strikes at 1.45 in the morning.
Happy New Years, I'll hope it'll be good.
Sees,
Shrizyne