for
12/23/2000
Writer's Note: Between planning a million things, choosing who to spend time with, shopping, visiting, traveling, and a sick dog, this year's holiday season has been an unusual time--an anxious one. In spite of all this, I've tried to hammer out a nice Christmas story in the brief moments I've been able. It obviously didn't make it into existence in time for this Christmas, but here's a peek at what's come about so far. It's been living under the somewhat sickening title "Christmas in Julie," but hopefully I'll come up with something better. Enjoy.
Santa Claus1 North Pole Loop
North Pole, North Pole
JINGL - BE11
Dear Julie,
Thank you for your kind letter. Yes, to answer your question, I do appreciate receiving mail at times of year other than Christmas. Mrs. Claus is very well, and the reindeer are doing fine. Donder is about to be a father, and you should see him prancing around proudly! The elves are never happier than when they're busy, and they're pretty happy right now; we're already getting ready for next Christmas. The elves are also making sure that North Pole City stays in one piece...
...if the ice gets thin, like it sometimes does during the summer months. Exploring the pole has gone out of style in the last several years, so we don't have to throw the big white tarp over everything quite as often as we used to.
I suppose I should get to your request.
I'm glad you got this letter to me so early. I've had to do a lot of research, and planning, and making of arrangements, but for two of my favorite people, I'm sure it was worth it. You'll have quite a bit to do yourself between now and Christmas time, if you're still willing to do whatever it takes. If you are, (and I think so) please read on.
It's the middle of summer now, where you live, and the big garden out back is green and fragrant. If it's a nice day, go outside and talk to Mrs. Pinkham. She'll be working in the garden, if her arthritis isn't bothering her too much. She's known the garden since she was a girl, when she played there with your grandmother, and knows all of its secrets. Ask her about the fairies, and listen raptly, because she'll have a lot to tell you.
As the afternoon wears on, you'll start to feel sleepy. You might want to curl up on the old hammock by the tree. When you start to fall asleep, you'll have a moment where you're not sure if you're big or small, or up or down. At this point, you can go anywhere. I have someplace I need you to go.
Think about what Mrs. Pinkham said. When things start to get less fuzzy, you'll find yourself in the garden, only now you'll be only three inches tall. Go to one of the places where the fairies come and go from the garden, like the old drainpipe, and go inside. It'll be very dark for a while, and then you'll see a line of glowing brackens on the ceiling. Follow them to South Fairie Town, where you'll be taken to the governor fairie, Fimble. You'll have to be clever now, and remember what Mrs. Pinkham said; fairies are very mistrusting of non-fairies, so you'll have to act like one. If the governor doesn't think you're a real fairie, he won't help you--and remember, you won't...
...even have wings. Once he's convinced, tell him that you'd like to see Hill Island. He'll hem and haw, but eventually give up, if you stand your ground, and tell you to come back in a month--he has preparations to make. You'll wake up soon after, and be at home.
A month later it will be August. When the wind comes up in the afternoon, go once again to the hammock, and let yourself drift off to the time before sleep where you're not sure if you're big or small, or up or down. Now that you know the way, you'll probably find yourself right back in South Fairie Town. Your sudden appearance will get the fairies whispering suspiciously, but it can't be helped. Go to see the governor. He'll take you for a long trip, first by boat, then on foot, to a village atop an underground mountain. This is North Fairie Town.
In the center of town, you'll pass a wide tree. When the governor's not looking, pick a leaf from it. This is the tree of magic. All fairie towns are built around a tree of magic. Hide the leaf away, and continue on with Fimble's fairies.
They'll take you to a large boulder on a windswept field, at the base of which is a small cave. Follow the cave down into the ground to an underground river, with a narrow path running alongside it. Follow the path through the cave, keeping an eye on Fimble's guards. Eventually, the cave will widen out, and the river will split around a hilly island. Walk carefully across the old wooden bridge. Fimble and his guards will probably leave you here. Climb the first hill. At the top you'll find a lot of odd missing things, like a map to Atlantis, a lot of keys and the pink watch I gave you when you were little, that you loved so much. Leave it behind, though, and look for a...
...piece of ice. This is an icicle that never melts, even in the middle of August. Fimble will get suspicious when you pick it up, because real fairies freeze instantly when they touch it. Wrap the icicle in the leaf, and run quickly down the other side of the hill. Fimble's guards will start to hurl magic at you, knowing now that you're not a fairie. Run fast, because if one of the charms hits you, you'll wake up and think that you made up everything about the fairies. (Your grandmother and Mrs. Pinkham were hit with these charms when they were your age, but Mrs. Pinkham's is starting to wear off.) The icicle will disappear into the leaf, and you'll be returned to the hammock safe and sound.
Look on the ground; you'll find that the magic leaf has followed you back. Take it inside, and flatten it in a thick book. The fairies will never find it there!
In September will come a day when the air is crisp, and ribbons of cloud fill the sky. This is the day that our North Pole machines have been started up, so that they can make Christmas cheer for the season. Find the book with the leaf in it (if your dad asks why there was a leaf in his book, just tell him the truth) and take the leaf down to the bridge below your house. The little brook should be quiet enough that you can walk under the bridge. On one side, there is a slab of concrete that looks suspiciously like a door (it is, of course). Leave the leaf there, and climb back up. One of my elves will go down and fetch it; he'll drop an achorn into the water when he...
...gets the leaf. If you listen closely, you'll hear a plunk! Be sure to get back before sunset. There are trolls under the bridge. They can't come out in the light, but they will be watching you from the shadows even while the sun is up. I'll have to send my most fearless elf to get the leaf. The trolls can't hurt you, but they will frighten you. No one likes to use the door beneath the bridge, but I know how brave you are.
Touch the Toast