TheTheThe MessengerMessengerMessenger New Richmond High School, 1131 Bethel-New Richmond Road, New Richmond, Ohio 45157 Volume LXXV December 2014 Welcome to The Messenger, special December edition! For this issue, Messenger staff members were asked to write an opinion piece centered around a holiday theme and then write a holiday story that could either be real or creative. All of the students this year chose the creative option and their stories and columns are published here; we hope you enjoy them. We are so grateful for the community’s support of our newspaper, especially in a time when print journalism is struggling, and when even The Messenger doesn’t do much actually in print any more. The paper allows students a voice for their opinions as well as an opportunity to publish their work. As the adviser for The Messsenger, I am very proud of their writing, as well as their commitment to the paper. We are lucky to be a part of a community that values student journalism, and we appreciate the support of our advertisers and our readers. We’re also lucky to be a small part of a very generous community. This year at the high school, we plan to meet or beat the all-time food drive record set last year (and that’s even without John Callebs, aka the King of Cans). We’re also helping close to 50 students at Christmas through Lions Reach Out as well as collecting hundreds of personal care items for the Giving Tree. PTO members, local churches and community residents have stepped up to adopt needy families for the holiday season, and every staff member in the building has actively supported our community service efforts. Even better is the fact that this kind of community service extends to every school in the district and the spirit of giving back is more than simply words in the New Richmond community. Enjoy our special issue and have a wonderful holiday season!

The Messenger staff--

Tristin Baumann, Jade Davidson. Gage Combs, Kaylee Gibbs, Hunter Gilpin, Elise Holdsworth, Sadie LaRocque, Joe Maxwell, Ciera Moore, Brooklyn Parker. TheThe lovelove ofof ChristmasChristmas traditionstraditions Rookie Holiday memories Brookie By Brooklyn Parker Sweet smells but now I think of the fun as tasty baked goods drifting from the that comes with putting bake are some of my my second sister, kitchen, up the favorite Christmas Hayley, to wake her up. smiles tree and smells. The rule at our everywhere, decorating Next, we help her put house is that we have Christmas theup and decorate her to wait until at least music house Christmas tree. Helping 8am to wake up our fills the with my her decorating her tree is parents. After we look air; this family. It one of the best things to in our stockings, we sums up makes do. Every year she buys eat breakfast my dad Christmas meevery one of her makes for us. After for my happy grandchildren an breakfast, we open all family. andornament. our presents Christmas calm. The ornaments have to underneath the tree. is my favorite holiday Christmas is the do with something Christmas day we because of the time of giving and important that happened spend playing with traditions. Every family helping those in need; that year with each whatever we got. At has different traditions for it’s also time to spend grandchild and no about 5pm we go to my the holidays and my time with family and ornament is the same. mom’s mother’s house family has a bunch of friends. For many families, for Christmas dinner and them. A few days after we including mine, presents with that side of Every year at the finish my house, my Christmas lasts for many the family. It’s always fun, beginning of December, sisters and I go to our days. On Christmas Eve, we all love each other my family starts to grandma’s house. There my mom, dad, sisters and enjoy spending time decorate our house. we make cardamon and I go to my dad’s side together. When we start the bread; a bread that is sort of the family. We’re Christmas contains decorating process, we of braided and covered normally there until 10 many different traditions. put the tree up together in icing with green and pm or 10:30 pm. Before Every tradition brings and decorate it. While red chewy candies on it. my sisters go to bed, we different feelings for we do this, we play Making this bread is a still put out cookies for someone. My family’s Christmas music, light a special thing to do. It “Santa” When my sisters traditions bring calm, fire and drink hot takes time and care to go to bed, I help my soothing, and happy chocolate. Every year make the bread in mom wrap presents for feelings to me. This year either one of my sisters perfect braids. The my sisters and for my at Christmas think about or I put the angel on top concentration is mom’s side of the family. the traditions your family of the tree. soothing, and just having Christmas When children often my grandma with me is morning, my think of Christmas, they even more so. youngest think big trees, fires Many people love sister, going with stockings everything about Andrea, wakes hanging above them Christmas. The smells me up at 7am and brightly wrapped that come from the pine to tell me that presents with big bows trees and also the smells it’s Christmas on them underneath the that come from lighted morning. Than tree. I used to think that candles in the kitchen we run down to Winter is coming early this year New Richmond schools already had one snow day Moore is More For the first time year’s winter weather December rolls around. since 1999, New Rich- will be a lot more se- I’m hoping that more By Ciera vere and even colder snow falls and that mond schools had a snow Moore day in November. With than it was this time there is going to be about 3-5 inches fall- last year. Their pre- another completely ing overnight, people dictions may make many white Christmas. are wondering what’s people consider pack- By the time we’re it’s cold enough for going on ing in February, I’ll me to be able to wear with their probably be one of the sweatshirts all the Mother bags people really sick of time and not be sweat- Nature and the snow that seems to ing to death. out moving be everywhere already. Sweatshirts are warm there. toBut for now I’m en- and comforting in this Some are sunny joying it as much as I subzero weather. saying Florida, can, mostly because People reading this that it but it this happens every year may think I’m a seems makes and it makes me wish little crazy to be lik- like mefor the summer months. ing the cold and snow Mother even Once summer is over so much, but there are Nature is having an af- happier to be living with, I’m craving the probably a lot like me fair with Jack Frost, in Ohio. sight of freshly who enjoy this time of bringing an early win- With snow falling fallen snow and so the year. I just love be- ter to us all this already, I’m start- cycle begins again. ing able to go outside year. Now most are not ing to get into the When it starts get- and seeing the perfect very happy that all Christmas spirit, and ting colder out, I get white snow covering ev- this snow has fallen I don’t think it’s really excited. Autumn erything around me. so early, but I’m very ever happened this has always been my fa- It’s just a bonus that excited. Being a win- early in the year for vorite time of the all that snow could ter baby myself, I me personally. Snow au- year and my fondness mean I don’t have to have always loved snow. tomatically makes me just builds as the go to school that day. Last year, our think of Christmas, weather gets cooler and I really am hoping school missed so many like it probably does the year starts to that the Farmer’s Al- days because of snow for many people. Since end. I like going out- manac is right and that the school con- there is snow on the side and playing in the there is more snow to sidered giving us up ground this early in snow, even though I’m come. to fourteen snow days. the year, who knows how almost sixteen and I The Farmers’ Almanac much there will be by should be growing out predicts that this the time the 25th of of that. I like that Get in the holiday spirit and put up a real tree! Why having a real Christmas tree is better than an artificial one

When it comes to fake trees are fine. In tificial ones is that they Christmas trees, would fact, we have a fake absorb carbon dioxide Hippie you rather have a real tree in my upstairs and other gases, emit- Holdsworth one or a fake one? Most lounge room. I just think ting fresh oxygen. Who families nowadays have it’s more festive to have knew?! a fake Christmas tree. a real tree. Also, real trees are a By Elise Actually, it’s pretty Approximately 33 renewable, recyclable Holdsworth rare to find a fam- million real Christ- resource. Artificial ily who goes mas trees are trees contain non-bio- out and gets sold in North degradable plastics and tree we get is huge, so a real tree. America each metals. For many it creates a lot of room Out of all year. A good part people, the process of for ornaments! my friends, about getting a going out, selecting a One of my favorite my family real tree for the tree, strapping it to the Christmas memories is one of holiday season is roof of the car and from when I was little the only that you can re- hauling it home is a fam- was decorating the tree. ones that cycle your tree ily tradition. Unpacking My sisters and I would actually when Christmas and assembling an arti- get so excited when my goes out to is over. In fact, ficial tree just doesn’t mom would bring up the a Christmas most areas will make the same holiday big boxes that are filled tree farm collect trees memories. with ornaments. Even and puts up a during their Every year, when when I was little, I real tree for regular pickup my family and I go loved having a real Christmas. schedules on the two out to the Christ- tree. I don’t re- In my opinion, getting weeks following Christ- mas tree farm ally know how a real tree is way more mas. and search to explain it, fun than setting up a Many people say that for the but it’s so fake one. My family a consequence of having best tree, much more goes out to this Christ- a real Christmas tree is we’re fun to have a mas tree farm owned by that are destroying the looking real one. an elderly couple and we forests. I do know for So even chop down our own. I where they are coming some- though arti- personally love having a from, but you can re- thing re- ficial real tree rather than a cycle the tree after the ally tall. Christmas fake one because the holiday, so you aren’t Our ceiling trees are a smell of the pines lin- completely wasting the in our living room is very lot easier to assemble gers throughout the tree. high so we usually get and put up, having a real whole house and I love If you are an envi- one around 10 feet tall. one is way more fun and it. ronmentally friendly Going out and looking don’t forget, it’s envi- Also, it is more fes- person like me, another for a tree creates so ronmentally friendly! tive and fun to have a good reason why real many fun memories, in- real tree in your house. Christmas trees are stead of just assembling Don't get me wrong, better to have than ar- an artificial one. Every Brace yourselves, winter has come This is why weather needs to chill out As Christmas draws cides to target my road (I physical abuse from nearer, so does winter. live on a back road) I get driveways or tailspins The fun snow on the a little irritated that I can’t into trees. It’s the rude- ground that gives delays, Stuff n’ Thangs the black ice that makes By Hunter Gilpin cars spin, and the ice ev- erywhere that makes me my door is frozen shut, slip and fall going to my the snow falls in my mail- car. Ah yes, winter is box, or I get ice every- here… When will it be where. Walking in a Win- spring again? ter Wonderland? No, There is a reason I write more like walking on my these columns around toes so I don’t slip and fall Christmas, and no, not face first. So when I also because I want to whine want to do my daily jog, I to you about different can’t do it without just situations with family or sliding down my road. So because I need the grade. the ice is horrible, then the It is because the weather snow comes over the ice. stinks. Yes, the first even make it to the li- ness of some people who You don’t know where snowfall is great and we brary because Jack Frost like to participate in the the ice is and you go full get out of school for a day, thought it’d be funny if I capitalistic madness that sprint out into your yard. but I can’t go anywhere slip on my driveway and is Christmas. Not only Bad decisions have been because the roads are feel like my leg popped that, but why is it that the made at that point. I’m covered with slush, black out. It’s not and I don’t stores around me run out not saying it hasn’t hap- ice, or just straight up ice. like getting hurt from of hot chocolate? I under- pened to me, which it has, We all get tired of the that tenth of an inch of ice. stand people like it, I but it hurts a lot. weather at some point, There is more to the mean, I love it, but don’t The winter winds are but when Jack Frost de- winter weather than buy six boxes of it and ex- howling, the coldness pect me not to say some- sinking in, the people in thing to you as you walk their houses because win- out the store. Anyway, I ter stinks. Snow Days are don’t go out much be- good, until there are too cause of people and their many so it will take up antics, especially Black some of my summer. Friday. I believe that day Uhh! When will it should be renamed the end? Hopefully tomor- Hunger Games. People row; I want some hot maim each other and chocolate now and let’s their prize for winning is hope the overly anxious a $20 crock pot. grocery shoppers left me The weather has never some. been nice to me during the times of giving. Either There’s nothing better than the holiday season So eat your heart out There are a lot of ing Christmas with my cooked food. People Kaylee’s good things about family is when my who eat out on Thanks- Commentary Christmas, like spend- grandpa dressed up as giving and Christmas ing time with your Santa himself last year. just aren't living life By Kaylee family who lives out of Now my grandpa is a right. The only thing Gibbs town, giving and re- rather small man, and that’s better than go- ceiving presents, the exact defini- ing to your and you can’t tion of a grandparent’s house forget about redneck. See- with your aunts, uncles feet stepped on at least the food. ing him and crazy cousins and twenty times isn't your There’s put on just sitting and eating cup of tea, the online noth- a full yourself into a coma is Black Friday sales can ing Santa waking up from that also get pretty hectic. bet- get up, coma at eleven that If you don’t hit that ter beard night and finding the button at the exact than and all, leftover food. second, your precious the defi- There’s one more 42” TV is gone forever holiday nitely thing that the holiday and on someone else’s season, made my season isn't complete wall. in my whole without: Black Friday. At the end of the day, opinion, Christmas The night after Thanks- you can’t give back and probably break that giving, all of the crazy enough and there’s everyone much better. couponing moms and nothing to be more else’s. Everyone obvi- any other person that thankful for than fam- Seeing family that ously loves receiving enjoys running on two ily, so always make a you don’t get to hang presents but it always hours of sleep gets up little time for your out with that often is seems to feel so much at the crack of dawn crazy grandparents and always a great time better watching some- and runs around in- aunts this holiday sea- and that’s what makes one enjoy a present sanely packed stores son, stay safe and eat me look forward to the you gave him or her. for some “great” everything you can. holidays even more. Most people give back, sales. Now I don’t Family is such an im- whether it be actually know about portant part of every buying or making you, but person’s life and it is someone a gift or giv- there isn't always a fun time to ing in other ways, such anything hang out with them as volunteering at a else in this around the holidays. I food pantry or donat- entire don’t know about you, ing to a charity. As world but when my huge messed up as our that family gets together world can be, a lot of sounds we are obnoxious and families and people more insane, but I honestly give back during the fun than that. If couldn’t have more fun holiday season. taking el- with anyone else. There aren't a lot of bows to the One of my favorite things that are better nose and memories from spend- than some good home having your The spirit of giving hasn’t died This generation is living proof of that

It’s no stretch of the cause in the past I had and focus not just on imagination for anyone not typically bought what other people are getting them for Christ- these days to look at presents for anyone Tristin’s the world and see the outside my immediate mas. way that everything has family. But this year A quote from Mother Tales By Tristin Baumann been was Teresa herself sums up perfectly the way I feel com- dif- by someone who posed about the whole idea of mer- fer- a curious idea to me. the spirit of giving at cialized I must be willing to ent. I “It’s funny how when Christmas time. “I must into give whatever it takes took you’re a kid you just be willing to give what- some- plenty want presents, but to do good to others. ever it takes to do good thing to of when you get older you This requires that I be to others. This requires sell or time like giving them more.” willing to give until it that I be willing to give make to It was an interesting until it hurts. Otherwise, money hurts. Otherwise, fig- way of looking at it. there is no true love in off. there is no true love in ure “Maybe,” I responded, me, and I bring injus- You me, and I bring injus- what “it’s that the older you tice, not peace, to might tice, not peace, to to get, the more you know those around me.” say get how much it means to those around me. What I have sur- that each someone when they’re --Mother Teresa mised from the past few with the per- given a present.” way son, years, as I’ve seen my- Christ- mak- self and people around mas is ing me mature and grow up now, the spirit of giving sure I got them a and become the people is more or less dead. I present that they would they are today, was might’ve agreed with really like, and then got brought full circle you not too long ago, it with no second but I’ve slowly realized thought or hesitation. that I, and many others Several people I around me, are living know have told me that proof that the spirit of they’re getting presents giving has not died. for me, and I have This Christmas in heard so many people particular, I had a talking about getting strange urge to buy presents for other presents for all of my people. It truly makes friends and people I me happy to hear that know really well. This people still focus on get- was odd for me be- ting other people gifts, It’s all about the cookies... Homemade beats store-bought any day of the week Have you ever no- ally any baking involved more appealing. They ticed the slight (or dras- with those store bought may not look the best, tic) difference between products? Any quality but they remind me of Davidson’s Decree store bought Christmas family time spent to- home and family. They By: Jade Davidson cookies and treats and gether? No! Of course seem almost sweeter homemade ones? In my not! I mean, unless you and even better in that opinion, homemade is count the time that is sense. always better. spent together sitting I think some of my fa- I don’t know what it is, on the couch stuffing vorite holiday memories All in all, I think that whether it’s knowing your face with those came from baking with homemade cookies not that it was made with treats.. But does that my family. Whether it’s only taste better, but love or simply the fact even count? sugar cookies, bring great memories to that it was made by Although I don’t usu- snickerdoodles, or even families everywhere. someone you actually ally enjoy sweets, muffins, it’s all good If I had to give advice know. around the holidays, it’s memories. When I was to people all around the Store bought cookies one of the things I look little, me and my great world, it would be to just are just gross in my forward to most. Just grandma would make take the time out of your mind. For one, you seeing all the home- these really cute cook- holiday; spend that time never know who made made sweets made by ies with the little cook- making cookies with them or whether, once the people I love just ies cutters. your family, Take the you buy them and open makes me so happy. The After all of that, my fa- family time and make them, if they are going holidays are full of vorite part was decorat- memories that will last a to be stale or just the reds and ing them. Whether it lifetime. plain nasty. greens and spirit. was like Santa or little re- Not only do Yes, the cookies indeer, it was some of home- from the my best experiences. made store fit the cookies “look” of give you Christmas, the satisfac- but I would tion of being rather have a made with cookie that is love, but made by my there is little brother also the fac- that looks like tor of spending the worst Christmas time with family. On tree on the face of this those boxes of store earth than one that is a bought cookies, what masterpiece but tastes do you always see? Cute like dirt. little all American fami- Christmas cookies are lies baking those treats supposed to bring cheer that you buy together. and I feel like home- But, is there ever re- made cookies are just What is the true reason for Christmas? Never forget that Christmas is because of religion Sassy Sadie each year for the holi- day season to make the house more in the spirit. With the nativity scene that is put up By: Sadie LaRocque comes more religious connection. We also mass with my family, put up Christmas no matter how much trees. People have al- I don’t want to go. ways asked what the With all the excite- point in the trees is ment of Christmas, and if it even has a re- from the snow to the ligious connection, gifts, the real reason Christmas, a time of forget the true mean- which it does. The for the holiday will celebration, gifts, ing of Christmas. Christmas tree is often never change. All the snow, and families The gift giving and explained as a other aspects of the coming together. The receiving, snow, and Christianization of pa- holiday coming in to Christmas season is spending time with gan tradition. play and making it unlike other seasons family make the holi- For my family, it is a wonderful but some- because of the snow, day more interesting tradition to go to times chaotic, never spending more time and sometimes hectic, church on Christmas, forget the true mean- with family, and gift which is why it’s impor- no matter where we ing of Christmas. giving. The snow tant to never lose are. We go to Christ- seems to be coming sight of the true rea- mas mass every year earlier each year and son for Christmas. as a family. I have makes it feel like Christ- I love the other as- gone to a midnight mas is coming faster. pects of the holiday mass once and it Even with every- but never forget that made me feel more thing else making the it is about the birth of connected in my reli- season wonderful, the baby Jesus. I get to gion than I normally true reason for the spend more time with would. I enjoy holiday is because of my family around the going to the birth of baby holiday that I don’t Christ- Jesus. normally get to spend mas Being Catholic, I be- time with normally. My lieve that Christmas is grandparents are de- a holiday because of voutly Catholic and Jesus. I grew up going think that Christmas is to church and learn- all about the religion. ing religion, so I never The religious aspect of forget the true mean- the holiday is impor- ing of Christmas. With tant to most of my all the other aspects of family. the holiday being in- Like many families, volved many people we put up a nativity Christmas mysteries solved Santa’s mind tells everything By Brooklyn Parker Have you ever won- boys, it’s moving day, Kris’ 20th dered why Santa Claus it’s time to cool down a birthday, his is always so kind and bit.” laughed jolly father came to loves Christmas? Or Mr.Claus. Down the him to tell him. why Santa’s sleigh can stairs ran all the “Son, today is fly? How about why dwarves and young the day you Rudolph’s nose glows? Kris Claus. take over the Well, hop onto the sleigh He was so excited to family business.” and I’ll tell you a story. be moving to the North “Today?...Why Once, hundreds of Pole. His dad had got- today?” exclaimed Kris. years ago, a child was ten a new job as a toy “Well son, I’m old and born; born to a very deliverer to children all tired of working. I want his father said that, happy Mr. and Mrs. around the world. All to spend time with Kris saw something red Claus. They were a the dwarves were go- your mother,” ex- gleaming from the normal family. They ing to make toys for a plained his father. “I back of the stable. lived in a three story living and his mother want you to become “What is that?” house with two dog's, was going to bake Santa Claus.” asked Kris one cat, three fish, ten cookies and help sew Kris had no idea “That is Rudolph, he hedgehogs ,and three clothing for his family what was going on as is our new head rein- iguanas. Big animal and friends. his father led him to deer. He is very spe- lovers, every Sunday His father told him, the stable. He had cial and he has been and Saturday they vol- “Son, one day this will never been in there; he given a gift from the unteered at the zoo. be your job. You will was never allowed. same fairy which gave Mr.Claus was a law- deliver all the toys As he walked in our sleigh the power to yer and Mrs.Claus was made here one day ev- there, he saw a giant fly, the ability to hold a kindergarten ery year to every child red sleigh with a single thousands of toys, elves teacher. They believed in the world.” pouch in the back of it. the power to make in helping everyone be This statement com- and around it were thousands of toys and happy, especially dur- pletely bewildered Kris. eight reindeer. the children the power ing the holidays. How in the world would “Wow...what is all of to believe. Well, it also Christmas was a very he deliver thousands of this?” asked Kris. gave Rudolph the important holiday to toys to thousands of “This, son, is the power to make his nose the Claus family. They children all around the family secret. You see, glow when he is in a would decorate their entire world? my father and his fa- dark spot,” explained house with wonderful As time passed in the ther and his father’s Kris’ father. lights and trees. There North Pole, Kris heard father and so on have This was a huge re- were ornaments hand people call his father always been Santa sponsibility, but Kris made by the little Santa, and the Claus. We deliver thou- was up to it. Through- dwarf men and women dwarves were now sands of toys to every out the years, Rudolph from the dwarf home called elves. Their ears child in the world ev- and his shining nose be- across town and oh, the were becoming pointy ery Christmas Eve. In came his closest friend. lovely smells that were and they laughed a lot return, we get the joy Without Kris and coming from their more. His father was of all the children and Rudolph, Christmas house all season long……. gaining weight. He was also we get lots of cook- would never be the “Hurry everyone growing a long white ies,” said his father same…. we’re going to be late!” beard, had rosy cheeks with a jolly laugh and sweetly yelled and a cherry red nose. a wink. Mrs.Claus. “Come on, One day, just before A few minutes after Randolph comes to the rescue this year! Rudolph’s second cousin fills in for him By Ciera Moore It was the night before Blitzen…,” he whispered ______had to resort to asking that Christmas, and through- as his cheeks puffed up Rudolph’s crazy second imbecile to help us this out Santa’s reindeer barn and he turned to vomit. cousin was making his Christmas,” Dasher com- all that could be heard was A few of the other re- way across the frozen, icy plained. the disgusting retching of indeer walked over to tundra of the North Pole. “Well he’s the only a very famous reindeer. where Blitzen stood, He had gotten a sum- other reindeer we know Poor Rudolph had been “Will moning that has a glowing nose,” struck with an unfortu- he be earlier refuted Blitzen. nate case of the stomach able to “I think that that night Randolph entered the flu. The red aura that lead us we all owe you and was barn and was immediately usually surrounded his to- clumsily hooked up to Santa’s stall because of his fluores- night?” an apology, running sleigh. Nobody had time cent nose, had been re- Prancer Randolph. We to the re- to waste with his point- placed with a sickly green asked haven’t been indeer less banter that he was al- one. with barn, his ready rattling off to deaf Blitzen strode over to con- treating you bright or- ears. his friend’s sleeping place cern. very gratefully ange nose “Did you know…,” and knocked his front “Don’t letting the Randolph was cut off and hoof against the door. think since you got others ushered out by the elves “How’re ya doin’ in he here...” know of to the takeoff point. there buddy?” will,” Santa Claus his unfor- “No time to waste! There was a heavy sigh re- tunate ar- Ready for take off, sir,” that emitted from the stall plied rival. yelled an elf. as Rudolph hoisted him- Blitzen. “Ugh, he’s here,” Santa himself walked to self up from the hay. He “Do you think..?” groaned Cupid as he the back of the sleigh, opened the door and “Should we..?” spotted the glowing orb throwing the large sack of looked at his friend, his “We have to.” that was bobbing up and toys into it. He walked usually glittering eyes were “I’ll summon down as Randolph ran along the row of reindeer dull and tired. Randolph,” sighed a re- and continuously fell. and gave each of them a “Not so good, luctant Blitzen. “I cannot believe we small pep talk and a hearty ‘Ho, ho, ho!’. But when ing around and lead them front of the line for the dull, blinking nose be- he got to the front and ex- correctly. second time that night. came a brightly glowing pected to see Rudolph, he “I got this,” Randolph “It seems that our friend neon orb. He uncon- stopped short. yelled back to the others, Randolph here has lost his sciously started to float off “Ho,having to swerve to avoid Christmas spirit,” ob- the snowy ground and ho..ohhh...Randolph is a large pine tree that ap- served Santa. there was a festive glow to here…,” said an uncom- peared out of the snow “No, sir-,” him. fortable and not so jolly falling heavily in the Randolph “Thank you all! I am Saint Nick. Pole. was cut off. ready to finish this job,” He patted the goofy For the next ten “I think exclaimed Randolph. reindeer’s head and hur- minutes, the other that we all “Let’s not waste any ried back to the sleigh, reindeer and their owe you time, then! There’s only a hopping in and starting owner were ter- an apol- few more hours left to de- his chant. rified for their ogy, liver all these presents,” “Now, Dasher! Now, lives. It seemed Randolph. said Santa as he jumped Dancer! Now, Prancer that Weback into the sleigh and and Vixen! On, Comet! Randolph haven’t they took off. On, Cupid! On, Donner had lost the been treat- ______and Blitzen...and ability to con- ing you That year, Christmas Randolph.” trol his nose very grate- was saved by an un- Now things immedi- and stay levi- fully since likely hero. Rudolph’s ately went wrong. tated for very you got clumsy and usually ig- Randolph clumsily long. The line here...I nored second cousin started running across the of animals and know you’ve helped safely delivere snowy ground, his fawn- the sleigh they were con- noticed this, and I hope all the presents to the like legs shaking in the nected to were continu- our apologies will bring children of the world. cold. As he ascended into ously being jerked left, back your happy-go- After he showed Santa the air, his nose started to right, up, and down. lucky mood and the how well he could black out. The light that “Time for a break,” Christmas spirit that’s in- complete the job, he emitted from him was called out a queasy Santa side you,” explained the was offered a perma- quickly fading and the as he pulled the reins to jolly old man. nent position on the other reindeer were pan- lower the sleigh. As the rest of the rein- team. He apprecia- icking. There was a cho- When they safely deer gave him their hon- tively accepted this rus of voices telling reached solid ground est apologies, his mood job and the rest is his- Randolph to stop mess- Santa made his way to the visibly brightened. His tory. Santa’Santa’ss elveselves araree notnot ververyy jollyjolly The Christmas spirit is gone By Elise Holdsworth When you think of “You’re right, honey. change around here. all we’re doing every Santa’s shop, you prob- I’m going to go talk to You haven't been in the day. It feels like the ably think of jolly little all of them,” he said. Christmas mood and I Christmas spirit is gone. elves running around So Santa made his would like to know why Everyone is bored. making presents for way through his big so I can make you Rudolph’s nose won't the good little workshop happy,” he said. even light up any more! boys and girls. all the None of the elves said The holiday spirit is Well you’re way anything. gone!” Icy said. WRONG. down to “Oh, come on, guys! The room filled with Lately, Santa’s the room There has to be some- mumbles of all the elves. elves have been where all the thing bothering you. “Yeah Santa!” another arguing not being elves were work- What’s wrong? Someone elf shouted. “We need very jolly for the ing. Since there tell me,” Santa said change!” holiday season. were so many sadly. Santa stood there, “I don’t know elves, he had Still, none of the elves thinking of what we what to do,” to use a micro- said a word. could do. The room be- Santa sighed. phone to talk to “There has to be a gan to get louder. “They’re not them. When he reason you aren’t in the Alright elves, calm happy anymore walked into Christmas spirit! It’s the down.” Santa spoke into and they don’t the shop, best time of the year! the microphone. “I’ll seem to be hav- none of the Time for happiness and think of something to ing a fun time elves were joy. Why aren’t you do. I’m sorry, everyone, when they’re working smiling. Usu- happy?” he asked again. I didn't know you were for me. Maybe they’re ally there was holiday “We’re bored, Santa,” so unhappy. But don’t just getting bored.” music playing to lighten a little voice said from worry! I’ll fix this,” he Santa thought and the mood, but not to- the crowd of elves. said and turned off the thought about what he day. None of them were All the elves made microphone. could do to get the elves talking, they were just room so that Santa could All the elves got back more festive but he assembling toys and not see who was talking. to work and Santa went couldn’t think of any- saying a word. “Hello, Icy,” Santa said to his office to talk to thing. Christmas is in “Hello elves,” Santa said when he saw who was Mrs. Claus. less than a month, he through the micro- talking. “So, you guys “They’re bored, sweetie. needs to think fast! phone. “Gather around, are bored?” They said the Christmas “Well, maybe you I need to talk to you All the elves looked at spirit is gone. We need should talk to them and guys.” each other. to do something about see why they aren't so All the elves dropped “It’s the same routine this.” He slumped over jolly any more,” Mrs. what they were doing every year, Santa.” Icy as he sat down. Claus said. “There has to and gathered around explained. “We love “Well, you know what be a reason.” Santa. Christmas and we love makes everyone happy Santa thought about it “Mrs. Claus and I have making toys for all the during the holidays! and eventually made a been talking, and we boys and girls, but it gets Decorations and lights decision. think it’s time for a a little boring when that’s everywhere!” Mrs. Claus said. the reindeer said. cried. “We need to make is ready for the party,” “That’s actually a good After that, Santa went this place a little more Mrs. Claus said as she idea. Do you think you back up to the workshop. jolly.” placed the last batch of could decorate their “It looks wonderful!” Mrs. Claus agreed and cookies on the table. “I workshop for them?” Santa said in amaze- gathered more elves to think they’re going to Santa smiled. “You’re a ment. Mrs. Claus put help them. For the rest love this.” much better decorator lights up everywhere of the night, Santa, and Santa smiled and than me.” throughout the whole Mrs. Claus and a group looked at everything. “I Mrs. Claus laughed. workshop. There was of elves went out and think they will, too,” “Of course I'll decorate Christmas music playing decorated the whole A little later, the whole it. I’ll go gather up some in the background and town. They finished town started to arrive to workers to help me. We’ll stockings hung up for right before the the party. have it done by tonight!” each and every sun came up. “This party is great, Santa went down to elf. “This is Santa. It really makes the talk to the reindeer. “I’m not beautiful,” town more festive,” “Hi guys,” Santa said even half- Mrs. Claus Rudolph said. when he approached the way done said. “I hope you like it. reindeer. yet!” “Thank You all deserve a day off “Hi Santa,” Rudolph Mrs. you so to have some fun time,” said. Claus much, Santa grinned. “Mrs. Claus and I said. “I elves. The rest of the night wanted to tell everyone thought You all the reindeer and all that we’re going to be the did a the elves danced and ate doing things a little dif- elves great until they couldn’t dance ferently around here this de- job!” Santa or eat any more. Christmas,” he said. “I served said. “Thanks, Santa,” said know you aren't in the to get The Kandy Kane the elf. “This holiday spirit this year. presents elves party really put all of us The elves told me. But too, so I put up stock- cheered. into a more jolly mood. don’t worry, we’ll make ings for each one. There “Let’s go get things This Christmas is going everyone happy again!” were hundreds of stock- set up for the party to- to be great,” Rudolph and all the ings hanging up all night,” Santa said to Mrs. Santa smiled. “Glad other reindeer smiled around the walls with the Claus. you had fun!” with joy. elves’ names on them,” The elves went back Mrs. Claus and Santa “What are you doing “This is amazing. to the workshop and spent the rest of the day to make this differently?” Let’s decorate the rest of Santa and Mrs. Claus cleaning up the party. Dasher the reindeer the town!” Santa said. worked on getting the When they were fin- asked. Mrs. Claus looked a party ready. For the rest ished, they made some “Mrs. Claus is up with little confused. “The of the afternoon, Mrs. hot coco and sat down some elves decorating whole town? That would Claus baked and baked by the cozy fire. their workshop now. take forever, honey.” and baked. She baked “We did good, honey,” Also, I have decided to “I don’t care. The hundreds of gingerbread Mrs. Claus said she throw a holiday party town needs to be deco- cookies, and loads of dif- sipped her cocoa tomorrow to make rated anyway. For crying ferent desserts for all the “We sure did,” Santa things a little more fes- out loud, this town is people in the town. said. “This is going to be tive around here.” Santa where the elves make Santa decorated some a wonderful Christmas!” explained. All the rein- presents for Santa to de- more of the big dining deer cheered and liver on Christmas, and room and he set the Rudolph’s nose lit up. it’s not even decorated table. “That sounds like fun!” for Christmas!” Santa “Looks like everything AA ChristmasChristmas partyparty atat thethe NorthNorth PolePole The elves almost ruined the holiday for everyone By: Sadie LaRocque One year, a week before ting ready for Christmas?” but having some of the Christmas, the elves de- Santa asked. gifts already helped reduce cided to throw a big party. The elves said they had the panic. This party created prob- it covered already, but they Max made an announce- lems when it came to really didn’t. They lost ment to the other elves so Santa’s red bag to put in Christmas time. sight of how little time there would be some order the sleigh. “Let’s throw a big they had left to get ready in getting ready for Christ- The elves had lots of party!” Kyle the elf said. for the holiday. The elves mas. gifts to get wrapped and The other elves thought got so caught up in the “Let’s all meet back here ready for Christmas and it was a great idea. Kyle party that they completely in two hours and see what little time to do it, but they got the red and green bal- forgot about getting ready we have left to get! Split all worked together and loons for the party and for Christmas and it be- up and get as much as you were able to pull it to- blew them up. Some of the came a problem when it can, he said. gether with one day to elves went to get other came time to pack Santa’s All of the elves split up spare. stuff for the party; cake, sleigh. and went to get the stuff Santa went to deliver his food, decorations. The head elf, Max, they needed. Two hours gifts on Christmas Eve Some of the elves got ev- started freaking out about later, everyone met back at with the reindeer. Every erything set up for the not being ready. “We the house on the North child all over the world got party and invited everyone should have been getting Pole. their gifts on time for else over. They had all ready for Christmas and “Okay everyone, we have Christmas while the elves the balloons filling up not partying. Kyle, most of what we need to got to recover from the the house at the your idea has give the children all over party and gift buying. North Pole. caused so many the world for Christmas,” “Good job, elves, I’ve got “I can’t be- problems, we Max said. “Can you and to give you credit,” Santa lieve we’re really need your help Carl go get some boxes, said, “You managed to get having a party now,” Max said. bags, and wrapping paper all the gifts for everyone right before The elves were for us,” he said to Mike. and wrap them with time Christmas. This is rushing to get ready “Sure. We’ll be back in to spare.” awesome!” Mike said. for Christmas, with the a jiff,” Mike said. He then Santa wasn’t very happy The elves were partying help of Santa. found Carl and they took about the party in the be- all night and not getting Hoping to be able to pull off to get what Max asked ginning, but they managed ready for Christmas. They it off before they had to them to. to pull it together. They were having so much fun deliver gifts, all of the The elves and Santa were in a rush to get ev- that they completely for- elves split up to go get ev- were frantic, running all erything ready but they did got about helping Santa get erything they needed. Each around the North Pole try- it and made Santa proud. ready to go deliver the elf went to a different place ing to get everyone to- The elves learned their les- gifts. They were thinking to get the stuff on the list gether and get the gifts sons about throwing par- about having another party that children all over the wrapped to go deliver to ties right before Christ- next year, too, until Santa world wanted. They had to the children. Mike and mas. came in. get all their stuff for Santa Carl got back in just under “Next time, let’s have our When Santa came in dur- in a time crunch, but they an hour and the elves party after Christmas, that ing the party, all the elves had some of it already. started a production line to way we don’t have to freaked out. They were panicking and wrap the gifts, put names worry about messing up “Why are you not get- trying to get everything, on them, and get them in Christmas,” Mike said. The Greatest Christmas Present EVER Young child recieves the best gift on Chirstmas morning by Tristin Baumann Once upon a time, a long the fireplace was gone, and passenger cars and climbed She was so confused. Had time ago, there was a child in it’s pace bricks filled the aboard. Just as she got it all been a dream? Did she named Ciera. She was a girl spot where it used to sit. aboard, the train started run into the wall and knock of 10 years. All she ever Ciera quietly walked to- moving. herself out? It sure seemed wanted for Christmas was a wards the spot where the On the table was a box, like it. So Ciera went back life-size Hogwarts express fireplace used to be, not quite and inside she found her very upstairs to go wake her par- train on her own wand. ents so she could open pre- very own per- And off she went sents. But as she walked past sonal Platform to Hogwarts, her room, she heard a strange 9 and three- where for the en- sound. When she went into quarters. Ev- tire night, which her room to investigate, she ery year for the seemed to last for- saw that sitting there on the past five years ever, Ciera had all desk in her room was a box. Ciera wrote a kinds of fun. She She approached it, holding letter to Santa met Harry and her breath, and opened the asking for it. Ron and box. Inside was the wand, But every year, Hermione, and and a note that read: despite all the went and had ad- Ciera, great presents ventures all over I hope you had a wonder- she received, the castle, explor- ful time at our school, and I she was al- ing all the secret hope this wand treats you ways a bit disappointed when understanding how in the rooms and passageways un- well. You technically aren’t she didn’t get what she truly world it had disappeared. til finally the sun was about supposed to use it outside of wanted. Why had Santa taken her to rise on Christmas morn- the school, but we’ll make an This year was the same as fireplace? It didn’t really ing, and then... exception for you. Just wave any other. Ciera sent a letter make any sense. Ciera woke up. She was the wand at your fireplace like always to Santa, hoping But then Ciera got a laying on the floor of her liv- whenever you want to come against all odds that this year thought in her head. An idea. ing room. The Christmas tree back to us for a visit. Happy would be the year. She stepped once again to- still sparkling, and the early Christmas! It was a snowy, Christmas wards the brick wall until she light of dawn just peeking in Albus Dumbledore Eve, and Ciera was dream- could almost touch it. She over the horizon and into her (or is it Santa Claus?) ing dreams of that Hogwarts counted in her head 1... 2... house. train that she wanted so 3... Now! And with all her badly. Then she heard a courage she ran at the wall thump downstairs and full speed and then.... awoke with a start. She care- She came out on the other fully and quietly got out of side. She could not believe bed. Ciera crept out of her what was happening right room and tip toed down the now. She was standing on stairs. When she reached the Platform 9 3/4, and right bottom she peeked around there in front of her was the the corner. Santa was there Hogwarts express, with for an instant and then van- puffs of smoke coming out ished into the brick fireplace of the engine at the front. wall. And then just like magic, She walked up to one of the The “Wooden Friends Project” Santa is helping kids gain friends in the North Pole

By: Jade Davidson

You know those All the elves agreed woke up to see their returned to school kids that don’t really that this was defi- wooden friends, the from winter break, talk to anyone and it nitely one of the best amount of love that the wooden friends doesn’t seem like they projects that they was felt was over- came with them. At have any friends? had ever done for whelming. first, the other kids Last Christmas, those Santa in all the years “It was just an around school didn’t kids’ amazing feeling really notice the dreams knowing that my wooden friends and came true husband did such treated the lonely when good work for those kids just like they al- Santa children along with ways had, like they helped all the elves on the toy were invisible. them get making crew,” stated Then, one day, one friends. Mrs. Claus. of the boys on the el- Last One story in par- ementary playground Christmas, up at the that they had worked ticular was the story noticed North Pole, Santa in the North Pole. of Isabelle another noticed that there “I was so happy Martino little girl was one thing that when I found out and that many kids on the nice about the wooden Robbie never list asked for, a friend. friend project,” Waltz. talked, So, he decided to give stated Bubs the elf. “I Robbie was talking those kids their wish. also grew up kind of one of the to He had the elves make lonely without a lot what you some- wooden friends that of friends.” would call one. He came alive. Millions of The night of Christ- one of the walked these “wooden mas Eve, all the “popular” over to friends” were made wooden friends were kindergarteners. see who ex- for Santa to give to loaded up into Isabelle was shyer actly she was talking children all around Santa’s sleigh to be than some of the to, and that’s when the world. delivered to the chil- other kids. They were he saw the wooden “I just felt so bad dren. polar opposites, al- friend. for all the good little That night, all of most from two dif- At first the boy boys and girls that the toys were suc- ferent worlds. Robbie, laughed, but then he deserve to have cessfully delivered to and other kids, had started to cry. “I still friends but didn’t the children and sat also always been kind don’t know why he have any,” said Santa. waiting under the of mean to Isabelle be- was crying.” said “Everybody deserves tree until morning. cause of her shyness. Isabelle, the girl from to have a friend that When the lonely chil- A couple of weeks the playground. cares about them.” dren of the world later when all the kids “I was crying be- cause I myself wanted One day, Isabelle my job and you now time. a wooden friend of came home from have wonderful, loyal Many other cases my own,” stated school and her friends of your own. I just like Isabelle’s oc- Robbie, the boy. “I also wooden friend wasn’t have returned to the curred around the started to realize how there. She searched North Pole to help world for children of mean I always was to the whole house, but another little girl or all ages and races. Ev- Isabelle throughout it was nowhere to be boy next Christmas. I ery time the child school.” found. will made friends, their As he looked back She went never wooden friend would on his actions, he re- back up to forget do just as Isabelle’s alized that Isabelle her room you or had, return to the never really did any- and began to the North Pole. thing to him to make cry when she joyous As Santa looks him be mean to her. noticed a time down on the Earth She had actually al- small note that this Christmas, he ways been really nice on her desk. She wehopes to have the to him. walked up to read it spent together. I will same effects with the At that moment, and it began to miss you with all of wooden friends as he Robbie befriended sparkle. my heart. But, who did last year and for Isabelle and they be- “It was truly one of knows, maybe we will years to come. came exceptionally the most beautiful see each other again. “The spectacular close. things I have ever Maybe, just maybe. result that came from “It was so weird seen,” stated Isabelle. Okay, I have to go the wooden friends is having an actual “I opened the note now, I love you, even better than I friend at school,” said and I felt the most Isabelle. had ever imagined,” Isabelle. amazing feeling of ~ Your Wooden said Santa. “I would Throughout that love I have ever felt.” Friend.” like to continue this month, Robbie She began to read The note was sealed forever as long as I started to introduce the note and noticed with love from the live.” Isabelle to some of his it was from her wooden friend’s heart Since last year, all friends and they also wooden friend. It for only Isabelle. of the wooden friends began to become said: After she read have returned to the friends with her as “My the note, she North Pole for repairs well. She had play dearest stored it away and are to be redis- dates with her new Isabelle, in one of her tributed to new chil- friends almost every I have desk drawers. dren this year. day. She still brought the most “I have never “Working on these her wooden friend to amazing felt so much joy, toys is just as satisfy- school, but when she time with love and sad- ing as it was last went on play dates, you over ness all at the year,” stated the head she would leave it at the past same time,” elf of production. home. She didn’t months, stated Isabelle. The Messenger staff want to be with the but at Isabelle and wishes Santa and his friend all the time last, my time Robbie are still crew a safe and suc- now that she had real with you has come to close to this day and cessful Christmas this friends of her own. an end. I have done hope to be for a long year. A Christmas story Two toys try to get to the North Pole By Gage Combs In a toy shop down the appeared.“You're not on the the North Pole because how Chucky said. street from the grocery store island of misfit toys, if that’s is a clown funny if he doesn’t “If Santa had elves that there was a teddy bear what you think, stranger!” he have style and color?” can make gifts, do you think named Fred who loved it joked. “You're in the clear- Chucky said. that he could fix toys?” Fred when Christmas time came ance cart where toys that “Wait. Who's Santa? And said. along and would wonder don’t get sold go to be sold what's the North Pole?” Fred “Maybe, but I don’t know why people wouldn't pur- for a cheaper price,” he said. said. how we're going to ask Santa chase him for a child’s Christ- “I’m here because cus- “Santa Claus is a man who that,” Chucky said. mas gift. tomers buying toy clowns flies around the whole world “You're right, but how “What’s wrong with me? only like the colorful ones, not to give gifts to the kids who would we ask Santa if he can he said. clowns that are black and are good and the North Pole fix us?” Fred said. When the shop opened for white,” he said sadly. is the place where Santa’s Both thought for while to Black Friday, people were “Wow, I'm sorry to hear elves make all of the gifts for figure out something to say. coming by the dozens and that” said Fred. the children,” Chucky said. “Well, I heard that children when they came upon the “Yeah, it’s hard to accept “Do you think that Santa who want gifts from Santa stuffed animal shelf, Fred when things don’t go your could make us Christmas gifts send him a letter in the mail was never picked for a way,” the clown said. “By the for children?” Fred said. with a list of the gifts they present, but all of the other way, my name’s Chuckles “What do you mean?” want,” Chucky said. stuffed animal toys were pur- the clown, Chucky for short, chased. and what's your name?” “Why won’t anybody buy “My name is Fred,” he me?” he thought. “Did I do said. something wrong?” Fred felt “Nice to meet you Fred. that no one cared for him and Are you alright, because you that he shouldn’t have even look sad?” Chucky said. been made. “What do you mean that I As time went on, Fred was look sad?” said Fred. still hoping for someone to “Your mouth is frowning purchase him. With two and teddy bears aren't sup- weeks till Christmas, Fred posed to be frowning so turn was the only stuffed animal that frown upside down,” on the shelf, so the manager Chucky said. put him on the clearance cart “Wow, I never knew that with toys that no one would my mouth was frowning, I'm buy and the toys were 50% so embarrassed,” Fred said. off. When Fred awoke, he “That’s probably why no- didn’t know where he was or body would buy me as a what happened to him. gift,” he added. “Where am I? what hap- “That’s probably the rea- pened?” son. A black and white toy A toy clown that was col- clown wouldn’t even be ored in black and white made at Santa’s workshop at “I don’t think that will work for Christmas,” Chucky said. made to them. “Same here, I'm glad that I out because we don’t have “Oh, I’m sorry to hear “Wow! I’m going to make made a friend myself before paper or a pencil,” Fred said. that, but I think I can help you people smile and laugh when I beaome a child’s friend,” “Well instead of writing, we out,” Mac said. they see a colorful clown,” Chucky said. could just go to the North “How?” Fred said. Chucky said. When both of them were Pole ourselves and ask Santa “I’m a mailman and I mail “I can’t wait until I get to dropped at their destinations, to fix us,” Chucky said. the letters that children write make a child feel safe when they couldn’t wait to be “That’s a good idea, to Santa so he can he’s afraid to go to sleep or opened. but how are we know what to cheer himup,” Fred said. On Christmas morning, the going to get each child “Ok, boys, I know two children that received Fred there. We wants for children who want toys like and Chucky were excited can’t drive Christmas,”said you on my nice list,” Santa and happy to play with them. because we Mac. said. Fred and Chuckles couldn’t don’t have a “That sounds “Alright, I guess you want ask for a better Christmas driver’s like a good idea,” us on your sleigh tonight?” like the one they had this license,we can’t walk Fred said. Chucky said. year, getting the best gift of because the North Pole is “I agree,” Chuckles added. “That’s right! Ho, ho, ho!” all, friendship. too far, and we can’t fly be- So Mac purchased Fred Santa said. Friendship got them to the cause we don’t have plane and Chuckles and mailed When both of them got on North Pole by working to- tickets and we can’t sail be- them to Santa with a letter Santa’s sleigh, they said their gether and friendship can cause we don’t know where saying: “Dear Santa Claus, farewells to each other. They help each of us to achieve our any docks or ports are,” Fred please fix these two toys so knew they were going to goals in life. “Two heads are said. that a child could enjoy play- great homes, but it was still better than one.” “You are right, Fred. If we ing with them.” Sincerely, kind of sad for both of them can’t get to the North Pole, your mailman and friend, to say goodbye. we'll never get fixed,”. Mac. “Goodbye Chuckles, it Chucky said. When Santa got the letter was good to see you,” Fred When both finished talking, with the two toys inside, Fred said. a mailman appeared at the and Chuckles told him about clearance cart in this store. their problem. “My name is Mac the mail- “Well, it looks like you two man,” he said. toys need some repairs “Nice to meet you, Mac, made,” Santa said. my name is Fred,” said the “Yes, both of us would ap- teddy bear. preciate it if you fix both of “And my name is Chuck- us,” Fred said. les the clown but you can call “Well, let’s get started on me Chucky instead,” added giving you two a merry the clown. Christmas,” Santa said. “Why is a toy Teddy bear After he repaired Fred and and a toy clown still in this Chucky by making Chuck- store when it’s Christmas les change from a black and time?” Mac said. white clown to a colorful “Nobody likes a Teddy clown and Fred from a bear with an upside down frowning teddy bear to a mouth that looks like I'm smiling teddy bear, the two frowning,” Fred said. toys were stunned to see the “And no one would ever improvements that were buy a black and white clown TheThe CrestCrest ofof thethe WinterWinter BeginsBegins Part one of a four part trilogy

Prologue rious; surely this drifter was when the winds began to howl said sternly. The wind was chill once the bluffing about immense power a fearsome howl. “Ouch, you’re harsh,” palace doors opened to the far beyond his control. This is unnatural. The mer- Verloth said sarcastically. king who sat on his throne so “Behold, Yrroth, this might chant thought as he trudged ------regally. A strange man walked be the last time you see your through the shield of snow “So King, I’ve kept you inside, not intimidated at all, Regnum.” The foreigner blocking his path. The Cora alive for 999 years and 364 in a very expensive gold and snickered as he waved the must be upset with someone days. Are you grateful?” The black coat. He walked passed staff in a rhythmic pattern. to a great deal. hooded stranger asked. the guards, straight to the high Blue lights swirled, the hall Not so far off the town of The Old King shook his king’s throne. became cooler… and the Saltus was experiencing an head. “Why would I be grate- “And who are you?” the King was gone. unusual weather pattern. The ful for anything you did? You Noble King said in his gruff, “Halt! Foreigner! You’re people were indoors, as in- trapped me here and you have stern voice. under-” the guard noticed his structed by the town’s major, no use for me. Let me go! I The stranger smirked from feet as he looked down. to be safe from the cold. Two demand equa-mmmhmhmm,” under his hood.. “Only an un- There was ice growing from lone soldiers sat outside the The stranger sealed his mouth important drifter to you.” He the ground up his leg. He was town’s tavern discussing the with ice from the staff. let out a small chuckle. “I frozen to the spot along with cold. “Uhhg! You talk too much. come from Terris Hybernis all the others in the hall. “It hasn’t been like this for Technology has advanced from over the Cora. I- we “Oh, don’t worry, you peas- centuries, something must’ve King. No more iron or steel have a plan after you accept ants, your King is fine. I’ll just happened up there,” the first blades, no more horse drawn peace with our Regnum be taking him to a great soli- soldier mumbled. chariots, and your precious Frigidi. I bring a parry from tude to the north. You’ll see “Cheer up Vladimir. At Regnum is no more. But I still the Rex Deinde Hyeme, your him again… or not. I’ll be least we aren’t guarding the need you, that hasn’t sworn nemesis I take it? He needing him for a certain walls. I feel sorry for them changed. Tomorrow is the wants you to inherit this staff, ritual. Curious? Well the ritual, folks, can’t see a darn thing Hiems Solacium of the millen- which-” better yet the action, is called here let alone on the wall,” the nium and you are the main “What is this?” as the king Nazgul Mones” The foreigner second one said. event to a party of the Gods. motioned his guards to be waved his staff once more for “Verloth… you and your Course, the Gods aren’t so ready looking at the dark blue the ice to completely cover optimistic thoughts. It still kind to me, considering I stole staff. “I will listen to your plea, everyone in the hall. Then he sucks here and you know this staff from them. So you but… If this doesn’t appeal disappeared, never to be seen that,” the first said. are my trade in for my crime to me, I will not let you return for another 1000 years. “Attention!” The General because I’m a heartless self- to your beloved Winter came around the corner of the ish monster,” the stranger let Lands.” Chapter I tavern to find two attentive out a horrid laugh that made The king smiled as the for- The snow was thick as the troops. “You two are being the King cringe. eigner stuttered. “T-This lone merchant traveled back relocated to the Cora Out------staff, holds a great power. over the Cora. He has trav- post. You then will meet an- “Hey! Look! The new guys. One far beyond your abilities eled this path many times in other squadron. That will be Mighty clean and broke they as High King, Yrroth. You the past, but tonight it felt dif- your new one. This will take are. Whatcha got in that bag aren’t as high and powerful ferent. Not just the snow, that into effect immediately.” The tall one?” The ad libs from as you think. If you trust me, happened every ten years. It General saluted and walked the mountain soldiers were I shall demonstrate.” was the thickness of the snow off. getting on Verloth’s nerves. The king slacked back. This and the severity of the cold. “Verloth… never open your Just ignore them, they are just foreigner insulted him? In his He just found the path again mouth again while we are sta- a bunch of uncivilized swines. own palace? But he was cu- tioned together,” Vladimir That didn’t work because now they were throwing “You sure do like to sleep, King disappeared after the Vladimir. snowballs at him. mister.” She giggled. Winter Stranger took him “So the first thing I get “Knock it off!” Verloth Three days? I was sup- from his hall. when coming back is a re- yelled. posed to go on guard duty next “How did you even survive, union with my best friend and That is when the rock came to the cave with Vladimir, let alone keep your look of a guard position that we have and hit him square in the jaw. then confront the Captain. when it happened?” Verloth to watch everything. At least Verloth could remember an Can this get any worse? was still in shock of this. one good thing came out of endless sky with no ground It did. “Verloth! You ever “I don’t know myself. Per- this,” Verloth complained. for its atmosphere and then… gonna wake up or are you haps magic.” She looked up “Like you said before, black. dead?” One of the harassing at Verloth with her childish, cheer up. At least we aren’t soldiers came in the tent. twinkling eyes. cleaning the latrines,” Chapter II “You, hide now.” Verloth “You’re full of it,” Verloth Vladimir mocked. “Fools, picking on me and whispered to the girl. laid back on his bed and Verloth didn’t say anything. throwing rocks? Seriously, “Ok, but why?” sighed, “Why am I stuck with He just stared out into the dis- those guys need a Captain up “Just do it.” an imaginative child?” tance and noticed a darker here.” Verloth was talking to The soldier came in just as “You were hit with a rock blue shade of ice on the side himself as he lay in the infir- the girl hid. “Hey! Your alive! in the jaw, and I walked in and of a mountain. mary. Then he remem- Just wanna say sorry about saw you, so I stayed here for “Hey, hey, look over there bered… that was the Captain the rock. Capt’n didn’t know all three days. Anything else?” Vlad,” Verloth pointed at the that threw the rock. it was there in the snow.” “Why are you so short?” ice. He threw his head back to “It nearly knocked my jaw Verloth laughed. “Hmm? Oh I see it. There’s spot a girl looking at him from off. I accept your apology. “Am not! You are an imma- a cave under that ice, and the above, and she was smiling. Now, can you get out, please? ture soldier, Verloth,” she ice isn’t natural,” Vladimir He then brought his head I need some rest. My jaw is scolded. said. back up only to meet her fore- still sore and I have a head- “You’re fun, but I do need “A bit peculiar don’t you head on his, in an unpleasant ache,” Verloth said through to get some rest so go to your think? Hey tell Captain we’re manner. his teeth. And it’s not just you home or something,” Verloth checking it out.” “Ouch! You meanie!” the that is giving me the head- said, rubbing his head, “Sitting As soon as Vladimir came girl got up and rubbed her ache, he thought to himself. at the peak of the Cora makes back, Verloth and him went head. “Ok, but the General me light headed too. I guess out the gate that lead to the “I didn’t mean to! You were stopped by and said you bet- I’ll get used to it soon enough.” entrance of the cave. From directly above my head and ter be on duty tomorrow or “Ok, Mr. Verloth. I’ll stay there, they could look inside. you also startled me!” Verloth you’ll be cleaning the latrine at the top floor then!” The There was a light emerging sighed, she was a girl of 12 all day.” He walked out burst- little girl skipped away. from the end of the tunnel as after all. “Sorry I hit your head ing with laughter. Verloth collapsed back into they approached. Then they with mine.” Verloth made sure he was his pillow. How did I get my- heard voices. “Accepted. You really need well on his way before he self into this mess? He thought “Hey,” Verloth whispered, to care for kids, soldier,” she called the girl out. “So, how to himself. “I thought this cave was off- said with a smile. old are you?” limits.” “You’re the one spying on “Oh… well I lost count but Chapter III “It is. There shouldn’t be me when I was out cold!” I’m between 986 or 987 years A few weeks later, Verloth anyone here. You’re an of- This is going to be a fun time old.” was back into his duties with ficer, tell them off,” Vlad sug- especially if I have to watch “You have a creative mind. the rest of his newly built gested. her, Verloth thought to himself. So you’re about 12, right?” squad. Since he was out, Verloth sighed and got up, “Well, you were here and I Verloth laughed. things have changed on the walked past the corner of the was here so I watched you “No, I’m about 987 years mountain top. There were cave wall and was frozen in for the past three days,” she old! Honest! My father was more guard towers, walls, a block of ice on the spot. explained with a glow in her the High King, Yrroth and I guns, supplies, men, and con- TO BE CONTINUED... eyes. am from Ven Regnum you trol. Verloth was happy with “Oh, just three days… know, the Old Spring King- it, but he was assigned the wait… I WAS OUT FOR dom.” the ‘young’ girl said. back west tower, the one with THREE FULL DAYS!?” Verloth was in shock. The the most expanse of land, with Christmas, the most wondeful time of the year A story of one elf’s fantastic Christmas By Kaylee Gibbs There are a lot of said and often working portant things you have “What’s wrong?” things to love about the overtime just to pick up to do- not even work. She looked worried holiday season, like the slack of some of his Clyde went to work and he decided to just spending time with fam- elf friends. Clyde was not really thinking much come out and say it, say- ily, eating more than married to Holly and of the conversation he ing “I picked up Sunday you usually should, and they were one of the had with Holly and did with the guys. I don’t you can’t forget about happiest couples on the his usual work. He want you to be mad and the presents. Presents North Pole. worked an extra long you know we all need as are anyone’s favorite Holly always thought day and let out his frus- much help as we can to part of any holiday es- Clyde worked a little tration when making all get everything ready pecially Christmas, and too much and never of the toys. After work- for Monday.” there is a certain agreed with him ing an additional three She sat there for a way presents are picking up his hours for Bill, he minute before saying made and no- good clocked out for the day with tears in her eyes, picked out for friends’ and started to head “This has been going on each child. slack, but home. Both Clyde and for far too long. I Getting that never Holly had forgotten thought things had the pre- stopped about the little argu- changed since you last sents him from ment by the time Clyde worked for Bill, but I ready working got home that night. guess not. If that’s how for 50+ hours a The next day was the you want to spend your Christ- week. Saturday before last free day before mas is an “Bill Christmas and Clyde our busiest week that’s all year wants me to and Holly were better fine.” process pick up a than ever. Working on They both went on for the few hours weekends in the North with their night not elves start- for him so Pole was never a thing talking much and the ing very early in I’ll be home a little but this year, there next day Clyde (stu- the morning and ending later than usual,” said seemed to be a Christ- pidly) went off to work late at night for 365 Clyde mas rush, and now the with his friends ,and not days. From going Frustrated, Holly re- elves are making up for wanting to wake Holly through the naughty and plied, “You already it bigtime. Clyde de- up, didn’t end up saying nice list to assembling work late enough, cided to again help his goodbye. That Sunday each and every toy, be- Clyde. What has Bill friends out and picked was one of the busiest ing an elf can be very ever done for you?” up Sunday, which was days Clyde had seen at stressful. “If one of your perfectly fine with him the North Pole. Every- Now I am going to friends asked you to but breaking the news one was running around tell you a story about a work a little extra for to Holly was what he frantically, running into certain elf who worked them, you would with no was dreading. each other, dropping a little too much and questions asked. I’ll see “Holly, we have to toys; it was chaos. Af- ending up having a very you tonight” Clyde said. talk” he said sitting ter a very long and tir- bad Christmas. For future reference, down next to her on the ing day at the office, all Clyde was a very kids, you never leave couch. Clyde wanted to do was happy and helpful elf your significant other Holly instantly looked come home to Holly, talk always doing as Santa mad no matter what im- worried and asked, about his day and catch out anywhere she should get to him, so he set out walked in. To his sur- up on his sleep but when be on her way home by early in the morning to prise, the smell of he arrived home he now. She’s probably out find his true love. First, Christmas dinner hit him couldn’t find his wife getting you a nice din- he went to Santa’s cabin like a ton of bricks and anywhere. He checked ner. She’ll be back thinking maybe she had so did seeing his wife in the laundry room, sometime, so don’t to help him get ready to the kitchen mashing the bathroom, worry Clyde. Call me deliver all of the pre- some potatoes. but Holly was when she shows sents. “Where have you no where to be up.” Kandy said. After talking to Mr been, Holly?!” Clyde found. Finally, “I’m sure and Mrs Claus, Clyde screamed louder than he after calling I’m getting realized Holly had been wanted to. her worked nowhere near the cabin “I went out last night phone upat all. Next, Clyde went to get fixings to make four over to the little coffee shop you a big Christmas din- times noth- where he first met Holly ner and I did some with ing, when she was working thinking as well, Clyde.” no an- thanks there a few years prior. she said, setting her swer, Kandy. Clyde asked everyone in bowl down. “I know how he decided I’ll tell you the shop about seeing good of a man you are to call her the second I his beloved anywhere and I know you love best friend see her.” and no one had seen any- helping others, even ,Kandy, Clyde re- thing. your goofy lazy friends, knowing she sponded and Running out of places and I should be grate- could tell him then hung up to check, Clyde decided ful for that. I should’ve where Holly the phone. to go home to brain- never been mad at you was. Most people go to bed storm other places he for wanting to get ev- When Kandy an- unusually early on could look and he and erything back on track swered, Clyde franti- Christmas Eve for ob- wouldn’t stop until he for today, I’m sorry, cally asked “Hey, vious reasons, but not found her. The lights Clyde.” Kandy, it’s Clyde. Do Clyde. Until the wee were usually all turned “Give me a big help- you happen to know hours of the morning, he off before anyone in ing of those mashed po- where Holly is?” stayed up pacing the the house left each day, tatoes and we’ll call it “The last time I house and going over including today, but even,” Clyde said hug- talked to her she was their last conversation. somehow the kitchen ging his wife, thankful going out to the store “Where could she be at light was on when Clyde that she was home safe to get groceries for this hour?” he thought pulled up to his house. and sound. when you came home over and over again. Fi- Not knowing what to The holiday season is from work. Is she not nally he decided to get think, Clyde walked up a time to spend with home by now?” she re- some rest so he could go to the front door and your family, friends and plied. out and find his wife attempted to unlock it loved ones. Sometimes Clyde, now very wor- first thing in the morn- only to realize it was al- it is very easy to take ried, said, “I haven’t ing. ready unlocked. advantage of people and talked to her all day The next day was “Had someone found it happens to everyone, and she wasn’t here when Christmas, everyone the spare key and gone so take some time out of I came home. Is there else’s favorite day of in?” he thought to him- your Christmas to spend anywhere else you can the year, including self. time with and thank think of where she could Clyde but this year was Not knowing what to your family. possibly be?” a little different. Not expect on the other side “Well, it’s pretty late having Holly by his side of the door, Clyde took so I would say if she is was really starting to a deep breath and

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