Chapter Text
January was a month of rest in the North Pole. In previous years, the busiest of workers carried on with the odd tasks, running the numbers and getting ready for the upcoming year; and of course the reindeer needed daily check ins for feeding and grooming. And there was a gentle hustle and bustle throughout the hidden away village. However this year, the atmosphere was far more sedated.
It was quiet. The streets were bare, the workshops were dark and the aftermath of December lingered in the air. Only one pair of small footprints traced through the snow. Only one continued to busy himself with work while the others recovered and rested. This elf however, could not.
Nicholas, blinked blearily and he woke up from his position in the armchair. He sighed to himself and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn’t been to bed, again. He knew he ought to, he knew it was safe now, he hoped it was safe now; but that didn’t stop him from worrying. He had to keep watch, he couldn’t handle the thought of Krampus coming back. And if the fiend did ever return, this time he would be ready.
A light from the hallway flicked on, causing him to turn his head to the door. It opened gently and his wife peered around.
“Couldn’t sleep again could you?” She said gently and walked over to him. She perched on the side of the armchair and pulled him close to her side, kissing the top of his head.
He sighed and leaned against her. “I can’t face the idea of him coming back and I’m not prepared.”
Noelle took her husband’s hand and squeezed it gently. “You can’t protect them if you’re exhausted.” She paused. “And…and this time you wont be alone.”
Nicholas looked up at her and smiled gratefully. “I-“ He began.
“Don’t. Don’t apologise, we’ve gone through this over and over since Boxing Day. I left.” She said firmly. “I left at the busiest time of year, I was selfish and unfaithful. My behaviour hurt you and the elves, and unleashed..” She swallowed. “I swear to you Nicholas I will never put you through that again. And I promise you, if Krampus comes back, I will fight at your side.”
He nodded as he listened to her. “I know.” He choked. “I know, my love. I thought the first war was bad enough, but the brainwashed elves, watching you under his control, the mess and the massacre…Snowdrop!” He inhaled sharply and swallowed hard. “This wasn’t even a war it was an ambush and I couldn’t stop it. If I had payed more attention to you, you wouldn’t have left. We could have been prepared.”
She knelt down and looked up into his eyes. “Nicholas, I’m here now. It’s a harsh lesson, but we can learn from it and be prepared. Have our defences up, the cloaking device enhanced and we and the elves and everyone else who lives here will be safe.” She cupped his cheek and wiped away any rogue tears. “I promise.”
He leaned into her touch and nodded. He took another deep breath and stood, offering his hand to her to pull her up off of the floor. “We should get some breakfast, I’ll shower then get to work, the elves are still resting. Most of them have never been through anything like that before.”
Noelle nodded. “That’s a good idea. But, not all of the elves are resting.” She said as she looked out of the window.
He turned and raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve seen him twice now, going out to work before we’re awake.”
The penny dropped. “Snowdrop.”
She nodded and looked towards the footprints. “He’s busying himself with work, I can only assume to stop thinking about it.”
Santa sighed. “He did that last time, took us an age to relax after the first war.”
“I think this time could be different.” His wife said gently.
Nicholas nodded in agreement. “I’ll go and find him and have a word.”
“Eat first, you’re no good to him if you’re hungry.” Noelle suggested and lead him to the kitchen. Her husband followed beside her. It was different now, but somewhere, deep down he believed their bond was stronger. Their love greater. She was right, together they would be prepared. It was going to be okay. All he needed to do now was convince Snowdrop.
The elf paced through the fresh fallen snow. He held a list of jobs in his hand. Lists were supposed to help, but he felt like they were more of an overwhelming hindrance. The first few jobs were okay, but then extra things that needed doing, that weren’t on the list, seemed to creep up out of nowhere, and when he finished in one area and moved to the next, the list seemed to get longer and longer.
He groaned shook his head. “This is going to take forever.” He muttered to himself as he walked by the empty bakery and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He swept the blond hair from his face and smoothed down his clothes. He looked at the pin on his jacket lapel. It was his namesake. All elves had one, a little piece of magic to carry around with them that provided a barrier from the harsh artic weather conditions. He adjusted it and glanced up at the town clock. It was still incredibly early. Perhaps he could finish the rest of the list later, a little break couldn’t hurt? He considered to himself as he tore away from his reflection and headed towards the stables.
Not that he was cold, but it was warm in the stables, warm and comforting. The soft braying, snorting and huffing from the deer was familiar and safe. “Morning girls.” He smiled and picked up a bunch of carrots. “Don’t tell anyone I gave you this before your breakfast.” He grinned as he reached up to feed each deer.
The elf reached the last stall and peered in. “Sleeping in again?” He said and crept inside. The reindeer lifted her head and peered towards him. Her nostrils flared with interest as she saw the carrot. He knelt before her and held it out. “You know Dasher, for the fastest reindeer you really are sleepy.” He chuckled. She snorted in return and gently butted her muzzle against him.
“Hey careful, you’re 10 times bigger than me.” He said and tried to push her away. She snorted again and nosed his jacket. “I haven’t got anymore!” He laughed as she nibbled at him. “Come on now, you didn’t even get up to eat that one, I’m not giving you another one for free. You’ll all have to have your breakfast first anyway.” His stomach grumbled a little at the mention of breakfast. Though Santa and his wife were back together, the cheerful moments were few and far between. He sat down and leaned against the deer’s torso. “Just a small nap wont hurt.” He said as Dasher placed her head on his lap. “Oh well I can’t get up now anyway.” He chuckled. “I’ll finish this list in a bit.” He yawned and let his eyes fall shut.
Now feeling more fresh and ready for the day, Nicholas donned his coat and stepped out into the complex. “Now, where did you go?” He asked himself as he looked at the footprints in the snow. He followed them from place to place, seeing what jobs had already been done. “Hmm, he’s hyper focused his way through quite a lot this morning.” He said proudly to himself as he walked the trail. “Of course.” Santa said as he looked at the stable and stepped inside.Missing carrots, happy reindeer, he was in here.
The deer perked up when they saw him, they brayed and bleated, gently stamping the ground in excitement. “Shhh, girls.” He said and greeted them. “He’s asleep isn’t he?” He said knowingly and walked to the last stall and peered in. Dasher looked up and snorted gently. Nicholas stepped in, knelt down and gently rubbed her muzzle. “You’re a good deer, thank you for looking after him.” He said softly and looked at the sleeping elf.
He tilted his head and watched him for a moment. They were both a similar age, roughly just over 2000 years old and yet the elf looked so small, so young. Nicholas hadn’t seen him look that way in a thousand years. “I’m so sorry.” He whispered, dasher gently nuzzled his arm. If he didn’t know any better he could have sworn that she was trying to comfort him. He looked back to the elf and leaned over and placed a hand slowly on his shoulder.
“Snowdrop.” He said quietly and gently shook his shoulder. “Snowdrop, wake up, it’s okay. I’m here.” He smiled. “I’m here. Snowdrop?” She said again, and jostled him carefully. “Snowdrop.”
The elf blinked, jolted and woke with a start. “Oh, Santa. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep so late, but I’m so tired…well not tired, but I got up early to get jobs done, and thought I’d try a power nap but, it just kept going and I got lots done though, look, I’ve even got a-“ He stopped when he held up the now half nibbled list. His eyes widened before narrowing to look at Dasher. “Well I had a list.” He grumbled through his teeth. “I gave you a carrot and this is how you repay me?” He huffed and then looked back to his boss. “I’m sorry, I’ll try harder and…”
“Whoa, slow down, breathe, breathe it’s alright.” Santa said calmly. “It’s alright, Snowdrop you’ve done nothing wrong.” He kept his hand on Snowdrop’s shoulder. “Slow down, you’re the only elf who isn’t resting.”
Snowdrop looked away. “I can’t.” His voice was quiet, reserved now. He swallowed thickly.
“I know. It’s alright.”
Snowdrop glanced up, and frantically rubbed his eyes.
“It’s alright.”
The elf balled his fists and tried to breathe.
“You have been so strong. So brave.” The taller man paused. “I’ve been scared too.” He said softly.
The elf looked back at him.
“I can’t bare for us to go through that again. But pushing it all down will only make things worse.”
“I know.” Snowdrop said shakily. “But I can’t rest, well I know I just did then, but that feels different. If I try to sleep at night, sleep doesn’t come, just dreams.”
“He hasn’t been sleeping properly either.” A warm voice came from the stall door.
“Noelle.” Nicholas breathed.
She stepped inside. “Only this morning Nicholas was sleeping in his armchair. You’re not alone Snowdrop, we’re here for you.”
Snowdrop’s shoulder’s began to shake, he buried his head in his hands.
“Come here, old friend.” Santa said and scooped him into a hug. Mrs Clause joined them.
It lasted for a few minutes before snowdrop finally calmed. They stepped back to give him some space.
“Thank you.” He said and composed himself.
Noelle smiled and glanced towards the half eaten list in his hand, then over to the reindeer who was clicking her way out of her stall towards the carrots. Santa followed her gaze and laughed. “Oh honestly.” He chuckled and got up to usher her back. “Alright, I get the hint I’ll get your breakfast.” He laughed. He went over and started to scoop out the feed into the troughs and filled each deer’s stall, being followed closely by Dasher. “Will you please get off.” He chuckled and tried to gently push her back. With each smile, Snowdrop couldn’t help but smile too. For the first time, in a long time. He felt full.
Noelle started to fill the water buckets and Snowdrop joined them and started to brush each deer down. It was easier to work with friends there , just having them in the room was help enough.
As they busied themselves with work, neither of them noticed the pin had fallen from Snowdrop’s lapel. The deer were too busy eating, or in Dasher’s case, too busy bothering Snowdrop for more carrots, to notice the small hooded figure creep up from under a slab on the floor and into the stable. Snowdrop was too busy laughing with Mrs Clause at Santa, who was trying to bargain with the large creatures to give his hat back, to notice a gnarled, clawed hand reach down and pick up the pin. The figure inspected it closely before putting into a small puzzle box and tucking it away into it’s cloak. They were having too much fun to notice the figure slinking away into the darkness and placing the slab back in place before anyone could see them.
“I’ll take that. You bothersome beast.” Santa said in mock annoyance and placed the soggy hat into his pocket. He looked at his wife and chief elf and sighed. “They’re awful this time of year.” He said and rolled his eyes as he went to the stable door. “Come on, let’s have a hot chocolate break and finish the rest of the jobs later.” He held the door open for them to pass through.A snow flurry kicked up and the wind whipped through the open doorway and it caused Snowdrop to shiver.
“Oh.” He blinked in confusion. ‘I must have gotten too warm, it feels chillier than normal.” He said and rubbed his arms.
“All the more reason for a hot chocolate, looks like a snow storm is approaching.” Noelle said and ushered him to their house quickly.
Nicholas’s brow furrowed as he looked back in the stable before closing the door. He looked towards his wife and the elf and then looked around the streets. It shouldn’t have made a difference if they were inside or not. He narrowed his eyes and looked slowly around. No one and nothing out of the ordinary. He hummed to himself and made a mental note. He’d double check the barrier and cloaking device later. He couldn’t put a finger on it, but something wasn’t right.
“Are you coming?” Noelle called.
“Yes, love.” He smiled,and looked around one more time. “I’ll be right by your side.” He said as he rushed to catch up with them. He opened the door for them again and looked back to the storm one more time before heading in and bolting it shut.
In the midst of flurries, a small figure, that had glowing amber eyes beneath a hooded cloak, watched his every move.