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Robin “Puck” Goodfellow sat alone in his favorite tree. He watched the sun rise on a crisp December morning. December 25th, in fact. A day many people look forward to all year. Puck also looked forward to it, but with anxiety and disdain.
In every past December 25th, Puck had woken up to a different “surprise”, none of which were presents. The best Christmases had been when he was ignored.
Yet, a little part of Puck had hope for today; he was no longer with his father. Last midsummer season, he had (willingly) been abducted by the fairy queen to serve Oberon. For once, his quick tongue served him well instead of earning him a slap across the cheek.
He didn't expect the fairies to know anything about trivial human customs. That was fine by him. If he was left alone today, that would already make it the best Christmas he's ever had.
After the sun fully passed the tree-studded horizon, he slid down from his perch. He didn't really want to get up (it seemed so much easier to lay down all day and avoid everything), but he had duties to attend to for Oberon. The king and queen saved him from his house, it was the least he could do.
Puck peeked into the throne room and frowned. Oberon was nowhere to be seen. He checked the ballroom. Still no Oberon. Puck glanced at the tree canopy surrounding the area. Where was the fairy king?
He realized he had forgotten about one place: the banquet hall. Puck picked at the point of his ear, trying to think. Oberon had no reason to be in there except for festivals. He might as well check, though.
In the usually empty banquet hall, Puck was greeted by large, heavily adorned fir trees, enchanted so they could walk around with their roots. Puck liked when Oberon let plants roam. The root legs reminded him of spiders. The hall was illuminated by thousands of fireflies and other small fairy creatures. Titania, the fairy queen, presided over the decorations with a glowing smile on her lips.
The long royal table bore all of the odd fairy treats Puck had tried since becoming a sprite, and even some he hadn't seen before.
“Welcome, gentle Puck.” Oberon’s clear voice resounded brightly like a large bell. He floated over to where Puck stood in disbelief. Titania joined him.
“Is this a Christmas breakfast?” Puck asked cautiously. “I didn't know fairies celebrated Christmas.”
“Christmas?” Titania’s light voice twinkled. “What an odd word.”
“This is our Feast of the Winter Solstice.” Oberon frowned. “Surely I told you about it?”
“No, my lord “ Puck replied, finally regaining his senses and courtly respect.
“No need for formalities today, good Puck,” Titania said. “Oberon, how could you make an oversight such as this? It's the boy’s first Winter Solstice and he had no clue it was even happening!”
“Apologies, my love.” Oberon smiled. Quarrels seemed silly on a day such as this. “And apologies to you, too, Puck. Today is the first of our celebrations for the Winter Solstice. Each year, we start with the feast.”
Titania shook her head in disbelief. “Next you'll be telling me you didn't even give him the gift we discussed.” Oberon’s eyes widened and he flew out of the room. She laughed.
“Please excuse Oberon,” Titania said, amused. “He does love this time of year, but, bless his heart, he's not very good at planning.”
Oberon flew back in with a small box before Puck could say anything. Puck eyed the package warily. What cruel tricks could a fairy king cook up?
“For you,” Oberon said with a gleam in his eyes. That couldn't be a good sign. Puck gingerly accepted the box. He slowly opened it, bracing himself.
Inside lay a small fairy headpiece. It bore some resemblance to Oberon's crown, but it was more modest and simple. It didn't look sharp, heavy, or in any way harmful.
“What is this?” Puck asked.
“It's your mark of court,” Oberon explained. “All fairy nobility have a unique symbol of their power and loyalty. It was apparent you needed your own.”
“Wait wait wait–” Puck stuttered, confused. “A mark of nobility? I don't understand, how can this harm me?”
“Harm you?” Oberon exclaimed. “Why would we desire to harm you?”
“I'm your servant, my king. I merely attend to you, why would I need a headpiece worn by nobility?” Puck chose his words carefully, as not to upset the king.
“Puck, is that all you think you are here?” Oberon asked softly. “My boy, you are so much more than just an attendant. You're nobility not by birth but because we chose you. Fairy lineage is different that way. You're family because we invited you into the family. That is, if you accept it.” He gently pushed the small crown toward Puck.
“It's that easy? There's no hidden tricks?” Puck almost whispered. This seemed too good to be true.
“The only tricks are the ones I'm sure you'll play on our guests later.” Oberon smiled. Puck picked up the crown gently. Oberon guided it onto Puck’s head.
“Happy Winter Solstice, gentle Puck,” Oberon said.
“Happy Winter Solstice, my king,” Puck replied. “And thank you.”