So, this is my Christmas contribution. The idea ambushed me and I thought it would be cute. The song is not mine. Hope you enjoy.

A Gift for Christmas

Ethos of Falhaven wrung his hands together in a nervous gesture as he stared at the man sitting across the table. Piercing violet eyes stared back fearlessly at the Prince with a look that would have been an offense, had it come from another man. But this was no ordinary courtier.

No, this was Aiden, the Storm Walker, the Dragon Mage. This, was the most powerful mage, ever to set foot in this tiny kingdom on the edge of the lands of men. He walked without fear of man or beast, and followed no orders but his own. And the Prince was here to ask him a favor.

“A-aiden…” the prince hesitated a moment, then decided to get right to the point. “You have met my sister Yvai, yes?” The mage nodded. He had been introduced to the 9 year old when he had first arrived. A cute little thing, all adorable smile and pretty black curls. She looked much like her brother.

“Well…it’s not common knowledge, but she’s sick. She’s never been very healthy, and two years ago she fell seriously ill. No physician we can find has a way to cure her, and they say she might not last another to see another Christmas so…I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

Aiden smiled. The young man was obviously making an effort here. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll see what I can do.”

The Prince leaned forward. “You have two things I don’t. You have connections outside of this kingdom, and you have magic. My sister, young as she is, has always loved anything to do with magic, with the other races outside of Falhaven. Dragons, Unicorns, Gryphons, every time she is allowed into the forest she always hoped to catch a glimpse…”

The mage’s smile widened. “I think I see where you’re going with this, Prince. Yes, I’ll help you. It’s a week until Christmas Eve. I should have everything ready by then.”

Ethos’ eyes filled with the suspicion of tears. “Thank you…”

Yvai slipped into her elder brother’s room as silently as a barefoot 9 year old could manage. Sneaking up to his bed she looked down on him and stifled a giggle: the Crown Prince slept with his mouth wide open.

The girl crouched a moment, then with a yell, threw herself on the man.

With a yelp Ethos came fighting his way out of the covers to give his little sister a half hearted glare that soon turned into a grin at the look on her face. “What do you think you’re doing silly goose?” He laughed.

“Waking you up.” Yvai replied, covering her mouth with her hand to hide her giggles. “You said you had a present for me today. Will you tell me what it is now?”

“Nah nah, silly goose, that’s for tonight. I can’t ruin the surprise!” She pouted, making him laugh again. “Tell you what, let’s go see what all of the courtiers got you, then we can play with your new toys until it’s time for you to see my present.”

The little girl pouted a bit longer. “None of their gifts will be as good as yours!” Then she relented. “But I guess we have to be polite and pretend we like them.”

“Come on then, squirt.” With that the Crown Prince of Falhaven strode down the hall, his squealing sister thrown over his shoulder.

Ethos and Yvai stood just inside the front doors of the palace, the little girl fairly bouncing with excitement, clinging to her brother’s hand. “Is it here yet Ethos, is it here?”

“Just a moment…” the Prince tilted his head towards the door. “Do you hear that?”

The Princess frowned, listening. Then she squealed with delight. “Bells! I hear bells!”

“Then it’s time. Are you ready silly goose?” She giggled in reply. The Prince waved to the guards with a flourish, and they pushed open the heavy doors, just in time to see an open carriage pull into the courtyard, and pulling it were, not horses, but…

“Unicorns! Ethos look, they’re Unicorns!”

The Prince smiled down at his sister. “Well what are you still doing up here silly goose? They’re here for you, you know.”

“I love you Ethos!” she cried, giving him a hug and running down the steps, her pink dress fluttering behind her, to where the driver was stepping out of the carriage, offering a hand to help her up.

Suddenly shy, the Princess looked down, taking his hand with a blush and climbing into the carriage. The driver climbed up next to her, shaking the reigns and calling to the matched pair of silver Unicorns to get them moving.

Finally looking up, the Princess was surprised to see a familiar face. “I know you! You’re that mage! The Dragon one!”

“That’s me Princess. I heard you liked magical creatures, so I thought we’d go to the forest and you could meet some friends of mine.” Anything else he might have said was drowned out by the girl’s excited squeal.

The forest was dark at this time in the evening, and there was no lantern on the carriage, but the moon was bright, and the Unicorns seemed to give off a light of their own. As they moved along the path though, it seemed to get brighter, and looking quizzically into the trees, Yvai gasped in wonder.

Small Fairies flocked around them, glowing like tiny lights. They flitted from tree to tree to keep up with the Unicorn drawn carriage, more and more coming all the time. The mage smiled down at the girl. “We’re here, Princess.”

The path ended and the carriage broke into a clearing. The Princess was speechless. The little forest glade where she had picnicked with her brother was full to the brim with magical creatures.

“Come and meet my friends!” Cried the Dragon Mage. “They’re all here for you.” He handed her out of the carriage and proceeded to introduce her. Unicorns, Centaurs, Fairies, Gryphons, and wonderful things she had never heard of came forward one by one to make her acquaintance. There was even a dragon, wedged in a corner where he wouldn’t squish anyone.

And when the introductions were over an old, weathered centaur picked up a flute, and began to play, and everyone began to dance. Soon other instruments were added, and in the light of the moon the creatures danced, for one little girl, driven by the deep beating of the dragons tail.

Somewhere in the middle a Faun appeared and swept the 9 year old off of her feet, drawing her into the center of the clearing and they danced as only a child and a Faun know how, leaping and twirling until they had no breath left, and they collapsed in the grass to watch the show.

Each race showed a bit of their culture in their songs and their dances, showing the Princess a bit of the world beyond that she might never see. Even the Dragon Mage got up and did the dance of his people, something that was as much spell as dance.

Ethereal flames rose up around him as he danced, alone in the center of the clearing, twisting and stirring as his body moved, and the Dragon’s voice called out to the spirit of the fire. All music fell silent, save for the deep beat of the Dragon’s tail, and the bone-shaking hum of its cavernous throat.

The party went on, deep into the night, and the Princess watched it all with wide eyes, as she spoke with creatures she had only imagined in her dreams and deepest wishes.

When dawn approached and the sky began to lighten, the Dragon Mage leaned over and sang softly in the little girl’s ear.

Golden slumber kiss your eyes,

Smiles await you when you rise.

Sleep,

Pretty baby,

Do not cry,

And I'll sing you a lullaby.

Care you know not,

Therefore sleep,

While I o'er you watch do keep.

Sleep,

Pretty darling,

Do not cry,

And I will sing a lullaby.

The music faded as the Dragon’s head swung across the clearing to hover over the mage. “This was a good thing you did, Aiden.”

The Dragon Mage smiled. “Thanks Gramps. I couldn’t have done it without you. All of you.” Gently he lifted her light form, and walked back to the open carriage to carry her home.

The Prince was there on the front steps; waiting for them, hope in his eyes. “How did it go?” he said quietly, trying not to wake her.

“Well,” was all the mage replied, but it was all Ethos needed. He hugged Yvai to his chest, and this time he didn’t try to hide his tears. “Thank you. You gave her what she most wanted. Thank you.”

The mage smiled down at both of them. “Merry Christmas.” The Unicorns snorted, and the carriage quickly disappeared back into the forest.

I hope you liked it; it just kind of popped into my head. The lullaby is “Golden Slumbers” I got it online at: since when I write poetry, not only do the readers suffer, it suffers and my friend has to put it out of its misery.