Father Christmas

Part Two of a two-part Christmas treat

Templeton knew they were getting close to the North Pole. “We’re almost there, Klause; I feel them. The dark ones are reaching out, trying to twist our minds. Please focus on our task and nothing else,” warned the hare.

“Yes, my friend, I feel them too. I shall prepare to drive my staff into the ice and send the Christmas spirit into their prison. I should fail; you must return as fast as you can and warn the Queen,” said Kluase.

The young man walked ahead to a spot of black ice. Raising his staff, Klause drove it deep into the surface with all his strength.

Dark tentacles shot out of the ice and grabbed at Klause, attempting to pull him deep underground. “I don’t know if I can hold out much longer. You must go and warn the Queen,” cried Klause.

Instead of fleeing, the hare rushed into the darkness, transforming into a bright snow hare that radiates light as bright as an exploding star.

“You shall not pass. The power of old Christmas shall destroy you here and now,” yelled Templeton. The two struggled against the darkness until they collapsed from exhaustion.

“Klause, believe in your strength. Shine the light Mother Nature gifted you,” called the hare to his friend.

Klause could barely stand the strain the dark ones had put upon his spirit. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the strength to do this. Please tell the Queen to forgive my failure,” he moaned.

As he lost consciousness, an image of his father’s face appeared and spoke to him. “You are a Kringle, and we don’t fail, ever. Now stand up and use the light of the old Christmas to bashish these devils to hell where they belong.”

Klause had forgotten what he had told his father, overlooked his belief in the magic of old Christmas, and forgotten who he was. “I will return the magic of old Christmas to the people, and there is nothing you can do to stop me,” he screamed.

The light’s brilliance that flowed from Klause’s chest was reported to be seen as far south as Oslo. Templeton and Klause lay still upon the frozen ground when it finally faded.

The hare was the first to awake. “Klause, you have changed. You are old and young at the same time. I believe you have released the old Christmas magic, and it has bound with you,” said the hare.

“The darkness is gone. We won Templeton. The Queen and Mother Nature will be pleased,” said Klause.

Using his staff to stand, the young man caught sight of his hands, which were now those of an older man. “Templeton, you’re right. I have become the living embodiment of old Christmas,” laughed Klause.

After returning to the Queen’s castle, Klause learned that when the dark ones were defeated, Old Christmas’s power was released and transferred to him, allowing him to control the elements and perform magic not seen on Earth for a very long time.

“Now I must return to the people and spread the magic of old Christmas to a new generation. Let’s hope we don’t forget it this time,” chuckled Klause.

Queen Nöje gifted Klause a magical bag that would produce the heart’s desire of whoever was nice and a chuck of coal to whoever was naughty. “We shall call you Father Christmas or Santa Klause from now on,” teased Templeton.

“I hereby bestow upon you the gift of flight, and so you may pull Father Christmas, you shall be transformed into a reindeer,” said the Queen to Templeton.

“Now, both of you, off you go. It’s nearly Christmas Eve, and you have many gifts to deliver. Perhaps when you’re done, you will visit me and tell me of your adventures,” said the Queen.

“I think that can be arranged,” said the pair as they set off to bring the magic of old Christmas to children everywhere.

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” cried Klause as he flew into the night sky, bringing hope to those who had none.