Krista_Railey
12-20-2010, 08:58 PM
Hill, I am more concerned with quality than quantity. I recognize good input when I get it (such as yours), but also don't want to end up like the fabled father, son, and *** who try to please too many people only to lose 'lose their ***' in the end. I can't please everyone, and just want to learn who to produce a quality piece.
Your suggestions for Panic Rat was helpful. But I would appreciate some help with 'Reindeer Pie'. This was a story that I flowed from my keyboard and I tremendously enjoyed writing, but have no clue how to fix:
Reindeer Pie
The Story of How the Elves Were Tamed
It is not widely known that elves were not always the gentle, jolly folk they are today. Once upon a time, before Christmas was invented, elves were nasty creatures that were especially fond of eating little boys and girls.
This story took place long ago before there were malls, grocery stores, television or cars. It was a time when children slaved all day, and were grateful when the time finally came when they could eat their supper and rest. Although food was often scarce and the work was hard, children were still children, and seized every opportunity to escape their chores and play imaginary games. And sometimes, their imaginary games would create a special kind of magic. It is this magic which is the subject of this story.
It all began with one particularly imaginative boy named Chris. Chris had a heart for adventure and a spirit that could always find it. Although Chris' adventures would often result in a sound whipping along with no supper, it only lent more excitement to his intrigues. More often than naught, Chris would go to bed hungry, bruised and exhausted, but satisfied with the day nonetheless.
One late autumn day, Chris found himself in a particularly sporting mood. Despite the crisp air threatening an early winter, the sun hung brightly in the sky gently warming the skin on his cheeks. Although Chris had his supper already, there had not been much food, and his stomach growled in protest of the day's meager rations. But at least his chores were done early, and with no more work left to do, Chris was free to spend a little time in his imagination. Ignoring his complaining stomach, he wandered off into the forest in hopes of high adventure. Soon a tale played out in his imagination.
In his mind he was a Knight that waged a fierce battle against a terrible dragon to save the Kingdom. As he lunged with his sword and artfully dodged deadly flames, his legs carried him blindly on deeper into the forest. After the last blow was driven and he was rendered victorious, Chris noticed that the sun had grown higher in the sky and his legs were tired. So Chris decided to take a rest in a small clearing to contemplate the clouds that were slowly drifting by. As he was making a bed of twigs and leaves, he noticed the light from the sun reflecting off something bright and shiny that had previously been concealed by leaves and brush. On closer inspection, he found that the shiny object was a gold coin. "What luck!" he thought to himself, "This is indeed a reward that is fit for a Knight." Then he happily tucked his precious bounty into the folds of his britches understanding that such a gold piece would feed his family for the entire winter. In this, he was a real hero and not just an imaginary one.
Content with his prize, he laid down to revel in the anticipated praise he was sure to receive. He imagined his family's reaction to his windfall, and could clearly hear his mother's thrilled voice praising him for saving the family from certain starvation. He knew his father would not say much, but that pride would shine brightly in his eyes. Even his brother, who punched him in the arm at every opportunity, would have to show grudging appreciation. As he laid in his comfy bed of leaves, the slowly drifting clouds performed an amazing display that he was sure was meant especially for him. As the lazy clouds played out scene after scene, his stomach grumbled in response to a whiff of something delicious carried by the breeze. So enticing was the scent that Chris' stomach demanded he seek out the source immediately.
Chris' feet followed his nose, and it took him to an isolated cottage whose windows warmly reflected a fire in the hearth. On a large window ledge, he found the source of the hypnotizing aroma. It was a freshly baked meat pie with a crust that was golden brown and flaky. His mouth watered and his stomach rumbled as he inhaled deeply to fully appreciate the tantalizing scent. Chris was sure that a finer pie had never been made which compared to this scrumptious treat, and he knew in heart that today was indeed a magical day.
After he commandeered the meat pie, he intended to bring the treat home to his family so that they could all enjoy a hearty meal. But the pie smelled so good, and he was so hungry, that it wasn't long before he decided it would not hurt to eat one small piece. One small piece turned into two small pieces, which quickly turned into three pieces and then some. Before he knew it, the entire pie was gone. He was so full that he could only lie there regretting the lost opportunity to feed his family. It was no longer his stomach that was rumbling; now it was his heart that was complaining with guilt.
This was when he heard the weeping of a young girl close by in the woods. Despite being so full and so exhausted, his curiosity forced him to investigate. He followed the sound of the sobs back to the warm cottage, where he found the most beautiful girl he had ever saw. Her long, golden blond tresses had not been brushed in some time, and her face was dirty and streaked red with tears. But that did nothing to hide her beauty. Even her tattered, faded blue dress could not diminish her perfection. Despite that the girl's clothing and appearance indicated she was but a peasant, in his eyes she was a princess. The only thing worse than her cries of anguish was the sound of his heart breaking as he listened.
Finally, he had to find out the source of the girl's angst to see if there was anything that he could do to aid her. "Why are you crying?" he asked. So miserable was the girl, she had no concern with his sudden appearance, and continued sobbing. In between sobs, she answered, "The meat pie we purchased from the elves... has been stolen". She looked up at him with big tearful eyes, her body heaving with despair. Chris looked away guiltily as she continued "The pie was magic and would have healed my father. He has been very sick and we have nothing left to pay a doctor". Still sobbing, she continued, "Even if we could afford a doctor, there is no medicine that can save him". On hearing this, Chris heart sunk and his stomach soured with shame. He answered while looking down at his feet, too ashamed to meet the girl's gaze, "Perhaps the elves will understand, and give you another". But Chris knew this was a useless hope, as elves are not generous beings.
This caused more tears to cascade down her face, and her voice stuck in her throat as she replied, "We have nothing left to offer the Elves, as they already took our cow for payment. They had wanted a gold coin, but we had that naught to give". When she said this, Chris' hand went instinctively into his pocket to feel the gold coin he had found earlier. Understanding what he had to do, the praises of his mother and admiration of his father evaporated. Having made the only rightful choice, he finally met the beautiful girl's eyes and asked, "Where is it that I can find the elves and ask them for another one myself?"
She responded by shaking her head frantically, eyes wide and full of fear. "Oh no!" she replied, "The elves only spared our lives because we had something to give them. If you approach them with nothing to offer, no doubt you will end up their supper." Under ordinary circumstances, this would be true. Elves were particularly nasty creates and very much prone to eating young boys. However, he did have something very special to give, and retrieved the gold coin from his pocket- feeling the magic of the day return. She eyed the gold coin longingly, knowing the coin could save her father. But still, she also understood that the coin could save the boy's family from starvation as well. She was confused as to why a stranger would so readily give up such a treasure to help her, and was torn between her need to help her father and her compassion for the boy. Her heart and the goodness inside her finally won, and she shook her head again even more determinedly, refusing his help.
At this point, Chris realized that the 'princess' was just as virtuous as she was beautiful, and the only way she would accept his gift would be to confess what happened to the pie. Once again, unable to meet her eyes, he remorsefully spoke the truth, "I ate your pie, and I found the coin. I can't give you back the pie. But I can at least use the coin I found to return to you that which was yours". She considered this, touched by his honesty and bravery. He added, "On one condition... you tell me your name." She recognized that there was something both honorable and special about the boy before her. Seeing that he was earnest, she reluctantly decided to accept his help. "My name is Prudence," she told him, "and I will accept your help provided you allow me to accompany you- and tell me your name as well." Relieved that she was willing to accept his help, but disheartened by her insistence on accompanying him, he replied, "My name is Chris". He then extended his hand and asked, "May I call you Pru for short? She accepted his hand and nodded. Stubbornly fighting back tears, she said, "My father calls me Pru."
Realizing the lateness of the day, and noting the sun's position, their brows furrowed with concern. It would be dark soon, and it couldn't be a worse time to pay a visit to elves. The only thing worse than elves, is what they became after the sun went down. During the day, elves were disgusting, frightening creatures. But at night, they morphed into monsters that were both terrifying and ravenously hungry. Unfortunately, they knew that to save Pru's father, they had to make haste. All they could do was pray that the gold coin was enough for both the pie and to spare their lives.
So they gathered up lanterns to light their way, and an ax and hoe as weapons. Since it was getting cold, Pru lent Chris her father's coat. The coat was so big, it practically swallowed Chris whole. She was considering how to alter the jacket so that it would fit properly when she received a flash of inspiration. A knowing smile played at the corner of her lips, and she exclaimed, "I have an idea!" Seeing Pru's broad smile and face full of excitement, it calmed Chris' nerves. "Well, I do love a good intrigue." he responded, voice ripe with candor. She responded by first gathering up some straw lying at her feet, and began stuffing it into her father's coat to test the effect. Satisfied, she picked up another handful and told him "If the elves think you are an adult, they won't be so eager to eat you." His eyes widened with understanding, remembering that elves found adults very unappetizing and generally too tough for their small teeth.
She continued to stuff straw in the coat while she told Chris the details of her plan. "In addition to this coat, you can wear my fathers trousers. Then, we can tie pieces of wood to your shoes to make you taller. I'll wear my father's Sunday clothes and tie wood to my feet too." She added with a note of chagrin, "I'm sure my father wouldn't mind me wearing his good suit, all things considered. Beside, I will have it clean and pressed by Sunday." Chris' sparkling eyes, huge grin and nod of agreement were all the encouragement she needed to work faster. She suspected that a fondness for high adventure served greater reward for him than even the prospect of not being eaten by elves. After they were both clothed and stuffed accordingly, and the pieces of wood were strapped to their feet, Chris stepped back to assess Pru.
He was dismayed to find that despite the enhanced frame that the stuffed clothes bestowed on her, her face was still that of an innocent child. Chris contemplated the dilemma, and an idea formed. He asked Pru to find some scissors and molasses, which she produced without delay. He used the scissors to cut off some of her hair and the molasses to stick it all over her face. Not yet satisfied, he found some mud from under the water pump to hide the remainder of her tender, rosy skin. Pleased with the effect, he cut off some of his own hair and asked Pru to glue it his face with molasses. Without further prompting, Pru also rubbed mud over his youthful skin that the hair did not hide. Though she was satisfied with her work and felt the disguise was good, she could not refrain from laughter at the thought of him being fit for employ as a scarecrow. Chris, thinking much the same thing about Pru, began chortling too. Soon they guffawed and brayed so profusely that they found themselves rolling on the ground in a rare moment of childish bliss. Finally, realizing the sun's pending retreat, they regained their wits.
With the gold coin secure in the pocket of the coat, he picked up the ax and she the hoe. Both armed with a lantern to stave off the impending darkness, they proceeded gravely toward the elves' deadly swamp. As they neared the swamp, a thick fog swallowed the last of the waning sun, and the forest became desolate. The trees grew black and gnarled the deeper they ventured in the forest- as if the forest itself was twisted by despair. Beasts unknown called out with guttural, hungry cries just beyond the reaches of their lights and an unnatural chill penetrated their bones. Finally, they came to a bog that served to protect the swamp's perimeter, and were dismayed to find the bridge allowing safe crossing had been destroyed. They dared not enter the dark waters where deadly beasts with dagger-like teeth were said to lurk below the surface. But, unable to find any possible means to cross, they moved to the water's edge in search of a solution. This is when a reindeer emerged from the forest to block their path.
The reindeer was immense, and if it weren't for the reindeer's air of gentleness and purity, they would have cowered in fear. When the reindeer spoke to them, his melodic voice was like a combination of fierce trumpets and gently tinkling bells "Get away from the water immediately" he commanded. As if to verify the wisdom of the reindeer's warning, a grey and yellow mottled hand with sharp claws darted out from the inky water just missing hold of Chris' foot. In unison, both Chris and Pru took a quick step backward, eyes frozen on the water's edge.
"Why were you so close to the death bog?" Demanded the reindeer. "Do you not know the dangers that lurk below the surface?" he asked plaintively. Again, their actions were simultaneous as they nodded their heads in quiet acknowledgement, retreating further from the bog, eyes still fixed cautiously on where the hand had emerged. Finally, convinced they had achieved a safe distance, Chris turned to the reindeer and explained their quest. The reindeer listened with apt interest though it was unnecessary as reindeers were gifted with the ability to read minds. Even so, the reindeer was careful not to interrupt or finish Chris' sentences when Chris would pause in search of the right words. Though the reindeer knew the dangers, and was loath to enter the elves' swamp, the courageous reindeer still offered his help as he knew in his heart was the right think to do. The reindeer introduced himself as 'Dasher', and revealed to them that he possessed the power of flight. Upon hearing this, both Chris and Pru adamantly refused to put the reindeer at risk.
You see, flying reindeers were quite rare (and still are). Even back then there were scarce few of their kind. In fact, to their knowledge, Dasher might have been the very last one left. Add to that, reindeer meat was much coveted by elves. Elves' desperately hungered for reindeer meat- although it was said that no elf had actually tasted one. The reason the elves longed so deeply for reindeer meat was because the elves knew reindeers were magical, and elves were also quite magical themselves. The elves' legends claimed that if an elf ate a pie made out of reindeer meat, it would give them the power to fly. Knowing that there were not enough gold coins in the world to convince elves from making Dasher into reindeer pie, they had no choice but to exclude him. However, Dasher, who could read their hearts as easily as their minds, knew that they were but children and not safe unprotected. Dasher also knew that the fairies had led him here for a special purpose.
Though they argued at long length, it finally became clear that Dasher could not be dissuaded. In resignation, they climbed on the reindeers back, and Chris called out "On Dasher" to alert him when they were secure and ready. In one effortless bound, Dasher soared high into the clouds above the swamp where they could safely spy on the elves' camp. They saw that the elves were busy making mischief of one type or another, and each atrocity grew appallingly worse.
The elves cruelly forced fairies into lanterns as a substitute for oil to light the lamps. But because the fairies were angry and miserable from being trapped in lanterns, the fairies' auras glowed red casting an eerie light about the camp. A workshop had also been assembled where the elves were making terrible things such as iron cages, sharp spears, and great torches- the latter presumably meant to burn fields of hapless farmers in an attempt starve them. Other elves tended massive boiling pots, large enough to fit a boy, over fires so great that the flames consumed the pots causing the elves to take great care to avoid catching fire. As they churned, the elves chanted terrible ancient spells. The odor produced by the pots was so foul and strong that it reached all the way up to the clouds causing them to become ill. They also spied a group of elves taunting an unfortunate cow with pointed sticks- cackling with delight when the cow protested.
Not being able to withstand the loathsome fumes from the elves' pots nor bear further witness to their dark deeds, they chose to descend just beyond the elves' camp where the fog would conceal them. Since the wind was blowing away from the elves' encampment, they felt reasonably sure that the elves' powerful noses would not detect a reindeer was close. Nonetheless, they employed caution for caution's sake, and attempted to cover Dasher's scent by rubbing him and themselves with branches. They then created a make shift barrier out of various discarded items that littered the swamp. Satisfied that Dasher was safely obscured, Chris felt in his pocket for the gold coin and completed a final assessment of their disguises. Their clothes were still well padded, and the molasses did a fine job of holding the hair and mud to their faces. As close to confident as one visiting elves could get, they departed, promising Dasher a prompt return.
Knowing better than to creep up on elves unannounced, they entered the camp making as much noise as possible by clanging the ax blade against the hoe. Many heads whipped in their direction causing the elves to cease their tasks. The largest, and perhaps, most gruesome of the elves stormed in their direction. Before the agitated elf could get any closer, Chris waved the gold coin in the air, and shouted in his deepest voice "We have come to buy a pie to heal our brother. We offer this as payment!"
The sight of gold stopped the elf in his tracks, his awe for gold apparent. "Aye" the Elf replied eagerly pointing to a fat cow that the elves had temporarily ceased in torturing. "We sold a pie today for that fat cow over there, and still have enough left over to give you. But, you will have to give me the gold coin first." At this, his red eyes shone with mischief, and the corners of his mouth curled upward revealing pointy teeth that were stained yellowish-brown and reeking of rot. Like the clawed hand from the water, the elf's skin was a mottled yellowish-grey. Chris, never having seen an elf so close, was taken aback by the elf's grotesque image. Even more disconcerting was the magnitude of sheer evil that emanated from the being.
Chris, sensing a trick, shook his head and firmly stated, "No. You must give us the pie first". At this, the elf's eyes flashed with anger, but his smile remained frozen in place as he eyed the gold coin with longing. Finally, the elf broke the standstill and sent another elf that had been tending pots to retrieve the pie. When the lesser elf returned, he carried a metal pan that contained but mere scraps. Seeing this, Chris grew angry, but kept his voice even so as not to anger the elf. "What is this?" Chris demanded, "Surely there are games afoot."
"'Tis no trickery at all I assure you." the elf replied innocently, "There is ample pie left over to heal your brother... assuming he is the same size as you."
Pru, too outraged to contain herself, stepped forward and blurted out a dangerous accusation, "You lie! You told me just today that a WHOLE pie was needed to heal my father!" Realizing her deadly mistake, she quickly backed away to avoid the scrutiny of the now curious elf.
"Ah!" confessed the elf, head nodding in agreement. "I did say that very thing just today. But to a young girl and not a grown man." With that, he stepped closer to better examine Pru before continuing, "In fact, I must admit that I was having a bit a fun with the girl. You see, only a small piece heals, but a whole pie would cause the illness to grow stronger." Now closer, his face beamed with delight as his nose caught the smell of something intriguing.
Both in alarm for having ate a whole pie himself that day and to protect Pru, Chris stepped between them, and questioned the malevolent elf, "So, if a person ate a whole pie and was healthy, what would happen then?" The elf considered it for a moment then answered, pointing to the elf holding the pie remnants, "The last time that happened, the person turned into an elf." "'Tis true" the lesser elf attested, head nodding woefully. Concerned, Pru stepped forward and asked fearfully, "How long does it take... for a person to turn into an elf?" Without hesitation, the lesser elf again spoke up, "Took me not even a full day to turn. I ate the pie for supper, and became 'this' when the sun rose. At this, Chris and Pru's eyes widened in alarm while the chief elf regarded the exchange with apt interest.
Upon considering all that transpired, the main elf's sly smile returned, small pointy teeth wet with saliva and terrible red eyes gleaming, he spoke triumphantly, "Far as I can tell, there are indeed games afoot- but the treachery is your own. Now that I can better smell you both, I know that you are but children. Plump, delicious children at that." With that, he tore open Chris' coat causing the straw to cascade out of the coat. He then turned and ripped the jacket off Pru, revealing a delicate, but plump, young girl. At this, all the elves gathered closer except a few that scampered off eagerly to prepare the pots. Chris and Pru inched away from the elves slowly, only to be shoved forward by several elves that had circled behind them. Realizing that they were surrounded, Chris considered the gold coin still in his hand and weighed the fact that he was destined to become an elf should he live. He realized that he would rather wind up in a pot than to live as an elf. So it was only right to try to use the coin to save Pru.
As the elves slowly advanced, Chris held up the gold coin once again and said, "We still have business here to finish. You cannot steal gold from a mortal. Gold must be given freely, so you will have to bargain for it. If you eat us both, there will be nobody to bargain with, and the coin will remain where it falls- untouchable by any of you forever". The main elf stepped forward shaking his head, unfazed by Chris' words. "You think we be fools?" he asked. "There is a reason why the girl needed another pie for her father, and there is a reason why you wanted to know what would happen if a healthy person ate a whole pie. Those reasons can only be that you ate the pie, and were hoping to purchase another to take its place. Since you ate the entire pie, you will surely become one of us at sunrise. Then, you will gladly give me your gold coin for whatever scraps are left of this girl." Chris' heart sunk, but he refused to surrender hope for a bargain.
The chief elf was inching menacingly close to Pru, so Chris clearly his throat loudly to distract him while he thought. Capturing the elf's audience once again, Chris declared boldly, no hint of deception in voice, "You are indeed quite shrewd, but you are sadly mistaken as to who ate the pie. It was my brother who ate the pie and not me. My brother became sick after eating it, and we came here to help him. I will not, as you say, turn into an elf at sunrise nor will I ever give you the coin if you touch her." At this, the elf's smile fell right off his face as he considered the information. But almost as swiftly as it faded, the elf's smirk returned portending their doom. The elf leaned forward tilting his head toward Chris, and spoke in a conspiratorial tone, "If you speak the truth, then your brother will become one of us at sunrise and join us by nightfall. So, we'll just wait until tomorrow night to roast you. When your brother arrives and smells you cooking, he will gladly pay me the gold coin he inherits from you for one of your roasted legs." Hearing these words rendered Chris speechless.
Satisfied with his plan, the head elf grabbed one of Pru's arms and drew it up to his eager mouth, sharp pointed teeth parted in anticipation. This is when Dasher leapt into the middle of the group, crushing the rather unfortunate elf on which he landed. The elves froze, even more mesmerized by the reindeer than they had been by sight of gold. The chief elf found his wits and exclaimed, "This is indeed a magical night filled with wondrous gifts!" Then he took a bite out of Pru's arm and chewed it with relish- as if he had sampled a gourmet dish. Pru screamed in pain, and fought to rescue her arm from the clutches of the greedy elf. He had eaten a large piece of her arm by the time she could free it.
Before he could grab her arm again, Dasher stepped between the elf and Pru and interrupted the elf by saying, "I have something with which to bargain." At this, the elves burst into laughter. The chief elf, now doubled over in laughter, taunted Dasher as the other elves closed in around him with ropes and nets. "There is nothing more valuable than reindeer pie. All the gold in the world could not persuade us to spare you. He then turned to his comrades, and raised his arms in the air as he excitedly told them, "If we start now, we'll be eating reindeer pie for breakfast and then spend the rest of the day in the clouds. Just think of how easy it will be to catch birds and fairies with our own hands!" "Aye!" they all cried, and murmured eagerly amongst themselves as they snared Dasher with ropes.
Dasher remained calm and did seem the least concerned with being entrapped by their ropes. He cleared his throat and calmly asked, "Do you want reindeer pie just for supper tonight, or do you want reindeer pie every night?" The elves, intrigued by Dasher's question, paused to hear more. Dasher continued, "If you eat me all up tonight, you'll have nothing for the 'morrow. Since the magic wears off quickly, you'll only fly for one day. Might I suggest that rather than gobble me all up tonight, you merely cut off my legs. There is enough meat on my legs alone to serve Reindeer Pie to everyone. But, as soon as you cut off my legs, feed me magical pie so my legs grow back and I don't die. If you do this, you will have fresh reindeer meat every night. All I ask is that you spare the lives of the children."
A round of cheers echoed through the crowd in celebration. All the elves were so thrilled with the prospects of reindeer pie for supper every night, that they began dancing an impish jig. All of the elves, that is, except for one- whose sly smile had once again returned. "Aye" the elf agreed, "We'll spare the children's lives, but first we must make sure the plan is sound. And, of course, the boy will have to pay us his gold coin as well." Dasher, able to read elves' minds as well as he could with humans, knew the wicked elf had figured that the same scheme would work equally well for the children. By only harvesting the children's legs and arms and then giving them pie to restore their limbs, they would have a fresh daily supply of child meat in addition to reindeer. Plus, he thought the children would make useful slaves as well. Another bonus was that giving the children enough pie to heal them every night would keep them from growing up and becoming too tough to enjoy. Although Dasher knew of the elf's plan, he did nothing to stop Chris from giving the elf his gold. Instead, Dasher bravely placed his right leg on the stump next to the elf with the waiting ax.
Once Dasher's legs were chopped off and placed in a boiling pot, the elves brought him a fat pie that Dasher consumed completely. After Dasher ate the pie, his legs immediately grew back- stronger than ever. A roar of celebration filled the encampment once again. In the elves' excitement, they failed to notice that the ground around where Dasher's blood had fallen was beginning with spring with new life. However, with a pot full of reindeer meat cooking, most of the elves had turned away to busy themselves with the task of making pies. Only a handful of elves and their chief elf remained with Dasher and the children, and those elves were intent on a gruesome chore.
Knowing there was ample pie left for the children, the elves seized them and cut off their arms and legs, promptly throwing their limbs into a boiling pot. Immediately afterwards, other elves hurried with two pies and force-fed the children; though it was a difficult task with all the screaming and crying. As with the reindeer, the children's limbs grew back quickly making them fit once again for work. The elves, pleased with them selves, went to check on the progress of the pies.
Relieved to be whole once again, the children went to Dasher who was lying in a patch of green grass they hadn't noticed before. Dasher seemed quite content and not the least concerned with how the events had just unfolded. Though the children were glad to be alive, they didn't find much consolation in having their arms and legs chopped off every night. Chris was also greatly troubled knowing he would become an elf himself at sun up. Though Dasher could hear their thoughts, he did not address their concerns and calmly instructed them to sit on other grassy patches that had also emerged.
The elves, now frantic in their labor, complained that they should have to work so hard while the children rested. So the chief elf commanded the children to various chores and occupied him self with overseeing their work. The children toiled with the elves through the night. They lifted heavy things, chopped wood for the fires, and rolled massive amounts of dough for the pies. Before the night was through, the elves had made more than enough pies for all in addition to a stout brew. A long wooden table was set for the feast with tablecloths, napkins, silverware, and fairy lanterns that glowed red.
Once the elves were assembled, the chief elf gave an animated speech to commemorate the feast and rejoice in their bounty. Contrary to common belief, the elves' manners were surprisingly good. With napkins placed neatly under their chins, and forks and knives in hand, the elves engaged in a proper supper. The sun was just threatening to rise when there was nary a crumb remaining. While the satisfied elves waited for the magic to take hold, they drank ale and told stories to entertain each other.
As the sun revealed its first hints of sunlight, Chris braced himself for the horrible transformation. But then, something magical began to happen. The elves mottled yellowish-grey skin began to take on a healthy pink glow. Their sharp, pointy stained teeth became blunt and pearly white. Their sinister howls became merry chuckles, and their black hearts became pure. As the elves continued to evolve, their malformed ears formed into smooth perfect points. Even their clothes were transformed from rags to stately coats and trousers. More importantly, their hearts swelled and they became so overjoyed that they burst into song.
It was then that they noticed gentle grass and flowers had taken hold of the camp, and that the surrounding swamp had become a lush green forest. Even the fairies' auras had changed to cheerful colors. As the sun climbed higher, glistening snowflakes fell all around painting the forest white. All were filled with joy, except for Chris who morosely awaited his fate. But when his transformation did come, it was not the one he expected. His hair turned white, and his clothes became a fine suit made of fine red velvet adorned with gold and fur. Pru also changed as her hair also became white and her tattered dress turned into a beautiful silk gown. Both of their eyes twinkled, and their cheeks became even rosier still.
While all celebrated, the head elf grew remorseful and carried a heavy heart. He begged the children and Dasher for forgiveness while weeping bitterly in shame. Stunned, Chris and Pru turned to Dasher, their faces rapt with astonishment. Dasher heard their thoughts, and answered them. "If the elves had consumed me entirely, they would not have changed except for being able to fly. However, because our hearts remained beating and pure, the pies made from our limbs healed the elves' hearts and spirits. The reason you, Chris, did not turn into an elf was because changing the elves' heart lifted their curse and instead gave you some of their magic."
Knowing in his heart that Dasher spoke the truth, Chris became intent once again on healing Pru's father. So Chris forgave the chief elf, and asked if they would make another pie to save Pru's father. The elves, now wishing to bring joy to humanity, wasted no time or effort in granting the request. Before long, they had baked many, many pies. However, this time the pies contained no power to harm. Since Chris only needed one pie and there were many, he suggested that the elves deliver the remainder to starving people the elves had previously tortured. The chief elf declared that they should also bestow other gifts- including gold and tools, and organized the elves accordingly. The elves joyously went about their work and converted the weapons they had made into useful tools, and their poisons into medicines. Even the fairies, now free of their prisons, labored beside them- their auras now brightly flashing in the colors of green, red, blue, and gold in celebration.
It took all day and night to deliver the pies, gold, and other gifts to the people. Many folk who had gone to bed poor and hungry awoke to abundant feasts and various riches. Enough riches and tools had been received, in fact, to feed their families over the long winter. This caused everyone to rejoice, and thus, the very first Christmas was born. The following year, the rest of Dasher's family helped expand the celebration to all of the land. They delivered pies and other good things to eat as well as gifts that the elves labored all year in making. On the eve of the celebration, Chris would join the elves to deliver the gifts in one night using the magical powers he received from the elves' pies.
On that special night, the fairies would gather in trees producing colorful lights to alert the countryside that the day of celebration was at hand. Soon the spirit of the season took hold of everyone, and people began leaving treats such as baked sweet breads for Chris and the elves. As the spirit of generosity grew, people who could afford to began giving gifts to one another and preparing feasts which they enjoyed with family and friends. Even after there were no more fairies to light the trees, folks still held to adorning their homes and businesses with candles, lanterns, and colorful ornaments for all to enjoy. Most of the traditions have endured to this very day though most have forgotten why.
Eventually, Chris, the elves, and reindeer chose to become invisible and build a factory at the North Pole. But that is another story altogether.
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