#brightwindsbarony

"the boy got to see his real mom.. she's kind, and beautiful, and nice.. " Ashlee mutters "And he learned about how to be a hero. And made sure his dad was taken care of, a bag of gold every year behind the grave stone"

"I think the crew from CSI Concordia ended up cuffing hte dad as the main suspect" Stew nods somberly

"One hopes that the ending for the boy is happy. It is still tragic for the father. Many things are both bitter and sweet."

Irene says "But if the boy was taken, and not dead, then there's no reason he can't steal away from the Erlking and return to his father! "

"Maybe after the song!"

"perhaps he even came back to fetch his father, and they could live together?" Ashlee holds up her hand as if she were in a school

"Or he watched from a distance. We can make up the ending that pleases us."

The kids cheer up at this, and discussions on happier endings that could be continues

Otha admitsto Sparrow in a soft voice "I really am not very good at stories. I tend to get the grim tales. That's why I encouraged them to make their own ending. Better than anything I could think of"

"I think they're running with it. Thank you, for sharing. I might be Liam, but this is a Winter holiday, yes?"

Otha gives a beautiful smile of her own at that "it is. And they cannot be made blind to the dangers" then a frown "In truth? I think these children know the danger too well. "

Sparrow nods. "More than children should."

"I suspect our squire might have Winter leanings, too." A nod at the Eiluned.

"which surpirses me, giving her knight"

"A touch. But Eiluned have a way about them."

"You realize what the girl has been up to yes? She's been exploring your hold.. every spot she can, she wants to know"

"Well, curiosity is good. And expected."

"She is probably also interested in magic."

"Never met an Eiluned that wasn't" Otha says , then a beat "I hear you're a widow. I would say 'my condelences' but I think given the option, you're doing fine"

A soft laugh.

a bit of a smile back

"Well, that provided the tree and the baubles. It's not the fanciest celebration, but I am glad we could have something."

"Fft.. you think the early Juls had amber dripping from the walls? This is fine. The children will imagine the wonders enough"

"They're good at that." She grins.

A thoughtful look from the Aesin "I love this time of year. I will miss the snow. But the night sky will be glorious. The great conjuncttion"

"They say the mountain will get snow, sometimes. Oh, I hope so. And we should go outside to see the stars - it is much, much darker here than any city."

"the Yulestar... if I am to be a seer for you, I should look into that. "

"There might be glad tidings in it. This is a new beginning, I want to do it right."

Loud footprints

Sparrow glances over.

And in comes Little Joe, with Grete on his shoulders

"Welcome back!"

The great hall is busy - little islands of activity, decorating, painting, snacking... Stuart has found a BOOK...

And yes.. he's kind of checked out reading

Sparrow checks with the kitchen - and out come trays of naked gingerbread cookies, along with bags of white icing and various candies and sprinkles. She starts to help Hope and Clarence set them up, but gets shooed away. The boggans have this!

Pepper is no boggan, and, with speed being of need, has taken up a more regular thane job right now but doesn't seem to mind. In the psirit of things, she's even put a green elf cap on over her helm

"There are cookies to decorate! Huzzah to the kitchen!"

"Huzzah!" Catir declares!

She holds onto his shoulders - 'up high' isn't really her thing, but Little Joe is solid enough that she can pretend she's on a moving mountain.

"Little Joe said that maybe we can help if you need something put on the tree up high. But I guess you could just flutter on up, huh?"

"Actually, it's kind of hard - I can't hover, so I'd probably need a ladder. Or help!"

A nod down at her. "Little Joe will help. And then I would like to drink Cocoa by the fire, please."

"Sounds like a plan. Felicity was working on a star..."

Felicity blinks and STARES . The Eiluned sidhe girl is beautiful, like Catir, but her curioisity shines

Patting Little Joe on the shoulder. He might not want to ask, so she will ask for him.

Little joe nods "We will help"

"Oh, Little Joe - you do look like you need to st by the fire, yes."

"I'll be fine, but first.. the star?"

"Yes, please!"

Still gaping at Grete, the Eiluned girl holds up the star