#rivervale_lodge

And gift exchange and good times go on through the lodge

....and a rattle-thump-clatter as two little boys come crashing through the door. "DID WE MISS IT?!" Connor exclaims?

Jack Flap says "We were on a Yule mission!! We were even going to give each other code names but it didn't last that long"

"Aye aye, North Pole One!"

Gerd comes up behind them "I searched all over Bergen for you two twerps. Where were you?" She hugs them both from behind

"Eep!"

"We went to the North Pole, and then Jack licked it because it looked like a candy cane, and his tongue got stuck so we had to wait for Mrs. Claus to come out with cocoa to fix it and then get a ride home with a Yule Angel."

Jack Flap says "Yule Missions are secret missions!"

Gerd humphs and gives them a little shake in their hug trap, then sets them down "Well I got worried. It's a good thing you're both okay, or I would have sicced Dagmar on you both. Seeing as she's your knight and your niece" to each

The Grand Unwrapping continues. Sylvi gasps and SQUEEZES Dagmar in a hug when she unwraps her phone-work station. "It's Perfect!"

"I thought you could use it for making your videos? This is bigger than your phone screen to look at..."

Frank glances at Brekke.

Connor and Jack get a shared gift from the Chieftain...wooden knights on horseback, about a foot high. The horses have wheels and the knights have lances and shields. "You may joust them." She seems concerned. "You may be too old for them...?" But they are beautifully crafted.

She catches Frank's look, and gives him a curious look in return.

"Oh we're not TOO old" Jack says looking at Connor "I bet we're right sized!"

Kerri gets wooden spoons and scoops, sanded smoothed and rubbed with oil until they gleam. Brekke gets a little box with a clever design of two tessellated horse heads on the sliding lid. There IS a box with Connor's name on it.

Kerri is delighted with her new spoons!

"So this one is pretty much exactly a tablespoon, but not perfectly, but probably okay for making coffee just not baking?"

"I'll experiment with it and let you know," Kerri says with a smile. She seems to feel this is an interesting variable.

Frank steps forward with a crate, wrapped, to offer to Kerri. And whoever else is near her.

Kerri blinks, and looks at the crate. "Now, what have you done?" She glances at Olgar beside her. (Sylvi is still enthusing over the phone stand.)

"Merry Yule." He says, with perhaps the flicker of a glance.

Olgar shrugs "If it were for me, I'd be worry about it xploding"

But he helps with the crate

Frank hands it off.

Dagmar peers.

"Thank you, Frank!" Kerri and Olgar make short work of opening it.

A crate of home brewed beer and cider.

"Thanks, Frank. But what will the wife have?"

A happy laugh as she pulls out a bottle. "Ohhhh...I think we'll do plenty of enjoying this." Then she swats her husband. "Greedy."

"Mmph."

"Oh! And Chieftain! Lovely touch!" For around the neck of each bottle is an ornament crafted of wood shavings, each a keepsake.

Olgar chuckles

Brekke nods as well. "I am glad you like."

Frank takes up a woven, wrapped basket and offers it to Sylvi.

"Oh! Hey! Thank you, Mountain. And Chieftain!" as Frank includes his wife with a nod. And she opens the basket.

A small collection of locally made, honey-based beauty products; skin cleaners, hair products, whatever can be made....and the information about the local apiary and who runs it. A Dreamer?

"Oh! Oh, wowwwww!" She looks excitedly at each one. "I can do reviews of these!" The gears are clearly turning.

"Ohhh, they smell nice." Approving Dagmar.

Frank's beard moves, and he glances at the Chieftess.

"Nice"

That from Olgar

"Ha, like you need to look prettier" Siv says then winks

Frank offers Siv an envelope.

"Oh." She takes it "Thank you, whatever is I know I'll love it' She opens it carefully

It's a NICE envelope, by the way...and another ornament attached to it.

"Oh my.. " EXTRA Careful

Inside is a.... handmade coupon. It might summon memories; there are small fish in crayon around the border. It promises, on presentation, a full tune up, servicing, wash and detail of a vehicle presented.

A grin "Awww.. .the old fish and.. "A blush "Thanks. I promise not to forget... wait, detailing?"

"Whatever you need doing. Might be you have somewhere to go with people. Nice to have a clean ride."