Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 107

Jessica, in time, became ripe with child, the only child that she would bear. “I know who that baby was,” a sweet young voice interrupted the story. This is my favorite part. “Shhh,” came from the Storyteller, quieting the child. Joulupukki knew his child to be special, a gentle child growing up, a happy child. He could feel the magic inside of him but knew, as different as his magic was from his fathers, so, his son's was from his. The boy seemed nearly oblivious to the evil in the world around them. Not so much naive as unwilling to allow the petty squabbling of the human, and elves alike, to alter his vision of the world around him. At his naming ceremony a few days after his birth, Seileach, although no longer a member of the council, was asked by Joulupukki to officiate. He gladly added his magic to that of the presiding council members. It was an unusually cold beginning to the winter with heavy snow already falling on the ground. Joulupukki and Jessica had moved from DynDoeth's cottage into the Royal Suite in the Keep many years before but they chose to have the naming ceremony at their friends home. Joulupukki wrapped the baby in one of his two red cloaks to keep the child warm as they strolled the frozen cobbles to DynDoeth's cottage, his magic keeping Joulupukki's coat and cloaks as fresh and clean as the day they were made. During the ceremony, Lumi and his wife, Chroí, were asked by Jessica to be Dia Athair to their new baby. Of course they were honored and agreed. Chroi and Jessica had become as close as sisters over the years and Ceridfen was like a mother to them. Many of his friends attended the naming ceremony with one notable exception. It had been twenty seven years since Gwaldon had given up his magic and peacefully passed from this world. A sad day for all, especially for his good friend Bréagán. Bréagán, at the naming, joined his magic with Lumi's and created hundreds of toys, far too many to fit in the Royal Suite. They were stored in DynDoeth's stable until they could decide what to do with them. The date of the naming ceremony was seven turns of the earth after his birth, at midnight on December, thirty first. Jessica was amused but not surprised by the date. Both Joulupukki and Erlenkönig were born at precisely the same time, of course many years apart. The naming was a joyous occasion. “Have you decided on a name for this beautiful child,” Seileach asked? Jessica was the first to speak. “We have discussed this at length and have decided to name the child after his father.” There was a silence that fell over the room. Each elf and several human guests looked at each other. Seileach had a concerned look on his face. “Are you certain,” he questioned? A deep intake of breath was heard throughout the room, before Dyndoeth chuckled and offered the name that Jessica and Joulupukki had chosen.