Exton

Star smiles from her spot near the fire as she watches Keon and Erik set the tree up. Mera is in her walker, eyes wide, reaching for a branch. Star and Ky had been making paper chains with the little girl and Ky had sworn them all to secrecy. “I'll never hear the end of it from Raina....” Ky grumbled.

Star laughed at her and Tannr said he would make sure that his sister found out, which led to some friendly squabbling about ripping out tongues and feeding them to the Hell hounds.

“Stop....its Yule. You arent suppose to fight now....” Stars words are interrupted by Mya, who takes one end of the chain and flies to the top of the tree with it. Mera coos and laughs watching her.

“We need some pine cones and holly for the tree.” Star stands, “And maybe some mistletoe...”

Laughing Tannr looks to Erik, “Funny how one of our customs has become a holiday one in this time.”

“What do you mean?” Star asks.

Tannr picks Mera up and sits with her as Mya flits down and takes a spot close by. Tannr weaves a good story and they all like to hear, even Ky, although she probably wouldnt admit that to a living soul.

Erik looks over, “The short version, brother. Its hard for those not used to our legends to keep everyone straight..”

Tannr nods and begins. “Frigga, queen of the Aesir gods, wife of Odin, loved all her children; but most of all she loved her son Baldur, called the Beautiful, god of vegetation and the Sun. So great was her love for him that she went through the whole world and made every thing promise that it would never harm Baldur. She exacted the promise from stones and wind, from plants and animals, from fire and water, and all promised faithfully never to harm Baldur the Beautiful.

But when Frigga came to the little mistletoe, she saw that it was small and weak and did not make it promise. Then the queen of the gods returned to Asgard to share her news with the Aesir.

When the gods heard this, they created a new game. Baldur would stand in front of them and they would hurl spears and stones, axes and all manner of weapons at him. But because of their promise, all the weapons bounced back or turned aside.

Now when wicked Loki, the trickster god, heard of this, he was angry and sought some way to undo the magic Frigga had woven. He came to her one day, disguised as an old woman, and sought speech with her.

"And is it true," he asked, " that you exacted a promise from everything in the world never to harm your son Balder?"

"It is true," Frigga said. "Oh - I did not ask the mistletoe to promise; but it is so small and weak, it could not harm anyone."

So Loki left and came to where the mistletoe was and saw that it had grown hardy and strong. He fashioned a short spear from it and with this he came to where the gods were playing their new game. He came to the blind god Hod and said, "Honored sir, why do you not join in the game?"

"Gladly would I show honor to Baldur," Hod said, "but I have no weapon, and I cannot see to aim."

"I will help you," Loki said. "Here is a weapon, and I will guide your aim."

So Hod threw the mistletoe spear; but instead of falling short, it pierced Baldur through and through, and he fell dead upon the spot.

The Aesir seized Hod, but wicked Loki had vanished; and the tale of how he was caught and punished is not a fit subject for Yule.

Later, Baldur was restored to life, though he had to spend six months of each year in Hel's kingdom. We call that time of year Winter now.

When Frigga's son was restored to her, Frigga decreed that from that day forward, mistletoe would nevermore bring death into the world, but only life. And that is why couples kiss beneath the mistletoe at this time of year, to celebrate Baldurs resurrection.”

Mera is clapping her hands and giggling as Tannr kisses her cheeks and hands her to Keon.

“Ye spin a good yarn, lad..” Keon is grinning too, enjoying the family time. He plugs the lights in for the tree and Mya gasps. “Look! Pretty tree..”

Star tries to stand and Tannr reaches out, giving her his hand. “Thank you. I will be so glad when the baby is born, I feel like a whale.” She looks at the tree and then says, “Lets go look for some pine cones and holly for it...” She grins mischieviously at Erik, “And maybe some mistletoe..”

Its getting late though, we wont have much time...” Erik glances out the window.

“It wont take long. I know just where to look.”

“Okay Princess...” Ky stands, but Erik motions her to sit. “I'll go with her.” He takes Stars pink coat off its hook near the door and holds it out for her. “Maybe you should put a sweater on, you wont be able to button this...”

Laughing, Star shrugs, “Its fine, and its not that cold.” She reaches for a much smaller coat, a pale pink one very similar to her own that she had made for Mya. Mya flits down and Star helps her, making sure her wings get through the slits sewn in the back for that purpose.

Mya moves to her familiar spot on Stars shoulder, her hand gently hanging on to Stars silver tresses.

Star and Mya nod happily when Erik asks if they are ready. Lobo leaps up from her spot by the fire and the group is out the door