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“Is that what I think it is?” Levi asked, unable to believe his eyes.
“I think it is, dear,” Mrs. Claus said. “It would appear your friend there, Jebidiah, has taken all the Christmas presents for this year and brought them here.”
“But why would he do that? How could he do that?” Jane asked.
“My guess is Santa gave them to him.”
Jane and Levi looked at each other, then back at Mrs. Claus. “Why?” they said in Elvish unison.
“Ransom,” Mrs. Claus said, sinking down behind the boulder.
“For us?” Jane said.
“For us, dear.”
“What are we gonna do about it?” Levi asked, sitting next to Mrs. Claus and petting Kevin.
“First, we need a plan,” Mrs. Claus said.
“I remember your last plan, Mrs. C. Look where that got us?” Jane said.
“I was under pressure. We have some time to plan this a bit better. First, we need to go back to where they were holding us. Can’t let them know that we can escape.” She leaned over to Kevin and whispered in his ear.
Kevin bounced up and down, tail wagging madly, then shrunk to almost invisible size.
“What did you tell him?” Levi asked..
“He’s gonna be our eyes and ears while we figure out our next step. “
A moment later, Kevin returned with the cell phone they’d left in the helicopter. Dropping it at Mrs. Claus’ feet, he disappeared once again.
“And he’s found a way for us to talk to Santa,” she said. “Jane, can you send them a message. I never cared for those things; they take away from people just talking to each other. Tell Axe to have the sleigh prepped and ready to come here once we figure out what we’re doing.
“And tell him to make sure Santa doesn’t try anything alone. Goodness knows I love the man. No one is as kind and thoughtful, but he is definitely not someone you want to handle a crisis. And make sure you tell him we are not lonely.”
“You got it, Mrs. C.”
*****
Axe read the message and then went to find Santa. As Mrs. Claus feared, he was lining up the reindeer preparing to go on his own rescue mission.
“Santa, Mrs. Claus sent a message. She wants us to wait for her signal before we do anything. She says they are not lonely, and they have a plan to get the presents back.” This last part was a bit of an exaggeration. The message actually said they were working on a plan, but under the circumstances, Axe felt it best to assume they would have come up with one by now.
“But we should just go there,” Santa said. “I never should have trusted Jebidiah to release them.”
Axe had an idea. “Well, he said he wanted to make sure Christmas didn’t happen. He probably plans on releasing them after the 25th.”
Santa stepped away from the sleigh. “I suppose you’re right. But I want to do something. I can’t bear the thought of them in that cave. Especially on Christmas, they’ll be so lonely without…” He stopped mid-sentence.
“What is it, Santa?” Axe said.
“Lonely! Of course, why didn’t I realize.”
“Realize what?”
“It’s a message in a message. Now I know why Jebidiah left and wants to stop Christmas. Oh, I can be such a fool sometimes. You keep the sleigh ready to go. I have something to do.”
“But Santa…”
“No buts, Axe. I know Mrs. Claus runs things here, but we have a part to play to help save Christmas. Find me when it’s time.” Santa marched off toward the house, leaving Axe to ready the sleigh.
This is gonna be one wild Christmas, Axe thought, and that’s saying a lot.
*****
“Bring them to me,” Jebidiah said, looking up from his desk. “I want to ssshare the joy of no Christmasss with them.
Several apparitions slid deeper into the cave and then returned with the captives.
“Like what you sssssee?”
Levi, Jane, and Mrs. Claus stood before the mound of presents. A small tear trickled down Levi’s face. Jane looked away, not wanting to see. Mrs. Claus just smiled at Jebidiah.
“Ssssomething funny about this?”
“Not at all, dear. It’s just I can’t understand how you could’ve spent so much time in Christmastown, seen so many Christmases come and go, yet not understand what it is we do. It is very sad.”
“What’ssss to understand? You keep a list,” he raised Santa’s list, shaking it in his hand, “you work all year building toys, and you give out presents on Christmas Eve. There’s not much more to it.”
“Oh, dear, there is infinitely more to it. Infinitely more…” Mrs. Claus put her arm around Jane and Levi. “Maybe someday you’ll understand.”
Jebidiah rose and walked to stand in front of Mrs. Claus. “You’re going to be my guestsss for a few more days, three to be precise. There’s no use trying to essscape. I’ve sssealed the cave so no one can get in or out. Wander around all you like, but don’t try anything. If I have to, I can just as quickly throw you back in that dungeon.”
Mrs. Claus nodded. “I have no intention of escaping, Jebidiah,” her eyes sparkled, “I have every reason to believe you will let us go with all the presents, and Christmas will happen as it always has.”
Jebidiah took a step back. “You know, I always knew you ran the show up there. I know you’re much more than some kind, gentle soul. I’m warning you: don’t try any of your tricks. They won’t work.” He took a step back toward the three.
“And there issss no chance of any of that happening, ever.”
Jebidiah returned to his desk, ignoring them.
“Ah, Mrs. C. Is that your plan? Waiting for him to have a change of heart?” Jane asked.
“Part of it, dear. Part of it. We have to wait and see if the other part works, as I hope it will.”
The Writing of Joe Broadmeadow 