Born of Two Worlds Chapter 6

24th December

It was late evening. The sun had just set behind the mountains and the lamplighters were making their way through the streets, lighting the oil lamps atop the poles. The air around the palace was quiet and peaceful and pools of flickering orange illuminated the streets and corners.

Inside the palace the kitchens were the sole hive of activity. Large bowls of stuffing were being prepared and several two headed turkeys hung, ready to be plucked and stuffed. Vegetables were being chopped up on large wooden chopping boards and puddings were being baked in readiness for the big day tomorrow.

“Shall I tell you about Santa Claus?” asked Marceline as they sat by the fire. Flame Princess was curled up in Finn’s lap while Princess Bubblegum was lying in Marceline’s arms. Jake and Lady nestled together on the sofa while LSP sat on the floor with BMO, playing a game of cards.

“Yes please,” replied Finn, eager to hear more of what Christmas had to offer.

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the palace, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,” began Marceline, telling the age old tale, “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

“Who’s St. Nicholas?” interrupted Jake.

“He’s Santa Claus,” replied Marceline, “He had a few names which he went by, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, St. Nick, Father Christmas.” She counted the names off on her fingers before continuing, “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; and mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap.”

She told of how Santa Claus had arrived in a sleigh drawn by eight reindeer.

“More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name,” recounted Marceline, ‘Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!’"

“So, reindeer could fly in those days?” asked BMO. Marceline shook her head.

“Only Santa Claus’ could,” she replied, “They had magical powers of some sort.

“Was Santa Claus a human?” asked Finn.

“Some say he was,” replied Marceline, “Others say he was an elf.” She continued the tale and they listened in rapt silence as she told of how he came down the chimney and filled the stockings with toys and they wondered how such a wonderful tale had become lost in the ages and eluded them for so long.

“But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, ‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night’,” concluded Marceline. She then told them of Santa’s Little Helpers, the elves and how he knew when children had been good and when they had been bad.

“So, he gave them coal if they were bad?” said Flame Princess. Marceline nodded.

“Yeah, a sack full of coal,” she replied.

“That doesn’t seem like such a bad present to me,” said Flame Princess.

“It would have been for the human children he delivered to,” explained Marceline, “All the other children used to get oranges, toys and chocolate.”

“Why oranges?” asked Finn. Marceline shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know,” she replied, “It was an old tradition.”

“Whatever happened to this St. Nick?” asked LSP.

“I don’t know really,” she replied, “The story of St. Nick was a human tradition. When the humans disappeared, so did he.”

“But I’m still here,” protested Finn.

“And maybe now that you know about him, he’ll pay us a visit,” replied Marceline, “But he’ll only appear if we’re all asleep.”

“Besides,” added Princess Bubblegum, “Tomorrow’s a big day. So we’re going to need our sleep.” One by one they departed for bed, leaving Finn and Jake contemplating the flames in the hearth.

“Shouldn’t we go to bed?” asked Jake, “This St. Nick dude won’t come til we do.”

“I’m not so sure he’s going to,” replied Finn, “Not for one group of believers. But I’ve got a better idea.”

“What?” asked Jake.

“Why don’t we dress up as Santa Claus and one of his helpers and deliver the presents?” suggested Finn.

“But we don’t even know what he looks like,” replied Jake.

“I’m sure Marcy’s got a picture in that box of hers,” said Finn, pointing to the box that lay on the armchair. He got up and began rummaging through the box’s contents.

“Are you sure we should be looking through Marcy’s things?” asked Jake, “Remember what happened the last time we tried that.”

“It’s fine,” replied Finn, “Hey, I bet that’s him.” He pulled out a drawing of a man in a red coat, hat and trousers with white fur trimming, bottle green gloves and black boots. Standing next to him was what looked like a very small human in green with pointed ears. The drawing looked like it had been drawn by a child which, Finn reminded himself, it probably had. It must have been one of Marceline’s drawings from when she had been growing up in the post Mushroom war city ruins.

They fashioned their costumes from red fabric and cotton wool, green fabric and a pair of pointed ears they found in the Princess’ fancy dress wardrobe.

“I think I should be Santa,”said Jake as he stood in front of the mirror, “I’ve got the belly for it.” To illustrate his point he jiggled his belly which did indeed wobble like a bowl full of jelly.

“Then I’ll be the elf,” replied Finn as he put on the green costume.

With that they began depositing the presents in a large brown sack. They snuck through the castle as quiet as mice, to each room in turn to leave something nice. Jake stretched across the floor with the presents in hand, weaving silently around the furniture to the foot of Flame Princess’ bed of coals where he left the present out of the fire’s reach.

Next they went to LSP’s room. They hesitated for a moment outside the door when they heard a voice. They thought maybe the purple princess was having a heated conversation on her mobile but it turned out that she was merely talking in her sleep. They left the present by her bed before moving on to the next room where Lady and the pups were sleeping.

Jake snuck over to her bedside where he left her present. He kissed Lady lightly on the cheek before sneaking back out of the room before any of the youngsters started showing signs of stirring.

They left BMO’s present next to him on the table where he sat, charging his batteries.

Finally they made their way to Princess Bubblegum and Marceline’s bedroom.

“Wait a minute,” said Finn as Jake made to open the door.

“What is it, dude?” asked Jake.

“Suppose they’re still, y’know, awake,” replied Finn, his cheeks turning pink. Jake laughed.

“I know what you’re thinking of, dude,” he chuckled, “Hang on a second.” He put his ear to the door. “Nah, they’re asleep alright.” He opened the door and snuck into the room. Marceline was sprawled out on the bed with the Princess curled up in her arms. The Beaverel was sleeping at the foot of the bed, his tail curled around the bedpost. He opened one eye when he spotted Jake and chattered softly in greeting. Jake put a finger to his lips and the Beaverel fell silent, watching as Jake left the presents by the bed before exiting the room.

They made their way back to their room where they changed into their pyjamas. Finn got into bed and switched off the light. A moment later he sat up as a strange sound reach his ears. It sounded like the jingle of bells from somewhere above him.

“Jake,” he whispered but the only response he received was a loud snore. He got out of bed and hurried over to the window. Something was flying away in the direction of the mountains. It looked like a small vehicle drawn by several creatures. A distant voice reached his ears. It sounded jolly and Finn knew at once who it must belong to.

“Thank you, Finn, for taking care of my job tonight,” came the voice, “I’ll make sure you get some extra special presents next year. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.” With that he was gone, leaving Finn standing at the window.

“St. Nick,” he whispered, “Just like in Marcy’s story.”

It was quite a while before his excitement would allow him to sleep. On that night an old Christmas tradition had been revived and at long last, a certain rosy cheeked old man with a belly like a bowlful of jelly, could return to his work.

They awoke the following morning to find the presents the two adventurers had so carefully placed at their bedsides. They all met up in the main hall to open their presents except for Finn and Jake who were still asleep. Marceline smiled to herself, taking a guess at what had gone on the night before.

Finn and Jake joined them around noon. Marceline handed them their gifts before saying, in a low voice, “Hey, thanks for making Christmas that bit more special.” She winked.

“We don’t know what you’re talking about, Marce,” smiled Finn, “Do we Jake?”

“Nope, not a clue,” added Jake.

“Yeah, well, thanks anyway,” smiled Marceline.

The day was spent playing Christmas party games, telling stories and singing songs. PB sipped a glass of lemonade while the others drank glasses of eggnog. That night they ate in the dining hall. Their places were decorated with festive placemats and a cracker sat at the side of each plate.

“Hey Princess,” grinned Marceline, holding up a cracker. Princess Bubblegum grabbed hold of the cracker and pulled. There was a puff of blue smoke and a sound like a whip cracking. Princess Bubblegum pulled out a crown and placed it on head over her own crown.

“What’s brown and creeps around the house?” asked Princess.

“I dunno, what?” replied Marceline.

“Mince spies,” grinned Princess Bubblegum. This earned several giggles and a couple of groans.

“Hey, I got one,” piped up LSP, “What do witches use to wrap their presents?”

“What?” asked Flame Princess.

“Spello-tape,” replied LSP.

“Good one, LSP,” said Finn. He was wearing a red crown over his bear hat. A few minutes later the cooks served up the turkeys which were stuffed and drizzled with cranberry sauce. It tasted every bit as good as it looked and before long they were full.

As they made to leave the room Marceline tapped Princess Bubblegum on the shoulder. She pointed up as she dangled a sprig of mistletoe above their heads. She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. Princess Bubblegum smiled and leaned up, kissing her lovingly, tugging the Vampire Queen to her.

“Hey, Marcy,” said Finn.

“Yeah, Finn?” replied Marceline as she disentangled herself from the kiss.

“Can I borrow the mistletoe?” asked Finn.

“Be my guest,” replied Marceline as she tossed the mistletoe to him. He caught it before making his way over to Flame Princess, smiling mischievously at her.

“Now, where were we?” grinned Marceline as she wound her arms around the Princess.

“I think I remember,” smiled Princess Bubblegum as she leant forwards, capturing Marceline’s lips in her own.