It was snowing when Ian woke early on Christmas morning.

He lay there quietly beside Skye as he sensed the weather with his gifts. He'd known snow was on the way last night, but hadn't bothered exploring the knowledge any further as to how big a storm it would be. Calen had been insistent there would be snow forts to build on Christmas Day; perhaps he'd inherited some elemental gifts, Ian thought. Conn might have as well, but he was so caught up in knights and warriors, it was hard to tell exactly what his talents might be other than in making as much mischief as he could.

Ian lay still there, beside the woman who shared his soul, in a house full of laughter and children, and despite his well-known cynic's view of the gods, thanked whatever Power for blessing him so richly.

"We are going to lie here in bed all day, aren't we? Tell me that is my Yule gift and I will be yours forever, my angel." Skye hadn't opened her eyes yet, but Ian laughed and leaned over to kiss the tip of her nose.

"Alas, my love, we have children to feed and gifts to open. Oh, and we are going to be snowed in for at least a day, so best we get up now and start working on ways to keep the Horde occupied." He laughed as Skye opened one eye to plead silently. "And besides, you are already mine forever, and I am yours."


It was over an hour later before Ian and Skye finally left their bedroom, washed, clothed, and with smiles. They split up to wake the children, Ian to the boys, Skye for the girls. This did not take as long as normal, for after all, it was Christmas, and with the help of Shane and Arista, the younger children were dressed and on their way downstairs in record time for the main hall, and the gifts they hoped were awaiting them. The staff, who had been up already for several hours preparing breakfast, were gathered there, for Skye had insisted from the first Christmas at Blackthorn Manor that all celebrate the holiday as a way to show the family's gratitude for all they did. With them was Ashe, who'd risen at first light and had helped with the cooking, or had at least attempted to help, until Cook had begged him to play some merry songs. He'd happily obliged, and Cook was then relieved of worrying about singed elven fingers.

"Alright. Everyone open one gift…." Ian said, then stopped as the room erupted into a whirlwind of children, laughter, and flying ribbon. There were exclamations of surprise, shouts of thanks, and pointing of fingers as staff and family alike tore into the brightly wrapped packages. Calen and Conn were already blowing lustily on the reedpipes Ashe had given them, while Kara, Dara, and Diana were giggling as they thanked the stable master for the beautiful horse figurines he'd handcarved for them. Shane was holding up the new tunic Ari 'd made him to show Skye, while Arista's face lit up at the purity of the notes she'd just played on the lute Shane had made for her. Ian opened his gift from Ascellon to reveal a finely crafted longsword with likenesses of wolves cunningly fashioned on hilt and blade. He slid it smoothly into the fine leather sheath and set it on the mantelpiece until he could take it outside to try a few passes. Then he reached into his tunic and brought out a small parcel, and moved closer to his wife.

Skye had already opened his other gift, a scroll listing the cuttings and plants that would arrive from Ibrahim in Castile in time for Spring planting, and she looked up at Ian with a smile. "Thank you, beloved. The plants listed here I can use to make tissanes and salves to ease pain. Not to mention the ones that will bear beautiful flowers."

"None more beautiful than the hand that will tend them." He held out the small box. "Here is another gift, which I was sure you'd find before today. But I had help in keeping it hidden." He grinned at the children.

"We all hid it!" yelled Conn. "Even the girls!"

Skye laughed. "Why, no wonder I failed. Thank you, my darlings."

"Open it, Ma!" Arista made as if to do it, but Skye stepped back with a smile and began the task herself. When she lifted the lid, she looked up wide-eyed at Ian. "Goddess! Ian, it's…" She reached in to draw out a large golden pin fashioned in the shape of a dragon. The red eye that seemed to glow with its own inner light was a ruby, and deft strokes of the gold smith had shaped the under side of the wings so that the shadings made it seem the wings moved as light struck them. Skye handed the pin wordlessly to Ian and waited as he fastened it to her dress, then she flung her arms up around his neck. "It's glorious. Thank you, my angel." She stood on her toes to kiss him.

"Ibrahim found a goldsmith in Toledo to work from the drawing I sent him. He tells me the man's made more and turned a tidy profit for himself. Although he can't know it was a fire dragon he'd made. I am glad you like it, my shurrukai.."


And so the day passed in laughter and love. Around midday, Jera came walking lightly atop the snow to deliver more gifts, her face calm but eyes anxious as she watched reactions. When Kara and Dara each took a hand to pull her down to sit between them, it was hard to decide who smiled the brightest, Jera or Ashe.

"Oh Ian, look at him! It's good to see him so happy isn't it?"

Ian nodded, drawing his soulbond closer. "Aye. It's good to see us all safe and happy and together. Merry Christmas, my lady wife."

"Merry Midwinter, my lord husband. Merry Midwinter."

12/2002

(still in progress...)