Donner's Quiet Night
Not the best work, but I just wanted to write something short and cozy for Christmas.
Donner stepped outside and took in a breath of the cool arctic air.
It had been a long night and she was glad to be back at the North Pole. As the other reindeer stood together talking amongst themselves about all the presents they had delivered and all the houses they had visited, Donner stood beside herself grateful for the quiet.
As the reindeer began to go their own ways, Comet came by and gave her a polite nod. She nodded back.
And then Rudolph was at her side.
"Ready to go home Mom?"
Donner nodded.
As the two of them walked back to their home, Donner could feel the fatigue setting in. Although the magic of the Deer Mother, Bauivi, had allowed the reindeer to do many great things during the long nights of winter, there was only so far it could go, and after traveling all the way around the world and back again in one night, any reindeer would be ready to rest. Embracing the silence of the Northern World, Donner followed behind Rudolph until they had made it home.
"Donner?" said Donner's husband enthusiastically as he came out to great them, "How was the flight?"
"As wonderful as usual," Donner said giving a tired but gentle smile.
"And my boy Rudey," Mr. Donner said, giving Rudolph's head an affectionate rub with his would-be antlers, except male reindeer typically shedded their antlers during the winter months unless strengthened by Bauivi's magic, "Shining the way with that bright nose of yours I presume."
"Dad," said Rudolph laughing, "You knw I do that every year."
"Right," said Mr. Donner standing up straight, "Why don't you two settle in, I still got a few letters left to deliver up at the office, you two just rest."
Rudolph led the way in, holding the entryway open with his antlers for his mother. Nodding thankfully she stepped inside.
She found a nice spot to rest, and laid down on the floor, stretching out her sore muscles. Rudolph went over to the cauldron in the fireplace and looked in.
"Looks like Dad has prepared us some soup," Rudolph said.
Picking up a couple of scoop-bowls with his antlers, he dipped them in the warm pine-berry soup and carried one of them over to Donner. Setting it down before her, he laid down next to her and the two of them sat their in silence, occasionally sipping at their soup.
"This is nice," Donner said finally.
Rudolph looked at her, curiously.
"Don't get me wrong, I love delivering presents to all the kids and everything, but sometimes, it's just a bit much. Sometimes it's just nice to have a little quiet."
Rudolph nodded, understanding.
"So, how's Clarice?" Donner asked, changing the subject.
Rudolph looked off into the distance, thoughtful for a moment.
"Her father's still not doing well, but she says he seems to be getting better."
"That's good," Donner said before letting the room fall back into silence.
Finally, "Here mom, I got you something." He slid a well wrapped gift over to his mother, and she looked at it a moment.
Then, using her teeth, she opened the present.
She looked at it a moment, feeling a warmth in her heart for her son, "Thank you," she said.
She lifted the neatly knitted blanket with her antlers and wrapped it around herself gently, she looked at the Russian-style design and smiled.
"I thought it'd remind you of home," Rudolph said.
Donner nuzzled the blanket affectionately taking it in. Donner had spent much of her early life in Russia, and though they had passed through there every year, the last time she had been there just to be had been very long ago. Despite all the problems that had been going on in the world lately, she still loved her home.
"I should give home a visit sometime," Donner said finally.
"Sounds like a good idea," Rudolph replied.
So it was, after a long night in the air, the two of them, mother and son, spent the day cozy under blankets sipping at pine-berry soup and full of memories, as the fire crackled in the fireplace and the snow fell gently outside.
Merry Christmas!