December 22nd: A Renegade Newsletter

In the twelfth month of Christmas...

• Letter from the Editor

• “The Twelve Months of Christmas” Chapter Eleven

• "The Twelve Months of Christmas" Chapter Twelve

• A Christmas puzzle to make you go man, the quality really tanked after newsletter #1, huh?

"The Twelve Months of Christmas"

by Kafryn Swargyn

***

Chapter Eleven:  Eleven Drummers Drumming

Nicholas Lord a-Leaping spins you around, and your ruffles ripple so majestically it makes you feel sparkly inside. 

“Where did I learn to dance like this?” you laugh.

“Natural talent.” 

You forgot your panic. The movement, the rhythm of the music, the dress - everything conspires to crowd other thoughts out of your mind. But then you catch a glimpse of the Caroller across the room. Your mood darkens when she meets your eye. You start to move in her direction, but Nicholas pulls you back for another twirl. 

Suddenly the music picks up. Drumbeats fall faster and louder. Faster, faster. Somehow all the dancers keep up. The world’s a blur and your eyes can’t focus on anything. That rhythm pounds in your ears. It overwhelms you until you can’t form a coherent thought. You can’t comprehend the movement around you. Nicholas drifts away in the midst of it. The blur of other dancers fades. You lose your balance and fall to your knees.

Now it’s you, surrounded by those drumbeats. They’re coming closer. Eleven drummers stand in a circle around you. You’re here, kneeling, hands on the ground, staring at the floor, trying to find your bearings. But your head is fuzzy at best. 

Where am I who am I what is happening where am I… 

Your heart begins to beat in sync with the drums. It’s as if, in the dizziness, a tiny dislodged piece of you just slides into place. 

Two slippered feet approach. The drums, and your heart, slow a little. You lift your head, squinting until your eyes focus on the Caroller’s face. She kneels down in front of you and smiles. 

“You’ve resisted it a long time,” she says softly. “But I think we both know you need to come home now.” She reaches out a hand. “Merry Christmas.”

Without a thought, you take her hand. “Merry Christmas.”

"The Twelve Months of Christmas"

by Kafryn Swargyn

***

Chapter Twelve:  Twelve Pipers Piping

The drummers retreat, their rhythm softening to a quiet pulse echoing through the room. The Caroller pulls you to your feet. 

“Citizens of Hollyjollyjingledazzleville! Welcome our new friend! Her spirit has found its way home at last.” As the crowd cheers, she turns her gaze back to you. “Do you swear to carry Christmas forever in your heart, no matter season the heathens may claim it is?”

You nod, head gradually clearing. “I swear.”

She gestures to Nicholas to come forward. “I hereby appoint you and Nicholas Lord-A-Leaping as overseers of the tenth province of my kingdom. Your devotion to Christmastide shall shine amidst the darkening days of bah humbuggery, and many shall be brought to joy through your example. Go now, with the blessing of holly and jolliness upon you.” 

Your heart still beats to the sound of the drums. The pipers strike up a tune now to send you off. It feels right somehow. You bow to the Caroller with utmost reverence, and a growing sensation of warmth in your chest. 

Christmas. Home. 

Nicholas smiles at you, offering his hand. You take it. As the crowd parts, he twirls you around one last time to the holiday tune. The guards open the great doors at the end of the hall. You walk together into the large castle courtyard, with cheers echoing behind. In the center, two ancient pear trees stand, their branches intertwining above your heads. The air between them glimmers ever so slightly. 

Hand in hand, you walk under through the gap in the pear trees. 

And… he’s gone? Nicholas is gone, but the pipe music lingers.

You turn in a slow circle, trying to figure out what just happened. Okay. Now where am I? It’s been ages since you saw this gray, snowy place, hasn’t it?

You nearly lose your balance when you realize where you are. Gosh. I was starting think the old world was just a dream. It’s not, apparently. You are right back where you started - the apple orchard. No pear trees in sight. But to your right is a splotch of red. “Mr. Cardinal!” 

He came with friends. Winter birds line the trees - twelve of them in total. They’re all facing you and whistling the tune from the ball. You take one step, then another. As you move through the orchard, the birds watch you. The sound of their whistling grows fainter and fainter in the distance. 

You feel in your pocket and find your phone. It says December 22nd, 2024. That can’t be right. Was I missing for almost an entire year?? Nothing really makes sense. But you realize you don’t care. If it’s the 22nd, that means it’s almost Christmas. And nothing can possibly be so wrong that Christmas can’t fix it. 

There’s your house! You stomp to shake the snow from your boots as you enter. When the door creaks open, familiar voices drift down the stairs. Your mom, dad, siblings, cats, and - someone else. Is it…?

“Ah, there you are!” Mom says when she sees you. “I’ll need your help with pies in a little while.”

“I, okay.”

She nudges you into the living room, towards someone talking to your dad. “This is our new neighbor!” 

“Oh, hey,” he turns around and gives you a big, dimply smile. “I’m Nick.” 

“Nick just moved in down the street.”

“Just wanted to say hi.” He’s looking straight at you, without the smallest hint of reserve. You recognize him. He recognizes you. Neither of you say it. But chance are, you’ll find yourselves dancing to holiday tunes together soon enough. “And Merry Christmas.” He hold out his hand for a shake. 

“Merry Christmas,” you reply. 

The you of a year ago would be waylaid with questions. But as the two of you make eye contact, you’ve never felt so certain in your life. Nothing matters but Christmas, and we will make this Christmas count. 

El Fin

A Holiday Puzzle Just for You!