Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 1)

Dad: Well it is already December. There is a fine dusting of snow here in the Great White North. That means it is time for...
Dolce: Dad! Dad! Dad!
Dad: Yes, Dolce?
Dolce: Are you going to tell my furriends that you are getting ready to start this year's Christmas Story?
Dad: I was just about to...
Baci: Dad! Dad! Dad! Oh. Crappity Crap Crap! Dolce is already here. I supposed she asked about the story already.
Dad: As I was just about to to tell her and all of her friends, I am getting ready to start this year's Christmas story. I decided to start it a little earlier and to spread it out a little longer so that I have some time to polish the story as I go along.
Dolce: Hooray! Another story!
Dad: But you two have to be nice. I want you both to make sure you make room for Smudge and Chloe at the chair. This means no being a jerk to Chloe, Baci.
Baci (sheepishly looks at floor): Okay.
Dad: Let's get the pillows all fluffed and the Catnip Cookies set out and the Hot Catmilk warmed. Baci, you need to make sure there are treats for all your furriends.
Baci: Got it.
Dad: Everyone looks ready. So here is the the first part of the story, Jingles and the Furry Helpers. It begins a week after Jingles' last ride with Santa...

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 1: A New Year Dawns

Next to a wrought-iron stove with a gently crackling fire burning within stood a wicker cat bed with a thick plush red pillow. On top of the plush red pillow in the wicker cat bed, there was a fluffy young cat, with brown fur and dark chocolate points and pure white paws, sound asleep.

The cat was sleeping off the exhaustion that followed his whirlwind trip around the world. He had barely stirred for over a week, only waking to eat, drink and to answer nature’s call. Across the room, at an ancient oak desk, a grey bearded man was also slumped over in sleep. It was a draw as to which creature, man or cat, who was snoring louder than the other.

The room suddenly grew brighter and brighter. The grey bearded man at the desk stirred and slowly rubbed the sleep and weariness from his eyes. He straightened himself in his chair and conscientiously smoothed some of the wrinkled from his red velvet suit. The grey bearded man looked up and regarded the two white winged creatures that now stood before him.

“Hello.” Santa said slowly as he stretched and yawned.
“We are sorry to interrupt your rest, Trusted One.” One of the Angels stated softly.
“That’s okay.” Santa stretched some more. ”It’s about time for me to get up and moving again. Can’t sleep here all day. Too much to do.”
“We bring you tidings, Trusted One.” The Angel replied.
“I have told you to call me Santa.” Santa smiled. “After all these centuries, you can use my chosen name.”
“Trusted One, I mean Santa.” The Angel returned Santa’s smile. “I bring you the scroll of those who have Returned.”
Santa’s smile disappeared and a slight frown creased his normally jovial face. He held out his hand and he took the tightly wrapped scroll. He flinched as the scroll touched his hand. He did not need to read it for he knew each and everyone of the humans listed upon its parchment surface.
“Thank You, I will update the Lists.” Santa said sadly as he placed the scroll on his oak desk.
The Angel slowly and reverently nodded its head.
“My sister, Elbereth, has another list for you.” The Angel motioned for his fellow Angel to move forward.
“Hello, Trusted One. Santa.” Elbereth bowed her angelic head in deference to the position the grey haired gentleman held amongst the Angelic Host. “Given your new helper, I also have a scroll for you. More accurately for him.”
Santa looked over at the cat currently sleeping on its back with all four paws up in the air as it enjoyed the warmth from the stove.
“I should have expected this.” Santa said. “I will give it to him when he wakes.”
Elbereth sensed the sorrow that started to creep over Santa, She took his head gently in her hands.
“Trusted One. Let not your heart be sad; for all upon this list were Beloved. They now rest and play in a great Meadow and wait for those who loved them.” She placed a kiss on his forehead. A bluish spark traced from her lips to his head. ”Feel the gift that the humans have given to these creatures. Feel the love and the hope that can never pass from the Earth.”
Santa smiled as he suddenly felt the warm rush of the bond that Elbereth carried and nurtured between humans and their furriends.
“Thank you for this gift, Elbereth.” Santa smiled as he wiped a tear from his cheek.
“You will carry this gift until it is time to pass it to your helper.” Elbereth crossed the room and placed her hand on the sleeping cat and she smiled. “I will not come for him until you say it is time. He is now both a Beloved and a Trusted One. I also give to you as a Trusted One the ability grant this gift to any Beloved One as you see fit. Once this Gift is given, they shall be tied to you for as long as you live.”
“I am humbled, Elbereth.” Santa said solemnly.
“No, dear Santa.” Elbereth bowed her head towards the ancient human in the red velvet suit. “It is I who is humbled to be in the presence of such a powerful and noble True Purpose.”

The room became as bright as a midsummer day and then the two angels were gone. Santa sat quietly and solemnly in his chair. He looked at the scroll that laid on his desk and the tinier one that laid in the palm of his hand. He looked over at the wrought-iron stove with a gently crackling fire burning within where a wicker cat bed with a thick plush red pillow stood. On top of the plush red pillow in the wicker cat bed, there was a fluffy young cat, with brown fur with dark chocolate points and pure white paws, sound asleep.


To be continued...