“Girlie, I have never been more certain. You can ask Eilaen. I had already counted twice before you came in here because I was sure I was miscounting.” The elderly gnome's eyes showed that she was telling the truth.

Kaida squealed so loudly that Eilaen and Jareth had to cover their ears, the noise being too much for them. 

“I think this calls for a celebration!” Elkhean exclaimed. 

Kaida whirled to look at him and he winked at her just before he went to open the kitchen door, opening it just a crack at first. As the crack widened, she could hear the sound of the doorbell chiming. A second later, the chattering of the dwarven crew she’d grown to love filled the room as did the smell of something hot and delicious. She clenched her hands and jaw in excitement, trying to keep her body from literally jumping for joy. She couldn’t have imagined a better way to end this day. Her family, her friends, and her love. This was what her life had forever been missing. This was what she’d found when she’d moved to Smallburrow. 

Now there was only one thing left between her and planning her wedding to the dwarf who’d brought her so much happiness in such a short amount of time. 

Winter Feast.

Fourteen

All around the town square, Mother Winter showed her presence. Between the soft falling of snowflakes and the slight crunch of footsteps in the already fallen snow, the atmosphere was set. The tables all over the square were lined with twinkling faerie lights, the chairs covered in enchantments to keep the furs that lined them warm and dry. The tree that had been erected and decorated in the very center was decorated with an array of reds, greens, and silver; the lights that were wrapped around it were reflecting the colors across the residents and their seating. 

Kaida felt as if she were in a dream. She’d never seen anything so breathtakingly beautiful before. Under the tree, she saw some of the most intricate wrappings on packages and boxes, gifts from one resident to the other in the spirit of love and friendship. All around her, the townsfolk of Smallburrow were celebrating one another, as well as the season. The air was full of emotions and magic, the hum of it sliding across her skin and causing her own to want to come out to play. 

It was times like this that Kaida almost wished she had an elemental magic within her like much of her elvish family. She never understood why it was that hers came in the form that it did, but as she watched those she loved happily enjoying what her magic could do. It could bring love and happiness, comfort during sadness, closeness when shared. Once again, she was reminded that, though unconventional, her magic was important magic– especially during the winter when all anyone wanted to do was get warm and cozy with a treat. 

A bodily warmth filled the space next to her. Looking over, she saw Eilaen and smiled. “Hiya, Ellie. Whatcha doing?”

“Trying to stay warm. What about you?” Eilaen replied as her hands rubbed her arms up and down, trying to create friction to keep warm.

“Enjoying the beauty that is winter and snow and everything around us, of course! Tell me, Ellie. When was the last time you’ve seen such a wondrous sight?” Kaida asked, a dreamy expression coming over her face. 

“Honestly, I can’t remember. I just wish it wasn’t so cold,” Eilaen grumbled. Kaida laughed at her friend’s honestly, even though it was given crankily. 

It was then that Kaida spotted Jareth and Elkhean approaching, the two deep in conversation. When Elkhean laughed and smacked Jareth’s shoulder, Kaida laughed again at the sight of Jareth almost being knocked over by the impact. Trailing closely behind them were the four dwarves that Kaida was sure she’d never see Elkhean without, even after they were married. Before the group could reach them, Ms. Kestrel’s voice sounded from behind her. 

“Kaida Girl. Have you even started planning your wedding? There seems to be much to do and we’re now almost finished with both of the events that were causing your wait, you know,” the elderly gnome asked impatiently. 

“I’m ashamed to admit that I have not. But I suppose you’re right. It’s time to start planning. Wanna come see me at the bakery tomorrow and we start planning?” Kaida replied. “That works, girlie. That works. Happy Winter Feast, my loves,” Ms. Kestrel said, hugging them both tightly. Turning to where Jareth and the dwarves had stopped, she smiled. “Happy Winter Feast, gentleboys.”

“Happy Winter Feast, Ms. Kestrel,” the chorus of voices rang out. 

Urzal’s voice sounded from somewhere around the tree, calling for the elderly gnome for assistance. With a wave, she left, promising to see Kaida and Elkhean the next day at the bakery.

“What was that about, Kaida Love?” Elkhean asked when she was out of earshot.

“Wedding planning begins tomorrow, apparently. She’s already fussing. I suppose we’re in for a long day. I suggest you get to buttering Eilaen into making us real food to eat because treats will only get us so far,” Kaida laughed.

Elkhean stifled a groan, but only barely. Jareth whipped his head around, eyes wide. “Does this mean that there will be a cake tasting?”

“Jareth, you’re not even the one getting married. Why would you be part of the tasting?” Eilaen asked, rolling her eyes as she smacked his chest. 

“Well, we all know that I’m down for anything as long as Kaida’s in charge of the baking!” he exclaimed with a large smile. 

“Just not as long as she’s the one cooking!” Eilaen countered, laughing. 

“Yes, yes. We all know. I bake, Eilaen cooks. That’s the only reason I haven’t starved to death since I moved in with her,” Kaida agreed.

Kaida’s proclamation brought the entire group to laughter. Near the tree, Mayor Luddie announced it was time for the Feast to begin, causing the group to branch off. Eilaen and Jareth sat with Kaida and Elkhean, while the rest of the dwarven crew sat at a table next to them, never far from their leader. 

Leaning, Kaida whispered, “Whatever are they going to do when you’re not the one in charge of them, Elks?”

“I have no idea. They’re goin’ to be lost, huh?” was his reply.

Kaida nodded before turning to face the center of the square where Mayor Luddie, Urzal, and Ms. Kestrel all stood, the tree to their backs. 

“Townsfolk of Smallburrow! Thank you for attending yet another Winter Feast. Our decorating committee has outdone themselves yet again. I want to extend my thanks to them for all of their hard work. Yet another year has almost come and gone. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the year as it’s coming to an end, as well as the friendships we have with one another. As a reminder, everyone received the name of their giftee several weeks ago. Each gifter selected a gift for their chosen person, wrapped it with care, and then placed it under the tree. 

“In a few moments, Urzal will begin to select gifts from under the tree and call out the name of the giftee. Once in their possession, the gifter will stand. Once this is done, it will be time to feast! I want to thank Eilaen and Jareth for the produce that has gone into tonight’s meal, as well as Kaida for the treats and breads that she so generously baked and donated to us. With the help of her husband-to-be, Elkhean. 

“Now, without further ado, I present to you, the Tree of the Winter Feast!” 

With this, he clapped. Behind the trio, the tree suddenly lit up– the lights twinkling like stars in the sky. Kaida stared in awe, amazed by the sight in front of her. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. 

Elkhean turned to look at her. “But not as beautiful as you, Kaida Love.”

Without a glance in his direction, she laid her head onto his shoulder and wrapped her fingers in his. With a sigh, she happily breathed in the atmosphere around her. 

Peace. Love. Friendship. Hope. This is what the air felt like. 

Peppermint. Candied sweet potatoes. Ham. Honey glazed carrots. The aromas of the various food items intermingled as they were brought out and placed on the warmth-enchanted tables. At the end of the table rested cakes, cookies, and pies. Kaida had spent so much time and energy dedicated to baking for the feast that she couldn’t even remember what she made for each food. 

It didn’t take long until the last food platter was placed on the table. As soon as the trolls who had been assisting in bringing out the food had been seated, Urzal began calling out the names of the giftees. After what seemed like forever, Kaida’s name had finally been called. Stepping up to the tree, she saw Ms. Kestrel standing and her eyes welled with tears. Of all the residents in her little community to be her gifter, she was given the opportunity to be loved a little more by Ms. Kestrel. She unwrapped the purple paper from her gift before taking the lid off of the box hidden underneath. Inside was the prettiest pair of knitted gloves and a matching hat that she had seen in years, not to mention the softest that her hands had ever touched. 

She immediately slipped the hat onto her head before sliding her hands into the gloves. A warmth blossomed within her, and she knew that it wasn’t only because of her new homemade winter gear. She ran over to Ms. Kestrel and wrapped her arms around her, sobbing into her shoulder.

“Thank you so much,” she whispered after a few moments. She pulled back and, sniffling, saw that the gnome’s eyes were also watery. 

“You’re welcome, Kaida Girl. But really, it is I who should give you my thanks,” she replied. “You and Eilaen have filled my life with so much love. You’ve filled my heart with something I didn’t know was missing. So please know that you will forever be my greatest gift given.”

Squeezing her once more, Kaida walked back to sit next to Elkhean who took her hand into his. After a dozen or so more townsfolk were called, it was finally time to eat! And eat they did. Though Kaida had seen the way the dwarves ate when invited to her home, she’d never had the pleasure of witnessing them eat during an event with copious amounts of food. She watched as they went back and filled plate after plate, even marveling at how much Elkhean had heaped onto his plate during his third trip to the serving table.

“Where- where do you put it all?” Eilaen asked, her eyes as large as the cookies on her plate.

“In my belly, o’ course. Where else would it go?” he asked with an eyebrow raised in jest.

“That’s what I’m talking about, bro!” Jareth exclaimed, giving Elkhean a fist bump.

The girls both rolled their eyes, thoroughly enjoying how close Jareth and Elkhean had gotten over the last several weeks. With as silent as her fiance could be and as socially inept as her neighbor was, Kaida had been worried that they wouldn’t get along in the first place, muchless have had personalities that would have majorly clashed. Had she been forced to pick one, she wouldn’t have been able to. Thankfully, that wasn’t a choice she’d been forced to make. 

Hours went by and the halflings had danced and chatted and carried on as if there were no worries. Truthfully, there weren’t. Not right now. All was right in their little nook within the world. Smallburrow had cured sadness and loneliness neither of them had known they’d harbored. It had given Kaida a chance to finally feel comfortable with who she was the way she was. She no longer felt the need to wear a mask to change how she presented herself in order to be accepted within the society she so desperately wanted to belong to. Eilaen had frequently thanked her for bringing them on this journey, but Kaida knew that her soul sister would never know how much this journey had given her, as well. 

The moon and stars had already begun to sweep across the sky when the town as a whole decided that it was time to call it a night. With a kiss to her forehead, Elkhean bid her goodnight and promised to see her in the morning at the bakery. The trip home was silent, the halflings exhausted from having the time of their lives. Sleep came quickly and easily.

Fifteen