"So what do we need to do first?" Eden asked, once they were all seated at a big round table.

"I'll look in the book," Lucy said, opening the leather binder and poring over it as if it was a sacred text. She soon announced, "We need to make up gift bags for the children – you know, for their gifts from the Yule Father."

"Who's the Yule Father?" Eden wanted to know.

"The god Wodan," Roderick answered. "He is the chief god of the Saxons, and all Lindensea is under his domain. He's called the All-Father, and at midwinter he becomes the Yule Father, bringing toys and gifts to children."

"But we're doing it," Eden pointed out.

"Keep that a secret from the kids!" Aubrey laughed. "It's a bit of fun for everyone."

"My little brothers and sister still believe the Yule Father brings their presents," Penelope said. "But I think this might be Nigel's last year. He's starting to ask too many questions."

"Do we need to make the bags ourselves?" Eden asked. "I know how to sew, if that helps."

"No, no. The bags and presents have been placed in the big games cupboard over there," Lucy said, pointing.

They all went over to the large cupboard, which had been filled to bursting with clothes, books, toys, and other treats. There were also a stack of sturdy dark green cloth bags with handles – each one had a child's name appliqued in white across it. Lucy explained that when Yuletide was over, the bags would be used to carry the children's books to school for the next year.

"Each child gets more or less the same thing," Lucy said. "An item of clothing, a book, something practical, a toy, sweets, nuts, an orange, and a silver coin."

"It doesn't sound like much," Roderick said, "but they will have plenty of other toys and presents on Yule Day itself. This is just to take home from the party."

"How do we know what to give each child?" Penelope asked.

"There's a list here," Lucy said, referring to the binder and removing the relevant document from it. "Name, age, interests, and so on. Oh, and the children have written letters to the Yule Father asking for what they want. We read them, and do our best to match up each child with suitable gifts."

Aubrey leaned over Lucy's shoulder to see the list, saying, "Alright. There's thirty-five children at the home, and five of us. That means we each have seven bags to fill."

"Doesn't seem too difficult," Roderick said cheerfully. "I'm sure you're worrying far too much over this, Lu."

"I'll do my share of the gift bags, I promise," Lucy said, getting up with a distracted air, "but I need to make arrangements for the party with all sorts of people. Pip, Lady Gaia, Baxter, and so on. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Once Lucy had gone, the others divided the list between them, leaving the last seven names for Lucy. Roderick fetched a stack of envelopes from the games cupboard, and by looking at the back of them, was able to decide which of the volunteers got each letter.

Eden examined the first one she was handed. It was an ordinary cream parchment envelope, of the sort commonly used by merchants. On the front it was addressed, THE YULE FATHER, VALHALLA, ASGARD in neat copperplate. On the back, the sender was identified as Ravi Kapoor, The King Philip Home for Children, Blythe Green.

Eden checked through her list. Ravi Kapoor, boy, aged eleven. Good at Arithmetic and Penmanship. Enjoys outdoor games and is starting to learn carpentry.

Ravi's letter read:

Dear Yule Father,

I hope you are quite well. I am quite well.

Thank you for the gifts which I received last year. It was very kind of you to remember me.

I do not know what to ask for, but my little sister Savitri wants a beautiful doll with long hair. I think dolls are expensive, so I would like to give up my gifts so my sister can have a doll. I hope the doll does not cost too much money.

Thank you for being kind enough to read my letter.

Your obedient servant,

Ravi Kapoor

Goodness, what a polite letter, thought Eden. I wonder if his sister in on my list as well?

She found her almost at once. Savitri Kapoor, girl, aged five. Has not started school yet. Likes story time, dress ups, kittens, and the colour pink. There was no mention of dolls, and Savitri's own letter was just a meaningless scrawl as she hadn't learned her letters, but Eden trusted Ravi's judgement.

Eden got the bag marked SAVITRI, and looked through the dolls. There were several to choose from, but one had long black hair that could be braided or combed straight, and wore a pink saree, like the one Nalini had worn.

"Is Savitri Kapoor an Indian name?" Eden asked the others.

"Yes it is," Aubrey told her. "My brother Reggie is stationed in India, and the head accountant in his office is named Mr Kapoor."

"Thanks, then I'll choose the doll in a saree for Savitri," Eden said, before asking curiously, "Do you have any other brothers or sisters?"

"Besides Reggie, only sisters," Aubrey replied. "Cyb is sequestered in the depths of the country with her husband and children, and Tilly is marrying a military chap next year. Lally is rebuilding all the almshouses in our village of Longbridge, and Patty is in her final year at the Queen Eleanor School for Girls."

"Aubrey is the youngest, like Lucy," Roderick added.

"That means you probably think I look just as nice as Lucy," Aubrey said with a grin.

Eden laughed, and said, "Actually I think you look just like the portrait of King Gerald. You must be related."

"My distant ancestor Count Radulphus the Loyal was third cousin to King Beornhard the Vigilant, the founder of the House of Luna," Aubrey replied carelessly. "So I suppose there's some connection."

"Let me guess," Roderick said with a grimace. "You think I look just like my sister Clarissa, but nowhere near as beautiful. That's what everyone says."

"I've only seen Clarissa once, from a distance," Eden said, "but you look very much like the handsome prince hanging in the Grand Entrance. The same hair, eyes, and smile."

"Prince Walter?" said Roderick with a smile. "You should see my nephew, Prince Peter of Castile. Whenever he visits Lindensea, the people cry that he is The Shining Prince reborn. He's pretty much the golden boy around here."

Eden carefully slid the pink-clad doll into Savitri's bag, then added a pink woollen scarf, a picture book about a family of very naughty kittens, a set of pale pink satin ribbons, some mice made from sugar, a bag of walnuts, an orange, and a silver coin. There. Her bag was full.

Of course Ravi was getting gifts; Eden smiled to herself at his idea that he must go without so that his little sister might have the doll she craved. She chose for him a bright yellow knitted cap with matching gloves, a book called Carpentry for Beginners, a silver fountain pen, a red leather ball, a tin filled with toffees, a bag of almonds, an orange, and a silver coin. Two were done already.

The next on her list was Flora Dingle, girl, aged 9. Good at Natural History and Needlework. Likes gardening and nature walks. Flora's letter was short and to the point.

Dear Yule Father,

Please make me pretty, because only pretty girls get adopted.

Thank you.

Flora

"This girl asks in her letter to be made pretty!" Eden said in consternation.

Roderick and Aubrey guffawed with laughter, but Penelope didn't join in.

"Don't laugh," Eden said fiercely. "She thinks nobody will adopt her otherwise."

The boys stopped laughing abruptly, and Aubrey muttered, "Poor little kiddie."

"Is it true?" Eden asked.

"It certainly helps," Roderick said. "It's easier for pretty girls that parents can pet and dress up, and big sturdy boys, who are useful for chores."

"It's so awful," said Eden in a low voice. "Bad enough to be orphaned and in a home, but then to worry that you'll never be adopted because of how you look!"

"Don't break your heart over the children," Aubrey said, but there was a harsh note to his voice, as though he struggled to control it. "None of it is your fault."

"You should remember that the children at Pip's orphanage are the lucky ones," Roderick told her. "It's not easy to get a placement at a children's home, and Pip's is the very best in the kingdom."

"Why is it so hard to get into an orphanage?" Eden asked. "Bernard said that ... some kind of guardians place orphans in children's homes."

"When Bernard became king, he made it a priority to close down all the bad orphanages," Roderick explained. "Many had become corrupt and cruel, and once they were closed and the owners of them prosecuted and punished, there weren't a lot of orphanages left."

"The king has been trying to replace them with good orphanages," Aubrey added, "but that all takes time and money. He and Pip founded an orphanage together as an example of how they should be run – clean, safe, caring, good food and so on – and the children are selected for it by Pip himself."

"You can't imagine how much he hates having to turn anyone away," Roderick said. "But if he said yes to everyone, the children's home would become overcrowded, just like the bad ones. Bernard's convinced him it's better they improve existing orphanages, and encourage more to be built under the new guidelines."

"What happens to children who can't get into an orphanage?" Eden asked.

"They're taken in by family or friends," Aubrey said. "But if there's nobody to help them, and the Board of Guardians is unable to get to them in time ... well." He spread his hands expressively.

Eden thought hard. The White Mouse was probably an orphan, and had nobody to take him in when his parents died. The guardian people hadn't helped him, and there weren't enough orphanages to go around anyway.

Aubrey had told her not to break her heart over such things, but Eden had no intention of sitting around weeping. That wouldn't help the White Mouse. She didn't know what to do, so for now, she was going to do what she could, which was to fill gift bags for orphans.

Eden couldn't make Flora pretty, and she couldn't get her adopted. But she could at least find her pretty presents, and make her feel a tiny bit cared for.

She chose for Flora a soft white cashmere shawl, an illustrated guide to the wildflowers of Lindensea, a sewing work box shaped like a little cottage which had a red velvet pincushion for a chimney, a pale blue gardening trowel painted with a design of yellow roses, Turkish delight, sweet chestnuts, an orange, and a silver coin.

No doubt Lucy would have written an encouraging little note for Flora with a message about true beauty being on the inside, but I'm no good with words, Eden thought.

⋆⋅•⋅⊰∙∘⋆ ❆ ⋆∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋆

Eden was just putting the finishing touches to a gift bag for Jordi Silvera, boy, aged 10, when Lucy came back. She was still clutching the leather binder, but looked much more cheerful.

"Phew! I think things are starting to come together now," she said, flopping down in a chair and dropping the binder on the table in front of her. It landed with a thud.

"So was I right that everything was already organised?" Roderick asked.

"Pretty much," Lucy admitted. "But I still had to choose between different menus and decorations. I saw Pip first, and he went with me to talk to everyone, so it didn't seem scary after that."

"Meanwhile we have been working our fingers to the bone," said Aubrey, holding out his hands dramatically. "Roderick temporarily lost the use of one leg, and Eden collapsed with exhaustion. We've only just brought her round."

"I know you've all been working hard, I do appreciate it," said Lucy, getting up to examine their handiwork. "Oh, who did these gift bags?" She looked up in surprise, taking up one of the bags to show as an example.

"I did those, Lucy," Penelope said in her flat voice. "I can change them if there's something wrong."

"Wrong? They're lovely," Lucy said. "You've made them look so pretty."

"Oh well. They put a lot of sparkly stuff, ribbons, and bits of holly in with the gifts and things, so I thought I'd use them," Penelope said. "I'm not much good at anything practical, but I like things to look nice."

"Would you be able to do all the bags to look like that?" Lucy asked. "Sorry to be giving you even more work."

"Of course, Lucy," Penelope said, picking up a bag and beginning on it straight away. "It's not work to me, this is fun."

"So shall the rest of us just loaf idly by?" Aubrey asked.

"Would you hate me if I said there are bonbonnieres and seating cards still to do?" Lucy said. "And there's a lot more of them, because all the children of the palace will be there."

"Of course we'll help," said Eden briskly. "Just show us where all the stuff is."

"My lady, I am willing to give my life and sanity for the sake of bonbonnieres," Aubrey said, "but Roddy should do the cards, he's got the best handwriting."

"And don't we still have to do gift bags for all the children?" Eden asked.

"I – I don't know!" Lucy said, hastily flipping through the leather binder for answers.

"No, their parents provide the gift bags," Penelope said. "I know, because I helped do the ones for Nigel, Delia, and Alex. And the parents drop them off on the morning of the party."

"Good. Alright, let's get to work," Lucy said. "I've told Baxter to bring us tea and biscuits for elevenses."

"That thought will keep us going for the next half hour," Roderick said, getting up to fetch a stack of place cards, and the guest list.

Soon they were all busy at their various tasks, Lucy beginning on her share of the gift bags.

"Listen to this letter," Lucy said, reading from it.

Dear Yule Father,

I don't need any books or toys, but I do need your help. My sixteenth birthday is next month, and that means I must leave the children's home. My brother Cyril left two years ago, and works as a stable boy at Camden Palace. He says it is a good place, and he is well treated.

I would like to find employment where I can be near my brother and visit him at least once a week. I am not strong like Cyril, but I am neat and clean, good at my books and figures, and know both knitting and needlework. My teacher says I am quick to learn.

Please help me find a position and somewhere safe to live, dear Yule Father. I have been so worried about it, for you hear terrible stories about girls who go out into the world unguarded, and with none to assist them.

Your obedient servant,

Daphne Woodcroft

"What do you think of that?" Lucy asked them, when she had finished reading.

"I think she's very clever," Aubrey said. "She knows the letter will be read by someone at the palace, and she's hoping they might find her work, out of a sense of pity and obligation."

"Then let's do it," Lucy said enthusiastically. "Let's get Daphne a job here so she can be near her brother."

"They always need kitchen wenches and scullery maids," Roderick said.

"No, she said she isn't strong," Eden said. "That work would be too hard for her."

"I'm meant to have my own lady's maid next year," Lucy said. "Why shouldn't it be Daphne?"

There was some hilarity from the boys, and Aubrey said, "Lady's maids are meant to be pretty."

"I've seen Daphne and she isn't ugly," Lucy said, offended on her behalf. "She's a perfectly nice normal girl."

"Lady's maids need to be trained," Roderick said.

"Then she can practice on me," Lucy said. "Her teacher says she's quick to learn."

"What will Mama Dorothea say?" Roderick wondered. "She always gets her lady's maids from Paris, and says only the most beautiful and elegant will suffice."

"I'll ask Mummy as a special favour," Lucy said with a determined little tilt of her chin. "If I'm old enough to organise the children's party, I'm old enough to choose my own maid."

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

LINDENSEA LORE

Langbridge (pop. 1795)

Conveniently situated eighteen miles from Camden and a mere three miles from the staging post of Marish, this pleasant village on the River Tayo surrounded by green fields is typical of the region. 

The heart of the village is the Temple of Vesta on Hearthside Road, next door to the local library. There are a number of historic almshouses for the poor and enfeebled, endowed in 1117 SA by Sir Erasmus Ponsonby, which are currently undergoing an ambitious scheme of restoration and modernisation. 

The village is the home of the Ponsonby family, the Earls of Marish, who live at Langbridge Hall. Dating to the twelfth century, but greatly improved by the architect Adamant  Steele in the thirteenth, Langbridge Hall is a large stone mansion in the Roman style of honest but uninspired design. Its extensive grounds were laid out by the famous landscaper Galahad "Competency" Gray, and provide far more of interest to the eye, with its sloping lawns and woodland views.        

The Langbridge Summer Festival is held annually on June 15, and includes an amusing donkey race. 

From A Rambler's Guide to the Towns and Villages of Tickingshire by Sir Rupert Benson, published by Seashell Books