Song: Hallelujah- Lindsey Stirling

A/N: I suggest you listen to this song as you read..after the storytelling portion...it is beautiful and embodies the spirit of this season.

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It was the night of Christmas eve in Erebor and the city was bustling as the residents rushed to finish the last of their Christmas preparations. Deep within this illustrious city laid a small cafe that had closed up for the night to customers as the friends and family of this establishment gathered together in a joyous celebration. The interior was decorated beautifully for the party ,that was commencing inside, with lovely twinkle lights, pine garlands and swags decorated with red velvet bow, and a warm fire in the large fireplace that had 7 stockings hanging or propped up upon the mantle with meticulous care. Tables covered with Christmas cloth held a vast assortment of food and drinks upon it for the merry revelers that had gathered within to offer their well wishes to one another on this very night...all safe and toasty warm from the chilling snow that laid outside. There was laughter in the air as the party goers lifted their glasses in cheer...filling the night with joyful songs of the season, while the children giggled at the sight ,of their parents as all avoided the winter's bite.

As the festivities got under way the children ran around the adults laughing as they played ...dodging and weaving through the crowd in their excitement about tomorrow morning. Against a wall was one of the parents...his dark mane spread across his shoulders and down his back as he leaned there sipping on his hot spiced cider. Standing next to him was a shorter man with soft honey curls and caramel colored eyes, also lounging against the wall as he gazed upon the gathering before him....slowly the dark haired man casually leaned over to whisper at the other.

"So, Bilbo. Is Bombur really doing it? Is he actually dressing as the big SC?" his grey eyes saw the small nod and he smiled in amusement.

"Yup...he is Bard. He should be here any moment now..." Bilbos voice trailed off as he saw a dark chestnut haired man with a floppy eared hat on his head give a short wave at him and a inclining of his head. " He's here. Bofur just gave the signal that he's arrived." both men pushed themselves away from the wall as they watched Bofur entering the room, clapping his hands loudly to garner the attention of the children throughout the room.

"Oye! Come gather around my leanai (children)..gather before me. " he gestured for the children to sit in a circle around him as he smiled in jovial delight at them. " It's time fer the tale...the tale of the big man himself....Santa Claus." the children giggled as they listened attentively to his Irish lilting voice weave the story.

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'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the tavern
The family was gathered, within this great and beautiful cavern;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

~The children twittered as they listened to him..their eyes sparkling like stars while they sat there at his feet as he reclined in a chair~

 The children supposedly nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads.
And Cooper in his 'kerchief, and I in my hat,
Had just settled our behinds for a long winter's chat.

~ Bofur tilted his hat as he spoke and there were chuckles around that could be heard...then as he was painting his tale he suddenly leaped up from his chair...to rush to the window as a noise could be heard from outside~

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

~As he kept speaking he gazed out the window...his eyes took on a look of awe~

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a passel of men, with eight pints of beer.

~ in the distance the sound of bells could be heard and the children chirped in excitement "Santa Claus?~

With a very comely driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his crew they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

~ Bofur began to dance around the room as the children's eyes followed him..then he jumped agilely up upon a empty table, pointing at some of the adults in the room as he shouted...then wildly gesturing with grande dramatics~

"Now Nori! now, Bifur! now, Bard and Thorin!
On, Fili! On, Kili! on, on Ori and Dwalin!
To the top of the table! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

~he slowly began to step down from the table..staring into the children's eyes that were wide in wonder as they listened to him~

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, they were very spry.
So up to the house-top those men they flew,
With packs full of Toys, and a St. Nicholas too.

~suddenly he stood up and looked around as if he heard something ...his eyes were twinkling in mirth at the sight of the children sitting there hanging onto his every whispering word~

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The stomping and stamping of each little boot.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

~ Bofurs voice quickly rose in pitch as they children giggled there. His hands dramatically portraying his words as he wove his tale for them~

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His jocular mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin soft as down to show.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a great round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly ole bloke,
And I laughed when I saw him, at the sigh he invoke!
A wink of his eye and a smack on his rear,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to fear.

~Bofur eased back up onto a table close by to Dwalin ...slowly walking closer to the man who was chuckling at how this man had the child hanging on his every breath~

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a smirk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

~ suddenly Bofur jumped onto Dwalins shoulders who swiftly grabbed his legs to keep him from falling with a surprised sound spilling out of him...there was a roar of laughter as Dwalin went with the flow...walking towards a door that led to the back rooms~

He sprang onto his mate and to his team he gave a wave,
And away they both left neither with a shave.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight,

~Just as they reached the door another voice suddenly boomed out of the darkened portal as a large man came sauntering into the room~

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!"

The adults laughter was drowned out as the squeals of the children rose up at the sight of Santa Claus walking into the room with a large red sack on his back...HO HO HO..as he came.

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The party progressed on into the night as laughter, squeals of joy, and smiles met every eye as gifts were exchanged around...then suddenly in one moment those eyes filled with tears. Fili and Kili were steadily running around while everyone else had been sharing their gifts with each...setting up some equipment around the room, until finally they were done...making their way over to Thorin's side.

"Uncle. We both have a very special present for you...if you please come sit over here in this chair and watch the screen." Kili gestured at a large white screen while Fili turned to a man that had flowing white beard and genteel eyes. "Mr. Balin..if you please." Thorin sat in the chair and stared at the screen waiting...then suddenly an image came on..it was Christmas from when him and Dis were children and they were playing instruments. There was no sound from the images flickering across the screen as they silently danced in delight, then suddenly the sweet sound of  violins could be heard. Thorin looked over as both Fili and Kili walked out to flank the screen playing on violins as the soft tinkling sound of bells and a piano began to play over the speakers. Their eyes were closed as they swayed in time with the music...Thorins eyes widened as the sound of the music and the images crossing the screen seemed to match perfectly...visions of his deceased sister and him at Christmas time danced before him. Finally the song came to an end and upon Thorins cheeks a tear could be seen trailing down...he leaned his head down to wipe it away when suddenly his sisters voice echoed across the screen before him...jerking his head up he saw his sweet beautiful sister there right before the cancer had progressed enough to see.

"Sometimes I fail to see the beauty in moments and the people that surround me every single day. There were times that felt no one could see the beauty in me. And maybe that is something you can relate to, because maybe you think no one sees the beauty in you. But there is one person that i have learned has always seen the beauty in me and that's you, Thorin." as he watched he saw tears fill her bright blue eyes as she spoke from her heart on that screen. "In my darkest moments you, Thorin , have given me hope. Please know there is a gift inside of you. Fili see's it..I see it and I really hope you can see it. Thank you brother for seeing the gift in me. I love you..I really do." she reached up and blew a kiss to him as the image faded from the screen. Thorin bowed his head as he let tears fall from his azure eyes...suddenly he felt Fili wrapping his arms around Thorins shoulder and tears touched his neck. After a few moments he regained his composure and wiped the watery trail from his face...his voice was thick and husky as he spoke to the two men before him.

"How...Where did you find this?" he was astonished at the gift as Fili spoke first.

"Actually..it was Kili who found it. We were going through the storage unit that held my parents stuff looking for some pictures when he came across an old Christmas reel of you two when you were younger. We watched it and this idea popped into our heads as a gift for you....Kili transferred it onto a DVD for you, so you can watch it anytime you like." Thorin gazed up at the brunette standing there..then he stood and embraced the young man into his arms...whispering into his ear.

"Thank you Kili. This was the best gift ever. Thank you both." Eventually they parted and turned to the crowd that was watching their emotional display...with a joyous smile Thorin raised his voice to those that were gathered. 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A VERY BLESSED NIGHT!"