Those lips belonged to Callie, of course. She'd become something of a professional sword-swallower after his physical transformation had added length and a little girth to what had already been quite an impressive gift from God.

Not that it had remotely deterred her from practicing that sword-swallowing routine whenever she could get her mouth on him for more than five minutes. They'd started sleeping together, and getting to know each other's naked bodies in as much detail as they could manage. Their nights were spent falling asleep after a prolonged 69 in which he enjoyed the flavour of her sweet, juicy pussy just as she savoured the taste of his cock.

Neither had mentioned anything more to the other about when they'd take the next step. It was rather obvious to the both of them. Christmas day would see all their work come to fruition, and they'd get some time off to be together at last. The excitement built, and as the last days ticked down to Christmas Eve the elves even seemed to forget about sex for a while to concentrate on their work.

Wendall himself had changed. It wasn't just his physical self that had shifted in those nights he spent there under the northern snows. He felt different. The outbursts of ho, ho, ho became less of a speech defect and more a natural part of his way of speaking. In growing comfortable in that new body, he felt the power of his new station flowing into him. He sensed its timelessness, and felt the Lightning in his veins.

The magic could be willed into almost anything he desired. He knew he could call a snowstorm in a desert if the mood struck him. Yet it wasn't simply power that came with the change, but knowledge. It didn't feel much like the knowledge gained from reading a book. It was more instinctive. Like breathing or sensing your own heartbeat. He soon just knew the name of every human being the world over, and he saw the goodness and the darkness in their hearts. He felt the magic that ran through his new home was his own, and he could manipulate it as he liked. It had been that magic which allowed the reindeer to fly, and it would propel them through the air at the height of his power.

It also became apparent that although his will had built the place,

Santa hadn't created the elves. Their magic was of a slightly different sort to his, though he did hold a great deal of influence over them.

They had been brought here from somewhere else. He'd tried to concentrate on their home, but the place didn't just simply cease to exist one day. Rather, it was as if it had never existed at all. Yet he remembered glimpses of a world of sunlight, music, Lush green fields and deep, untamed forests. There was a darkness that had come over it, as if everything was going to sleep, including time itself. Santa had brought some of them from their fading home and into his service, for he cared for them deeply. Except he wasn't called Santa then. He went by another name.

There wasn't much more to be found in those memories, and none of the elves seemed to remember their old home. It certainly didn't help that whenever he tried to recall their past it felt like he was suddenly half blinded. Seeing those memories was difficult enough without losing all depth perception. So he'd simply let it be, and concentrated on making his new friends comfortable and content in their current home instead. Though he had to control himself in order to avoid focusing that task on one red-haired elf in particular.

KOK OK KOK

The morning of the 24th arrived with breakfast in bed being carried into his room by Elina. It came as a slight surprise, given his anticipation for the day. He instantly wanted Callie there with him, for he always looked forward to seeing her in the morning. Apparently his disappointment showed on his features when Elina settled the breakfast tray across his bed. Everything smelled remarkably delicious as usual.

“Callie is getting ready to oversee the loading operation," Elina gently explained. If his obvious hint of disappointment bothered her it didn't show. She seemed oddly serene for someone who whose immortality would be coming to an end within a month. "I think she plans to check the name on every gift herself before they go inside the sack. She asked me if I could take over her duties this morning, and bring you breakfast. The last of my elves came home last night. We're all ready to assist in the day's work."

“Thank you, Elina. You've done a wonderful job with the preparations.

I've seen the newspapers. There's something in the air out there already, and it'll have built up by tonight. Without the belief that you've nurtured in the people out there, we wouldn't have had the power in here to do what needed to be done. If tonight goes well, I think it'll be largely down to you.”

“Thank you, Wendall." She was one of the few who referred to him by his name rather than “sir" or "boss". His words had obviously touched her in rather unexpected depths, and she lifted a hand to steady the sudden clench inside her chest. "That means a great deal to me."

“Well it's not exactly small potatoes to me either, you know. And today

I think it's best if you call me Santa Claus if that's agreeable." He smiled merrily at her.

“It's very agreeable, Santa." A genuine smile formed upon the elf's lips that brought a glow to her beautiful blue eyes.

“It has been an honour to have served you this year. I'd forgotten for a while what it was to be a part of this place when it was given over to its proper nature. It's... rather wonderful."

“I'm going to make sure it will be for many years to come."