Dear, St Nick.

I watched the boy next to me grimace as his feet landed in the sludge that the previously untouched snow had turned into from the groups of us stepping off the plane and hurrying into the warmly lit airport. It was small but enough to house the hundred or so of us that just arrived.

I paid no heed to the cold, instead feeling joyous as my feet sunk in the snow while I slowly followed the people who would soon be my colleagues. The inside of the airport building was warm but a little too warm and I was quick to strip off my red scarf and thick coat. Leaving only a thin jumper stretched over black tights. Many around me were doing the same. Although I noted some were still wrapped up tight, shivering. I didn’t know how they thought they could last the weather in the Arctic when the cold was mostly in the negative during winter months.

“Come in close please.” A voice called from up ahead as a blonde girl stood on a chair. “Shuffle in closer, don’t be shy, you will all be getting to know each other very well in the next couple of weeks.”

I followed obediently with the people around me, standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers as we looked up at this girl.

“Welcome to Santa’s Village. Or well the airport at least. You lucky people have been chosen to work here for the next couple of weeks allowing your family a few free days of Christmas holiday here at the Village in the next coming weeks. Your entire luggage has already been sent to your cabins that you will be sharing with fellow workers. I hope that you all have memorized the map of the Village and it’s outlying areas, as you are expected to know it all. However a tour will be happening this afternoon and it is compulsory that you all join, whether you are old or new at this job. Is that clear?”

A resounding yes went around the room, surprising me. I glanced oddly at the people around me before focusing my attention back on the girl.

“Great, now please wait for your name to be called. You will come forward and accept your key with three other people. Each cabin is capable of holding the four of you. When you step forward you will notice that each of your keys contains a name. This name will be your character name while working in the Village. You will use this name in front of any of our guests and this name only. We’re here to keep the magic alive people.”

I relaxed back in my stance as I waited for all the names to slowly be called out. People jostled and moved closer to the stage as their name was called. People were taking their keys and clearing out of the airport. Filing into the buses that would take them down to the cabin area that housed all the workers. The guests got to stay in the large hotel that sat closer to the Village.

I was curious, my parents had never been able to get time off work to come visit Santa’s Village in the Arctic since it opened ten years ago. I had been dying to see it since as long as I could remember. And now finally I was able to work here.

“Noelle Eve Northelyn.”

I cringed as my name was called out and a few snickers were heard around the room. I was aware how ludicrous my name sounded, like my parents may have had too much wine over Christmas when they named me.

I took the key that was handed to me. “We kept your name as Noelle since it was already kind of a Christmas name.”

“Thanks,” I murmured to the girl and waited to the side as three other names were called. The people that were going to be sharing a cabin with me.

“Melissa Hart.”

A freckled girl stepped forward; I noticed the soles of her boots had heels that clicked across the ground as she walked towards me. I was astounded at how she would have walked through the snow to get to the airport.

“They named me Demi? What does that even mean?” She asked in a confused voice. “Like the singer?”

“I’m thinking more the Greek Goddess of Winter.” I informed her with a cheeky grin. She flashed a smile back at me.

“I can’t believe your real name is actually Noelle.” Melissa laughed.

I sighed and shook my head. “You and me both.”

“Terra Firth.”

A redhead pushed through the crowd, she waved a familiar greeting to the person that gave her the keys and made her way towards us.

“You two newbies?” She asked. We both nodded as another name was called.

“Laney Castle.”

“Oh yay, Laney is a second year and I’m a fifth,” Terra informed Melissa and I.

“Fifth?” I gaped.

She shrugged as Laney joined our side. “Hey it’s good money.”

I couldn’t deny that. The Village paid more than double any job I would have picked up back home.

“So what are your names?” Laney asked. “Trust me you don’t want to be caught calling each other the wrong names.”

“Mines still Noelle.” I sighed as Melissa told them she was Demi.

“Mine’s always Neve.” Terra told us. “It’s latin for snow. Had it since my first year here.”

We made our way out of the building and into the buggy. The other girls all shivered and pulled their coats back on.

“I’m Joy, which often makes me want to scream at some parents who think it’s impossible for me to be anything but joyful.” Laney said.

I laughed at the frustration that laced her features. I had been working in customer service for a while and I didn’t expect anything less than complaining and abusive parents with rat bag children.

“If you have any over the top angry customers just go find one of the elves.” Terra told us. I frowned in confusion while Melissa spoke up.

“Elves?”

“Yeah, you’ll meet them soon enough. They live here all year round. Practically fucking magic with how they can calm guests down in a heartbeat.”

“People live here all year round?” I asked, confused. Santa’s village had opened up ten years ago and was only open for six weeks of the year. Everyone had to leave on Boxing Day and I thought the place would practically be deserted the rest of the year. But I guess some people would have to stay around and keep everything working. Perhaps that’s why they were nicknamed elves.

“Hey, aren’t you cold?” Melissa asked me but I only shrugged her off. I was always one of those people that never felt the cold as much.

“Look you can see the outside of the Village from here,” Terra pointed and I turned to look to the left. We were going around the Village that was surrounded by a high red fence, adorned with snow and garland. There were lights on inside the village.

“And on the left is private property, it’s where Santa lives.” Terra added. I frowned at her again. First elves and now she called the owner of the place Santa. I was curious how in character the workers here got and how in character I too would have to go.

“Only the elves are allowed to go in there.” Laney added.

Further away from the owners residence and not too far from the Village sat rows of cabins that were blanketed with snow.

“And that’s our lovely little area, no guests are allowed down here so once you’re here feel free to shrug off all responsibilities and your names, if you can.” Terra added on the last bit as her eyes flickered to me.

The bus stopped and Terra expertly lead the way down through the cabins. I stumbled behind her, too busy looking around me to walk properly. I noticed Melissa basically floated through the snow, her heels not even affecting her pace.

All the cabins were adorned with Christmas decorations. The two-story wood cabins were lined with multi-colour flashing lights that were blanketed by a healthy covering of snow. There was a street lamp next to every cabin to better light the path. It would get dark enough at nighttime that the lights would be needed.

I could see directly into most of the cabins and noticed the fires that were already warming the places as well as the Christmas decorations that continued inside the cabins.

Terra stopped at one cabin, about midway down the first row. I could feel the heat from the cabin the moment the door opened and the three girls rushed inside. I took my time, dusting off my boots before closing the door behind me. It was a little too warm in here; I quickly shed my outer clothes and ripped my beanie off my head.

“The fire is kept a light by fairies so you don’t have to worry about lighting it.” Laney told us as she dumped her heavy grey jumper over the back of a warm couch that was covered in pillows and blankets. It looked like the comfiest couch I had ever seen.

“Fairies?” I asked, confused. Was that another nickname for people that worked here all year round?

Instead of getting an answer I was met by a gasp and multiple eyes staring at me.

“Your hair,” Melissa pointed.

I sighed and nervously pulled my long white hair to sit on one side of my shoulder.

“How did you get it that colour?” Laney asked.

“It’s uh natural.” I told them, used to people freaking out.

“But it’s as white as snow,” Terra added to the other girls comments.

That certainly wasn’t a new remark. I had been teased about it when I was younger, living in a small town where it was unusual to be abnormal. And my white hair colour from the moment I showed up at my parent’s doorsteps was definitely an abnormality there.

“It’s always been like that.” I shrugged, debating whether to wrap it back up under my beanie where it had been since I left home. I decided against it, I couldn’t hide it for the five weeks I was going to be here.

I moved around the cabin hoping the gaping girls would eventually stop and keep inspecting the cabin. I noticed the stairs that curled upward right next to the bright and full Christmas Tree. Thankfully the girls followed and no one mentioned my hair any further.

There were four bedrooms upstairs, all perfectly adorned in garlands and Christmas themed decorations. I felt like every bit of decoration in each room was either red, green, gold or silver. Even the comforter that covered the bed that I chose was red. A dark red with gold trimmings.

I placed my suitcase down within the room and noticed the wooden dresser and wardrobe that matched. There was also a wooden rocking chair and a small wooden bench underneath the window. I moved towards it, peaking outside to the snow covered streets to watch people moving around, some to their houses and other’s back up towards where we had come in.

“Girls, we should probably head into the Village for induction talks.” Terra’s voice rang through the house and I stepped back from the window. I pulled my beanie on tight over my head, letting my hair stay hanging loosely around my shoulders. I wasn’t going to keep hiding it.

I grabbed my big coat and headed back down the stairs. Melissa quickly joined me as Laney and Terra were already waiting at the door.

“We don’t want to be late, Louis gets really snarky if you are,” Terra told us as we stepped back out into the cool air. All three girls shivered, quickly shoving on their coats. I followed suit, more out of habit then need.

“Louis?” Melissa asked as we fell in step with the girls.

“One of the elves,” Laney said.

I was really hoping that these elves were not going to be adults dressed in elf suits with pointed ears. If elves were real I highly doubt that they would be short, dressed in Christmas clothes and spend their whole day making toys for Santa. I’m sure they would have better things to do with their time.

There was a lot more people than I had expected that were making their way towards the Village that was barely a five-minute walk from the cabins. I knew that many planes would have been arriving today, dropping us all off and that a resort this size would need a large amount of people to work it. But the sheer number of people still shocked me.

Terra knew exactly where she was going and I followed obediently. I had paid attention to the map that had been sent out to us but that didn’t mean I knew it off by heart. This place was circles inside circles and it felt like at every opportunity you could get lost. There were certain areas that allowed you into the next section and it was never as easy as you wanted it to be. I suppose guests probably thought it was part of the atmosphere, I personally knew it would be hell to navigate if I had to rush from one place to another.

One thing that any worker working in Santa’s Village should be aware of, was that it was always busy and any working day would never be a relaxing working day. Guests only had twenty-five days to stay in the Village before having to leave on Boxing Day and they definitely flitted around and got their money’s worth.

Santa’s Village made constant donations to particular charities around the world on New Years Day, it was a tradition and rumour was that they donated every single dollar they earnt throughout the December month. I assumed some money must be kept to keep the place going and to line the pockets of the person who owned the place. A person who never came out into public and always hid behind whatever actor they had playing Santa.

When we reached the center of the Village a large crowd began to gather around the monument in the middle of the Village. It was tall, taller than I had expected. Towering over us all. If you could sit on top of the crystal ball that topped the red and white striped pole, you would be able to see over the buildings that surrounded it.

“That’s the North Pole,” Terra said.

“Isn’t all of this the North Pole?” Melissa asked.

“No I mean that is the literal North Pole. As in an actual pole. The whole Village is centered around it. So is the outer resort.”

I felt myself compelled to get closer to the Pole, wanting to touch, to feel. But there were so many people around I felt helpless to stand so close and not be able to feel it, to soak it in.

Someone cleared their throat near the base of the Pole and I was snapped out of my longing for the Pole to focus on a man. He looked barely older than me and yet held himself with the air of someone much older than anyone else here. He seemed to radiate warmth and everyone almost shuffled forward unconsciously once he began talking.

“Welcome everyone, those of you who are back and those of you who are knew. Welcome to Santa’s Village. It is compulsory for you all to have a tour of the Village to ensure that you all understand and know where everything is. Our guests arrive tomorrow and we all need to be on top of our game to ensure they have the most pleasant and happiest stay.”

“That’s Liam. We call him the Head Elf.” Terra said, talking over Liam. His sharp eyes seemed to find us instantly and Terra fell quiet.

“If you are rooming with someone that has worked here before, stay close to them, listen to them, they may just know a thing or two.”

I felt like Liam was still talking directly to us but there was no way he could have heard what Terra said, we were standing too far away.

“We will split up into groups of four and we will all take you on a tour of the most important parts. After that, dinner will be served and then you are more than welcome to keep looking around or head back to your cabins. I suggest a good nights sleep, as it will be an early morning for you. Schedules will be posted in the workers’ dining hall and will tell you where you will meet for your allotted jobs tomorrow. Thank you.” Liam stepped down and directed sections of us into four groups. We were placed in front of a shivering boy who held a microphone.

This boy was presumable Niall, one of the ‘elves’. He looked entirely too cold for someone who lived here all year round. He was wearing multiple coats and the only available skin to the outside was his face that consisted of a very red nose. It wasn’t even that cold.

“Follow me, everyone. Let’s try to get this tour to go into as many warm buildings as possible, shall we?” He moved and the large crowd of us moved with him.

“Hey Nialls, still not used to the cold brisk air?” Terra stepped forward so she fell in line with Niall.

He smiled widely at her. “Terra, I saw that you had applied to work here again, what is this you fifth year?”

There was something enchanting about his grin and I found myself following closely behind Terra, wanting to see more of it.

“What can I say, I miss your laugh every year,” Terra said.

At the comment Niall laughed loudly, causing the few of us around him to laugh along. My smile hurt my cheeks and after a moment I wasn’t sure what was so funny.

Niall’s eyes cut back to mine before they widened considerably.

“Whose your friend Terra?” He asked.

“Oh this is Noelle, that’s her actual name. Not a stage one.”

“Noelle, eh?” Niall asked. For some reason I felt like it wasn’t a name I should have had. “Nice hair, it looks almost as white as Santa’s.”

It was an odd comment. Generally it was as white as snow, or unnatural or dye job. No one had compared it to Santa, or told me that it was almost as white. I don’t think my hair could actually get any whiter.

“It looks almost magical,” he further commented as we stopped at one building.

I eyed him, debating whether he was joking or not. “If only magic was real,” I commented, stepping by him and into the building. People around here believed in the impossible a little too much.

The tour Niall took us on lasted hours. Enough time that I realised that Niall was speaking with an Irish accent and he didn’t once stop shivering. He took us through the basic souvenir shops like the lights store called Deck The Halls and the Music Box Shop that had a real girl dancing in the middle of the floor on a constant spinning plate.

There was the bakery that smelt like gingerbread cookies even though nothing was being made and the Tea Two café that became my new favourite place, with every tea imaginable and ones that were certainly not imaginable.

There was Santa’s workshop where Niall heavily hinted that it was not the real one and the real one was hidden away from guests so as not to disrupt the present making. I was starting to think they were all nuts.

He pointed out the reindeer stables and the real life Gingerbread house that sat next to a house made entirely of Candy. Not sanitary to eat, however, Niall felt the need to add in.

There was Market Square that sold everything Christmas and the Theatre that only played Christmas movies. There was a mini zoo, an ice rink, a train, a Ferris Wheel and a place to go snow tobogganing.

There was everything you could imagine and so much more. Despite the research I had done I was so amazed and utterly overwhelmed.

Niall took us around as much as he could before leading us back to the hall where we would all have our daily meals.

“I’ll be leaving you all here, your work schedules are on the wall.” Niall put the microphone down and accepted the questions that a few people threw his way.

Melissa pulled me along to look to the board. Many people were already crowding around it.

“I’m going to be working in the Hotel tomorrow at the desk checking people in. Joy to the world.” Melissa said sarcastically as I searched for my name.

I was going to be working in the stables with the reindeers.

“You’re Noelle?” A deep voice asked from beside me and I turned to see the most tanned and structured face I had ever seen.

“Yes,” I supplied weakly once I controlled my wandering eyes. He was certainly no elf, with how many tattoos littered his bare forearms.

“I’m Harry,” The man in front of me supplied, a small smirk covering his face. “You’ll be working with me in the stables tomorrow.”

I stared dumbly back at the handsome face. I wasn’t sure if I could even speak without throwing myself at him.

“Your hair,” he stated.

I sagged in annoyance. Of course the perfect boy had to ruin everything.

“Yes, it’s white.” I snarked earning myself a perfectly raised eyebrow.

“Right, well be in the stables by six in the morning. The reindeers get temperamental if they don’t get their breakfast on time.” Harry stepped away from me, shooting me one last smirk before disappearing.

“I’m sorry, I think I just fell in love,” Melissa said from next to me, pretending to fan herself.

I laughed brightly. “I have no idea how I’m supposed to work with that tomorrow,” I admitted.

“I certainly wouldn’t be working,” Melissa agreed.

“You two need to close your mouth and maybe your eyes. That is Harry styles. Another elf and so off limits. Seriously none of the elves are supposed to date any of the workers.” Laney told us, smirking at our stunned expressions.

I could see Harry from here, talking with Niall.

“How is he an elf with all those tattoos?” I asked.

“Not everything is as it seems here,” Laney said.

I shot her a glare for the vague statement and turned back to find myself the center of two pairs of eyes. Niall and Harry both looked intensely at me, I shivered under the looks and turned away. I was beginning to question the sanity of everyone in this place.

Notes

Hey guys, so I'm starting a new story and it's Christmas themed! It's just a short one! Up until Christmas Day and probably and epilogue after! I'm crazy for Christmas and I was really looking forward to writing this. I hope you enjoy it and gets you in the mood for the season! :D