Before being escorted from the great hall, it was decided by the Council that Frederick Salsbury would be the Kringle’s tour guide, as he was most familiar with outside commerce and the importing and exporting of goods with the tallfolk. Frederick was a very pleasant elf with sandy brown hair that just came to his collar and he had a wisp that ran over part of his forehead. His eyes were a soft green and like Kris’ had a twinkle to them. He was average elf height and solidly built, but not plump.
Frederick stated that he had spent almost as much time in the outside world each year as he did in the village. He had set up warehouses and trading routes through most of the more civilized countries and even in such remote continents as Central and South America and Africa, especially along what is referred to as the Ivory Coast where the North Pole’s biggest import – cocoa – came from.
“We import more cocoa to this village than the next three countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium,” Frederick laughed, “For what reason I can’t explain, but we all seem to have an addiction to the stuff. We drink more cocoa and eat more chocolate than anything else.” He shook his head and said, “If anyone wanted to cripple us mentally or economically they would just have to cut off our supply of cocoa and we would be on our knees.”
Annie said, “That’s funny, Kris has that same affinity, although we don’t get that much of it as it is not readily available to many areas we visit.”
“Well enjoy as much as you care to here, we have a goodly supply.” Then turning to the matter at hand, Frederick stated, “Now where to start. Hmm, I guess the best place would be the manufacturing area.”
“I’m sorry. What are you referring to, a place or a section?” asked Kris.
“It is an area where we can produce products on a global scale as the need arises,” Frederick said in a matter-of-fact tone. “We find anything with a similar series of movements or parts can be done in a line of workers that we call an ‘assembly line’ and the task can be repeated an infinite number of times until we have enough finished products to meet the need for it.”
Kris and Annie nodded their heads as if they understood, though they clearly didn’t.
Frederick said, “Come with me and I’ll show you.” He took the Kringles to an enormous building that appeared to go along a great distance. Even for its size, it still looked whimsical and colorful with multiple roof lines and carved features along its length.
“Behold,” said Frederick as he ushered them through the door, “Our manufacturing center.”
The Kringles were dumbstruck. Before them were several rows of elves, each row working on different products and pieces. There was a doll line on one, sanding and finishing pull-toys on another, and a third producing horse drawn carriages.
“You make carriages?” said Kris breathlessly.
“We are considered the best carriage maker in either London or Paris!” boasted Frederick, “Of course no one knows they come from here, for practical reasons. We actually have several shops in many of the larger cities, and we are opening one in Philadelphia in the American Colonies later this year.”
“But how do you get them down there?” questioned Annie, “Especially through that great expanse. They won’t fit on that flying machine, will they?”
“No,” answered Frederick, “But we have many other ways to transport them over the tundra besides the air ships. You shall see that later. Just know that whatever we can build, we can also move, including almost anything you can imagine, and some things I scarcely say that you could not.”
“I have little doubt of it,” muttered Kris. “Are there more of these structures?”
“Yes, we have two more, and we find that is sufficient since we can change out the line and build something else as the need arises in each place. We can take a closer look if you’d like.”
Kris just deftly nodded and began moving toward the center line. As he came to the end of the line he looked at racks filled with toy upon toy all made to perfection and painted into different characters, some clowns, some soldiers, some jesters but all brightly colored and waiting for little hands to pull their strings and bring them to life.
“Amazing,” said Annie, “Who are they all for?”
Frederick’s eyes got wide and he said, “For the children! Wherever we go and whatever country we find ourselves in, we carry bags and bags of these to give to children around the world.”
“How many of these can you make?” asked Kris.
“How many children are there in the world?” answered Frederick. “We can do at least one per child, and a few for adults if they are kind to us.” He chuckled.
“Impossible,” stammered Kris.
“You will find that the word ‘impossible’ has little meaning up here. For nothing to us is impossible. And we have advances, and have been affected by our environment, more than you could know or believe. For instance, many of us are hundreds of years old and we outlive you tallfolk by centuries.”
Kris stared at the smaller man and said, “Surely you jest! You must be about what…? Forty or forty five?”
Frederick smiled and said, “You are close, I will be 357 this March. And in fact, I was much older physically when I first got here. I actually had a respiration problem when I first arrived that has since disappeared. While tallfolk haven’t been here before, I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t leave here feeling better than when you arrived.”
Annie said, “About all I feel is light headed trying to grasp everything.”
“Oh, I am so sorry! I should take you both for some food and maybe we should sit and talk a while before I show you much more,” a sincerely apologetic Frederick said to his guests. “How ill-mannered of me.”
“Not at all,” feigned Kris, “But a little rest and food does sound wonderful.”
The trio moved to a smaller establishment between two of the massive buildings. It was similar to a tavern but looked more impressive and many of the surfaces gleamed silver-like around the place.
“This village must be rich if you can afford to make your cookware and stoves from silver,” commented Kris.
With a little laugh the elf commented, “They are not, they are actually metal alloys that have yet to be discovered by your civilization. We find that they conduct heat better than iron and can be better insulated to retain heat and cook more evenly.”
Kris shook his head and exclaimed, “I may never begin to understand even a fraction of the developments you have here.”
The elf laughed and said, “Oh, given sufficient time you will. But think of the fun you would have learning about them if you decided to take the time to do so!”
Annie smirked and said, “I certainly wouldn’t mind learning. These advancements are fascinating to me.”
“You always were the adventurous one, my little Annie,” Kris said smiling at his wife.
“Is that so? Then who is it that has dragged us all around Europe and middle Asia, my husband?” chortled Annie.
Frederick watched the exchange with a broad smile. He was enjoying the playfulness between the couple and felt a warmth toward these two he had not in his dealings with other tallfolk.
Kris saw the elf staring at them and blushed with a mumbled apology.
“Don’t be absurd.” Frederick grinned. “I am enjoying watching you both immensely! You remind me of many elves up here, and I am only sorry to say that I do not see such playful spontaneity in my travels among tallfolk more often.”
Annie teased Frederick, “Well maybe we are elves that just grew too tall while down south!”
“Probably so,” laughed Frederick. “You sure act more like us than them!”
An elf with long braids and freckles walked up to them and asked what they would like for lunch.
Annie said, “What is your special of the day?”
The elf giggled and said, “Pretty much whatever you are in the mood for.”
Annie thought for a moment while Kris ordered roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Frederick ordered salmon with capers and asparagus. Finally Annie ordered a roast chicken with stuffing.
All three of them requested a cup of cocoa as well. The elf smiled and said thank you and moved off.
“What a delightful idea!” exclaimed Mrs. Kringle, “Order what you are in the mood for, but how can they do that, most inns and taverns can scarcely prepare one meal in a day?”
“Again, we have some very unique ways of cooking up here, so preparing many different dishes requires far less effort and time than even one meal in other places,” answered Frederick.
Instantly, the young waitress returned with steaming mugs of cocoa. As they each savored the wonderful aroma and taste. Kris looked at Frederick with a smile.
“Alright,” he said, “Explain some of the other advances and we’ll try to keep up with your conversation.” He was particularly interested in hearing more, now that the needs of food and rest were being tended to.
Meanwhile, in other places across the North Pole Village elves were murmuring to each other and in whispers wondered if the Council would actually propose the things they had heard. Of course as with any civilization, even one so advanced as this, what began as rumor soon was talked about as fact.
Many a debate began across the village as to what the outcome would be from having tallfolk brought to the village. Would this destroy their quiet way of life? Would the tallfolk invade the land and claim the elves advances for their own?
Some villagers had never been outside the dome, but had heard the stories about the evil, warring ways of the tallfolk. Many thought all people outside the North Pole were barbarians and with no manners or culture remotely close to the elves.
It was already a problem that the outsiders had many of the things they needed for the North Pole, and to have to send many of their own folk to trade and deal with the tallfolk was bad enough…
Others knew better and tried to disseminate the fears of the other elves. [They explained that a great many cities and towns were lovely to visit and had wonderful architectural marvels that created the basis of the elves own buildings and that for the most part, the people were good.]
And the Council obviously thought that these two were exceptionally worthy to invite them here in the first place. Further, that if they were going to continue to make advances, that like it or not, they would have to work with the outside world.
Many asked what better way to deal with the outlanders than to have an emissary that was like them, and one that loved children as much as they must be an ideal candidate.
And so while the Kringles were introduced to the modern advancements of the elves, their fate was being discussed outside the walls of the tavern.
“You see we have gone far beyond iron, bronze and the metals you are familiar with, and have developed metals that have much more strength, tensile flexibility and durability than those. We can create almost anything from these metals,” related Frederick.
“Add to that the insulation materials we have developed and we can trap and control heat, cold and other elements by just turning a switch and having it powered by current or the odorless gas that we found is in abundance under the Arctic Circle.”
The Kringles were in awe at much of what the elf was relaying to them. Kris was asking questions as fast as the elf could explain the principles. Frederick thought they were both extremely bright and were grasping much of what he was saying faster than he suspected most could from their civilization. They also had a wonderment and curiosity that he found stimulating.
Annie finally asked the question Frederick knew eventually would be asked, “Why is it that you don’t allow your inventions and wonderful properties to be developed outside the North Pole?”
Frederick had rehearsed his answer several times in his head, but still had trouble answering her at first, “It all began when we were dealing with folks in Asia, China to be specific. We found out that they were having great difficulty moving some of the huge rock to create farmland for their people. Also, they needed better materials to build roads to move their goods through the huge expanse. We showed them how to mix charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate together to assist in their quarrying efforts.
“Gunpowder,” said Kris.
“Precisely,” nodded Frederick. “Within a year they were using it against their neighbors, the Mongols, in newly developed weapons. Shortly thereafter it showed up in other countries and always with the same primary purpose. And in every instance since, when we bring one of our advances to your civilization, it has found its way into military applications.”
“If I remember correctly, the Mongols were the aggressors in that conflict, and the Chinese were just trying to protect themselves,” Kris said flatly.
“And besides, how could cooking items harm people?” asked Annie.
“Imagine the weapons and ammunition a stronger, lighter alloy could form?” responded Frederick.
“Kris, do you honestly think civilizations are going to continue to war against each other forever?” asked a dejected Annie to her husband.
“Well it has often seemed that way. Look at North America and Europe; they have been in one land dispute after another. The Spanish with the French and British, France against Britain, the natives in America fighting the colonists, now Britain against their own people, and all looking to gain the upper hand somehow.
“These folks might be right that it may be better to choose carefully what gets shared and when. But I will also say that because of such motivations in our culture, I am afraid that whether many of these advances are shared or not, eventually we will find ways to make more deadly and far reaching war products no matter what,” Kris stated sadly.
“Yes but no reason to help them get there more quickly,” added Frederick.
“Perhaps not,” admitted Kris.
“Nonetheless, I wouldn’t mind learning how to use these wonderful…what did you call them, Frederick?” asked Annie.
“Appliances, because they help us apply heat, cold or water to food to place it at the temperature we wish for,” answered Frederick.
“…Yes appliances, just imagine the cookies I could bake for you Papa! And the bread, I could do, all types of recipes,” Annie said wistfully.
Kris chuckled and said, “As if I wasn’t gaining weight fast enough around you, my dearest.”
Just then the elf waitress came up with the various meals and set them before the guests. Frederick asked Kris, “Santa, would you do the honor?”
Santa, as he was called again, bowed his head and gave grace and thanks for bringing them to the North Pole and introducing them to the marvels before them.
After lunch they resumed the tour with Frederick showing them some of the transportation devices used and explaining the power behind them. Frederick explained that the North Pole was divided into three distinct sections. The largest area was the Woodlands where trees of every reasonable species were grown. As they could pretty well control weather under the dome, it was possible to grow trees in the climate they were most used to. This was where they received all the lumber they needed for the variety of things they produced. There was a lumber mill and of course the farming of the wood by lumberjack elves that went on continuously. There was also a green house area to replace the trees taken.
The second area was the manufacturing area where the factories and plants were located. Kris had a fascination with the machinery and asked a good many questions on the fundamentals of the power and how it was generated. Frederick explained what he could and then recommended he talk with Jackson Kilowatt and Britney Clearwater for the rest.
Then Frederick explained about the high area called Mount Elvish where the elves learned their trades, had schools, and also relaxed from their toils. There they could ski, sled, skate, and take up other hobbies like ice sculpting and wood carving.
As Frederick talked, they visited some of the shops and more factories so that the Kringles could see the mechanisms in use and look over the craftsmanship of the products. They also stopped some of the transportation devices so Kris could see more closely their mechanisms and how they were propelled.
Around 4:00 Annie announced that she was quite exhausted from having to take in so many marvels. Frederick apologized again, escorted them back to their inn and asked if they would like to explore some more areas tomorrow.
Annie said more to Kris, “Why don’t you go on ahead dear and I will stay around the inn for the morning. I may even take another of those wonderful baths! It is amazing how the hot water comes from that little hole into the tub,” and then she blushed realizing her frankness before the elf.
Frederick chuckled and said that he would be pleased if Kris wanted to explore more of the village.
Kris answered that it would be quite pleasant to spend more time among the village and its people. He bid Frederick a good afternoon and then he and Annie retired to their room.
The Kringles had a quiet supper in the dining room alone. While both their heads were filled with the marvels they witnessed that day, their conversation was nonexistent. They were both lost in this new world and contemplated what all this might mean for them.
They retired to their bedroom and while many times they both began to speak of things they saw their words trailed off into nothingness and they settled into a comfortable silence. By 9:00 that evening both were sound asleep in their featherbed and lost to dreams of the North Pole.
The following morning, Kris met Frederick in the lobby of the inn and they again picked up where they left off with Frederick taking Kris from shop to shop, introducing him to the inhabitants of each and demonstrating what each shop produced and how.
After a slower start which included another bath, Ann Marie came into the lobby and found Gunther Crispenclean polishing the cabinet behind the desk.
“Excuse me, Gunther,” she said. The elf turned around and smiled at her. “I was wondering if I could see your cooking area and possibly get some teachings on how to use some of your appliances?”
Gunther grinned at her and said, “I don’t see why not. I am sure Pierre would be pleased to assist you in your endeavor. Would you follow me?”
They both disappeared behind the wall with the cabinet on it and Gunther brought her to the kitchen area and said to the back of an elf standing over the stove, “Pierre, I have a new apprentice for you to train.”
Pierre Gastonlove turned around and looked at the woman towering over him and laughed. “Oh, oui? Mademoiselle wishes to assist me in the preparation of extraordinary cuisine for these unappreciative peasants?” he laughed. He was shaking something in a large pan and seemed to be able to do more than one task at the same time.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to learn how to master these marvelous tools with a culinary expert such as yourself,” stated Mrs. Kringle.
“Aha!” exclaimed Pierre, “Finally, someone who appreciates my genius! Mrs. Kringle, you would be most welcome to join me in my preparations and I shall show you how these tools of my unappreciated tasks work.”
“Thank you for your kindness sir. Please call me Annie. And do not hesitate to tell me what you would like me to do,” she said in perfect French.
Pierre looked amazed, “Mon Dieu, Seigneur, she also knows the proper speech, what a refreshing assistant. We will speak English for your comfort Madame Annie, but I thank you for the compliment.”
“As you wish, Monsieur Pierre,” she responded.
Pierre began demonstrating how each piece worked and the pair began preparing several different dishes. After a time, Annie asked if it might be alright to make a batch of her husband’s favorite cookies.
As they were mixing the batter another elf came into the area.
“Mrs. Kringle? What are you doing here? You are our guest and do not need to be working in the kitchen!” Denny Sweetooth was horrified at seeing his guest covered in flour and looking somewhat disheveled from her efforts.
“Mr. Sweetooth, I am happiest in the cooking area and am having more fun than you could ever imagine with these wonderful appliances! I may never leave!” answered Annie.
“She is a magician, Monsieur Denny!” said Pierre, “Even I, the great Pierre, have learned some secrets from this amazing lady. Annie, this has been some of the best food to come out of this kitchen in a long time!”
Soon, Denny, Pierre and Annie were working side by side putting out several batches of cookies among the elves to raves and compliments. All three were enjoying themselves immensely.
Denny said to Annie, “I truly hate to leave this happy scene, but you and I must leave to meet with the Council again.”
“Do I have time to clean myself up and make myself presentable?” asked Annie.
“I think you look marvelous, but of course we have a few minutes. Pierre and I will clean up here and you can run along to your room,” he answered.
“Pierre, this has been a true joy to work with you and I thank you for teaching me about your incredible innovations,” she had said to Pierre.
“Mrs. Annie the pleasure has been all mine,” Pierre replied in French with a deep bow.
Annie smiled and left for the room.
At a different area of the North Pole Frederick was saying something similar to Kris. It was time to end the tour for the time being and head back to the large hall where the Council met.
They had explored the other manufacturing areas and had long discussions over what could be brought to the children and how it might be transported to the various countries. Frederick said it would be possible to move the products overland to some of the warehouses, and more could be created as the need arose. From there the elves might be able to distribute the toys to the towns.
Kris said how much the children would enjoy playing with the wonderful products he saw produced this day. The delightful candies and fruit tarts and other foods would turn any frown to a huge smile across the lands.
Kris was shown amazing ways to transport even food across immense distances. He was beginning to agree with Frederick that the word ‘impossible’ did not seem to exist here.
They were heading toward the inn to collect Annie and head off to the hall together. As they arrived at the inn, Ann Marie was just descending the last stairs with Denny. Kris asked how her day of relaxation was and she and Denny burst into laughter.
She said to Kris, “Here dear, have some cookies. I am sure you could use some nourishment after your toils,” she said as she winked at Denny.
Kris and Frederick each took a handful they moved to the door to head to the Great Hall.
Before they all took their places, the Council again asked if the Kringles would excuse them for a few moments while they discussed some things among each other. The Kringles remained in the outer hall trying to guess what the Council was deliberating about.
The wait was not nearly as long this time. Whitey came out to the hall collected Kris and Annie and invited them back to the main hall.
Again it was Frederick that addressed the Kringles with the following information. “Kris and Annie, I have the distinct pleasure to make the following invitation and offer to you both:
We find you both imminently enjoyable and good hearted, and however you respond to our proposal, we want you to know that it is truly our pleasure and joy to have had the opportunity to spend this time with you.”
Kris and Annie beamed and made a similar statement back to the elves.
Frederick continued, “We have discussed this between ourselves and with some others of our village. We would like to put the full resources of the North Pole at your disposal and have you distribute toys and gifts to the children throughout the world. We will provide you with all the presents and will help you move the massive amount that would be required to accomplish this task.
The only request we have is that at least during this period in time and until decided otherwise, that you keep our location and the fact of the origin of these presents secret from your civilization. We will help you load and move packs, but we wish to be kept dark from the eyes of the world.”
Frederick looked at Mrs. Kringle and said, “We wish to build you a grand home and workshop in our village that will be for your sole use. You are welcome to live here as long as you wish, which we hope would be a very long time indeed.”
“Not unlike you, our ancestors, including myself, try not to call much attention to the passing out of gifts, and most often as you saw in Tilburg, I prefer to do this task late in the evening so children would not know it was me, and might attribute it to God as the giver,” explained Kris.
“And how is that working out for you?” asked Frieda. The other elves chuckled at her comment.
“Apparently, not as well as I would hope,” he shrugged.
“What you need is an alias, a nom de plume as it were,” said Carrow, “Might I suggest you adopt the one that has already been given you?”
“I agree with Carrow,” said Denny, “You should travel under the name of Santa Claus, rather than Kringle. It has become what many countries already have named you, and it would be a good way to keep your true identity suppressed from others.”
“I think before we start renaming the Kringles and asking them to change their lives at our suggestion, that we first ask them their thoughts on the whole idea first,” said Frederick to the rest of the Council. “Our apologies,” he continued, “as you may tell, we are a little excited over this prospect and are already making plans without your consent or consultation. If I may ask on behalf of this Council, would you remain with us and what are your thoughts and feelings about our proposal?”
Kris and Annie looked at each other and Annie shrugged with a smirk to her husband. Kris turned to the Council and said, “We would be honored to represent all the people of the North Pole. I swear that I will keep your secrets and give all of my strength and being to accomplish this massive undertaking you have asked me to perform.”
With a collective sigh, the Council sat back in their seats.
“I would imagine,” continued Kris, “that even with all your resources, it may take a while to piece together all the elements and essentials of putting such a plan into action. Where would you like us to stay while all the planning and schematics of such an operation is mapped out?”
Ella, who hadn’t spoke once during the meetings, broke the silence first, “The dissemination of information and the planning of each warehouse alone will take several weeks to work out.”
Ulzana looked at Carrow and then back to the Kringles and said, “If you are comfortable at the inn for the time being you are welcome to stay there, otherwise Carrow and I have room for you.”
Carrow choked, saying “Oh! Uhh…Well…If we must…I’m sure the Kringles would rather not…”
The other elves began laughing at Carrow and his reaction to Ulzana’s invitation.
Kris held up a hand and said with a smile, “Relax Mr. Chekitwice, the inn will be quite comfortable for now.”
Jackson said, “We will make you as comfortable as possible and see to your needs for undertaking this endeavor with us.”
Denny laughed and said, “I have a feeling that Annie will be taking as good a care of us as we will of her, after seeing her skills in the kitchen today!”
Annie smiled brightly and said, “As long as Pierre allows me to.”
Denny retorted, “Let him just try and keep you out!”
With that the other elves had a good laugh.
The final decision was that in a couple days there would be a huge feast in the North Pole where Santa and Mrs. Claus would be formally introduced to the residents of the North Pole and their mission made known to all.