The Return of the Solstice Kings

As the days grew short and the night deepened, an uneasy stillness covered the land. The grand Grey Lady of winter had risen and walked the land once again, bringing with her the crisp silence of cold, frost, and snow.

The brothers of Oak and Holly sat quietly by a crackling fire, sharing a warm bottle of cider and the sweet smell of pipe smoke lingered between them. The Solstice approached, the wheel turned, and the shift in power loomed large between them.

The Holly King, his cup dry once again, reached for the bottle but the tips of his fingers found the edges of a sheet of paper. Curious, he brought the letter into the firelight while pulling out his wireframe spectacles. His eyes adjusted in the dim light and he eyes smiled as he scanned the page and he chuckled lightly.

"What's that?" the Oak King asked, pulled from his reverie.

The Holly King removed his spectacles to lightly tap them on the page. "This letter from Laila. She was telling us about her holiday."

The Oak King straightened up in his seat. "Wasn't she the artist? The postal Elves made the nicest frame for her work." He picked up a gnarled cane and gestured down the dim hallway. "Isn't it hanging just down there?"

"It is." With great effort, the Holly King gripped the ancient wooden armrests of his chair, stood up, and walked away from the fire. He returned a moment later with a wooden box filled with letters. The Oak King's eyes twinkled with the light of the flames. He tossed another log onto the hearth and reached for one of the envelopes.

As the evening wore on, both men shared laughter and tears, rediscovering the stories that had come to them from across the globe. Some of the authors were children, others had seen many winters, but all of them had woven the spark of youth, hope, and magic into their hand-written correspondences. Finally, the Holly King drew the last letter from the box and read it aloud for both of them to enjoy. Then a silence came between them, punctuated by the hearthfire.

"Why did we stop receiving the letters?" the Oak King whispered.

"I don't remember," his brother mused, stroking his beard. He was pensive for a moment, but with a smirked glance at the Oak King, he reached for the horn on his belt. He brought the weathered horn to his lip and a single note rose hearty, deep, and ancient, reverberating through the darkness around them. No sooner had the man reattached his horn to his belt, he noticed two wide eyes staring up at him.

The tiny being held a pointy green hat in his two tiny hands and looked up at him inquisitive, but excited. Suddenly he was joined by another tiny person, then another, until the King could no longer see the floor before him. "Sit," growled the King and all the elves sat suddenly, almost in unison.

The two Kings stared at these elves, trying to look fierce and regal, but the sight of all these hopeful elves with their multi-colored hats and bells on their feet caused them to snicker, which quickly became jolly laughter.

"Is it time?" squeaked one of the elves.

"It is time," rumbled the Oak King, leaning on his ancient staff. "Prepare the ink wells, pull out the good writing paper. It is time for the solstice dispatches to be sent."

The Return of the Solstice Dispatch Service

We officially declare that the Solstice Dispatch Service is once again active for the 2018, 2019 season. The Solstice approaches, the days will grow long again, and hope and light will return to a world hungry for it. To celebrate this long-awaited transition, we invite you to write letters to the Solstice Kings, both Holly and Oak.

When we first started this project, we had the ambitious idea that we could reply to the letters during the Yuletide season. But as the few letters we received grew quickly to dozens and dozens, we were overwhelmed and could not keep up with the demand.

So in this new iteration, we will be making one small change: while we commit to read every letter we receive, but we cannot guarantee that we will reply to every letter by Yule. We wish to savor your letters and do not wish to be rushed in their reply, so while we do commit to reply to them, you may only receive your reply much later. Please be patient with us as we try to reply to your correspondence as quickly as we can.

Where to send your letters

We are still working out the new address for the Solstice Dispatch Service, so stay tuned! Write your letters, create your beauty, place it in the envelopes, and prepare your postage. As soon as we can, we will provide you with the postal address.

Don't know what we're talking about? Click here to learn more about the Solstice Dispatch Service!

The Return of the Holly King

He was rested and he was ready. The warm sunlight washed over his skin and he smiled in this daylight that never seemed to end. Indeed, the longest day always held such promise for him. It was a day of new beginnings in the endless cycle of his existence.

He dressed quietly: cotton shirt, leather jerkin, loose fitting trousers. Comfortable, protective, but allowed for easy movement. He knew his opponent would be slower now, but that didn't mean he wasn't strong as an ox. Even a glancing blow would leave a mark that would haunt him for days, even weeks after.

The gnarled oak staff felt comfortable in his hand as he traced every ridge, every knot hole. This staff had been his steadfast companion for as long as he could remember. It was the extension of his will, it was the expression of his ferocity, but he always wielded with compassion. A man needed to be strong, but a king also needed to serve.

The Holly King shook off his reverie and strode forward with purpose. He almost danced down the stone steps and followed the path with a spring in his step. Everyone he passed tipped their hats, spoke words of encouragement, and he took it all in with a smile on his lips. Today would be a good day. Today would be a victory.

The glade of trees towered over him as he walked in their shadow. The sounds of the town and all the people drifted away, replaced by whispering breezes and the skittering of unseen animals in the underbrush. The path was clear, but rough. The Holly King knew it well through, and even through there were new branches in the way and the odd log blocking the path, he made good time.

 But suddenly, he heard something. It was a new sound, a foreign sound, something that was out-of-place for this sacred grove. He stopped suddenly and listened, the hand gripping the oak staff. There it was again! It sounded like the cry of a wounded animal, but unlike any creature he knew. He closed his eyes and imagine the grove, listening for the sound and locating it on his mind map. He broke into a sprint, confident that he was headed in the right direction. He broke through the underbrush, stumbling over an unseen root and found himself in the sacred grove.

The grove was wide and circular, ringed by trees and underbrush. The grass was lush, but trimmed and small, white flowers dotted the landscape. In the center of the grove was a small bonfire and two benches. A man sat slumped over one of the benches, his head in his hands as he sobbed. A swell of pity rose in the Holly King's chest, but also confusion swirled in his mind. Who was this man and how could he have found this grove? It was protected by the ancient magics so that only the brothers Oak and Holly could find it. The Holly King quietly sat on one of the benches facing the man and waited for a few minutes, but the man did not look up. The Holly King cleared his throat and tapped his oak staff on the flagstones beneath his feet.

"Yes, I know you're there, my brother," said the Oak King, clearing his throat. He sat up and wiped his eyes. The Holly King was taken aback for a moment: his brother look haggard, road-weary. At this time of year, the elder Oak King would carry the evidence of age and wisdom in his countenance, this was the first time he looked in his brother's eyes and did not see the green fire of his youth and vitality.

"My brother," the Holly King whispered, laying his oak staff on the ground at his feet. "What ails you so?"

"I have failed the people," his voice broken with emotion. He rested his elbows on his knees, his shoulders heavy and tired.

"Not true, not true! This is folly," replied the Holly King, shaking his head. "I have seen the people and times are good and the people are content with their lives."

"You have been away too long, my Lord. This is supposed to be the high point of the year where the people can come together with joy, with love, to celebrate family, friends, and life." The Oak King removed his crown and examined it carefully, his fingers tracing each jewel, each contour. "The sun is highest in the sky and this the longest day, which is supposed to fill the people with hope for a strong future. And yet, I feel their hope fading, their joy diminished."

"This is the natural order of the world, of life!" the Holly King replied, trying to be reassuring. "There a good times and there are bad times. Life is never perfect, never without its flaws."

"Blood flows in the streets!" cried the Oak King. He threw the crown to the ground and gripped the bench with both hands. "Fear is over-taking the world, and when that happens, the people turn on each other. Love is abandoned, greed over-powers the mind, and desperation rules the will of the people. I was supposed to lead them to joy and prosperity, but despair, intolerance, and violence threatens to wash them all away in a crimson tide! I have failed them!"

The two men sat across from each other in silence. Dark clouds formed over them, a light rain darkened their clothing and it masked the fact that both men wept. The Holly King stood up, stepped over his oak staff, picked up the crown, and placed his own bench. "Move over," his whispered and his brother shifted over to make room for him. The Holly King sat and gently placed his arm across his brother's shoulders and embraced him.

"Could we not have this battle today," the Oak King said softly, hanging his head, avoiding the other's eyes. "With everything I've seen in the past months, I cannot fathom adding more violence to this world, even symbolically. The thought of raising a hand against you is more than I can bear."

"Of course. You have earned your rest. My Lord, let me be your guide, your humble servant. It is time for you to rest."

The Oak King rose from his seat, one gnarled hand gripping his brother's shoulder. The Holly King understood and stayed seated. The Oak King picked up crown and placed it gently on the other man's head. He picked up the oak staff and said "Rise Holly King. After this day, the light will fall. The days will shorten and the nights will lengthen. May be the people find wisdom in the darkness you bring."

The Holly King rose and both men held the oak staff. "I will lead the people to hope once again. The darkness has always been a healer, and a time of rest and reflection. By the time the Winter Solstice arrives, I promise you that the people will once again be refreshed and ready for the light that you bring."

The two men watched as the sun dipped low in the sky, the clouds layering the horizon in blankets of orange, pink, and white. Just as the sun melted from view, the two men disappeared.

fin

Happy Summer Solstice! The Holly King now rules until the Winter Solstice and the days will darken once again. The Holly King awaits your correspondence, but he fears that his brother may be right. When writing to the Holly King, tell him what gives you hope. What keeps your flame alive in these dark days? How do you plan to share that light with others? Let the Holly King know that you support his reign and let him know how he can better serve you. He waits for your good word, and he will write back to you!