Eir brings the gift back with her, from her annual visit to Scotland just before Christmas - a small box, wrapped in tartan paper and tied with a wonky silver bow, a little crushed from her journey.
She leaves it on the kitchen table for Fannar while she goes to wash up, with a warning of, "Do not open it until I come back, or else! I want to see."
Of course, if Fannar were to open the box without her, he'd find a wooden painted train carriage. Beautifully carved, coloured by hand in Christmas colours of red and green and gold, filigree swirling around each side. The metal axels and wheels beneath gleam to a polished shine, and care obviously oozes from every corner.
There's a note slipped beside the carriage in the box, short and sweet:
Merry Christmas, Nollaig Chridheil, Gleðileg jól! Hope its a good one, lad. Be sure to add this to the collection, and let me know when there isn't enough room on the tracks - I'll make you more of them too.
Let me know if Eir gets home safe, I know she won't do it herself.
Fannar knows better than to go against Eir's wishes on this sort of thing, but he can't help the burning curiosity while she showers and it just sits there. He resists for a while, but when he decides his sister is simply taking too long, he carefully opens it without her. Sorry, Eir.
He can't help but grin at the sight of the little train, and he handles it with the utmost care as he tugs the note from the box as well. Fannar sits for a while and admires the little train, even moreso now he recognises it as handmade.
[til: Alasdair] Eir got home safely! Thank you so much for this. It's absolutely beautiful — I've got the perfect place for it. Thank you. Gleðileg jól!
He admires the little train for a few minutes more, then almost jumps out of his chair when he hears the bathroom door opening. Shit. He's suddenly regretting his decision to open it without her, now. Whatever 'or else' means, he's in trouble.