a/n: responses to Hades December challenge. Prompt from SheWhoScrawls - Snowballs.

Holmes and companions do not belong to me

Arthur and the Snowball

A weary young urchin was Arthur;

He'd spent all his life on the streets;

He'd never had parents to speak of,

No family, no caring, no treats.

~0~

He slept where he could; in all seasons;

Shop doorways on pavements of stone;

And nobody cared about Arthur,

And everyone left him alone.

~o~

He lived by his wits, did young Arthur,

A master pickpocket at eight;

A hand to mouth lonely existence

Entirely dependent on fate.

~0~

One cold winter's day saw young Arthur

Exploring the snow-covered park;

He needed a place he could settle,

Before it got colder, and dark.

~0~

Huge icicles hung from the branches,

He could see every frost-covered breath;

He looked for a snug nook or cranny

Which would stop him from freezing to death.

~0~

As he checked every bush and each hollow,

About to consider defeat;

A snowball flew by and hit Arthur;

And knocked the poor lad off his feet

~0~

Quite dazed and bewildered was Arthur,

And sat on the snow-covered ground.

He rubbed the bruised spot on his forehead,

Indignantly glaring around.

~0~

He heard running footsteps approaching,

Then two worried figures appeared;

They stopped, and they stared at poor Arthur;

A boy, not cross adult, as feared.

~0~

Two lads, not much older than Arthur,

Both helped their poor victim to stand.

They were sorry their snow balling battle

Had started to get out of hand.

~0~

They looked at young Arthur more closely;

Thin clothing, poor shoes and pinched face,

And dragged him to meet their companions,

Called in from each cold hiding place.

~0~

One fastened a scarf round his shoulders,

One gave him a large hunk of bread;

And Arthur, so used to harsh curses,

Found kindness and friendship instead.

~0~

He joined in the battle, did Arthur,

And slowly stepped out of the shade

He'd never been breathless with laughter

And never before simply played.

~0~

And after the battle, young Arthur,

Had no icy parkland to roam

His friends had known hardship and hunger,

And bundled young Arthur back home.

~0~

The newest Irregular member

Has done with hard times on his own;

Young Arthur is warm, fed and sheltered,

And won't spend this Christmas alone.

~0~