Lil rubbed her arm and groaned. “I knew I’d be sore after pointing that wand all day.”
“The sacrifice was worth it,” Nim said. “Did you see their faces when they saw us?”
Lil smiled. The boys were thrilled to see the elves re-enacting a scene from their favorite movie. They’d insisted on a Harry Potter marathon in the hope of an encore.
“I hope they aren’t too disappointed when we don’t do Harry Potter again tonight,” said Pixie.
“What are we going to do tonight?” asked Figgy.
The eve of Christmas Eve was the elves’ last night with the boys. They wanted to do something special and go out with a bang.
“Everyone needs to be a part of tonight’s mischief. Barrel included,” said Pixie as she picked up pieces from a board game the boys had been playing before bedtime.
“Oh don’t pick Clue up,” said Glitter. “I heard the boys say they were going to finish their game after breakfast.”
“I just want to see who killed who, where, and with what,” said Pixie.
Figgy and Nim shared confused looks. “Huh?”
“You know,” said Lil flying into the Dining Room. “Colonel Mustard, in the Conservatory, with the candlestick.”
“Ooohh,” said Figgy with exaggerated understanding. “Who killed who, where, and with what. Of course.”
Nim landed in the Library while Figgy invaded the Study. The elves picked up the toy weapons and zipped over the game board, knocking over pawns and making a mess of the cards.
“The boys are going to be furious if you mess up their game,” warned Glitter. “Jake almost solved the murder.”
“We can play Clue!” Figgy crashed into the Kitchen.
Barrel barked and ran around the board, giving Pixie an idea. “We will solve a theft instead of a murder.”
“Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?” teased Nim.
“Who stole my cheese?” laughed Lil.
“What came first, the chicken or the egg?” asked Figgy.
Lil rolled her eyes and unclasped the collar around Barrel’s neck. “No. Who hid Barrel’s barrel?”
“Who Hid Barrel’s Barrel?” All the elves turned to Glitter.
Glitter grumbled as she squeezed into the envelope with the solution. “I don’t see why I have to be the thief.”
“You are Mrs. White, Glitter,” said Lil.
“Yes,” added Nim. “You needed the barrel for the special punch Miss Scarlet made for Christmas day.”
“Don’t worry,” smiled Pixie. “You don’t go to jail.”
As they set up the game, the team thought of all the fun they’d had this Christmas season. Even though there were a few rough patches at the beginning, they’d all pulled together and made December as special as ever for their charges.
Nim put his monocle to his eye and looked at each of his friends. “I had a lot of fun this season even though, in the beginning…”
“Are you kidding?” squeaked Pixie. “This was the best fun I’ve had…EVER!”
Figgy nodded enthusiastically. “I’m so grateful that my first assignment was with you and Lil. I’ve learned so much!”
Lil hugged Nim. “And I’m grateful we made up.”
“Mrrrmy csms!”
The elves laughed. “Merry Christmas to you too Glitter!
a pinch of homestead 