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“I’ll take good care of the reindeer, I promise. Me and Mr. Whiskers. We promises,” a deeper voice said from around the corner.

Alice pulled back and peered around the hallway. Besides the door they entered through and the other side of the hallway, there wasn’t exactly a good place to hide. A highly detailed and carved wood sign on the wall read “To reindeer paddock” in multiple languages with an arrow pointing down the hallway.

Alice couldn’t contain her glee as she smiled with her mouth gaping open. She pointed down the hallway. Ez raised her hands in confusion as the rest of the group waited for instructions on what to do next. Alice scuttled back down the hallway, her boots echoing off the floorboards.

“The reindeer are that way,” Alice said in a gleefully hushed voice. “And someone’s coming.”

“Should we hide?” Carol asked.

“Back through the door,” Oliver said.

The Raskins retreated through the door. Max, wagging her tail, resisted Oliver pulling her away from an oncoming Alice.

“Max, let’s go,” Oliver said, trying to pull Max along with him. She wouldn’t relent.

“Come on, Max,” Carol said as she helped tug on the leash.

Max dug in, getting low to the ground and hunching her back. Her feet never wavered, and the collar pulled taut against her neck. She wouldn’t let anything stop her from waiting for Alice to return.

“I’ll take care of this,” Ez said as she moved to greet the voices. “Stay back, and don’t cause a commotion.”

Alice tapped the sides of her hips. “Come on, girl,” she whispered, trying to coax the pup to follow.

Max followed the group. One by one, they reentered Ez’s library with Alice bringing up the rear. She reached for the door, pulling it closed when a voice called out.

“Hello, pretty lady,” the deep voice said.

“Intruder,” the high-pitched voice yelled. “Intruder!” He pulled out a whistle and blew. The high-pitched sound echoed off the walls.

Alice froze. They were caught. If the elves attacked first and asked questions later, then the situation would escalate into ruin. She thought about going through the door and shutting it behind her, waiting for tempers to calm down. If she did, then Ez might want to keep it closed forever. No. She didn’t come this far to have it fall apart before they could speak with Santa. Alice popped back out from behind the door and greeted the two elves.

“Hello. My name is Alice Primrose, and I’m no intruder. I’m a friend of Nick and Holly, seeking their help.”

Two elves stood in the hallway. One was no taller than Alice’s knee. The other was a hulking body of an elf, over six and a half feet tall and massive in weight and size. They wore green vests, trimmed in gold, over white shirts. Their pointed ears protrudedfrom under their matching green, pointed hats. Red pants and black leather shoes tied their uniforms together.

“Hello, Alice Primrose. My name is Legs, on account of I’m so tall. In my pocket is Mr. Whiskers. Say hello, Mr. Whiskers.” The elf withdrew a diminutive mouse and held it aloft for Alice to see. Its nose twitched as the mouse peeked out from his massive hand.

Alice waved back.

More elves spilled down the hallway. “Intruders. Intruders,” they murmured. “Get the boss. Intruders.”

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” the smaller elf asked.

A crowd gathered in the hallway, some armed with their toy making instruments.

“See. This is what I wanted to avoid,” Ez said in an exasperated voice as she threw her arms into the air.

Max emerged from the door, barking at her newfound friends.

“Hi, doggy,” Legs said.

“Max, get back in here,” Oliver said as he and Carol emerged back into the hallway.

Alice dropped down to a knee and scratched Max’s head. The golden retriever sat down at Alice’s feet. She glanced at the tall elf. “Legs, this is Maxine, but we call her Max. Would you like to pet Max?”

Legs shook his head in agreement. “I won’t hurts her,” he said.

“Oh, I don’t think you will. She likes to be petted,” Alice replied. “She really likes to be scratched under the chin. Come on, give her a scratching.”