Page 2 of Healed By the Grumpy Elf

"The fiercest one I've ever seen," I agree, presenting her with a blueberry lollipop. It’s safe for pixies, who tend to get hyperactive with cherry flavoring. "Now, promise me you'll save the spells for magic class?"

She nods solemnly, taking the lollipop. "I promise, Nurse Maeve."

"Excellent. Now, Ms. Grimsby is going to take you back to class, okay?"

Zinnia skips over to Harriet, crisis forgotten in that miraculous way children have. As they turn to leave, the bell rings, signaling the start of lunch period.

"Perfect timing," Harriet says. "We'll see you in the lunchroom?"

I glance at the stack of paperwork on my desk, injury reports for parents, vaccination records to update, and a concerning number of permission slips for the upcoming field trip to Mermaid Cove that I really should organize. But my stomach growls, reminding me I've been on my feet since six this morning.

"Save me a seat," I reply, running a hand through my own hair, which has mostly escaped its messy bun. "I just need to tidy up here."

The moment they leave, I collapse into my chair, spinning around to face the window that looks out over the playground. Outside, the spring sun bathes the schoolyard in golden light. Children race around, some flying, others climbing, a few practiced young wizards darting about in partial animal form. It's organized chaos, but it's my chaos.

I'm about to get up and head to lunch when there's another knock at the door. This one is tentative, almost shy.

"Come in," I call, stifling a sigh and plastering on a fresh smile.

The door creaks open, revealing Gromm Stonefist, a six-grade orc with gray-green skin and the beginnings of tusks poking from his bottom lip. One of those tusks is now wobbling precariously, and tears well in his amber eyes.

"Nurse Maeve," he mumbles, his words slightly slurred around the loose tusk, "it hurts."

My lunch will have to wait.

"Come here, Gromm." I pat the examination table. "Let's take a look at that tusk."

He climbs up, his feet dangling over the edge, hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of his t-shirt. I pull on a pair of gloves and gently tilt his chin.

"Open wide for me?"

He does, revealing the baby tusk that's hanging by a thread. A milestone for young orcs, but a painful one.

"Well, it looks like you're growing up," I say cheerfully. "That baby tusk is ready to come out and make room for your big, strong adult tusk."

Gromm's eyes widen in fear. "Are you gonna pull it out?"

“Only if you want me to.” I recognize that look. It’s the same for all children, Others or humans. “But I think I have a better idea.”

I walk over to the small refrigerator I keep stocked with ice packs and special treats. From the freezer section, I pull out a carrot, rock-hard and frosted over.

"What's that for?" Gromm asks, suspicious.

"This"—I hand him the carrot—"is a special tusk helper. If you chew on this frozen carrot, it'll help numb your gum and maybe even help that tusk fall out all by itself. Much less scary than me pulling it, don't you think?"

Relief floods his face as he takes the carrot. "And it'll make me strong?"

"Carrots are full of vitamins that help you grow," I assure him. "And they're especially good for orcs with wobbly tusks."

That's not entirely scientifically accurate, but the placebo effect will work its wonders before recess is over, I’m certain of it. Gromm hops down, already gnawing on the carrot, his earlier tears forgotten.

"Thanks, Nurse Maeve!" he says around the vegetable, heading for the door.

"Remember, if it falls out, put it under your pillow for the Tusk Fairy!" I call after him.

The door has barely closed behind Gromm when it swings open again, revealing Harriet balancing her lunch box and two large coffees in her hands.

“Figured you were busy again,” Harriet says as I hurry over and take both mugs from her hands. “Then I got tired of hearing Principal Braggstone talk about his fishing trip last weekend. That troll really needs to learn how to read a room.”