A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time, but I've been very busy. School is harder this year and I'm taking an AP class. So when I'm not working (I have a job) or doing homework, I'm taking the time to relax. If I didn't I'd go crazy.But the semester is over now, so I've had some free time. Don't be surprised if I don't update again in a while. I'll do the best I can. I made this chapter a little longer to make up for it.

Chapter 3: Finding Jobs

"And that completes the end of the tour. And questions?" Bernard asked patiently. He was standing in the North Pole city, right outside Santa's workshop. He had just given a tour to Brooke and Sophia. He found it very tiring, but he forced himself to be in a cheerfully mood. Brooke's hand immediately shot up. Bernard forced himself not to roll his eyes. "You don't have to raise your hand. This isn't school."

"Is there a school?" Sophia inquired.

"Hey! I asked first!" Brooke exclaimed.

Bernard sighed. These two had been arguing the whole tour. You'd think there was a significant age difference. What annoyed Bernard the most was that Sophia still couldn't accept what was happening to her. Her "logical explanations" were ridiculous. At least to him. Brooke wasn't as bad. But she kept asking questions. She was quite curious for her age.

The elf looked from Sophia to Brooke, deciding which question to ask first. He decided on Sophia since he didn't know what Brooke's question was. He had also figured out that Brooke was the more forgiving of the too. "There is a schooling system," he began, looking at Sophia. He ignored Brooke, who crossed her arms angrily. "It's equivalent to your idea of home schooling. Classes start at three. I'll take you there when the time comes."

"Can you answer my question now?" Brooke asked impatiently.

Bernard let out a sigh. "Yes, Brooke. What is it?"

"Is there a church here?" Brooke asked simply.

Bernard was a bit taken back by her question. A church? That's the last thing he expected her to ask. He didn't know these girls were religious. Seeing his confusion, Brooke pulled out a wooden cross from under her shirt that was around her neck.

"We don't need a church," Sophia said, rolling her eyes.

Brooke frowned. "Hey, just because you think religion is bogus doesn't mean I do."

Bernard found himself corrected. Only one of them was Christian. And this gave them another thing to argue about. "Yes, there's a church," Bernard finally said. "I'll show it to you later.

"Why not now?" Brooke asked in confusion.

"Because I don't want to," Sophia said with another roll of her eyes.

"That and we need to find jobs for you two," Bernard explained.

"Jobs for what?" Brooke asked.

"We're a little short on elves this year, so as long as you two are here, you might as well help us out," Bernard said. "Now follow me."

Bernard led the twins back inside the workshop. They were soon met by Curtis. "Are they ready to be assigned?" he asked Bernard, who nodded in return. Curtis looked at Brooke and Sophia. "Ok, what are you two good at?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "This is so stupid."

"Well, I'm very creative," Brooke began. "Anything artistic would do for me. And Sophia is smart."

"How about inventing things?" Curtis suggested.

"That could work," Brooke said with a nod. "What about me?"

"You can think of ideas for new toys," Bernard replied. Brooke smiled at this. He couldn't help but smile back. This one wasn't so bad.

"Ok, Sophia, you come with me. Brooke, you can go with Bernard," Curtis decided.

"Hey, I give the orders around here!" Bernard said in annoyance.

Curtis rolled his eyes. "Fine. What do you suggest we do."

Bernard turned to Sophia and Brooke. "Sophia, go with Curtis and Brooke, come with me," he said. This caused Curtis to roll his eyes. Bernard shot him a look.

"This is where you'll be working," Bernard said. He and Brooke were in a small room. There were a few elves working around a rectangular table.

"This looks great!" Brooke said happily.

Bernard smiled slightly. "Good. I'm gonna leave you now to go check up on Curtis and your sister."

Before he had a chance to leave, Brooke turned to him and hugged him. Bernard flinched in surprise. He didn't know how to respond. He hadn't been hugged in literally hundreds of years. Who did this girl think she was? She was making him feel… warm? Happy? It was all very confusing.

"Thanks," Brooke whispered, sill hugging him.

Bernard awkwardly hugged her back. "Er, you're welcome," he said.

Brooke pulled away and smiled. "Bye!" she said before sitting down at the table. Bernard walked out of the room and sighed. What was he ever going to do with her?

Bernard walked into a large area of the workshop. He found Curtis and Sophia quarrelling. It reminded him a lot like when she would fight with Brooke. Maybe it was just Sophia. But then again, Curtis would argue with him too. Anyway, it was irritating just the same.

"I told you! That's impossible!" Sophia was saying.

"How many times do I have to tell you? This place is magic!" Curtis exclaimed.

"There's no such thing as magic!" Sophia retorted.

Curtis let out a loud groan. "Just do your job!"

"I'll do my job once it's logical," Sophia said matter-of-factly.

"IS there a problem?" Bernard interrupted.

For once, Curtis looked relieved to see him. "Bernard! Sophia won't do her job," he said, pointing to her.

Sophia rolled her eyes. "My job doesn't make any sense."

"I know, I heard," Bernard said sharply. "If this is too much for you, you're just going to have work making toys. Curtis, show her what to do. Once you do, find me. I'm calling a meeting with Santa."

"We still don't have enough workers, even with Sophia and Brooke?" Scott inquired. He was in his office with Bernard and Curtis.

Bernard sighed, nodding. "I'm afraid so. The only thing we can do is go to an elf village and recruit more workers."

"You're probably right," Curtis said in defeat. "Which village is next on the list?"

Scott opened his drawer and pulled out a long list. She scanned the list until he found what he wanted. "Here it is," he said. "Cardin."

Bernard's eyes widened. That name brought back painful memories. He gritted his teeth and held his head with his hands, trying to push the thoughts away.

FLASHBACK

A young elf stood at the edge of a village. Destruction was apparent. All the trees were burned or fallen down. Houses had caved in. Elves were looking around in dismay. Babies were crying.

The young elf gasped in horror. He back away until he bumped into someone. He swerved around to see a taller, older elf towering over him. He grinned, showing his teeth. The young elf gasped again.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Are you ok?" Scott asked his head elf, worry in his voice.

Bernard shook his head, his mind finally clearing. "We cannot go to Cardin!" he insisted.

"Why not?" Scott asked in confusion.

"He had a bad experience there," Curtis explained. Bernard shot him a glare.

Scott sighed. "But we can't just skip them. It wouldn't be right. You'd have to go there sooner or later, Bernard. And since we need more workers, sooner is better."

"Fine!" Bernard said with a sigh, finally giving in. "I'll go."

"Ok, both of you will leave tomorrow," Scott stated.