One evening, Ben received a call.
"Good evening, Jedi Compound, Ben Kenobi speaking."
"Hello sir, this is Cat o'Ninetails."
"Hello there, long tine no talk," Ben joked.
Catherine burst out laughing, but quickly sobered again. "I'm really sorry to tell you this, but in addition to the few droids at my little storage room, I've just received word that I'm needed to help repair and assemble more droids that just came into the main facility, and it's upwards of thirty or so, maybe more. Rey and I will be swamped trying to get those done in time for Christmas, plus there are those I've been working on as gifts from my collection."
"Oh, dear."
"Oh dear indeed. And I was really looking forward to working with Felicity too."
"I'm sure she'll understand. Well, it isn't long before Christmas so she might manage with some of us helping her with homework. I might have to talk with the teachers at school and figure out what we can for now."
Catherine sighed in relief. "Thank you. I'm sure glad you're not upset, it isn't like me to work one day and then suddenly have to quit. But this flood of droids and other electronics would take a whole town of Santa's elves to tackle in time."
"That's it!" Ben suddenly exclaimed.
"What's it?" Catherine asked, puzzled.
"Why didn't I think of that!?" Ben exclaimed. "Christmas elves! Why don't you write Santa and see if he has any to spare who can help you out, and I'll do the same! There is no way Felicity could object to being helped out at school by a Christmas elf!"
"Oh!" Catherine laughed. "It's worth a try! Okay, I'll write him and let's exchange notes in the morning."
"Certainly."
Up at Santa's back on Earth, an unexpected assembly was called just before work was through for that day. When all had gathered, Santa motioned for everyone to be quiet, then started as soon as the crowd had hushed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement. There are some new job opportunities on the planet of Tatooine, and - "
Some elves couldn't hold back their excitement.
"Hold on, I haven't explained what they are yet."
The crowd simmered down once again.
"There is a warehouse full of droids which some of you Star Wars fanatics will be sent to assemble, repair, test, inspect, whatever you may need to do to insure they are ready for their Christmas destinations."
A contingent of elves stood up and cheered.
Santa laughed. "Wonderful. All of you go get yourselves ready to leave for Tatooine in the morning. There is another job opportunity for one of you, to help, and stay with a little girl at the Jedi compound until her friend returns. You will be helping her with some daily activities since she has some injuries that impede some of these, and also, she needs someone to read out school assignments and tests which have not been transcribed into braille, audio, or accessible on the computer."
More elves noisily and enthusiastically volunteered, throwing their hands up in excitement."
"Now, wait a moment," Santa chuckled. "I'm glad to see such spirit, of course, that's all part of being an elf," he gave his audience a pleased grin. "But this job also requires some things only some of you can do. So, all you men may return home and call it a day. Ladies, will you please write your name on a slip of paper and drop it into this box over here?"
Half the crowd wandered out, the other half did as Santa instructed.
When they were through, they took their seats again.
"Now, for the moment of truth. Which name will be picked." said Santa. He reached into the box and pulled out a slip, and read, "Elissa Baker!"
"Oh, you lucky duck!" exclaimed one of the others, and soon a cheer erupted.
Elissa squealed in excitement.
Back at the compound, Luke was the one to answer the call. "Good evening, Jedi compound, Luke Skywalker speaking,"
"Ho ho ho! Luke Skywalker, how would you feel about having a Christmas elf stay in your compound for a while?"
"Delighted!" Luke exclaimed.
"Her name is Elissa Baker, and she will be helping Felicity out until she is needed back here, and Hanima returns to you."
"That's great! When will she be here?"
"Early tomorrow morning."
"Wow, a Christmas elf!" Luke exulted. "Not even Felicity can say no to this!"
Felicity had difficulty getting to sleep that night after Beru tucked her in and told her that she was getting a Christmas elf to help out in the morning. But sleep eventually came, and then morning.
The doorbell rang, and Ben answered.
Standing there was what looked like a classic Christmas elf, and she was no taller than Yoda. Her alert, large green eyes and thin, pale face with delicate features were framed by wavy light brown hair that hung just past her shoulders. She held fast to a small gray suitcase with her right hand.
"Hello there," Ben said to her, "you must be Elissa, do come in."
"Thank you sir," the elf replied, beaming.
"Just call me Ben."
"All right, Ben,"
"Why don't you sit down to breakfast, we're just starting."
"Thank you, I will," Elissa said.
"I better go wake Felicity," said Beru, "It's nice to meet you, Elissa."
"Nice to meet you too." the elf replied.
"That is Beru, Felicity's adoptive mom. She and Owen are still awaiting the finishing touches on their new home." said Ben.
"Oh, I see." said Elissa with interest. "How's that? I mean," she lowered her voice, "I thought they - they - well - "
"They were revived."
"Golly!" Elissa said in wonder.
"Yes, you'll meet Owen and Luke when they come back tonight. They are all working on the homestead."
Elissa nodded, beaming from ear to ear, then started on the breakfast that suddenly appeared before her. "Wait! How did that happen?"
Ben and Yoda grinned at each other. "The force," Ben explained.
"Awesome!" Elissa said, and made short work of her meal.
"Felicity, it's time to get up," Beru was saying.
It wasn't easy dragging herself out of bed that morning, but the excitement of meeting her new helper, a real live Christmas elf, from Santa's, gave her the motivation she needed. Beru helped her get ready, then went with her to the dining area where she would be introduced to Elissa.
Elissa chatted merrily with everyone, and as she didn't have a vehicle of her own, Ben drove them to school and picked them up afterword.
Everyone at the school was overjoyed and honored to have an actual Christmas elf among their company, and Elissa lapped it all up. She soon made herself at home, and proved to be a great help to Felicity.
When back at home, Elissa unpacked while Felicity lay down for a while. They swapped stories about their lives, with Felicity becoming more at ease learning about how things operated at Santa's, but Elissa became dismayed at learning about what a terrible ordeal Felicity's life had been for years.
Once she was done unpacking, Elissa went to explore the compound while Felicity rested. As she did, a change came over her. She began to think of what an honor it was to be chosen to help this little girl on another planet, and then as she surveyed the compound, she noticed how parts of it were in disrepair.
At the training area, she tried her hand at a light saber and a blaster, and had quite the success hitting the targets. But she noticed how various light sabers could use some improvement as well.
She returned to the dining area when noticing everyone seeming to head in that direction, and her own stomach reminded her it was time to eat.
Elissa was introduced to Luke, Owen, and Mr. Wick, who was asked to stay for dinner that night.
Everyone was impressed with her outgoing personality.
When Elissa and Felicity went to their room to do homework, Beru said to Shmi, "That's what we need around here, an elf."
"Yes," Shmi agreed. "I hope she works out all right."
"It's almost like having Ocean back, isn't it?"
Shmi shook her head. "She seems a delightful little thing. But she doesn't have the attachment or passion that Ocean does. I can't put my finger on it, Beru, but there's something about her I don't quite trust."
Elissa proofread and had Felicity correct what mistakes there were in the homework for that night, then they went and had a late night snack, and it was off to bed.
Elissa stayed with Felicity until the girl dropped off. Then, the coast was clear for the elf to go make some fixes, touches, and repairs on various things she had seen around the compound. It was late into the night, or very early into the morning when she finally returned to Felicity's room and settled down in what had been Ocean's bed to sleep.
Felicity was first to wake, and though she heard activity from elsewhere in the compound, she listened to Elissa's deep breathing in the other bed, and decided it would be a good idea not to wake her.
In a while, Beru knocked, then came in, and flicked on the light. "Felicity, are you coming to breakfast - " Then she saw Elissa, fast asleep, still snuggled tightly into the blanket.
Beru chuckled, then went over to give the elf a nudge or shake or whatever it would take. "Elissa," she said into her ear.
The elf didn't stir.
"Hey," Beru shook her gently.
The elf started awake with a groan, and she sleepily turned on her back with a sigh.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Beru smiled down at her.
Elissa yawned and rubbed her eyes, then suddenly seemed to perk up a little. "Something sure smells good."
Beru chuckled. "Fresh baked cinnamon rolls," she replied.
"Oh!" That's worth getting up for!" The elf quickly but clumsily maneuvered herself out of bed.
Beru laughed. "I'll help Felicity get ready, you just take your time and wake up a little more."
A little while later, they were all enjoying delicious cinnamon rolls smothered in icing. Of course, there were other things on offer, so Elissa also had some bacon and eggs, and a small orange. After that feast, she was ready to take on the day.
School went very well for Felicity that day, Elissa was eager to help her out, and she lapped up the attention everyone gave her. Much was made over having an actual elf from Santa's community right here in their school.
Elissa was mobbed during lunch by curious staff and students, who all wanted to know what it was like working for Santa, living at the North Pole on Earth, and if there were any jawas or ewoks working at toy-making as well as elves.
It was this question that made Elissa laugh. "Jawas aren't known for cleanliness, and ewoks have a history of making a meal out of anything else that moves. So that wouldn't work out too well. No, us elves are best suited for that job."
Felicity winced. Something about Elissa's statement, the way she said it, made her suddenly feel a little uneasy. She tried to imagine Ocean saying those words and could not. What would Ocean have said in Elissa's place? 'Elves have done that job well enough so far.' without a hint of uppityness.
"Oh, I see," said one of the teachers, grinning back, and other students showed their interest, which bordered on adoration.
Felicity put the incident out of her mind once class resumed, and everything went smoothly for the rest of the school day.
But it was clear Elissa would monopolize everyone's attention, and she seemed quite happy to do so.