Detective Donnally and the Little People by Christine Stromberg - HTML preview

Chapter 12: Resolution

After what seemed like an eternity the pair approached a cross roads with, sure enough, a wooden signpost with four arms.  It announced quite unequivocally that the road heading left went to Badgers End, and the one to the right led to Castletown.  By walking around it they could see that the road they were on would eventually bring them to  Colcannon.  Joe sighed with relief and, together with Tallin, they started down the road to Castletown.

“I sure hope it isn’t much further,” he remarked. “This is making me nervous.”

“Ah bless you, no need to be nervous,” his companion replied. “Sure and isn’t the king a reasonable individual.” And he explained to Joe about the way of things regarding royalty among the elves. “So you see, he’s not some high and mighty, stuck up kind of a king, to make a body nervous. Relax, we’ll be fine”

Joe was not entirely convinced but attempted to stay calm. After all, what would be, would be. Not much he could do about it anyway.

Thankfully it wasn’t long at all before they could see, through some trees, spires and turrets, a definite indication that they were approaching the palace for which Castletown was presumably named.  Though that did sound strange even to one as uneducated as Joe. Was it a castle, or a palace?

“Now let me get this straight,” Joe said. “Are we seeing a human sized building that everyone can see, or a fairy kind of a thing invisible to human eyes, or what?”

Tallin removed his little hat and scratched his head.

“Well now,” he started, “that’s a tricky one to be sure. There is a human castle, of course, that the town is named for, but the palace we’re headed for is, as you say, only visible to us folk.”

“So the one we can see through the trees? Which is that?”

“Er, well, it’s kind of both. After a fashion. It’s complicated.”

“You can say that again, “ Joe muttered, shaking his head. “So that’s what we’re heading for?”

“Yes, yes, it is indeed.”

“Good. Just so long as we’ve got that clear.” 

Not that it was at all clear to Joe but he really didn’t need any more confusion in his life right now. Life had become so complicated lately that he feared for his sanity at times.

At Tallin’s suggestion they turned off the road to the town and made their way along a leafy well trodden dirt path through the trees until they came to a large pair of gates. The gates guarded a driveway which led to a small but impressive castle - or palace - its white walls gleaming in the bright sunshine.

Joe smiled. So he was going to the White House after all. At least, a white house.

Parts of it were covered with the green and reddening leaves of some clinging plant which looked very attractive in Joe’s opinion. He was no gardener but had an eye for such things.

“Here we go then,” he said and pushed open the gates and the pair went through and walked towards the stately building ahead. 

“How are you holding up, Joe?” asked Tallin. “Still nervous are you?”

“Yep, not really knowing what to expect. I’m not exactly used to fancy high class living, if you know what I mean.”

“Ah sure, you’ll be fine. Really. You will.”

His companion was trying hard to believe that but having difficulty with it. It was all very well Tallin sounding so encouraging and cheerful, but Joe had noticed that even the little elf was sweating and not entirely because of the heat, he was sure. He noticed things like that. The cop training again coming to his aid.

As they reached the imposing entrance of the palace, or castle, - What was the difference anyway? Joe wondered - the large studded wooden doors opened, as if on their own. However, this was not the case and, as the pair started through the now open doorway, a voice greeted them from within.

“Come in, come in. His Majesty is expecting you.”

The owner of the voice turned out to be an elf, naturally, in rather splendid colourful clothing, a uniform of sorts, who informed them that his name was Greaves and then led them down a long empty corridor. Their footsteps echoed as they walked along the polished wooden floor and Joe took note of the cool hush in the place which was very pleasant, after the heat outside. 

They reached the end of the hallway where the elf named Greaves stopped outside a pair of magnificently carved and gilded doors and asked them to wait for a moment while he went inside to announce their arrival.

When he came back out he gestured for them to enter the room beyond.

Tallin was a little nervous as he hadn’t been personally invited, as Joe had been, but Greaves assured him that it would be perfectly in order for him to be there too.

Joe was quite taken aback by the sight that met his eyes. If he’d been ushered into the White House back home he couldn’t have more in awe. 

The room was huge with tall windows down one side which let in enormous amounts of the brilliant sunlight the day was blessed with.  The remaining walls were elaborately decorated in sky blue and gold, and gold drapes surrounded the many windows.  The ceiling was painted with various scenes of faery folk performing various activities.

Donnally was a simple man, not educated in the arts, or indeed in very much,  but even he could see that this was very impressive work. He did wonder, briefly, how they managed to do the painting so high up but then remembered that many of them could fly.

Joe had no wish to appear rude or behave inappropriately but he couldn’t help noticing that some of the scenes depicted faery folk in poses that he wouldn’t want his mother to see.  He stopped occasionally and stood open mouthed until a nudge in the ribs from Tallin brought him back to the matter in hand.

Feeling awkward now, Joe cleared his throat and followed Tallin through the room, still looking around at the splendour of the place. He’d thought Erin’s home was pretty fancy but it was beaten hands down by this one.

The floor, he saw, was mostly wooden tiles which had been polished until they were almost like mirrors, and down the centre of the room was a sky blue carpet that felt amazingly thick and luxurious under Joe’s feet. He felt quite embarrassed walking on it in his outdoor shoes.

Tallin was thinking it was like walking on thick moss, and indeed it was.

At the far end of the room was a throne. A magnificent golden throne.  Ornate and gleaming in the sun’s rays, it gave the impression that it would have glowed on its own anyway. The pair continued on towards it, becoming ever more awed by what they saw.

As they approached the throne a tall, elegant, and most impressive elf arose from it; the king, obviously.  He wore a tall, rather spiky, crown that was also gold, studded with what appeared to be precious stones and pearls. His hair was shoulder length and curled slightly and his clothing was white and shiny with buttons and epaulettes of gold, rather like a uniform. 

The king smiled at the two obviously nervous individuals approaching him and spoke reassuringly to put them at their ease.

“Hello there. Detective Donnally I believe. And Tallin Merriman, yes?  I trust your journey was not too taxing. Please, take a seat over here and have some refreshments with me.”

Joe smiled then. He’d never asked Tallin if he had another name but Merriman suited him down to the ground.

It was then that Joe noticed the table and chairs that had been placed at one side of the room.  As they sat down the elf they had seen earlier, Greaves, placed plates and cups,  titbits and jugs of some liquid, before them. The king gestured to the food and drink and invited the pair to help themselves.

“Please,” he said, “You must be hot after the long walk. Ah, you’re wondering how I know you walked,” he continued. “I have my ways. “ He appeared amused by this but didn’t elaborate.

They tried to compose themselves as they nervously ate and drank and waited for the questions to start. The king ate with them but sparsely, just enough to try to alleviate any embarrassment they might feel at eating in front of him. 

The repast was taken in silence however, which Joe found uncomfortable so he just concentrated on the food which was, it had to be said, very appetising. And the liquid was amazing but impossible to describe. If he’d known the words ambrosia or nectar he might have used them, but of course he didn’t.

After a little while King Elrond spoke again: 

“Forgive me. You must be wondering why I asked you to come here. Let me put your minds at rest,” he said. “It has come to my attention that things have not been going well in my kingdom and I believe you are the person to give me the facts.”

“As far as I know them, yes sir, your Majesty, Highness, sir,” stammered the detective, clearly flustered.

“Go ahead, don’t be nervous now, I don’t bite,” the king assured him, smiling. “I just need an objective assessment of the situation and I think - hope - that an outsider’s view would be that.” 

“Yes, sir, well it’s like this...” Joe started to say and cast his mind back over his time here in Ireland. 

Having settled his thoughts he went on to explain to the king how he had come to be in this place: the leprechaun Og who had contacted him and brought him here;  his secondment by the local Elf Inspector who was later found to have been corrupted; how they had heard of the death of the gnome Moghdran and how he had agreed to help seek the truth about his death which seemed to be being covered up. 

He paused, uncertain as to whether to come clean about the rather sneaky way he and Tallin had gone about things, or prevaricate, hiding certain details. After a few moments in which Tallin was clearly squirming about in his seat and offering helpful additions to the account, the detective decided to tell the king everything. What could they do to him anyway?

So he went on to explain about the questing they’d done on the body of the gnome, and the crystal they’d used to get information about the crime, the gift of invisibility, their search of the Inspector’s office looking for clues, and later their attendance at the Lugnasadh games with all that entailed; what they had found out and how they did it.

He recounted their search for  who might be responsible and what they had discovered by searching various records, and then the capture of Hayseed who had fixed the race, the help they’d had from the leprechauns and their discovery of the people behind the whole thing: the Florendels or, at least, one of them.

He left nothing out, just told it as he remembered it. Tallin excitedly butted in occasionally with his own thoughts and feelings about things as he remembered them and mostly they tallied.

The king listened very carefully as Joe talked and was impressed. This human was clearly an honest man who hid nothing, nor tried to exaggerate his own part in things. He felt he could trust the man’s testimony but it would, of course, be verified.  He said as much to Joe, which was immensely reassuring to the detective who was by this time sweating with nervousness.

Joe’s ordeal was finally over and the king looked very thoughtful. And very unhappy.  He sighed and spoke quietly.

“If all this is true I am deeply disturbed. This is serious.  It is very bad for us faery folk when things like this happen, and it’s most unusual, most unusual.”

“Oh it’s as true as I’m standing here,” Joe assured him and Tallin agreed:

“Sure it is, it is, oh indeed yes, it is.”

“Do you happen to have the crystal with you?” the king enquired of Joe. “I would like to see its evidence for myself. It will have saved memories within it.” 

Thankfully Joe had thought to fetch it with him, as proof if proof were needed, so he took it from his pocket and gave it to the king saying, “Excuse me sir, but that there crystal belongs to Erin Halfelven, so ...”

“I understand,” replied the king. “I will make very sure it is returned to her in due course. Have no fear on that score.”

“So what happens now?” Joe asked.  “Sorry if that seems kinda rude, if I’m speaking out of turn but...”

The elven king smiled again. “Naturally you don’t understand our ways, and want to be sure how things will go, that justice will be done.  That’s just what I would expect from an honest professional like yourself.  Well, it’s like this: I will send out messengers to find this Inspector, and have Septimus Hayseed questioned by my own people. Don’t fret yourself, we don’t employ any form of torture to get confessions,” he added. “We have our own ways, easier and kinder ways, here.”

Joe was rather glad about that, but not really surprised. Magic could be used for good or ill, he supposed, and in this case it would be for good.

 “I will send people to find the Inspector, and be assured that he will be found. He too will be questioned and if found guilty, as seems likely, he will be removed from his position, and dealt with as seems appropriate.”

The detective took a deep breath and sighed in relief. “So I guess my job is done?” he suggested. “I mean, if there’s nothing more I can do...”

“Your work is done,” agreed the king. “the wrongdoers will be dealt with, you have my promise.  I can’t have the good name of my kingdom sullied in this way. It’s not how we do things. As a rule, that is. Sure, there are the goblins, but, well, goblins will be goblins.  Oh, and the gnome’s widow - Aldreagh? - will be taken care of you may be sure. She will be compensated, though some things you can’t, of course, compensate for. Have no fear, all will be done to bring peace back to elfdom.”

Joe was greatly relieved. If his job was done maybe he could finally find some way of getting home. Now wouldn’t that be something! He’d enjoyed his time here to be honest, more than he’d expected, but home is home.

He was standing now, wondering how to take his leave politely, when the king spoke again:

“Detective Donnally, it is my pleasure to thank you for all you have done for my people. Especially as you are not one of us. As an outsider you have behaved in an exemplary manner without any complaint. We are most grateful and if we could reward you in some way, you have only to ask.”

Tallin leapt to his feet and started jumping around. “A reward! A reward!” he was yelling. “Yes yes yes, a reward, of course.”

Joe was less sure. This was more than embarrassing. He blushed. “Just doin’ my job, sir,” he muttered. “But, if you could find a way...”

“Yes?”

“I think it’s past time I was getting home to my own people. I have a wife somewhere, a baby, a home...”

The king smiled. “I’m sure we can find a way. It’s the least we can do to reward your courage, perspicacity, and kindness.”

At this point Tallin made his own request.

“If you please, sir, your majesty, could I be asking for something too?”

The king looked at him. “Of course. What is it you require of me?”

“Could we get some help with knocking our Elf Centre into shape please. They do their best but...well...we can’t keep asking the likes of Joe to come and help when things go wrong.”

Smiling, the king could see the need for that. And so could Joe.

“Very well, we will see what can be done. Though I do hope this kind of thing won’t be seen again in our fine kingdom. And now, you are free to leave. I have much to do.”

With that, he clapped his hands and Greaves, the elf who had let them in, appeared and gestured for them to follow him out again.

Outside again Joe and Tallin breathed easily again for the first time since they’d arrived. 

“Yeehaa!” they both yelled, in relief. 

“Let’s get home,”said Joe, surprising himself. After all that had happened he was almost thinking of Erin’s house as home.  But of course, it wasn’t.

This left him thoughtful and not a little downhearted as they made their way back to the place and the people they’d left earlier in the day. And on this occasion Joe was glad of the magical alternative to walking.  He was exhausted.

*****

As they entered Erin’s kitchen Erin herself and the inevitable Bridget were waiting anxiously for news of what had happened with the king of the elves.

“Sit yourselves down and have a cup of tea,” Bridget told them. “We can wait two minutes to hear what you have to say.” And the forcefulness of her tone left no room for argument. 

Erin had explained the situation to her servant whilst Joe and Tallin were out, so it was no longer a secret. Bridget could be trusted not to gossip it around the neighbourhood.

She now tactfully agreed to wait, though she was dying to hear every detail, so they all sat down round the large table to take tea together but it wasn’t long before the questions and answers started, fast and furious and everyone talking at once. 

Erin knew she spoke for Bridget as well when she announced their relief that all was to be set in order and put to rights. She had grown fond of Joe during his stay with her and said so, causing the young detective to blush furiously.

Joe decided that this was the time to say his thank-you’s to Erin and Bridget for all their generosity and kindness.  They’d taken him into their home, fed and clothed him and been a tremendous help in all his endeavours, and he said so.

Naturally this was brushed aside with charm and grace on Erin’s part, and with blushes and mutterings from Bridget.  Joe also pressed his thanks on Tallin for the friendship he’d shown to this stranger. 

Tallin naturally giggled at this. “Ah sure,” he commented. “It was nothing, nothing at all. Indeed it’s been a pleasure knowing you Joe. A real pleasure. And don’t you go forgetting it. I’d say keep in touch but....” there he stopped, embarrassed.

Eventually there was nothing left to say and they all sat, tired but happy, and quietly thought their own thoughts.

Later, that evening, as he lay once more in the amazing bed in the wonderful bedroom he’d been using lately, Joe thought back over his time here - wherever here was - and gently drifted into a deep dreamless sleep.

*****

Hours later, as the morning light entered the room and gently roused Joe from his slumbers, he became aware of someone nudging him painfully in the ribs. “Strange,” he thought. “Who the ....”

“Joe!” he heard. “Joe, it’s time you were up. Move your body or you’ll be late for work.”

Joe slowly and cautiously opened one eye and peered around to see what this unruly awakening was about.

Much to his surprise he saw his wife, holding their baby, and looking none too pleased.

Opening both eyes now, he cast his gaze downwards.  Yep. He was in his own pyjamas, in his own bed,  in his own dingy apartment. Complete with clanking pipes and flashing neon lights outside.

He let out a big sigh as he took in this information. Well, he’d asked for it, and here it was.  Back home where he belonged.  He had no idea how it had happened, or when, but happened it had. It took a bit of getting used to but he struggled to regain his senses. 

“Hi honey,” he started to say before being interrupted.

“Never you mind Hi honey,” his wife griped. “Get your body out of that bed and into your clothes Joe Donnally if you don’t want to lose your job.”

Joe slid out of the bed and shuffled to the bathroom - so different from the one he’d gotten used to in Erin’s house - and took a shower. Glancing at the worn towels and the peeling paint he reflected that there was no mistake about it. He was home ok.

“Do I have a clean shirt?” he yelled.

“In your closet,” came the reply.

“Right.”

He dressed and grabbed a coffee from the kitchen and drank it as he tried to get used to the idea of going back to his normal job. 

He had a sudden thought. It seemed to Joe that he’d been away for some days at least. 

“How long have I been ...” he started to ask then stopped.  This was beyond awkward. How on earth do you explain an experience like he’d had to your wife when she had no imagination at all?

“Asleep? Too long. Now get going.”

He wasn’t going to make waves or get himself into deeper water so he just kissed his wife’s cheek, patted the baby’s head, and left the apartment.

Yep, it was back where it had always been. Very strange. He went down the stairs and out of the street door and looked around. Same old same old, just as when he’d left.

Same street, same street lights, same stores, same vehicles parked by the sidewalks. Just as they’d always been.

Now, as has been noted before, Joe Donnally was not the sharpest knife in the drawer.  There was no way he could work this out. It was all too much for him.  Magic, fairies, elves - no way José.

By the time he had reached the precinct house where he worked and was sitting at his desk once again, he had more or less convinced himself that it had all been a dream. An amazing and very realistic dream undoubtedly.  I mean, he thought, it had to be. It couldn’t be real. Could it. His colleagues didn’t appear to have missed him any more than his wife had so there were no easy answers but clearly he had dreamed the whole thing.  Who’da thought he had the kind of brain to invent all that?

But what a dream it had been. Jeez, what a dream. Crazy. 

It was very hard for Joe to concentrate on anything for the rest of that day, or indeed for many days to come.  Memories of Erin, Tallin, and all that had happened to him would not fade away.  In time Joe decided that, dream or no dream, he couldn’t spend the rest of his life running away from his real life here, even in imagination. He resolved to just forget it, move on, and get on with the life he had.

 However, he would never, ever, look at that computer in quite the same way again.

~~~