The Faeries In Central Park ~ 8

Final Installment

The following day, Anna noticed a framed map of Central Park on the wall of the Kirwan’s library for the first time. She distinctly remembered an oil painting of peonies in its place there before. Shaking off the ‘knowing feeling’, as her Aunt Grace used to say, she began to study the details of the map from the top to the bottom. It seemed overwhelmingly vast and as she was making notes of the various spots in the park where a faery might like to live, she saw a familiar shimmer out of the corner of her eye. Anna had left Daphne beneath the rosebush in the garden, but thought maybe she’d found her way inside. She turned to scold Daphne about venturing out where she might be seen, then stopped mid-sentence.

“You’re not Daphne.” was all Anna could think to say, stating the obvious.

“Hello, and nice to meet you as well.” Said the tiny, winged beauty who was the color and consistency, it seemed, of cotton candy. “I am Ailbe. I understand you are looking for the faery realm in Central Park.”

“I’m so very sorry, how rude of me. You startled me but that’s no excuse. Please accept my apology.” Anna was truly repentant of her behavior but she also knew she didn’t want this faery, or any faery for that matter, to be cross with her.

“I need to get Daphne to Central Park. She traveled with us from Ireland and I promised her I would get her there safely but New York is so big and so is the park. I must get her to the right place. Can you help me? Will you? Please?” The magnitude of the past several weeks were starting to weigh hard on Anna and stating the importance of her task almost reduced her to tears. “I’m afraid she might die if I don’t get her there soon.”

Ailbe studied her perfect nails for a moment. Anna recognized this tactic to mean the faery needed a little time to consider what to do. She’d seen Daphne do exactly the same, several times.

“Yes, you do.” Ailbe started, “I’ve seen her in the garden and she’s not well. She’s not even as well as she wants you to believe. Or maybe, she wants to believe. You should get her to the castle immediately. Today.”

‘The castle.” Anna looked up at the map and located Belvedere Castle, almost directly in the center of the park. It was several blocks from the Kirwan house but still early enough to get Daphne settled and get back before Ma finished for the day. “That seems right. That’s where she should be.”

“All the faeries in the park enter through the castle. It’s also the central meeting place and where we gather for important events. From there, we go everywhere else. Faeries are all over and if you know how to look, we might let you see us. Like I'm letting you see me now. But mostly you think we’re just dragonflies or butterflies or fireflies.” Ailbe smiled. “You’re going to need my help. Get Daphne to the top of the tower. I’ll meet you there and take her the rest of the way. You won’t be able to go with her any further.”

Anna, feeling both shaken and relieved from her encounter with Ailbe, hurried to the garden to collect Nell and Daphne. On her way through the kitchen she stopped to let Ma know she was going out.

“Ma, may I take Nell for a walk in the park? It’s such a lovely day and she’s been a really good girl lately. I’d like to give her a treat.” Anna figured leaving out the other details wasn’t really lying if the rest were true.

“I suppose that’s fine.” said Ma, wiping the flour from her hands. “Actually, that’s a really good idea. I checked on Daphne a few minutes ago and she’s not doing very well. You should probably get her to the castle soon. She needs to be in the fresh air and sunshine, and with her own kind.”

“You know about Daphne?” Anna was just about reeling now, it had been quite a morning. “How, when?”

“Elida told us where you were hiding her so Aunt Helen and I have been keeping an eye on her.” Ma replied, matter-of-factly.

“Who is Elida?” Anna was pretty sure she wouldn’t be surprised by the answer.

“Elida is Aunt Helen’s house faery. She’s lived with Aunt Helen ever since they arrived in America. She’s quite devoted and couldn't bear to leave her on her own so they've grown old and pale and frail together.” Ma went back to kneading her bread dough. “You’d better hurry along if you’re going to get back by the time I’m finished here. Don’t be late.”

Anna didn’t know quite what to think about any of this, but she really didn’t have time. Ailbe would be waiting for them.  She bundled Daphne carefully, secured her into her pocket and went to gather Nell, who was chasing a fat bumble bee as it dipped in and out of the flowers.

“Let’s go to the park, Nell.” said Anna, as if it was something they do every day. “Ma said I could take you as long as we’re back before she’s ready to leave.” Anna wasn’t sure what she’d tell Nell about Ailbe and Daphne and the faery realm when they got to the castle but she’d worry about that when they got there.

Nell was happy and excited for a park adventure and skipped ahead on the wooded path. She squealed with delight when she saw the grey stone structure and belltower ahead of them. “Anna, Anna, look!!! It’s a castle! A real castle! Just like at home! Well, it’s smaller than the ones at home but it’s a castle in the middle of Central Park!  Is it a magic castle? Is it haunted? Does anyone live there? Is there a King? Are we going inside?” Nell danced in circles and clapped her hands, excitedly.

Anna couldn’t believe her eyes. It was smaller than the castles she’d seen in Ireland but it was most definitely a castle. Daphne peeked out from Anna’s pocket and said “It’s real. I wasn’t sure, and I was afraid of what would happen to me if it wasn’t, but it’s real and we’re here and I believe I’m going to be alright now. Can you please take me inside?” She disappeared back inside the pocket again.

They climbed the stairs and crossed the pavilion. Anna would have liked to take a moment to look around and the beautiful views but they were too close to stop now. She hoped Ailbe would be good to her word and was waiting for them inside.

As they opened the door to the big, empty room Nell started to speak but Anna shushed her. They appeared to be alone but Anna could feel that they weren’t. She wasn’t sure what she should do but trusted her ‘gift’ to guide her. Inside was made of the same grey stone as the exterior. The castle itself wasn’t old, but the spirit of the space was ancient. To the left of the room was a set of narrow stairs, curving up out of sight. Anna tightened her grip on Nell’s hand and led her, one step at a time, to the top. It seemed very dark, even though there were plenty of windows and bright sunlight shown in from outside.

They climbed the first stairway, and then another just like it until they reached the tower. From there they could see all of the park. Below them was a large lake with turtles and fish and dragonflies and an island in the middle. Beyond there were sheep in the meadow and wildlife of all sorts in the woods. If it weren’t for the city skyline surrounding them, this could have been anywhere in Wexford.

At the top of the second stairway was a ladder leading up to the turret. Sitting atop the ladder was Ailbe. “It’s about time. I’ve been waiting here forever. Well, forever in faery time, whatever that means to you.” She fluttered down to eye level with Anna. “Where is Daphne?” Hearing her name, Daphne emerged from her cocoon in Anna’s pocket and flitted up to meet Ailbe.

Without speaking in a way Anna and Nell could hear, the two faeries introduced themselves and Ailbe filled Daphne in about life in Central Park.

Daphne returned to her healthy, beautiful radiance almost instantly. She turned to Anna and Nell. “I can’t thank you enough. This has been my dream ever since I learned of Central Park. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for so long and you made it happen for me.”

Nell, who had been uncharacteristically quiet while taking it all in, began to cry. “Are you leaving us forever?”

“Not at all. I’ll always be right here and you can come and visit me.” Daphne assured Nell. “All you have to do is go to the Whispering Bench in Shakespeare Garden and say my name. I’ll find you.” Daphne blew tiny kisses that left sparkles on Anna and Nell's cheeks, then followed Ailbe up to the top of the turret, through the secret door, and was gone.

Epilogue:

Daphne recovered fully from her journey across the Atlantic to Central Park where she lives to this day (as far as anyone knows) with all the other faeries who have emigrated from all over the world, as well as the ones who have always lived there. Watch the dragonflies closely when you visit the Turtle Pond. If they like you, they'll show you who they really are.

Anna and Nell, and later their daughters Kitty and Annie, visited Daphne and the other faeries regularly their whole lives. Elida, Aunt Helen’s house faery gave Nell a piece of prismed glass to hang in her kitchen window. The glass now hangs in the kitchen window of Nell’s great-niece and namesake, Ellen, who lives in Arizona. When the sun catches it just right, the faeries paint a rainbow on the wall in vivid, iridescent colors. Just like Daphne and Ailbe.

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This is the final installment of the first part of the tale, but we'll revisit Daphne in the future. There's more to tell, I promise. Next week, however, I'll begin a new story. I hope you'll continue to follow along.

Thank you so much for reading. Please share your thoughts and comments via email: themysticsparlour@gmail.com