Chapter 14
Castle Grün
It was roughly after midnight at the castle, but both the human and mice inhabitants were having a celebration of a lifetime. While the humans were more into the Oktoberfest festivities, the mice were also celebrating it with the defeat and death of their hated enemy.
After returning to the castle, the household staff, especially Hedgy gave dozens of kisses to their mistress and the Koffman children. The children, two girls and two boys were cleaned up and, despite being young, were allowed to join the party.
As for Rosenberg's crew, they were taken and locked up in the dungeons where they would face justice, not just in Germany, but also in England. Schmidt, being Rosenberg's associate would face the worst punishment on behalf of his deceased partner.
Karl also had one of his soldiers send an urgent telegram to Thames Prison, urging Commissioner Winston to find the mole who informed Rosenberg of Basil's pending arrival. In less then a hour, they received a response saying that the commissioner found the mole and that he would also face punishment.
Meanwhile, some mice brought in barrels of beer, while the kitchen prepared some fine German food. The men, including the army mice changed into the traditional Lederhosen or German trousers and some of the women mice were dressed in the traditional German Dirndl and the great hall became alive with dancing and laughter.
Basil didn't wear the traditional German garment, he didn't like it, so he wore his regular trousers, white shirt and brown vest. He looks into the velvet box, his mother's ring was still in it and he slips it into his vest pocket. He thought long and hard about how he was going to propose to Olivia.
He exits his bedroom to see Dawson wearing green colored Lederhosen, but he didn't seem comfortable with it. "Strange clothes Germany has," the doctor said and Basil chuckles.
He knocks at the door of Olivia's room, but Lottie answers. "Lottie, what are you doing? Where's Olivia?" the detective asks.
"Sorry gentlemen, but the young Fräulein isn't ready yet," Lottie replies and orders them to head down to the great hall. The noise was a little overbearing, but they settled with good German beer and chatted among the army mice.
"Basil! Look!" Dawson exclaims, pointing to the entrance of the great hall. Basil's heart stops when he sees Olivia, dressed in a Dirndl. It was the color of soft green and blue, and she had flowers in her hair.
Olivia walks up to Basil, his face turning a bright red, but he settles her in. "Would...you...li..." he was struggling to speak, she looked really beautiful in that dress.
"Here," Karl said, giving her a mug of cold beer. "But be careful, it's the best German beer in the world," he adds. Olivia takes a sip, but she forms a face of disgust.
"It tastes...like..." she didn't want to offend the German mice.
"It has an acquired taste," Basil said for her, "But you will get use to it." Olivia turns her head towards the center of the great hall, where the mice were engaged in the traditional dances of Bavarian Germany, especially the Zweifacher and polka.
Olivia decides to join in and the crowd cheers her on. Basil and Dawson watch, but Olivia urges them to join in. Basil shakes his head no, but Dawson and Karl shout, "We're not taking no for an answer!" They push him into the circle and he gives them an angry look, but joins in nonetheless.
Basil tries to locate Olivia, she was with another male mouse, but she gives him a quick smile as the dancing continued. Olivia feels a new sensation overtake her, it was an exhilarating feeling, there was no trace of fear or horror. She felt free.
The dancing went on and on, but Olivia was enjoying minute of it. As she finishes her dance with a spin, she finds herself in the arms of Basil and the crowd cheers.
Olivia lets out exhausted breaths, she didn't realize she was that excited. She looks at Basil, he too was exhausted, but smiles at her. He then looks at the windows, noticing that the sky was turning a soft pink.
"Oh my word! What time is it?!" he asks, frantically.
"Elliott, what's the matter?" Olivia asks, but he takes her by the arm and leads her out of the circle. The timing was drawing near and they needed to head up to the towers.
They find Dawson with a group of German mice, having a great time drinking the beer. "Dawson!" Basil exclaims and the doctor looks at him. The detective leans into his partner's ear and says, "Make sure no one disturbs us."
Dawson then salutes him, indicating that he was serious and Basil leads Olivia away from the celebration. Karl and his wife notice the two leaving, and curiosity got the best of them.
Basil and Olivia run into a lift and they went all the way up to the highest part of the castle. "Elliott, can you please tell me what you are doing?" Olivia asks.
"You said you wanted to watch the sun rise, well, I said I would treat you to it," he replies and they open the door to reveal the top of the castle. Basil leads Olivia to a good spot, the sky was now yellowing and the clouds were turning colors.
After a few minutes, the sun peeks over at the horizon and continues to rise. The two mice breathe in the morning air, but Basil hears Olivia give a sad sigh. "Olivia, what's wrong?" he asks.
"I guess this will be the last time I will see the sun rise in a different part of Europe," she answers. Basil feels his insides shake, this was the moment he was prepared for, but he couldn't help but feel nervousness.
"Olivia, I swear, this will not be the last time," he said, taking both her hands into his.
"But my family would want-" "Olivia, I don't want you to leave, again," Basil interrupts and adds, "I don't want you to walk out my door like last time, in fact, I want you to stay beside me for as long as we live."
Olivia stares at him in shock and lets out a gasp as Basil bends down on one knee, he then shows the velvet box and opens it to reveal the emerald ring. "Olivia Flaversham, I made a mistake ten years ago, and I'm not making that same mistake, again. Will you do me the honors of being my partner, not just in crime fighting, but also in marriage?" he asks, his eyes filling with tears.
Olivia stares at him and then, all the memories from ten years ago were replaying in her mind. The time when they first met, the adventure they had, and Basil saving her from Ratigan.
She gives a smile and nods, "Yes Elliott Basil, I will marry you!" she cries and they embrace. Basil slips the ring onto her finger and they both kiss. They then look at the scenery, the city of Berlin just beyond their reach.
"WAIT! I SAID NO!" a voice cries out and the two turn to the source. Dawson was struggling to keep a crowd of mice from entering through the door, but they all push themselves through.
"DR. DAVID Q. DAWSON!" Basil shouts, breaking the moment between him and Olivia.
"It's not my fault! I swear!" Dawson exclaims, but the detective was so angry at him for ruining this moment. The crowd of mice then cheer for Basil and Olivia, which confused them for a bit.
"I never thought you had it in you!" Karl shouts and gives Basil a chocking hug. Olivia also receives a hug from Karl and Lottie, but Lottie signals at someone in the crowd. Hedgy and a few mice brought some wine glasses and shows the bottle of French wine that Olivia and Basil had the night before.
"You have very good taste Herr Basil," Lottie said and adds, "Karl and I have a love for French wine." They pour equal amounts for Basil, Olivia, Dawson, Karl, and Lottie. Then, the crowd raises their glasses, including beer mugs in the air.
"To Mr. Basil of Baker Street! The Greatest Mouse Detective of our time!" Karl cheers and adds, "And to the soon to be Mrs. Basil of Baker Street! The bravest lady mouse we ever met! You two deserve one another!"
The entire crowd cheers and congratulate the detective and his new partner. The two look at one another with smiles, their time together was just beginning.
A few hours later, the celebration had quieted down, the great hall empty and the army mice were asleep in their beds. Karl, however, was still awake, including his family as it was time for Basil, Olivia and Dawson to head back home to London. They still need to go to Scotland for Hiriam's funeral. They were out by the woods and Ralphina also came. The three wore their regular clothes, but Lottie gave Olivia the Dirndl she wore earlier as a present.
"Wish you could stay longer," one of Karl's daughters, Heidi said to Olivia in a thick German accent.
"I will be thinking of you," Olivia said to the children and they begin to cry. She embraces them and sheds a few tears.
Karl outstretches his hand towards Dawson and they shake hands. "Take care Doktor Dawson, keep these two out of trouble," Karl commands, but Dawson chuckles.
"That might be harder than you think," he replies.
Lottie gives Olivia a farewell kiss on the cheek, "Fräulein...I mean soon to be Frau Basil, if this lunatic right here gives you any trouble, you let me know and I'll knock some sense into him," she said, but they laugh. Basil was prepared for another chocking from Karl, but the tall mouse gives a gentle one instead. Lottie kisses both his cheeks in farewell.
Then, Albert the albatross lands on the ground and looks at the trio. "Well Mr. Koffman," he said, "You have the best doctors. Thanks to them, my feathers are good as new."
"Glad to hear," Karl replies and the Koffman family gives one final farewell to Basil and his team. Olivia and Basil also bid farewell to Ralphina.
"Ralphina, I can't thank you enough for your help," the detective said as he bows to the wolf.
"We're going to miss you," Olivia said to the wolf, hugging the side of her head and she moans in response. The three then settle in the sardine can, with Dawson taking the back as usually, and Albert checks his feathers before take off.
He then runs down the path and a gust of wind takes him into the air. He circles around, letting his passengers take in a good view of the castle and the Koffman family, waving goodbye to them.
"So how was your stay at Castle Grün? I heard rumors that you caught Rosenberg," Albert said and Basil and Olivia fill in the details.
"Excuse me for being nosy, but did I see an engagement ring on your finger Miss Flaversham?" the albatross asks. Olivia leans up against Basil and Albert looks back at them and smiles.
"You sleazy mouse! Never thought you had it in you!" Albert laughs and he flies westward.
"Albert, this might be a bit much, but could you take us to London?" Basil asks, "We know you must be tired, but we have an urgent engagement in Scotland."
"You could just drop us off at Baker Street and we'll-" "Oh no, you're not taking a train!" Albert cuts in, interrupting Olivia.
"Albert, you mean you will...?" Olivia asks.
"It's the least I can do for you Lady Flaversham, I mean soon to be Lady Basil. I'll take you to London first to retrieve any change of luggage and I'll take you up to Scotland, just tell me what town or village," Albert answers.
"Oh Albert! You're the best! Thank you so much!" Olivia exclaims, but hears Dawson moaning.
"I'm going to need more pills," he mutters. Olivia looks back at Basil and they chuckle. Olivia then snuggles up against Basil and she falls asleep in his arms. The detective looks at the horizon, the sun was shining bright, a wonderful day to return home and start his new life with Olivia, but there was still one obstacle to finish.
From the author: At long last! Basil and Olivia are engaged! There's actually a few things that need to be settled before they start their life together. See you soon!
