From W. Y. Traveller: Beginnings
"Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?
"If I can be of use."
"Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so."
~ ACD, The Man with the Twisted Lip
"Holmes, which do you consider preferable, beginnings or endings?"
Watson slowed to catch his breath after their brisk investigations through the twisting streets of London.
"My dear Watson, wherever do your philosophical meanderings have to do with our present chase? I consider myself an observant man but the paradox you raise seems to have arisen spontaneously."
"Not quite from thin air, Holmes. Let me explain and then I'm sure you will consider it absurdly simple." Watson's face crinkled in a quick grin.
"I was considering our present situation. We began this case yesterday. Yesterday you and I were full of the anticipation of the mystery and the thrill of the chase. It was the beginning of a new adventure. Anything was possible. Today we are closing in on the criminal and the solution. We shall soon capture this man if he's where you deduce him to be hiding (and I am fully confident you are not wrong). The mystery will be revealed fully at that time and the adventure will come to a close. There will be the satisfaction of bringing justice to the victim's family. You will fill the gnawing hunger that nags at your brain until a case is solved. But, then what? Is it better to have the anticipation of the chase or the satisfaction of the closure?"
Holmes stopped momentarily and turned to his partner. "I daresay, Watson, in our long association I still fail to appreciate your depths. You continue to surprise me." He smiled fondly.
"And you still have managed to evade the answer," Watson gave his friend a gentle nudge in the ribs.
"True, Watson. And the question you propose deserves a solid answer of appropriate solemnity. I love both the beginning and the ending. As you have pointed out so succinctly, there is the anticipation that I adore as the mystery unfolds and then there is the professional satisfaction the soothes my soul at the end. But, in spite of those rewards, my favourite is neither the beginning nor the ending. It is the being, being with you. You are my compass, my one true North. You, my dear Boswell, are both my beginning and ending."
The End
A/N: And so ends this December Challenge. Gosh, it's been a fun and festive season with all the writing and reading. The season has been enriched for me in a special manner this year by connecting with old (and new) friends on FF. I wish you all the very best in the New Year of 2021! My dearest wish is that there will be more kindness and less virus. Virtual hugs to you all!
