Roland hurried ahead to get his pickup truck, started it, then met Mervin at the edge of the lawn. During the short drive Mervin said, "Listen carefully, this is important, you must remember what I tell you now: under no circumstances should you eat so much as a crumb or drink so much as a single drop all the while you are in Elfland."
"Or what?" Food and drink hadn't entered his mind since his family vanished and he was driving too fast to give Mervin his full attention .
"It would spell your doom and you would never see your family again, for you would fall under the spell of King Fester, the Goblin King."
"A goblin king in Elfland? That doesn't sound right."
"But it's so in this part of Elfland. Fester is the most malicious goblin ever to trouble Earth. He was so bad he was banished from Europe hundreds of years ago. He came all the way out here and rebuilt his evil kingdom."
"How do you know all this?" Roland asked as he pulled to a stop in Mervin's driveway.
"Because I helped to banish him."
"What?" Fortunately the vehicle had already stopped because Roland was too stunned to drive for a few seconds.
Mervin chuckled. "Yes, I'm much older than I look, but I'm still strong enough to help you, even if I am a bit slow these days. And I have a few things you will need. Come inside."
Bookshelves dominated the interior of the house but Mervin hurried past them to his desk, unlocked a small desk drawer and pulled out a large revolver which he set down beside a cross-like display of tarot cards on the large blotter.
"This gun was given to me a long time ago by a retired police detective who didn't like guns. He assured me it was never fired in vain, and always for a just cause. You'll need it."
When Roland picked up the heavy gun the smooth handle fit into his grip and the superb balance made it feel light in his hand. "Why will I need this?"
"Because everybody you talk to in Elfland is a goblin, an evil enchanter. No matter how helpful they may seem, they all seek your doom. If anybody speaks to you at all, you must shoot him or her. Do you understand?"
"Everybody? Isn't that rather extreme?" Roland flipped the cylinder open, saw that it was empty, closed it, gave it a spin. It whirred smoothly.
Mervin nodded solemnly and spoke in a clear, firm voice. "It is extreme but, I assure you, absolutely necessary. You must shoot everybody who talks to you. Do you think you can do it?"
Roland aimed the empty gun out the window at a bird feeder. "To get my family back? You bet."
"You'll need these." Mervin dropped a handful of .45 caliber bullets on the desk top.
Roland reached for them but when he grabbed the first bullet he had to hold it up to his face for a closer look. "Is this what I think it is?"
"A gold slug is most effective against goblins, but these are only gold jacketed, which makes them nearly as effective at a fraction of the cost, but use them sparingly, this is all I have." He paused to make sure Roland was paying attention. "I recommend head shots."
Roland nodded. He loaded six bullets into the revolver and put the seven that remained in his pants pocket.
Mervin dug into a closet and came up with a bullet-proof vest which he held out to Roland. "Put it on."
"How did you get one of these?" Roland asked as he took it.
"Payment for services rendered."
Roland slipped it on over his t-shirt and Mervin helped him fasten it, then cover it with a denim jacket. "This is pretty warm."
"Don't worry, it's quite a bit cooler in Elfland."
"Then I guess I'm ready. Let's go."
Mervin shook his head. "First you better have something to eat."
"I can't eat, I'm too much on edge right now."
"You better try anyway. It could be hours before you get back and once you pass through the gate you must not eat or drink anything."
Roland shrugged. "Alright, what have you got?"
Roland quickly devoured a few pieces of leftover roast chicken and some potato salad and drank his fill of water, then drove home and parked right in the back yard.
He listened to Mervin's instructions and started running.
Mervin called out, "Remember to shoot anybody that talks to you, and don't eat or drink anything. Faster now, faster, closer to the tree. Good-bye."