Glasruhen Gate (21 page)

Jack could hear Nora talking to his grandad downstairs. He’d said goodnight and gone straight upstairs. He wanted to cry but he couldn’t. He knew he shouldn’t, he ought to be happy he’d woken Arrana in time. He felt exhausted but didn’t feel tired. There were too many questions going round in his head. He was glad Orin was asleep. He undressed and got into his pyjamas. He knew he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep. He took out his wand and the Book of Shadows and wrote to Elan. It was late by the time he’d answered all the questions she asked. Eventually he felt his eyelids closing. He shut his book and got into bed.

Jack was nearly late for school again. He promised Orin he’d tell her everything later. There were still some things Jack didn’t understand. He spent the whole day at school lost in thought. He’d no idea what any of his lessons were about. He longed for home time, when he could return to Ewell House. Nora had promised to explain everything when he arrived. He wished Elan was going to be there. It seemed like an age until his class was dismissed.

Once he was out of school he raced to the top gate. Camelin was waiting for him in a nearby tree.

‘Ready?’

‘Ready,’ replied Jack.

He ran as fast as he could down the back lane after Camelin and arrived, breathless, at Ewell House. Nora opened the gate at the bottom of the garden. When they were by the statues she stopped.

‘This is where we need to begin.’

‘Begin what?’ asked Jack.

‘The revival of the Hamadryad Oaks. I managed to rescue some of Arrana’s sisters. They didn’t fade away into nothingness like Arrana; I brought each of their spirits here and sealed each one inside a statue. I hoped one day we would have some acorns from the Mother Oak again. Once they’re inside the acorns they’ll be restored to their former selves. The repopulation of the forests can begin as soon as you empower each Hamadryad with Arrana’s knowledge. She gave you her gift, now I have to show you how to use it.’

Jack took a deep breath. This was a lot of information to take in at once.

‘You mean the statues aren’t really stone?’

‘I think we had that conversation the first day we met. I also said the statues weren’t made from people. What I didn’t tell you was that each of them contained the spirit of a tree.’

Jack went over and looked closely at the statues. Their faces were similar to Arrana’s.

‘What do I need to do?’

‘We’ll need the acorns. They’re in the herborium.’

Camelin flew on ahead while Jack and Nora walked slowly through the garden.

‘Are you alright Jack?’

‘I feel so sad inside.’

‘The last few days have been a strain for all of us, but everything will be put right again. Do you remember the words I read to you last night, the last part of the prophesy?’

Jack didn’t have to think too hard, he’d thought of little else all day:

‘When all is equal, all is done,

And joy is brought to everyone.’

‘I can remember the words but I don’t really understand what they mean.’

‘It means that when everything’s been put right in both Annwn and on Earth, everyone will be happy again, it’s referring to both worlds. Elan will sort out the problems in Annwn and it’s up to you to sort them out on Earth.’

Jack blew out a long slow breath.

‘Can I do that?’

‘Of course you can, you’re King of the Forest.’

Jack laughed.

‘I still find that hard to believe. My grandad and dad are both Brenins, why weren’t they chosen to be King?’

‘It’s to do with the time and place of your birth. Remember the prophesy? You were born in the right place, at the right time. I knew from the start you were
The One
. I knew you’d save us all.’

‘If Brenin means King, does that mean my ancestors were Kings of the Forest too?’

‘It does, but there’s only ever been one King. It was a very long time ago now, when this Earth was a better place.’

‘What was he like?’

‘When he was your age, he was very much like you, except he wasn’t ready to take over the Kingship until his training finished. You’re special Jack, you already have the power within you.’

‘Special?’

‘Very.’

‘What happened to him?’

‘He took the Sword of Power into Annwn for safety when the Romans arrived but never came back. He chose to live out the rest of his days there in peace. His final resting place is in the mound we passed before we came back through Glasruhen Gate.’

‘He was mortal then?’

‘Yes, if you want to find out more ask your Book of Shadows. Now let’s go and get the acorns, we’ve got a lot of work to do before supper.’

Camelin appeared at the doorway of the herborium.

‘Supper?’

‘Not yet, so don’t you go getting your hopes up. You can’t eat until Jack’s put a Hamadryad back into each of the acorns.’

Camelin pulled a face.

‘You will hurry up, won’t you? I’m starving!

MIGHTY OAKS

The first thing Jack heard when he stepped into the herborium was an angry buzzing. He looked at the jar.

‘What are you going to do with Velindur?’

‘First things first,’ said Nora. ‘Camelin’s been keeping an eye on him all day while I’ve been busy getting everything ready for you. Velindur will have to wait; it won’t do him any harm to stay in there until tomorrow. I’ll drive well away from Glasruhen before I release him.’

‘When will the transformation spell wear off?’

‘We put a very slow release one on him. It’ll be days before he’s a man again.’

‘I hope he doesn’t come back,’ said Camelin. ‘He really wasn’t very nice. It would have served him right if they’d made him into a wasp for the rest of his life. That’s what they used to do to invaders you know, Gwillam told me.’

‘You’ll have to tell Jack about it another time, we have more important things to do right now. Wait here. I’ll fetch my wand and Book of Shadows.’

When Nora had gone Jack peeked into the cauldron.

‘Where’s the frog?’

‘In the garden somewhere. Nora said I couldn’t keep it in the loft because it needed fresh air and somewhere nice to live, so it’s looking for a new home. When you’re done will you help me find it? I haven’t had a chance to ask it
the important question
yet.’

‘What important question?’ asked Nora as she walked into the herborium.

Camelin coughed and shuffled from foot to foot.

‘Er… I was going to ask Jack what kind of a crown he’d prefer. See, neither of us is too keen on mistletoe, not if Hesta and Winver are going to be around.’

Nora laughed.

‘I’m afraid you’re going to have to see the Dryads about that, they decide what to use. But it’s traditional to have at least one sprig of mistletoe in there. I wouldn’t really call it a crown, it’s not like the one Velindur had. It’s more of a circlet with all kinds of things woven into it.’

‘I’ll be proud to wear it, whatever they choose.’

Nora laid her wand on the table. Jack took his out of his school bag and waited for her to tell him what he must do.

‘First I need you to pass me that box.’

Jack went over to the far end of the table where Nora had pointed. He picked up a small rectangular box which was decorated with knot-work and oak trees on its lid and sides.

‘Now open it and hold it steady.’

Jack took off the lid. Inside was a piece of black velvet. Nora untied the leather pouch they’d brought back from Annwn, and gently shook the acorns into the box. They were still shiny and smooth and looked enormous compared to the small golden acorn that hung around Jack’s neck.

‘Shall we begin?’

Nora stood in the doorway with the box in one hand and her wand in the other.

‘Bring your wand Jack and follow me. You can come too Camelin as long as you don’t interrupt. This is very important.’

They followed Nora to the group of statues.

‘I’ll read out the names in turn from my book. For each you must hold one of the acorns in your left hand and place a finger from your right on the correct statue’s lips. You will feel her spirit pass into you. When there’s nothing left inside clasp the golden acorn on your chain. Think hard about Arrana and the knowledge she gave you will flow into the acorn along with the Hamadryad’s spirit.’

Jack took a deep breath.

‘I’m ready, I understand what to do.’

Nora tapped her wand on the Book of Shadows, it opened immediately at the page she needed.

‘Groweena, The Kind, Guardian of the Wood and Loved By All,’ she cried.

Nora hadn’t told Jack where Groweena was. He looked carefully at the statues until he was sure he could see a faint light inside one of them. As he approached the light grew brighter. He put the finger of his right hand on the statue’s lips and held an acorn firmly between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand. There was an immediate surge from within the statue. Jack could feel his finger getting hot. It was the same sensation he’d had when he’d touched the rock in front of Jennet’s well. He didn’t take his finger away until the last spark of light was extinguished. He then clasped the golden acorn with his right hand and held it tight. A powerful energy coursed through his veins, his body felt as if it were on fire. The golden acorn shone through his clasped fist and the Hamadryad acorn in his other hand also began to glow.

‘It is done,’ said Nora when the light dimmed.

Jack breathed deeply. It hadn’t been an unpleasant sensation but it wasn’t like any other feeling he’d ever had.

‘What do I do with the acorn now?’

‘I’ve prepared some pots by the rockery, go and push it into the soft earth then we’ll do the others.’

Camelin humphed and hopped off behind the rockery. Jack presumed he was going in search of his oracular frog while they were busy.

One by one the names were called and one by one Jack transferred the spirit of the Hamadryad from the statue into the acorn along with Arrana’s knowledge. He didn’t stop until he’d held up the last acorn and Nora read out the name: ‘Allana, the Beautiful, Guardian of the Grove, Most Kind and Wise,’ read Nora.

‘That’s the Hamadryad from Newton Gill!’ exclaimed Jack.

‘It is, she was one of the last I rescued. Newton Gill will have a Hamadryad once more.’

Jack felt elated. He couldn’t wait to go and see the Gnarles and tell them the good news. He quickly transferred the last tree spirit into its acorn and planted it in the last empty pot.

‘Our work is done for tonight, would you like to help plant them at the weekend?’

‘I would, especially Allana. I’m so pleased for the Gnarles. Does it mean the Dryads will return to Newton Gill Forest and the Gnarles won’t be hollow trees anymore?’

‘There’s a lot of work to be done before any of the Dryads return, new trees will need to grow. Dryads won’t live in a tree once it’s become a Gnarle. When Allana is established the new trees will flourish again in Newton Gill Forest. The Gnarles will have lots of company and they’ll never be lonely again.’

‘Haven’t you finished yet?’ grumbled Camelin. ‘I need to show Jack my oracular frog. He hasn’t had a good look at him yet.’

‘Him?’ said Nora, ‘I think you’ll find
he’s
a she.’

‘What! I’ve got a girl frog? What use is she going to be?’

‘
She
has a name. It’s Saige.’

‘I don’t care what her name is, I wanted an oracular frog. Only the males predict. She’s going to be about as much use as a glass football.’

Jack tried not to laugh.

‘Can I go and help Camelin look for Saige?’

‘Of course you can, we’ve done all we can for the moment. The Hamadryad acorns grow at a tremendous rate, by the weekend they’ll be strong saplings, big enough to plant. In no time at all we’ll have mighty oaks in the forests again. It won’t be long before you’ll be able to visit Arrana’s little sisters.’

Camelin shuffled and gave Nora a pleading look.

‘Very well, off you go, but that frog has to be back in the garden by nightfall, I’m not having you keep it in your loft.’

Nora picked up the box and went back to the herborium. Camelin didn’t look too pleased.

‘Have you tried asking Saige
the important question
yet?’ asked Jack.

‘Naw, I couldn’t find him, I mean her.’

‘Perhaps if we call her she might come out.’

‘You can if you want.’

Jack called and called, he looked everywhere he thought a little frog might be hiding but she was nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s getting late. I’m going to have to go home for my supper.’

Camelin mumbled something, which Jack didn’t hear. He went and said goodbye to Nora then made his way to the hedge.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow after school,’ he called.

Camelin didn’t answer, he was too busy grumbling to himself. Jack smiled as he stood and watched him poking around the flowerbeds with his beak.

After supper, Orin wanted to know all about Annwn. Jack made her promise to be surprised if Camelin wanted to tell her everything too. He was just about to get into bed when his Book of Shadows vibrated. He turned to the front page and writing began to appear. It was a message from Camelin:

Nora says 2 tell yu its party time 2morow nite
Yor grandad nows all abot it so yu can cum after schol
bring yur wellis

Jack wondered what kind of a party it was going to be, so he wrote back:

Why do I need my wellingtons?

It wasn’t long before he got an answer:

I cant find my frog
I need yu to luk in the lak
Gerda too bizy to help

Jack laughed. He read Camelin’s message to Orin then replied:

OK
I’ll help you look for Saige after school.

‘I think it’s time for bed now,’ Jack told Orin. ‘I’ll collect you and the wellingtons after school tomorrow night before the party.’

Camelin was waiting for Jack by the hedge.

‘Did you bring them?’

‘Of course I did.’

‘Put them on now and we’ll go and have a look in the lake.’

They spent the next half hour hunting for the little frog, in and around the water’s edge. A fluttering sound made Jack look up.

‘Nora says it’s party time,’ piped Charkle.

Even the thought of the party didn’t seem to cheer Camelin up.

‘I’m sure we’ll find her,’ Jack told him as they walked towards the patio.

‘Nora says Saige will come out when she’s ready, once she feels at home. How long d’you think it takes a girl frog to feel at home? I bet it’s longer than a boy frog.’

Jack changed into his shoes and they made their way to the house.

A loud cheer greeted them when they entered the kitchen. Jack took his wand out of his bag so he could understand everyone.

The rats were all seated on their upturned beakers at one end of the table eagerly waiting to hear all about Annwn. Jack looked at Elan’s empty place; it didn’t seem the same without her. At least Camelin cheered up when he saw the size of the rhubarb pie Nora had made.

‘I thought you’d taken all the rhubarb into Annwn,’ he said.

‘I kept a bit back for the special celebration I promised you.’