《Arthur Hood: the Heir of Robin and King》


 Chapter One

    On the bank of a meandering river and all on its lonesome sat a country estate like no other. Its weathered stone walls portrayed its ancient origins and vines grew over its many windows. If someone were to happen upon this place, they would surely believe it to be some lordly manor. But it wasn''t. It was an orphanage for young witches.


    As rain pelted the roof of the Home for Enchanted Girls one dreary morning, its caretakers were on a mission. To wake up the only orphan who hadn''t graced the dining room with their presence.


    Shuffling down a corridor, their long robes sweeping over the carpeted wooden floor, Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good were heading upstairs. And the looks on their faces conveyed much annoyance.


    With Mrs Good leading the way, her pointy nose trained on the delinquent, the three trounced up a winding staircase. And once they reached the landing, its sides adorned with broomsticks, they headed down another corridor. Door after door they passed, each one etched with a name, until they reached one in particular.


    Without knocking, the three middle-aged witches barged in, quickly screeching at the scene that greeted them. The bedroom was a mess. Objects, books and clothes were strewn everywhere and a desk and chair had been overturned.


    ''Merlynna!'' Mrs Good bellowed. ''If you are hiding away in all of this, show yourself immediately.''


    Suddenly, and giving the caretakers another scare, out from underneath the bed popped a head, the girl''s long brown hair matted to the side of her freckled cheeked face.


    ''Morning, Misses,'' Merlynna yawned.


    ''Don''t morning, Misses us, young lady,'' Miss Harrower retorted, glaring down with her beady black eyes. ''You missed breakfast ¨C once again ¨C and our important announcement. And what are you doing under there?''


    ''I was sleeping.'' Merlynna poked her arms out and gave them a stretch. ''As you can see my bed''s a mess and this was the only place I had room to travel to dreamland. If I''m being honest, it''s not that bad under here. I may have to sleep here from now on.''


    ''Didn''t your alarm go off?'' asked Madame Joan. Through her thick purple glasses, she pointed over at the clock on the wall that she had specifically made for Merlynna. ''But before you answer, please get out from under there and honor us with the respect we deserve.''


    ''Yes, sorry, ma''am.'' With some effort, Merlynna squeezed out from under the bed, her black cat print pajamas looking as if they had been thrown into a fire, for burnt spots covered the garment. She then stood up, gave a short bow before answering sheepishly, ''And I may have charmed the clock to not wake me up.''


    ''How did you do that?'' said Madame Joan, looking aghast. ''Your magical ability couldn''t have outcharmed my spell on the clock.''


    ''No disrespect, Madame Joan, but it seems like it did.'' Merlynna then watched as Madame Joan''s face turned more sour, a telling off on the tip of her tongue.


    Mrs Good, however, deflated Madame Joan''s anger by holding up a hand. ''Why would you do that knowing we were going to announce something important this morning? Remember I told you that last night right before I yelled at you to turn off your light.''


    Feigning recollection, Merlynna replied, ''I''m sorry, ma''am, I completely forgot you told me that.''


    ''Hmmmm.'' Mrs Good looked as though she didn''t believe that. ''And another question¨C''


    ''Yes, ma''am.''


    ''What happened to your room? It''s as if a storm has come through here.''


    ''Now this truly is my fault. It was a combination of a wayward spell and me trying to defend myself against said wayward spell. I promise I''ll clean it all up.''This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ''Indeed you will,'' scowled Miss Harrower.


    ''By the way,'' said Merlynna, ''what was the announcement?''


    ''It is the time of year again when we send the girls of age on placements,'' replied Mrs Good, ''And as you turned twelve last month, you will ¨C''


    All of a sudden, a ball of black fur flew out from under the bed, zipped across the room and hit the wall with a thump before tumbling down to the floor with a crash.


    Everyone was taken aback, even Merlynna, although she knew who it was.


    The ball of black fur unfurled itself to reveal a cat, who then started to lick its new flying appendages as if nothing had happened.


    ''Are those wings on your cat?'' stuttered Mrs Good.


    ''They are,'' Merlynna replied, unable to look the caretakers in the eyes.


    ''May I ask, why does he have them?''


    ''Another spell that went wrong, ma''am. I tried getting rid of them but it didn''t work. But Fury seems to be liking them though.''


    ''Cats are not supposed to have wings,'' said Madame Joan, ''I''ll turn him back to normal.''


    But as though Fury could understand, he instantly stopped his licking and pounced into the air once again, bumping into the three cross witches before flying out of the door.


    Mrs Good glared at Merlynna. ''In your own time, you will capture that cat so that Madame Joan can rid it of those wings. But in the meantime, and once you cleaned up your bedroom, meet us down in our office so we can look into the orb together and see where you''ll be placed.''


    ''Will do, ma''am,'' Merlynna replied.


    ''I mean it. No detours to our office.''


    Merlynna smirked. ''I swear.''


    The three women left Merlynna to tidy up. And when she had and had changed into her gray uniform, she headed to the office. But as she left her bedroom, she was quickly surrounded by four other girls.


    Looking furious, the leader, a lanky girl with a thin and severe face, barked, ''I didn''t get any sleep with all that racket you were making last night. If it happens again, I''ll turn you into¨C''


    ''That''s not my problem,'' Merlynna interrupted, ''You should have charmed your room to be soundproof. That''s what I do. So I don''t have to hear the four of you fart and snore all the time.''


    ''We¨Cwe do not fart and snore,'' came a chorus.


    ''Yeah, you do. And it''s really loud. Anyhoo, I''d better be off. It was fun talking.'' Leaving the girls to their embarrassed blushes and growls, Merlynna skipped away.


    Not long after, she was passing through a hall lined from floor to ceiling, and on shelves, with miniature stone figurines of orphans past and present. And on it went until she shuffled through an arched doorway. Then across a covered courtyard, she came to a set of double doors wrought with iron in the shape of a cauldron, which opened immediately without a single touch.


    Merlynna stepped through and into a room with a long desk set at the back, and of which Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good were sitting behind. And in the center, and perched on a wooden stand, stood an orb the size of a melon.


    Mrs Good looked up from what she was doing. ''My, my, Merlynna, you actually made it here in a reasonable time. Maybe, ladies, we finally got through to her.''


    Miss Harrower and Madame Joan tutted at the lunacy.


    ''Now please, Merlynna, let''s see where you will be placed,'' Mrs Good continued.


    As Merlynna walked over to the wooden stand, the three caretakers got up from their chairs and joined her.


    ''Let us come together and peer inside,'' said Mrs Good.


    Merlynna took Miss Harrower and Madame Joan''s hands and gazed into the orb, a swirling fog soon filling the magical ball.


    ''From the world,'' Miss Harrower began to recite, ''young witches come. They learn, they grow until it''s time for them to go.''


    The orb lit up with a golden glow and the fog grew fainter until an image of a street could be seen. The view then started to move as if the four witches were walking down the cobbles themselves. Past dainty shops closed for the night and darkened houses they went until they came to a sign.


    ''Welcome to the Hamlet of Huldalane,'' it read, before their vision panned up to a clock tower. ''10:20.''


    A newspaper soon fluttered by. And as it flapped and eddied, they followed, it eventually landing on the sidewalk. Their sight drew closer to the unfolded rag until all they could see was the date.


    It was in a week''s time.


    The newspaper soon morphed into swirling fog and the orb''s golden glow quickly died.


    ''Well your placement has been set, Merlynna,'' said Mrs Good as all four witches broke apart.


    ''What do you think I''ll be doing?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''That''s for you to find out.''


    Merlynna frowned. ''What if it''s dangerous?''


    ''The orb wouldn''t send you off into danger. In all my time, it never has. You will be fine.''


    ''I hope so¨C'' The sudden clatter of smashing glass made Merlynna whip her head around. And as her gaze drew to a window above the long desk, she saw Fury barreling towards her. She yelped, as did Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good.


    The winged cat then somehow dodged spell after spell cast by the caretakers until he hit the orb, bounced off and smashed through another window, disappearing once again.


    Clutching the now teetering magical ball so it wouldn''t drop to the floor and shatter, Mrs Good screeched, ''Wings or no wings, you''ll be taking that cat with you.''

 Chapter Two

    With a pair of binoculars glued to his face, Little Johnny stood on the top branch of the tallest tree of his foster parents'' home and stared at the house at the end of the street. He was waiting for its owner to appear outside, a mysterious man who went by the name of Mr Scarlett.


    Little Johnny had once asked around the neighborhood but nobody seemed to know anything about the man. Either whether he had a family or what he did for a living. Absolutely nothing. Mr Scarlett kept to himself.


    Little Johnny didn''t even know his name until recently when he may have snuck a peek at the man''s mail. It was also until recently that Little Johnny had noticed that the man kept sneaking out every night dressed in a cape and walking into his back garden before disappearing behind a bush, and which was followed by the appearance of a carriage barreling down the street to who-knows-where.


    The first time Little Johnny had seen that, he couldn''t believe it, thinking he was having a dream. And the carriage, which was pulled by a white horse, wasn''t some kind of modern day contraption. It looked hundreds of years old.


    Little Johnny suspected Mr Scarlett of either being a time traveler, a supervillain or a superhero, something the eleven year old had always wanted to be. It was the reason he had taken up gymnastics and which he was very proud of and rather good at.


    The bright moon in the twinkling sky shone down on the young boy, his imagination running amok at what the possibility of tonight may hold. Was he going to bear witness to good or to evil?


    Just then, movement flashed in the corner of Little Johnny''s eye. He lowered his binoculars and turned to see his foster mother walking past a window, ruffling its curtains. He gave her no thought, worried she may catch him and tell him off, and returned to his spying, for his foster parents acted like he didn''t exist. They weren''t mean or horrible but Little Johnny was certain that if he was to disappear, they wouldn''t even notice.


    Little Johnny leaned back against the trunk of the tree and continued to wait for Mr Scarlett to emerge outside, his legs eventually beginning to ache ever so much. It was when his arms cramped from holding up the binoculars that he saw all the lights in the man''s house abruptly turn off. It was the cue to spring into action.


    ''All right, time to go,'' Little Johnny said to himself as he hung the binoculars on a small twig poking out beside him.


    Then with an adventurous grin and no fear whatsoever, Little Johnny tightened the laces of his sneakers before jumping down with a thud onto the branch below. And he did this over and over, ten branches in all and without even a single misstep, until his sneakers and knees touched the ground.


    ''That was way too easy,'' he whispered to the crickets chirping in the grass. ''Way too easy.''


    Standing back up, Little Johnny raced over to the fence surrounding his foster parents'' backyard and jumped, grabbing the top before hurdling over with little effort and onto the deserted street on the other side.


    A chuckle escaped him as his heart began to beat fast. He breathed in a lungful of cool crisp air and carried on with his mission. Hopefully, he wouldn''t be seen.


    Dashing across to the opposite side of the street, he leapt over his neighbor''s hedge, dodged a frightened badger and planter pot, and rushed over to a waterspout, which he began to climb.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Easier than scaling a tree, up he went like a crazed spider, until he clambered onto the roof, where a chimney puffed out smoke. He then bolted over the roofs of his other neighbors'' homes, leaping, sliding and flipping as a superhero would do.


    It was when he had jumped over another chimney that Little Johnny saw Mr Scarlett. He was skulking out of his back door and into his garden. And tonight was no exception, for the mysterious man was wearing a cape.


    At the last roof, Little Johnny climbed down another waterspout, scurried back onto the street and zipped over the hood of a parked car. Then keeping low, he shuffled over to Mr Scarlett''s front gate and climbed over that too. Through bushes, around the side of the house and skirting a pond he glided until he reached the entrance to the back garden, stopping behind a tree before peeking around.


    Mr Scarlett was several yards away and standing in front of a large running fountain, the sound of trickling water the only noise.


    Closer than he''s ever been to the mysterious man, Little Johnny could not only see his cape, but could see what else he was wearing. He had on what looked like green tights and brown knee high leather boots.


    Tights and a cape? Surely, Mr Scarlett must be a supervillain or superhero then. It''s the only reasonable explanation, Little Johnny thought.


    The boy kept his gaze on the man, who bent over and seemed to press something on the wall of the fountain. It was too dark for Little Johnny to see what and where.


    Immediately, the water stopped running and the entire fountain began to sink into the ground.


    Now wide-eyed with shock, Little Johnny said to himself, ''What in the weirdness is going on?''


    But his surprise didn''t end there, for something took the fountain''s place. Shortly, Little Johnny was staring at the same carriage and the same horse that he had seen previous nights.


    With agility that impressed Little Johnny, Mr Scarlett jumped onto the driver''s seat of the carriage and took the reins.


    ''How''s he going to get out of his back garden?'' wondered Little Johnny.


    But as soon as he had finished that thought, a section of the back garden''s fence lowered down to the grass, revealing the street beyond.


    ''Let''s go, Papplewick,'' came Mr Scarlett, his voice powerful yet delicate. ''It''s time to find out if the Shadow continues to grow.''


    ''The Shadow?'' Little Johnny breathed to himself. ''What does he mean by that? A villain possibly?''


    The horse neighed at his master, cuing Little Johnny to spring into action once again.


    This was his chance to find out who Mr Scarlett was.


    Careful not to make a sound or to be seen, he scampered over to the back of the carriage and jumped on, finding a ledge to place his sneakers. He then crouched down and gripped the carriage''s sides.


    ''Onward,'' said Mr Scarlett, and with a jerk, the horse reared on its hind legs before darting off.


    The carriage flew out of the back garden and down the street.


    Turning around to see the fence rise back up, wind whipped through Little Johnny''s curly brown hair. And it was when he faced back around that the carriage skidded around a corner.


    Though tightening his grip in fear, Little Johnny had to stop himself from screaming in exhilaration.


    Now he could get used to this, he thought.


    More and more corners they drifted, bringing a wide grin to the boy, which quickly morphed into a gape, for the carriage was growing in speed.


    Then all of a sudden, a fly shot down Little Johnny''s throat, sending him into a choking spasm. And as he thrust a hand to his mouth, to muffle the coming barrage of whooping, the carriage whipped around another corner.


    The next thing Little Johnny knew, he was flying uncontrollably through the air towards the window of a shop. Luckily though, a street lamp was there to save him. And the moment he grabbed it, around and around he spun as if he was on a gymnastics bar. Seconds later, he jumped down and planted his sneakers onto the sidewalk.


    ''Phew, that was close,'' he said with a wheeze and cough, as he then watched the carriage disappear. Soon, a brief feeling of disappointment shuddered through him.


    He had failed his mission at finding out who Mr Scarlett was. But he was sure he''d get another chance.


    ''Until next time.''


    With a hop and a whistle, Little Johnny skipped over to a telephone pole, grabbed its rungs and climbed all the way to the top.


    ''Time to get back home.''


    With a step on the telephone wire, lifting his arms for balance, the boy did just that.

 Chapter Three

    Far from the Home for Enchanted Girls and the home of Little Johnny, another young boy lived, and he was just about to be called up to the front of his class.


    ''Arthur Hood,'' screeched Mrs Fairweather. The menacing history teacher sat behind her desk and a thick layer of makeup, which covered her old and wrinkled face, ''your presentation of the famous historical figure that you chose.''


    With a deep breath, Arthur stood up from his chair and started towards the blackboard. But as he began shuffling past other students, the usual snickers growing all around, a leg poked out into the aisle.


    Too slow to react, Arthur tripped over the purposely placed limb and began stumbling forward, his arms clawing wildly to gain back his footing, but it was useless. Looking like a human windmill, he fumbled on, picking up speed, until he smashed into the globe resting on Mrs Fairweather''s desk. Along with the sphere, he tumbled to the floor.


    Laughs, laughs and more laughs filled the classroom. Even Mrs Fairweather joined in with the ruckus until she hacked up a storm and yelled for everyone to shut their traps.


    ''Quiet, you lot,'' she bellowed.


    The laughing died instantly and Arthur, who went flush in the cheeks, quickly got back to his feet. He then placed the globe back on the desk before glancing at the culprit of his humiliating feat.


    His name was Billy the Brute. He was huge and had always been a thorn in Arthur''s side.


    ''Arthur Hood!'' snapped Mrs Fairweather. ''Get on with it. We haven''t got all day.''


    ''Yes, ma''am,'' Arthur replied before grabbing a piece of chalk and writing his name on the blackboard.


    ''Everyone already knows your name, idiot,'' Billy called out, getting more laughs.


    This time Mrs Fairweather didn''t participate in the ridicule. Instead, she snatched a ruler from her side and whipped it down onto her desk, making an ear-splitting noise. ''Shut up.''


    Again, everyone went quiet.


    ''Billy,'' Mrs Fairweather continued with a snap, ''detention after school. And your parents will be called this time.''


    To Arthur''s dismay, Billy looked daggers at him, curled his mouth into a sneer and breathed, ''I''m going to get you for that.''


    ''Arthur Hood,'' Miss Fairweather snapped again. ''If you don''t start this instant, you''ll be joining Billy.''


    That would be a fate worse than death, thought Arthur, and he quickly got to his presentation.


    ''Today, there are two figures, two of my favorites, that I''ll be sharing with you,'' Arthur piped up, stuttering with nerves. ''You may already know who they are but I will indulge a lot more of their history.'' He pointed to his first name on the blackboard. ''The first is the just and courageous King Arthur, the hero and ruler of Camelot.'' He then pointed to his last name. ''And the second is Robin Hood, the great outlaw who stood up for the common folk and fought tyranny.''


    Now smiling and his nerves dampening, Arthur turned to Mrs Fairweather, thinking she''d be impressed by his choices ¨C who wouldn''t be ¨C but a sagging grimace, as if weights were holding down her face, graced her features as it always did when she was beyond annoyed.


    ''Arthur,'' she muttered softly and calmly, yet her left eye twitched as if her head was about to explode.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ''Yes, ma''am,'' said Arthur with a gulp, for he knew her composure was a ruse.


    ''What was the assignment again?''


    ''To do a presentation about a famous historical figure.''


    ''Historical being the key word. Real, not mythical.''


    ''But King Arthur and Robin Hood were real.'' Arthur knew the moment he had finished the sentence that he had made a mistake.


    ''They were not!'' yelled Mrs Fairweather, hitting the ruler on her desk again and again until it snapped in two, the end piece rocketing through the air and almost hitting Arthur in the eye. ''Arthur Hood, you have failed your presentation. Detention after school.''


    The classroom erupted as Arthur lowered his head and sulked back to his chair.


    The school day couldn''t have gone any slower for Arthur after that, but when it was time for detention, he wished he was starting the school day all over again. And it was only him and Billy that had to stay behind after final class.


    ''Sit down and do your homework,'' Mrs Fairweather demanded, as the two boys entered her classroom.


    Arthur shuffled over to a desk by a window and took his seat. Thankfully for him, Billy sat on the opposite side of the room.


    Taking out his homework from his backpack, Arthur looked outside and down to the street below, where he saw a strange looking man wearing a long black cloak standing on the sidewalk. With a very pale face, he almost resembled a vampire.


    ''How odd,'' Arthur said to himself before a pencil eraser came whizzing past his head.


    ''What are you staring at, weirdo?''


    Arthur turned to face Billy, who wore an evil smirk. He then turned to face Mrs Fairweather, to see if she was witnessing him being bullied, but she wasn''t there.


    ''Where''s the teacher?'' Arthur asked.


    ''She left for a bit,'' replied Billy, getting to his feet. He then thumped menacingly over to Arthur and glared down. ''Time to get you back for getting me into trouble.''


    Billy threw back a fist, ready to strike, but Arthur was having none of that. He snatched his backpack, ducked under the incoming punch and scuttled away. And he didn''t stop, barging out of the classroom and down the empty hallway.


    ''Where are you going?'' Billy yelled.


    Not surprised that his bully had given chase, Arthur sped up. He ran past his locker, which he had no desire to be stuffed inside as was the usual scenario, and past other classrooms, hoping to see a teacher. But there was nobody to save him.


    It was time to ditch detention all together, Arthur then thought. It was time to go home. However, Billy was as stubborn as he always was and continued to chase him far from school.


    ''I''m going to get you,'' he screeched from behind, as the two entered down a country lane sometime later.


    Arthur glanced over his shoulders and saw that he was still far ahead. ''If I can keep this up, I''m home free.''


    But suddenly, Arthur''s legs betrayed him for a second time that day. And as he tripped over his own feet, he went flying face first into a muddy puddle.


    Billy''s laugh was all Arthur could hear as he then sat up and wiped the brown goop from his eyes. Once he could see clearly again, he craned his neck and saw his bully looming above him.


    ''Got you,'' Billy growled, balling his hands into fists.


    Arthur closed his eyes, ready for impact, ready to be clocked in the mouth, when a voice echoed above Billy''s heinous tittering.


    ''Leave him,'' it barked hoarsely.


    ''Who said that?'' Billy snapped.


    Arthur opened his eyes and saw Billy looking at a hedge by the side of the lane.


    ''Who said that?'' Billy asked again. ''Show yourself.''


    Out from the hedge came the strange man Arthur had seen in detention. And now Arthur could see a badge pinned to the man''s long black cloak, a word etched on it. Deputy.


    Both boys cowered back but Billy was quick to return to his bullying courage.


    ''Who are you, weirdo man?'' he yapped. ''You look stupid.''


    ''None of your business, you disgusting, vile little creature,'' the man retorted with a snarl, inching closer. ''Now scram.''


    ''Or what?'' Billy screwed up his face as if the man was just some pesky mosquito.


    ''Or things will get very ugly for you.''


    ''Oh, yeah. You and what army?''


    ''No army.'' Then in a flash, the man whipped out a sword. ''But I have this.''


    Arthur gasped in horror while Billy turned tail and ran for his life.


    When he disappeared down the lane, the man brought his sole attention to Arthur, who was still bogged down in the puddle. ''Tell me your name, boy.''


    ''Please don''t hurt me,'' Arthur replied back with a quiver.


    ''Tell me your name,'' the man repeated.


    Never would Arthur tell a stranger his name and he shook his head.


    The man glared down, his nose crimping into a vicious tangle. ''You will tell me now.''


    And what Arthur did next even surprised himself.


    With all his might, he kicked out, planting his shoes into the man''s knees and sending him back and into the hedge. Arthur then clawed himself out of the puddle while the man tried desperately to untwine himself from his branched trap and legged it back home.

 Chapter Four

    On the corner of a winding road and hidden away behind a grove of trees, the house with the red door blared like a beacon as Arthur came running up the driveway.


    ''Home,'' he said to himself with glee, able to relax for the first time that day. Although, he did take a peek over his shoulders to make sure that strange man hadn''t followed him.


    The question of who he was flashed through Arthur''s mind as he continued to his front step, where two garden gnomes stood like stone on either side. He then reached for the lady gnome, who was holding a bouquet of flowers, before remembering that the front door key was under the other, a gentleman gnome holding a rod hooked with a fish.


    After retrieving the key, Arthur went inside, into his sanctuary. He flicked off his shoes, both almost hitting the ceiling, and threw his backpack onto the table in the hall, where he saw a note that was addressed to him.


    Dear Arthur,


    We''ve just been called away for a dig on the coast and won''t be back for a couple of days. Sorry for not waiting for you before we left but it was urgent. I know you''re not very fond of Miss Eustace but we asked her if she wouldn''t mind coming by to check on you. I''ve also asked your great uncle. There''s enough food in the fridge so you won''t starve. See you in a bit. And don''t burn down the place like you almost did the last time.


    Love Mom and Dad.


    Arthur groaned, wishing he could have gone with them. He had always wanted to go on an archeological dig. Instead, he had to stay behind and deal with Miss Eustace.


    Disappointed, Arthur went up to his room, where he was quick to make sure nobody had broken into his home and taken his prized possessions. Although, he was quite sure nobody would steal them, for they weren''t the most valuable or attractive. Well, they were valuable to him, as they had been passed down through his family, one from his mother''s side and the other his father''s.


    With one hand, he picked up the dull boring metal shard from the bookshelf next to his bed, and with the other, the manky skeletal quill.


    Yes, not the most attractive, but for Arthur it was cool knowing his ancestors had probably held them in their hands. He had once asked his parents about them but they hadn''t any information to share.


    After placing the shard and quill back on the shelf, Arthur went over to his desk, where he sat down and took out a pad of paper and some colored pencils. He then flipped open the pad, revealing sketches for the covers of the comics he had planned to draw and write.


    On the first cover, King Arthur was fighting Morgana, an evil witch and the queen of fairies. On the second page, Robin Hood was battling the horrible and brutal Sheriff.


    For an hour, Arthur colored in his sketches. And he was almost done when his stomach began to rumble.


    ''Time for a sandwich,'' he said before going back downstairs and into the kitchen.


    He had taken out the bread and a jar of peanut butter and strawberry jam, ready to make a stack of gooey goodness, when suddenly there was a knock at the front door.


    Arthur jumped at the sound before crouching down behind the kitchen counter.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Could it be the strange man, he wondered? Maybe Billy?


    Slowly and on all fours, he crept out of the kitchen and down the hall. And as the knocking continued, he peered through the peephole and saw a figure. But it wasn''t the strange man. Or Billy. It was Miss Eustace.


    Arthur quietly groaned, thinking he wouldn''t be heard, but he was.


    ''Arthur, is that you?'' said Miss Eustace in her stern voice. ''Your parents asked me to check in on you. Hopefully they told you that. If you wouldn''t mind opening the door please.''


    Arthur was hesitant but his parents would be very angry with him if he didn''t let her in. And when he opened the front door, a woman wearing a black dress with her black hair tied up in a bun stood before him.


    Miss Eustace, from what Arthur''s parents had told him, used to be a nanny who now kept bees.


    ''Good afternoon, Arthur,'' Miss Eustace said.


    ''Good afternoon,'' Arthur replied.


    Then without being invited in, Miss Eustace swept past, her back straight and her head held high. ''I''m sure you have homework to do. Maybe I can help.''


    ''I was going to wait to do it tonight before I went to bed. That''s what I usually do.''


    ''You''ll feel better getting it over and done with.''


    ''I was also about to make myself a sandwich.''


    Miss Eustace stood agape and stared down at Arthur with almost a look of insult. ''And spoil your dinner?'' She shook her head. ''No. You will do your homework then I''ll cook you a healthy and hearty meal.''


    Arthur slouched in dejection. He really wanted a peanut butter and jam sandwich.


    ''Up straight please,'' Miss Eustace snapped. ''Good posture will do you well.''


    ''Yes, ma''am.''


    Not long after, the two were sitting in the kitchen. Arthur had his homework out on the table and Miss Eustace was watching him do some math, a cup of tea steaming before her.


    ''Hmmm,'' said Miss Eustace.


    Arthur looked up from his math problem and saw her shaking her head ever so slightly.


    ''Are you sure you''re doing that correctly?'' she continued.


    Arthur looked back down at his work and saw he had forgotten to divide something. He quickly corrected it, for which Miss Eustace gave him a wink before taking a sip of her tea.


    ''Yuck.'' With a grimace, she placed the cup back onto the table and pulled out a small unlabeled bottle from her pocket. She then screwed off its lid and poured a bit of whatever was inside into her tea.


    ''Just a bit of honey,'' she said sheepishly before taking another sip and smiling. ''From my bee hives.''


    Arthur did not believe her one bit and was about to continue with his homework when he wanted to ask Miss Eustace a question.


    ''When my parents asked you to come over and check on me, did they mention anything about their dig? The note they left me didn''t really say much.''


    ''All they said was that it was somewhere on the coast,'' Miss Eustace answered before taking another sip of her tea.


    ''I wonder what it could be. What they could be digging for.''


    ''I''m sure they will tell you when they return.''


    ''And did they mention if a man called Mr Scarlett was going with them?''


    Mr Scarlett was a colleague of his parents. He was the one who had introduced Arthur to the legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood when he was younger, telling the boy, ''I wish my parents were Hoods and had called me Arthur. Great name. Great name.''


    ''Why is that?'' Arthur had asked.


    ''You don''t know of King Arthur and Robin Hood?'' Mr Scarlett had replied, to which Arthur shook his head. ''Then I''ll tell you.''


    Mr Scarlett had also told Arthur, when the boy had asked if they could be real people, saying, ''If you truly believe in something, anything is possible.''


    ''Sorry,'' Miss Eustace replied to Arthur''s question, ''but your parents didn''t mention a man by that name.''


    Arthur nodded and went back to his math. And when he was finally done, Miss Eustace made him dinner, chicken pie with mashed potatoes and peas, which was wolfed down in minutes flat. Then after everything was cleaned up, it was time for Miss Eustace to go.


    ''Well have a good night, Arthur,'' she said as she stepped outside into the darkening sky.


    ''You, too. And thank you again for making dinner,'' Arthur replied.


    ''It was my pleasure as always. And if you need anything else, you can call me anytime.''


    ''Will do.''


    The woman bowed and was about to leave when she said, ''And Arthur?''


    ''Yes?''


    ''Don''t go eating sweets before you go to bed. Hmmm?''


    Arthur crossed his fingers behind his back. ''I won''t.''


    Miss Eustace bowed again before gliding down the driveway and out of sight.


    Though grateful for the food, the chicken pie beyond scrumptious, Arthur was pleased to see her leave. He closed the front door and rushed up to his bedroom to finish coloring his sketches, the strange man he had seen that day still lingering on his mind.

 Chapter Five

    That night while Arthur slept, a lamp cast its glow on the boy''s front step, revealing an orange cat resting and the gnomes looking on with their stone gaze. With a long yawn, the feline glared into the night before a noise, the rustling of fallen leaves, made it dart up to its paws. After a long sniff, the creature bounded out into the dim, leaving the front step still and quiet.


    Well, it wasn''t for long.


    Suddenly, a twinkle flashed in the eyes of the lady gnome before it spread like embers until her entire body, her pointy red hat, her polka dot shoes and the flowers she was holding flickered with a bright pale white.


    Then as if a vacuum had sucked it all up, the gleam vanished before the gnome''s nose started to twitch. And the twitching grew and grew until a monstrous sneeze thundered out.


    ''Why does that cat always lie down next to me every night,'' the lady gnome all of a sudden tweeted. She sneezed again before shooting an evil eye at the gentleman gnome. ''Don''t you even think I''ve forgotten about our argument last night. You will change this instant.''


    The gentleman gnome stood as still and stone cold as before.


    ''If you don''t change, Bitty,'' the lady gnome continued, ''I will come over there right now and shove these flowers right in your big ears.''


    In another sequence of dancing light, the gentleman gnome and the tiny fish at the end of his rod sprang to life.


    ''There''s no need for that, sweetums,'' Bitty squeaked.


    ''Don''t you dare call me sweetums,'' the lady gnome growled back. ''I''m very angry with you. Livid, in fact.''


    ''May I ask why, sw¨CDolores?''


    ''Why? You know what you said last night.''


    Bitty shrugged. ''Do I? What did I say?''


    Dolores screwed up her face in thought for several moments, clearly trying to remember, before replying, ''Do you know what, I can''t recall.''


    ''As always,'' Bitty muttered quietly.


    ''What was that?''


    ''What was what?''


    ''You said something.''


    ''I didn''t say a thing.''


    ''Yes, you did.''


    ''No, I didn''t. You must be hearing things.''


    ''Don''t you dare,'' Dolores screamed. ''You said something. Admit it.''


    ''Keep your voice down,'' Bitty replied, getting angry himself, ''you''ll wake Arthur. No, you''ll wake the entire neighborhood. No, you''ll wake the entire country.''


    Now whispering, Dolores came back, ''That joke is never funny.''


    ''It''s not supposed to be a joke. Sometimes you can be excruciatingly loud.''


    Dolores grunted before a flash of realization swept over her. ''Ah, now I remember. This is what we were arguing about last night. You called me loudmouth.''


    Nodding, Bitty said, ''Very good. And you were loud last night just like tonight.''


    ''I am not loud.''


    ''Yes, you are.''


    ''NO! I AM NOT!''


    ''Quiet. Do you want to bring back the cat? Because if you continue like this, it will. And not only will it make you sneeze up a storm, it might look at you as dinner. Chomp, chomp. Actually¨C'' Bitty put a finger to his chin ''--that might be a good idea. I''d definitely get some peace around here.'' Then with a yell, he squealed, ''HERE KITTY, KITTY, KITTY! HERE KITTY, KITTY, KITTY! I''VE GOT SOME FOOD FOR YOU!''Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    ''Stop that,'' breathed Dolores. ''That''s not funny either.''


    Bitty smiled devilishly. ''Will you be quiet then?''


    Dolores folded her arms in a huff and grumbled, ''Fine.''


    ''Thank you. Now, I shall call the others to tell them that Arthur''s parents will be away for a while.'' Bitty pursed his lips to whistle and blew as hard as he could, his face turning red, but no hiss came.


    However, the call was most definitely heard, for shortly after, the sound of scurrying sprouted from the darkness. And it was not from the pounding paws of the orange cat but the pitter patter of tiny shoes.


    Before the two gnomes knew, several others popped into the glow. Standing the tallest, one wore a green hat with a red bauble on top, another had the dangliest of ears that almost reached the ground and a gray beard graced the face of the one beside him. There was one bespectacled with the thickest of glasses, one who wore flippers, and garden gloves and a shovel adorned the smallest of the bunch.


    ''Greetings, everyone,'' bowed Bitty.


    ''Is there any trouble?'' asked the lady gnome with the red bauble. ''I heard you two fighting again. I heard you last night too.''


    Blushing, Dolores said, embarrassed, ''You must have been hearing things, Haga.''


    ''No, I wasn''t. You two were definitely fighting.''


    ''I heard it too,'' said the gnome with the flippers.


    ''Me too,'' came all the others.


    ''Whatever you heard,'' interrupted Bitty, briefly glaring at Dolores, ''it is not why I called you.''


    ''What is it then?'' asked the bespectacled one.


    ''Well, Glasses, Arthur''s parents will be away for a while. We just want all of you to be on extra lookout, to keep your eyes peeled. You all know how special Arthur is and what he''s destined to do.''


    All the gnomes turned solemn and hung their heads.


    ''We''ll finally get to go back home again,'' said the gnome with long ears. ''To Huge Hill.''


    ''Precisely, Dapple,'' replied Dolores. ''Arthur will help us rid our lives of goblins and we''ll get to go back to our old homes.''


    ''But first,'' said Bitty, ''we need to keep Arthur safe. Yes?''


    ''Here, here!'' the other gnomes echoed, their glumness now gone.


    ''Now, Flippers,'' continued Bitty, ''I want you to do a few more laps of the creeks and the human''s swimming pools around here than you normally do.''


    ''Aye, aye,'' bowed the gnome with the flippers before taking out a snorkel and mask.


    ''Tiny?''


    ''Yes?'' answered the smallest of the lot, the one with the shovel.


    ''I want you to dig a few more tunnels around here. Just in case we need to move quickly and stealthily.''


    ''You can count on me.''


    ''And lastly, Youngone?'' said Bitty.


    The gnome with the gray beard nodded.


    ''I want you to take the rest and patrol the streets.''


    ''You got it,'' replied Youngone.


    ''Excellent. Now, if any of you come across trouble, you all know to tell me or Miss Eustace immediately.''


    ''Yes,'' came a chorus.


    ''Good. Now that will be all. Off you go.''


    Salutes swept through the group of gnomes before they vanished as quickly as they came. Bitty then turned to Dolores and gave her a look of triumph.


    ''Why are you staring at me like that?'' snapped the lady gnome.


    ''I told you,'' Bitty replied.


    ''Told me what?''


    ''That you''re a loudmouth.''


    And just like that, steam began to billow out of Dolores'' ears and she went as red as a tomato.


    Bitty knew a scream was to come and said, wagging his finger, ''Don''t do it. Do you want the others to hear us fighting again? Not to mention, you''ll wake Arthur and I would like to cook my dinner in silence.''


    ''You mean our dinner,'' Dolores croaked, trying desperately to keep her scream bottled.


    Bitty took the tiny fish off of his rod and replied, ''I''m the one who caught this. And it took me ages.''


    ''But I''m hungry. I haven''t eaten since last night.''


    ''Neither have I. Eat those flowers that you were going to shove in my ears. I''m sure they taste as lovely as you.'' Another devilish grin graced Bitty.


    Dolores grumbled before whipping her bouquet above her hat and tossing it at her husband.


    But Bitty was ready, ducking down just in time, and the flowers soared off into the pitch black. He then popped back up and started to laugh deeply, causing Dolores to steam even more until her hat began to flame and smoke.


    ''Ooh, may I.'' Bitty snapped a twig from a bush nearby, took it over to Dolores and lit it with her fiery cap. Then taking the flaming twig back to his side of the front step, he grabbed more twigs and made a roaring fire at his feet. Not long after, the fish was cooking away. ''Now that smells absolutely delicious.''


    Dolores grumbled more, but this time with a quiver of saddened dismay.


    Bitty looked back at his wife before saying with a tone of regret and forgiveness, ''Do you know what, sweetums? You can have this fish. I can go catch another.''


    In an instant, Dolores stopped steaming and the fire sizzling away on her hat blew out. ''Are you sure?''


    ''Very much.''


    ''That''s very sweet of you.''


    ''Something sweet for my sweetums. Here.'' From his back pocket, Bitty whipped out a plate and placed the now cooked fish on top. He then went over and handed it and a fork to his wife.


    Dolores gave her husband a peck on the cheek. ''Thank you, dear.''


    ''My pleasure as always.'' Bitty walked back to the fire.


    ''You were right. It smells delicious,'' said Dolores. She then raised the fork, ready to dig in.


    But before she could take a bite, the orange cat sprang out from nowhere, snatched the fish from the plate and leapt back into the night. And as Dolores began to steam and sneeze again, Bitty couldn''t stop himself from laughing.

 Chapter Six

    School the following day was the same for Arthur. Every school day was the same. He was laughed at relentlessly again, yelled at by Mrs Fairweather, chased by Billy and was made, as punishment for sneaking out of detention the previous day, to write one thousand lines about why children should always wear muzzles.


    If that wasn''t bad enough, Arthur saw that strange man standing outside again. This time, however, he was not alone. He was with another, a figure covered in a hooded cloak, their face hidden. And more oddly, making Arthur squint, it appeared that the individual was floating.


    ''I think I need to have my sight checked,'' Arthur had said, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head.


    Once school was over and Arthur was back home without any incident, he gave out a huge sigh of relief, plonked down on his bed and waited for his next sitter to arrive.


    Though not related, Arthur had always called the man Great Uncle. He was once a colleague of his parents, now retired, and had been in his life like Mr Scarlett since he could remember.


    Arthur didn''t have to wait long, for he soon heard the loudest and most obnoxious noise he had ever come across, it sounding like someone had lit a firework up an elephant''s trunk and then placing the entire animal inside a room full of giant honking geese.


    Arthur bolted from his bed, ran down the stairs and peered out of the front window, finding, as always, his great uncle trying desperately to get out of his car. And it wasn''t because his vehicle was tiny or that he was so old that he was having such trouble, which both were true. It was the suit-of-armor that the man always wore. Seriously, he wore it everywhere. He wore it to go shopping, to go for walks and to even go on holiday.


    For an hour Arthur just watched and winced. He would have gone out to help but his great uncle was a proud man and had scolded him once for trying to assist.


    Finally, the old man raised his armored hands in success but after placing a foot wrong, he tumbled to the ground with a huge clunk. After another hour, he was back on his feet and acting as if nothing had happened.


    Now waiting outside his front door, Arthur was greeted with a smile.


    ''Sorry for keeping you,'' his great uncle stammered through his huge and wild mustache, wobbling as if he was going to fall over again. ''I was just testing out the driver''s seat in my car before I thought I saw a very rare coin lying on the ground. But after getting a closer look, it was just a bit of flattened rabbit droppings.''


    ''No worries,'' Arthur replied, smirking at the fib. ''And it''s always good to see you.''


    ''Likewise, my dear boy. How was school?''


    ''It was good,'' Arthur lied this time and his great uncle could tell.


    ''You have greater things in store for you that school will not help you with. To be honest, school isn''t that important. It''s for losers. Looooosers. And you''re a winner, Arthur.''


    Arthur frowned. ''That''s arguable.''


    ''Arguable? Poppy-tosh. It''s in your destiny.''


    ''My destiny? What do you mean by that?''


    His great uncle waved his question away. ''Let me repeat what I said. School is for losers.''


    ''I don''t think you should be saying that to me, Great Uncle. School is very important. My parents wouldn''t be too happy with you if they heard you say that. Anyway, how can you, of all people, think school is for losers? Surely you went to university to become an archaeologist, like my parents?''Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ''My dear boy, archaeology is essentially just digging in soil. It''s not really rocket science, is it? You dig, you find something, you dig again and you find something else? Simple. Simmmmple. Now, be a good lad and get my helmet from my trunk. I need to go sit down for a bit. Testing out my car''s suspension really made my legs tired.''


    ''I thought you were testing out the driver''s seat.''


    The old man glared down at Arthur. ''I was doing both. Now, helmet please.''


    While Arthur walked to the car, he looked back at his great uncle, who was now patting the heads of the gnomes. For some odd reason, the old man always did that. And when he was finished greeting the stone creatures, he started inside. But before he even took two steps, he tripped and dived through the doorway with a loud frightful crash.


    ''Are you okay, Great Uncle?'' Arthur bellowed.


    ''I''m fine,'' his great uncle croaked in pain. ''Just get my helmet.''


    Arthur was quick to get what was asked, the metal head covering incredibly heavy, and went back indoors to see his great uncle rolling on the carpet towards the kitchen. Once he made it and eventually got back to his feet again, the old man took his helmet, sat down at the kitchen table and said dizzily, ''Once my legs feel better, let''s make you some pancakes for dinner, shall we.''


    Though he knew what to expect, it still tasting amazing, Arthur nodded eagerly. After many more bangs and crashes later, he was staring at a bowl of his great uncle''s famous Pancake Stew.


    ''Sorry that didn''t work out again,'' said the old man. ''I don''t know why it keeps turning out the way it does.''


    ''Maybe you should follow the instructions,'' Arthur mumbled, thinking this was one of the many things school taught you.


    ''What was that, my dear boy?''


    ''I said, don''t worry, Great Uncle. It''s delicious as always.'' Speaking truthfully, Arthur took a spoonful of the slop, gulped it down and beamed with delight.


    ''Glad to hear. Now be quick with it. I want to get to sparring before the light fades.''


    Every time his great uncle came over, he always wanted to teach Arthur how to wield a sword. And when Arthur had finished his Pancake Stew, he found himself in the backyard facing the old man, the two holding large wooden spoons at each other.


    With a thud, his great uncle slammed down the visor of his helmet he was now wearing and said, ''Come at me.''


    ''If you say so,'' Arthur replied before raising his wooden spoon and lunging. But before he was able to strike, his great uncle swatted away the spoon with his.


    ''You''ll have to do better than that.''


    Sparring with his great uncle was like day and night. It was as if something came over the old man. Gone was the clumsiness and the staggering and in their place came agility and swiftness.


    ''Why do you always want to do this with me?'' Arthur asked.


    ''Because knowing how to fight with a sword is incomparable.''


    Arthur scrunched up his face. ''When am I ever going to fight with a sword. You do know we''re not in the middle ages anymore, right?''


    His great uncle raised his visor. ''Do you think I''m losing my mind, Arthur?''


    Though he had wondered many times, Arthur replied, ''Not at all.''


    ''Hmmm.'' His great uncle frowned, knowing full well Arthur wasn''t telling the whole truth, before suddenly, he lunged himself.


    But Arthur was ready and blocked the attack.


    ''Well done.'' His great uncle smiled brightly. ''You''re improving quite nicely. Maybe in a year''s time, we can do away with these spoons and use real swords.''


    Arthur went wide-eyed at the thought, not in the least looking forward to that. But the image of the strange man quickly pushed that dread away. Being that the man had a sword himself, could his great uncle know who he was. Maybe they were sparring partners too.


    ''Great Uncle, can I ask you a question?'' he said.


    ''Of course.''


    ''It''s about a strange man that I''ve seen twice now, once yesterday and again today.''


    ''A strange man?''


    ''Yes, he was wearing a badge with the word Deputy on it.''


    Just then the old man threw off his helmet with a look of concern that Arthur had never seen plastered on his face before. ''Are you sure?''


    ''Positive,'' Arthur replied. ''Do you know him?


    ''The Shadow comes,'' the old man then just mumbled to himself.


    Arthur crossed his brows. ''The Shadow? What''s the Shadow? What are you talking about?''''


    ''I must leave.'' Without another word, the old man trudged across the backyard and back inside with Arthur right behind.


    ''What''s wrong?'' Arthur asked, as he then watched his great uncle walk out the front door before slamming it shut, his muffled voice following.


    ''Be on guard. The Shadow comes. Tell your friends and I''ll muster reinforcements.''


    Others? Reinforcements? What on earth was he talking about, wondered Arthur? And who was he talking to? Nobody was outside.


    ''This does it,'' Arthur then said. ''My mind is now made up. He''s definitely lost his. I''ll have to tell my parents when they come back.''


    Soon, the old man''s car blared a loud goodbye.

 Chapter Seven

    ''Come on, Fury,'' Merlynna begged and puffed as she chased after her flying friend, who was zipping around outside the Home for Enchanted Girls. ''Please come down. If you do, I''ll give you your favorite treat, a dragon bone. Hmmm, yum. Wouldn''t that be nice.''


    Fury was not duped by the bribe. Instead he just meowed and purred with content as he dipped and yawed through the air without a care in the world. He then soared high and glided as if he was floating amongst the starry sky before drifting off around the sacred rocks resting on the sacred mound nearby, each one humming with magic.


    Merlynna wagged her finger. ''Well, if you''re not going to cooperate, I will have to take this up a notch. No more tickling spells from now on.'' And with a flick of a hand, a suspending charm shot upwards and towards Fury like a streaking firefly. However, as it was about to connect, her furry companion dodged it with ease.


    The airborne cat swerved around the next one and the next one after that, his happy chattering now turning to angry hisses.


    ''Pretty please with a wand on top,'' Merlynna implored, watching the feline dive over a pumpkin patch, around a stack of large cauldrons and under a bewitched climbing frame for the younglings. ''And don''t you dare get angry with me, mister.''


    Another failed spell attempt sent Fury up and onto the roof of the orphanage, where he perched on the gutter and began grooming his wings.


    ''Now you''re just teasing me, aren''t you?'' said Merlynna, herself getting a bit angry too. ''Rubbing it in. Because of that, I may not take you along with me to my placement. And being that Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good don''t want you around unless I''m here, you''ll have to find another home and another human to befriend. I bet you wouldn''t like that.''


    Fury stopped his licking and just gave out a long drawn out yawn in response.


    ''Tired, are you? I''m not surprised. You''ve been going nonstop all day. How about this, I take you inside, into the warmth, and you can have a lovely sleep.'' Merlynna raised her arms and gestured with her hands. ''Come on. Just imagine curling up on my bed or a rug in the dining room, shutting your eyes and dreaming about chasing mice.''


    Fury flashed a wanting look down at Merlynna.


    ''Ahhh, that sounds nice, doesn''t it? Then come on, I''ll take you inside.''


    Fury, however, had no intention of going with her. He got up from his roost and meandered further onto the roof.


    ''Where are you going? Inside is not that way.''


    But Merlynna was wrong.


    Fury skulked over to the largest chimney stack, spread his wings before flying up and down into its flue.


    ''Oh, come on. Seriously,'' Merlynna moaned before rushing over to a window and opening it with a spell. ''Fosgail.''


    After almost knocking over a lit candlestick sitting on the sill while climbing in, she ran down a corridor and through a set of doors.


    Inside the dining room, the aroma of roast dinner still in the air, her gaze descended over the many round tables and to the fireplace at the other end, it almost covering the entire back wall. She could hear scratching emanating from it and saw soot showering down onto the hearth.


    ''Got you now,'' Merlynna said to herself, ready to cast a more powerful suspending charm at the first sign of movement.


    And the moment she saw fur, she sent it over, the spell bedazzling the dining room with a vibrant, pulsating blue.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    But the charm wasn''t fast enough. Before it even reached the head table, Fury was on the hearth staring at it as if it was one of his toys. And after watching the spell disappear up the chimney, he took to the air again, darting over Merlynna''s head and out the set of doors.


    ''I just can''t win, can I.'' But Merlynna was quick to the pursuit again, fleeing the dining room to see Fury bouncing off of the walls of the corridor, his claws scratching the paint.


    ''Please don''t. I''ll get in trouble,'' she snapped in whispers before following him up the stairs and to the landing adorned with brooms. ''But if you want, two can play this game.''


    Though not the graceful of riders ¨C in fact, she was terrible, one of the worst at the orphanage ¨C Merlynna grabbed a broom from its brackets, its bristles of red troll hair angled in every direction, and mounted it. She then pushed off and up she floated.


    ''Whoa. Maybe I''ve finally figured this out,'' she said, surprised. Only moments later, though, the broom began to wobble madly and shake. ''Yeah, I thought it was too good to be true.''


    Despite her ride seemingly trying to buck her off, Merlynna leaned forward. And down the corridor towards her bedroom she flew, jerking all over the place as if she was riding a firework. But she was gaining on Fury, who she saw had rounded a corner at the very end.


    With determination, she eyed the turn, but when it was time to make it herself, pointing the broom handle to the left, she kept on going straight. And right straight into a door, smashing through it with a boom. Everything then became a blur until she smashed into something else, fell off the broom and hit the floor with a thud right on her backside.


    A groan escaped Merlynna''s lips as she fumbled to her feet. And as the broom zipped away on its own and out of sight, she saw what she had hit. She had smashed into a shelf home to an array of magical objects, many of which had tumbled off on impact.


    Instantly, she heard the pounding footfalls of Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good. ''I''m in double trouble now. No, triple trouble.''


    She bent down and hurriedly began collecting up the items by her feet. There were wands, a few uninhabited genie lamps, cups, stones, and what looked like some dull metal shard, which suddenly began to glow the moment she touched it.


    ''What in the wizarding muddle is this?'' Merlynna raised the object to get a better look and saw that the metal was shimmering too.


    Worried that she had set something off that she wasn''t supposed to, something that she was rather good at doing here at the Home for Enchanted Girls, she buried it deep inside a pocket of her pajamas.


    It was just in time too as Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good burst through the doorway.


    ''Well, well, well, I''m not surprised to see you, Merlynna,'' said Mrs Good, looking at the mess that the young witch had caused. ''May I ask what you''re doing inside the storage room so late at night?''


    Merlynna closed her eyes, but not all the way, just enough to see where she was going. She then raised her arms as though she was a mummy who had come back to life and began walking towards the door.


    ''Merlynna,'' Miss Harrower said with a not-so-amused tone in her voice. ''You''ve already tried the sleep walking excuse with us. It didn''t work the last time and we are not swayed now.''


    Merlynna abruptly stopped, opened her eyes and said, ''Really? I tried it before? When was that?''


    ''The time we caught you sneaking into our office to find the never-ending-string yo-yo we confiscated from you,'' replied Madame Joan.


    ''Oh, yeah,'' nodded Merlynna. ''Now I remember. Any chance of getting that back. I traded a whole lot of magic beans for it.''


    ''Not. A. Chance,'' Mrs Good blurted out. ''You almost decapitated several of the girls with it. Now answer my question. What are you doing in the storage room so late at night?''


    ''I was trying to catch Fury and I may have wandered into the storage room looking for him.''


    ''And what was that very loud crash we heard? It sounded like a train had come through the orphanage.''


    With a look of bewilderment, Merlynna shrugged. ''Crash?'' What crash? I didn''t hear a crash.''


    ''Merlynnnnnnnna!'' snapped Miss Harrower.


    ''Okay, it was me. I crashed into the storage room while on a broom and caused this mess.''


    The three old witches glared.


    ''You were riding inside?'' Mrs Good screeched, causing Merlynna to cover her ears.


    ''I don''t really think what I was doing could be considered riding. As usual, I was all over the place.''


    ''Merlynnnnnnnnna!'' Miss Harrower snapped again.


    ''Okay, I''m sorry. It won''t happen again. And I''ll tidy up. I''ll also fix the walls downstairs.''


    ''What happened to the walls?''


    ''Fury may have put a few scratches on them.''


    The old witches glared again.


    ''Just a few,'' said Merlynna. ''Easy to fix.''


    Mrs Good put her head in her hand. ''Merlynna.''


    ''Yes?''


    ''Just go to your room.''


    ''Will do, ma''am.'' Padding her pocket to make sure the glowing shard was still there and not about to pop out, Merlynna walked past Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good and headed off.

 Chapter Eight

    While Merlynna gazed at the glowing shard in bed, wondering what it could be, Little Johnny was up a tree in his back garden once again. This time he wasn''t waiting for Mr Scarlett to leave his home but for his return. Little Johnny hadn''t seen the mysterious man since he had been thrown off the carriage the other night.


    ''Had something happened to him?'' Little Johnny asked himself. ''Something bad, perhaps? Had he met his demise at the hands of this Shadow that he mentioned? Or maybe he was captured by them and needs help.''


    If Mr Scarlett does, could he come to his rescue, Little Johnny wondered. But how? What could he do? Unless he could find something useful below the fountain. Maybe there was a secret superhero lair down there.


    Little Johnny didn''t think about it for long. He was going to check it out.


    But first, he needed a disguise, something to hide his face if he were to run into anything, someone.


    Across the branch he walked and through a window to his bedroom he climbed, the place void of anything that would hint that it was a child''s bedroom. Little Johnny then leapt over his bed to his closet as the faint sounds of his foster parents sleeping crept through the crack under the door.


    Little Johnny wondered if they would believe him if he told them about his suspicions about Mr Scarlett.


    He chuckled at the thought.


    Definitely not. They probably wouldn''t even care. Probably wouldn''t even notice that he was talking to them.


    Little Johnny riffled through his clothes until he found what he was looking for, the hideous coat that had been in his closet ever since he had come to live with his foster parents. Made of thick wool that had turned brown with age, it looked like some sort of matted creature or some gnarly dead brush.


    He had never worn it before, and never thought he would, but it had a baggy hood.


    He quickly draped the coat over him, it smelling as if something had died inside, before covering his head. He then climbed through his window again and back onto the tree, where a branch as tall as him and as thick as his arm took his fancy.


    ''I may need something to defend myself if I get into trouble,'' Little Johnny whispered before grabbing the branch and breaking it off. ''Excellent. A staff.''


    He gave it a try too, showing off his gymnastic baton twirling skills to the owl that was perched nearby. With a thrust, he shot the staff over his head and began spinning it around and around. First with two hands and then with one.


    ''Brilliant,'' Little Johnny said as he stared up in awe at the twirling blur before bringing the staff down and doing the same in front of him. Then with a snap, he stopped and finished off with a few lunges and sweeps.


    The owl hooted at the display.


    ''Thank you,'' Little Johnny responded as he eyed a delivery truck rolling down the street. ''And perfect timing.''


    With a smile, he leapt down to the branch below, which was hanging over his fence and the sidewalk, and shuffled to the very end. And the moment the delivery truck ambled by beneath him, he jumped.


    Through the air he plummeted until he hit the hood of the truck''s trailer with a bang. The driver briefly stuck his head out at the noise but continued on and towards Mr Scarlett''s gate. Once there, and as he turned the corner to travel down another street, Little Johnny leapt off, soared over the gate and down into Mr Scarlett''s front garden.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ''That was fun,'' he mumbled. He gave another twirl of his staff before dashing around to the back and to the fountain. ''Now, what did Mr Scarlett do to make it go down.''


    Little Johnny placed his staff on the grass and started feeling the wall of the fountain with his hands, searching for whatever activated its descent. A button, a toggle, a switch. Anything.


    The wall was smooth against his skin until eventually he felt something, his fingers touching a tiny protruding knob.


    ''This must be it.'' And with curiosity and fear, he gave it a press.


    The flowing water stopped as it did the last time and before Little Johnny knew it, the fountain was moving.


    ''Here we go.'' He took up his staff and jumped down into the fountain''s pool.


    And down he went, the hole above where the fountain had just been getting smaller and smaller.


    But then, light beamed all around and the fountain shuddered to a stop.


    Now Little Johnny was staring at an archway and down a tunnel emblazoned with flickering torches. It gave him the heebie-jeebies but it didn''t deter him. He stepped out of the pool and crept forward.


    The tunnel twisted and turned, dipped and crested, the air getting cooler. And it eventually came to an end, where what lay beyond made Little Johnny gasp.


    ''Whoa,'' he breathed, gazing through another archway and into a large cave lit up by many more flickering torches.


    Bows, arrows and swords hung from the walls, several carriages sat side by side, computer screens surrounded a chair in a corner and there was a huge table in the middle, its top a map and which many little figurines stood.


    And as Little Johnny entered the cave, getting closer to the table, he saw that the models were men in cloaks, fairies and other creatures that did not exist. But there was one figurine that quickly stood out. It was of a boy and it was labeled with a name.


    Arthur Hood.


    Wondering who this boy could be, Little Johnny looked up and saw a light at the other end of the cave. It was shining down on something tucked inside a small cubby carved into the rock.


    Curious, he walked around the table and crept over, soon bewildered at what he was looking at. It was a manky, skeletal quill.


    ''Was not expecting that,'' Little Johnny mumbled, thinking he''d find something extremely valuable instead.


    Despite it looking like some random feather one would find washed up on a beach, Little Johnny couldn''t stop looking at it. In fact, he felt a draw to it and soon got the urge to pick it up. And that''s what he did.


    Now between his fingers, he brought it closer. But then suddenly, as if by magic, it did something strange. The quill began to fill out with barbs and vanes of the most vibrant of reds.


    Little Johnny squinted and squinted, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him, before the sound of turning wheels and neighs echoed down the tunnel and into the cave. The boy dropped down to the ground in terror, stuffed the feather into his coat and crawled under the table.


    The noises grew louder until Little Johnny saw the lower half of a horse and a carriage, it soon stopping next to the other carriages before legs dropped to the floor.


    It was Mr Scarlett.


    Did he know someone was down here, wondered Little Johnny, who shook at the thought of getting caught?


    Mr Scarlett meandered over to the computer screens and sat down, the electronics turning on instantly. There he stayed for ages, tapping away on a keyboard, and with Little Johnny unable to see what he was doing.


    Now how was he supposed to get out of here undetected? And what if Mr Scarlett saw that his quill was missing.


    Little Johnny contemplated just bolting out of the cave and into the tunnel, hoping that he could get back up through the hole, but then Mr Scarlett stood up and came over to the table, where he began shuffling the figurines around.


    ''Please don''t notice the quill''s missing,'' Little Johnny prayed. ''Please don''t notice the quill''s missing.''


    And his appeal was answered, for a voice soon blared out from one of the computer screens.


    ''Will,'' it said, ''are you there?''


    Mr Scarlett rushed over and replied, staring at the face of an old man that had now appeared on screen. ''Yes, I''m here, Lanzo.''


    ''The Shadow draws near to Arthur.''


    ''I''ll be there as quickly as I can.''


    ''Safe travels.''


    The old man disappeared and Mr Scarlett bolted over to the carriage. ''Sorry, Papplewick, but we must be off again.''


    The horse neighed and the carriage was soon mounted once more. It then began to move, heading out of the archway and back into the tunnel.


    With speed, Little Johnny bounded from under the table, caught up with the vehicle and jumped on its back.

 Chapter Nine

    Not that long before Little Johnny had found himself back on Mr Scarlett''s carriage, Arthur was in his bedroom. The sketches strewn across his desk had all been colored and he was peering down at his darkened driveway from a window, wondering when his parents would return from their archeological dig.


    It should be very soon, he thought.


    The ruffle of a bush below, however, sent Arthur shutting his blinds. He was sure it was the wind that had caused it to move, for it was turning out to be a blustery night, but he just couldn''t shake the strange man and his great uncle''s response from his mind.


    ''Hmm, now did I remember to lock all the windows downstairs?'' Arthur said to himself. He was sure he had but wanted to double check.


    Suddenly, however, the sound of whispers flitted from behind, making him whimper. Arthur then closed his eyes before whipping around and swinging his arms as if they were made of jelly, ready to fight off whoever it was.


    ''Don''t come any closer,'' he cried, ''or I''ll punch you.''


    No response from his threat followed and his fists only made contact with each other. And for several seconds he kept on doing this until he tired and dropped his arms in defeat. Then slowly opening his eyes, he could see only one person standing in his bedroom and that was him. But maybe someone was hiding under his bed.


    With a deep breath, Arthur got to his knees and hesitantly took a peek.


    Nothing.


    As he stood back up, he heard the whispering again, it sounding like the voices of a girl and boy. He couldn''t make out a word but now knew where it was coming from. The shard and quill.


    Arthur rubbed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. ''I think my brain''s telling me to go to sleep.''


    But the whispering sounded so real.


    Arthur crept towards his shelf. And although the whispering got louder, he still couldn''t make out what the voices were saying.


    Now staring at his prized possessions, he said, ''Hello? Is anyone there? Can you hear me? I can hear you.''


    With a start, the whispering died and a dazzling light burst from the shard.


    Taken by surprise, Arthur tumbled back and tripped over his bed.


    ''What''s going on?'' he shrieked before noticing the quill start to change. One moment, it was just its unremarkable self, and the next, it was a vibrant lush red feather.


    Arthur was having no more of this. He bolted from his bedroom and to his parents''. And after locking the door, he leapt under their bed covers and curled up into a ball.


    ''What in the strangeness is going on?'' he stuttered.


    But the strangeness had only just begun. And it continued with the tapping of glass a short time later.


    ''What was that?'' Arthur shrieked before slowly poking his head out and seeing nothing at the window. He then retreated back under the bed covers but more tapping followed.


    Once again, Arthur poked his head out of the bed covers. This time he saw something that made him whimper anew. Outside of the window was the hooded figure he had seen standing next to the strange man outside of his school.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Were they flying?


    Arthur reached to turn off his parents'' bedside light, but the figure spoke, their voice wafting lazily through the glass.


    ''Would you mind keeping that on?'' it said. ''I''d like to introduce myself.''


    Arthur froze to see their cloak fall away, revealing what looked like a tiny blue-skinned woman with fluttering translucent wings. Wearing a gleaming tiara on her tea cup sized head, she smiled as brightly.


    ''Yep, yep, yep,'' Arthur bellowed out loudly before laughing up a storm. ''I get it. I get it. I''m dreaming. I''m dreaming. It''s the only explanation. Because that is a fairy and fairies don''t exist.'' He then put his head in his hands and exhaled. ''Phew, I thought I was going bonkers there for a minute.''


    ''But we do exist, little boy,'' came the creature. ''And I''m the fairy princess. The Princess of the Fays to be proper.''


    Arthur looked back up. ''Umm, no, you don''t exist.''


    ''Open the window and not only will I show you how real I am, I will tell you who you are.''


    ''Who I am? I know who I am, thank you. I''m Arthur Hood.''


    The fairy smiled again but this time it was more of a smirk. ''Yes, we thought we sensed you.''


    ''We? You mean you and that strange man with the badge? And what do you mean by sensed me?''


    ''You''re special Arthur.''


    ''Special? How?''


    ''I''ll tell you all that once you let me in. So be a good boy and open the window. There''s not much time.''


    ''Yeah, I''m good thank you.''


    Just then, the fairy''s smile vanished and her eyes and skin turned black. ''So be it.''


    With a snap of her fingers, the window shattered in a clattering explosion. The next thing Arthur knew he was nose to nose with the fairy, her eyes now burning with anger.


    ''From now on, you will do as I say,'' the fairy said darkly. ''And you''ll be coming with me. But first¨C'' She snapped her fingers again, and in her hand appeared a glowing shard that looked almost like Arthur''s. ''Now you have something that belongs to me. Something that looks like this. Have you?''


    Shaking his head, Arthur cowered back. ''No.''


    The fairy''s mouth opened with a toothsome savagery. ''DON''T LIE TO ME! I CAN FEEL IT''S HERE! YOU WILL GIVE IT TO ME AT ONCE! GIVE IT TO ME OR I''LL TURN YOU INTO MY DINNER! I HAVEN''T EATEN A BOY LIKE YOU IN AGES AND I''M GETTING AN APPETITE FOR LITTLE HANDS AND FEET!''


    Arthur''s teeth shattered together and he was ready to blab, to tell where his shard was. But before he could utter a word, something flashed through the window. He then saw a hook, and which was attached to a line, pierce one of the fairy''s wings.


    In nothing flat, the fairy was yanked out of the window, the creature''s loud shriek that had riddled all around growing fainter until it disappeared. Arthur then heard his front door crashing open, and which was followed by bounding soft footsteps rushing up the stairs.


    A blink of an eye later, his parents'' bedroom door flew open, to which Arthur yelled, expecting to see the fairy again. But he saw nothing.


    ''Arthur better be okay or I''m blaming you, Dolores,'' a voice suddenly squeaked.


    ''Me? Why?'' came another high-pitched murmur.


    ''Because instead of watching for threats as we were supposed to do, you wanted to argue as always.''


    ''Don''t you dare.''


    Curious, Arthur peeked over the end of the bed and saw two gnomes. His gnomes. And they were moving.


    The two creatures quickly noticed Arthur and sighed in relief.


    ''Look, he''s fine, Bitty,'' said the lady gnome.


    ''But he may not have been,'' replied the gentleman gnome, taking off his pointy hat and wiping his forehead. ''We were lucky.''


    ''How¨Chow¨Chow have you come to life?'' stammered Arthur.


    ''That''s the way of the gnomes,'' replied Dolores. The two gnomes then bowed and introduced themselves.


    ''There was a fairy just here. And it wasn''t very nice.''


    ''We know. And you probably saw, I took care of the winged rat.''


    ''It was you?''


    ''I used my fishing rod. I cast her far into the night, but she''ll definitely return being who you are. And I''m sure with others.''


    ''Who I am?'' said Arthur. ''And others? The strange man with the badge?''


    ''Yes, the Deputy, but many more. That''s why we need to get you out of here, Arthur. You''re in grave danger.''


    ''Get me out of here? But I don''t know you.''


    ''Don''t know us?'' snapped Dolores. ''We''ve been on your front step since you were a baby. Of course you know us.''


    ''You''re a bit different now, though, aren''t you. I mean, you''re alive.''


    ''We''ve always been alive,'' Dolores started, her voice getting louder, before her husband interrupted.


    ''Sweetums, are you really trying to argue with the boy?'' he said.


    Dolores turned to Bitty. ''Just because someone talks loudly doesn''t mean they''re arguing.''


    Bitty opened his mouth to respond, but it was another who spoke, her voice drifting through the doorway, a voice Arthur knew all too well.


    ''Please, Arthur, you need to come with us. It''s not safe here anymore.''

 Chapter Ten

    ''Miss Eustace,'' Arthur breathed, ''is that you?''


    The woman that he had come to know from all the times she had looked after him appeared completely different. No longer was her hair done up neatly in a bun but flowing down almost to her waist. And gone was her black dress. Now she was wearing green tights and a brown sleeveless jacket. Oh, and she was also carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows.


    ''It is, Arthur,'' Miss Eustace replied, giving him a smile yet there was an urgency in her tone. She then looked down at the gnomes, ''Thank you for keeping him safe, you two.''


    Bitty and Dolores bowed.


    ''I can''t believe I''m saying this,'' said Arthur, ''but you know the gnomes from my front step? Gnomes that have somehow magically come to life?''


    ''I do,'' said Miss Eustace. ''We''ve known one another for a long time. We are friends, fighters of the Shadow.''


    There was that word again.


    ''What''s the Shadow?'' asked Arthur.


    ''They''re our enemies. The enemies of the Merry Knights, which we belong to. They''re your enemies too. Including the Fays, the Sheriff''s Men and many more evil beings, the Shadow has laid waste to many and their homes.''


    Bitty and Dolores hung their heads.


    ''Wait, did you just say the Sheriff''s Men?'' asked Arthur. ''Who are they?''


    ''Descendants. Descendants of the men who supported Robin Hood''s nemesis.''


    ''Robin Hood? The Robin Hood?'' Arthur went wide-eyed. ''Then does that mean he was real? His tale?''


    ''Indeed, he was as real as you and me and Bitty and Dolores.''


    Then realizing something else, Arthur burst out. ''And the¨Cthe-the Fays. Don''t tell me they have something to do with Morgana le Fay.''


    ''They are her children.''


    ''So that means King Arthur and his tale were real too.''


    ''Yes.''


    Arthur shook his head before mumbling to himself, ''This night has gone from strange to completely mad.''


    ''I know it''s a lot to take in.''


    ''It''s more than a lot to take in, Miss Eustace. And if this is all true, why are they my enemies? I''ve never done anything to the Fays or these Sheriff''s Men. What does any of this have to do with me?''


    ''It''s because you are special, Arthur.''


    ''Very special,'' added Dolores.


    ''That''s what the fairy said,'' replied Arthur. ''How am I special?''


    ''You''re special,'' said Miss Eustace, ''because you are the descendant of both King Arthur and Robin Hood.''


    Arthur was sure he had misheard that. ''Can you say that again?''


    ''You are the heir of King Arthur and Robin Hood.''


    Arthur pointed to himself and mouthed, ''Me?''


    ''Yes.''


    ''I can''t believe it.'' Arthur then scrunched up his face. ''But wait. Wouldn''t that mean my parents are too?''The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ''Yes. King Arthur''s blood runs through your mother and the blood of Robin Hood flows through your father. They were the last heirs until they had you.''


    ''Do they know?''


    Miss Eustace shook her head. ''For their survival, the lineages of King Arthur and Robin had to be lost to history.''


    Arthur still couldn''t believe what he was hearing. ''So why am I special?''


    ''For us, the Merry Knights, it is you who will rid the world of the Shadow. And you''re special to them, for they believe you will lead them to the resting places of Morgana le Fay and the Sheriff.''


    ''H-h-how am I supposed to rid the world of Shadow?'' Arthur burst out. ''I''m useless.''


    ''You are not useless.''


    ''And why does the Shadow want to find the resting places of Morgana le Fay and the Sheriff?''


    ''To bring them back so the two can lead the Shadow in making the world as evil and dark as ever.''


    Arthur gulped. ''But I don''t know where they are? How can I lead them?''


    ''Because you are a child heir of King Arthur and Robin Hood, the ones that sent the two to their resting places.''


    ''What does me being a child have to do with anything?''


    ''Because a child''s mind is full of wonder and imagination, the key to unlocking and finding many things. Now, Arthur, I''d really like to tell you more but we need to go.''


    ''But I can''t go,'' Arthur replied.'' My parents are coming back home tonight. I need to wait for them.''


    ''You can do that where I''ll be taking you. We will make sure to tell them.''


    Arthur was hesitant but what else could he do. He didn''t want the Shadow to take him.


    ''Okay,'' he said.


    ''Good,'' Miss Eustace replied. ''But before we go, run along and get your shard and quill please. We don''t want those getting in the hands of the Shadow.''


    ''You know about them?''


    ''Indeed. And they are very important.''


    ''That fairy princess was looking for my shard. I didn''t give it to her.''


    ''Really?''


    ''Yes, she said it was hers. And she had her very own. She showed it to me.''


    Miss Eustace looked away in shock. ''Now this could change things for the bad.''


    ''What? Why?''


    ''We''ll tell you once you''re safe.''


    ''There''s something else. Something weird happened to the shard. The quill too. I''ll show you.''


    With haste, Arthur led Miss Eustace, Bitty and Dolores into his room where the shard and feather still lay on the shelf. The shard was still glowing and the quill was still the vibrant red feather.


    More shocked, Miss Eustace said. ''When did this occur?''


    ''Earlier,'' Arthur replied. ''I was in here waiting for my parents when I heard whispering coming from them.''


    ''Whispering?'' squeaked Dolores.


    ''Yes,'' said Arthur. ''Then all of a sudden, this happened. They''ve never done this before.''


    ''I''ve never heard of them doing this either,'' said Miss Eustace. ''Of all the hands these have been passed down to . . . . but wondering can wait. We really need to leave. Arthur, do you have a bag to put them in?''


    Arthur dashed over to his desk, grabbed his backpack and dumped out his school books. Then rushing back, he carefully picked up the shard and feather and placed them inside.


    ''Good, now follow me,'' said Miss Eustace.


    The four darted out of Arthur''s bedroom, down the stairs and through the front door, where the boy gasped at what he saw.


    ''Oh, my,'' he said.


    Before him was a large white horse with a long flowing mane.


    ''This is Much, Arthur,'' said Miss Eustace. ''And she''ll be taking us to where we''re headed.''


    ''I''ve never ridden a horse before,'' Arthur replied.


    ''Well you''re in for quite a ride.'' Miss Eustace said. She then led Arthur over to Much and helped him on.


    Just then, the headlights of a car sliced up the driveway.


    ''They''re back. It''s mom and dad,'' Arthur burst out happily, but things soon turned more grave.


    In surprise, several other gnomes popped out from the dark and together gave one huge crying squeal. ''More are coming!''


    Without a thought, Arthur jumped from Much. But as he was about to run towards his parents, a figure walked out into the driveway and in front of their car, making it skid to a halt.


    It was the Deputy.


    Then more and more figures like him appeared around the car as Arthur''s parents got out to confront the intruder.


    ''The Sheriff''s Men,'' snapped Miss Eustace as she thread an arrow into her bow.


    Meanwhile, Arthur yelled, ''MOM! DAD! WATCH OUT!''


    In an instant, the Deputy and the other Sheriff''s Men turned and fairies led by their princess, who still had Bitty''s hook stuck in her wing, descended from the pitch black above. And down they came until Arthur''s parents were swarmed, grabbed by their limbs before the two were carried away into the night sky.


    ''MOM! DAD!'' Arthur screamed, ready to pounce forward, but Miss Eustace pulled him back.


    ''It''s no use, Arthur,'' she said, as the Sheriff''s Men began thundering up the driveway. ''They''ve gone.''


    ''Where are they taking them?''


    ''Far from here.''


    ''We need to go after them. We need to save them.''


    ''It''s no use. But we''ll get them back, Arthur. I promise. Right now, though, we just need to leave.''


    Arthur didn''t know what to do but as he watched the Sheriff''s Men closing in, the Deputy''s menacing face trained on him, leaving with Miss Eustace was the only choice he had.


    ''Let''s go then,'' he cried, and with help, he got back on Much. And after Miss Eustace, Bitty, Dolores and all the other gnomes jumped on too, off they went.

 Chapter Eleven

    Fast. No, faster than fast. Faster than the wind in a hurricane.


    And as their surroundings turned from a blur to a whipping murk of dark and light, Arthur squeezed Miss Eustace tighter. It felt like Much was about to take off, to soar off into the universe.


    Any other time Arthur would question how this was possible for a horse to be this fast, but his thoughts were only on one thing. His parents. He couldn''t help but shed a tear, it instantly flinging from his face and dispersing into the turbulent throng.


    A jostle and a turn sent Bitty, Dolores and the other gnomes squeaking madly from behind and sent Arthur''s arms digging further into Miss Eustace. Next, the light around them shone brightly before dimming as if they were galloping past a town or city. And this ebbing and flowing continued until eventually everything faded except for the sparse streaks made from the stars above.


    ''We''re almost there,'' Miss Eustace yelled, although Arthur only heard a whisper.


    Shortly after, it was as if they had mounted a see-saw. Up and down they went, Arthur sure they were traversing hill after hill. Then, the falling stopped and they just continued to rise until Much began to slow.


    All around the nightly murk started to clump together, forming the sky, the horizon, peaks and valleys below, a few wind swept trees and the grass under Much''s hooves.


    As gallops turned to trots, Arthur loosened his grip on Miss Eustace, peered over her shoulder and saw a burning torch perched on a water''s edge, a thick fog beyond.


    The sight sent shivers down his spine and for a brief second he thought Miss Eustace was going to take Much into the wet abyss but they stopped at the torch.


    ''Where are we? What is this place?'' Arthur asked, as Much dropped his head and began quenching his thirst.


    ''You''ll see,'' Miss Eustace replied.


    The horse''s lapping seemed to grow louder and louder until it felt like he was about to drink all the water in the world but soon Arthur realized it wasn''t Much who was making the noise.


    Through the fog, he saw bubbles frothing at the surface of the water, it shaping into a narrow strip that disappeared into the gloom.


    Hearing Arthur''s heart race and a quiver in his breathing, Miss Eustace said, ''Don''t worry, this is normal. Trust me, we''re more than safe.''


    Just then, stones emerged from the gurgling, rising out like the back of a gigantic scaly reptile.


    ''A bridge,'' gasped Arthur, stunned. And despite the reassurance, and as Miss Eustace led Much onto the crossing, he was beyond scared.


    Clop after clop they traversed the stone span and the fog became so dense that Arthur could barely see Miss Eustace in front of him.


    Suddenly, however, as if a giant had come along and just blew it all away, the fog cleared.


    Again, Arthur peered over Miss Eustace''s shoulder and saw something spectacular. Out from the water, a craggy rock loomed into the air, it morphing into a spiraling tower.


    ''Whoa.'' Arthur breathed.


    ''Welcome,'' said Miss Eustace, ''to the Isle of Avalon.''


    Arthur gasped. He couldn''t believe it. From all the books that he had read, he knew of this place very well. ''The resting place of King Arthur.''Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''That''s correct.''


    ''And now it is where the Merry Knights gather,'' added Bitty.


    ''The Shadow can''t find us here?'' Arthur asked.


    ''The only way anyone can find this place is if they are shown the way,'' replied Miss Eustace.


    As they drew closer, Arthur spied that they were heading towards a gate set in the rock. And the very moment they reached it, Miss Eustace said out loud and with pride, ''Courage and generosity.''


    The gate opened with a rasp and through they went, soon stopping before a towering wooden door. And around them, many unmounted horses welcomed them with neighs.


    Miss Eustace jumped down from Much before helping Arthur off and said, ''Good, many are here already. They got the message.''


    ''It looks like Will hasn''t¨C'' Dolores started with a chirp but was drowned out by a grinding groan.


    Arthur watched as the door opened to reveal someone he was not expecting.


    ''Great Uncle!'' he burst out.


    Wearing his usual suit-of-armor, the old man beamed down yet his eyes showed the gravity that they were in.


    ''Arthur,'' he bowed and the boy ran up and gave him a hug.


    ''Mom and dad were taken,'' Arthur sniffled.


    ''I am aware, my dear boy,'' his great uncle replied solemnly. ''Come on, let''s get inside and you can meet some more of the Merry Knights.''


    Arthur unwrapped his arms and his great uncle turned on his heel, the old man as solid on his feet as if the two were sparing. Arthur along with Miss Eustace, Bitty, Dolores and the other gnomes then followed him. Up a set of winding stone stairs lined with lamps they went before another imposing door loomed.


    Arthur could hear much chatter echoing on the other side and when his great uncle pushed on the door, all of it burst out but quickly died to nothing.


    ''After you, Arthur,'' his great uncle said and stepped aside.


    Arthur shuffled through the doorway and into a cavernous hall, where countless eyes encircling an enormous round table set in the middle were fast to stare. And they weren''t just looks from humans or gnomes.


    There were great big giants, elves with pointy ears, centaurs and centauresses, harpies with beautiful feathered wings and many more creatures that Arthur thought only existed in mythical tales.


    ''Is my mind''s eye deceiving me?'' a centaur with spiral horns announced. ''Does the young prince stand before us?''


    ''The prince?'' asked Arthur.


    ''You,'' Miss Eustace replied.


    ''Your mind''s eye,'' came Arthur''s great uncle, ''is not mistaken, Amzin.''


    In a rush, chairs moved and creatures stood before they all bowed deeply.


    ''We are beyond relieved,'' Amzin continued, ''that all of you have made it here safely. And saddened too, young prince, of your parents'' capture. As the Merry Knights, we will do everything in our power to rescue them.''


    ''Indeed,'' said Arthur''s great uncle.


    ''There is something else,'' came Miss Eustace. All eyes turned to her. ''The Princess of the Fays was looking for Arthur''s shard. And it looks like she is in possession of one herself.''


    Gasps and murmurs of anguish rang out around the table and a giant slammed down his fist, making it tremble.


    ''So the Shadow knows of its existence and they''ve somehow found another piece,'' Amzin nodded gravely as Arthur looked on in puzzlement. ''If they get their hands on Caliburn, our goal of ridding this world of evil will be a lot harder.''


    ''Arthur still has his shard,'' replied Miss Eustace. ''And as long as that is so, the Shadow will not get stronger.''


    ''What''s all this about?'' came Arthur. ''Who or what is Caliburn?''


    ''Caliburn,'' replied his great uncle, ''is King Arthur''s legendary sword that he pulled from the stone.''


    Arthur froze. ''The Sword in the Stone?''


    ''Yes.''


    ''And a piece of it is on my back in my school bag right now and has been on my shelf in my bedroom for my entire life?''


    ''Yes,'' replied Miss Eustace.


    In such shock, Arthur stuttered until Miss Eustace put a hand on his shoulder and said to him, ''Let''s find you a seat.''


    ''Please take mine, young prince,'' Amzin said immediately and Miss Eustace guided the boy over.


    Arthur was about to take his place when he noticed something at the other end of the hall. Set on its side, it was a slab of rock.


    ''What''s that?'' he asked.


    ''That is the tomb of King Arthur.''


    Arthur began stuttering again until he found himself wandering over.


    There was nothing remarkable about the grave but as he got closer, he saw an inscription.


    Hic jacet Arthurus, Rex quandam, Rexque futurus.


    ''It reads, "Here lies Arthur, the once and future king,"'' Miss Eustace said as she made her way over herself.


    For who-knows how long, Arthur just sat and stared at the rock, his thoughts on his parents, but eventually, they were interrupted by a boy''s voice booming through the hall''s door.


    ''Where are we going?'' it said. ''You''re not going to hurt me, are you?''


    ''I would have done so by now if I wanted to,'' replied another voice Arthur recognized. ''I just need to do something before I take you back home.''


    With a grate, the hall''s door opened and in walked Mr Scarlett with a large stick in his hand. And behind him was a boy dressed in a gnarled wooly coat and hood.

 Chapter Twelve

    Now with his hood down, the boy glared at everyone sitting around the table. ''Is this some sort of fantasy themed costume party, Mr Scarlett? Or is everyone celebrating Halloween a bit too early?''


    The man who had led him into the hall replied, ''It is not.''


    ''So umm . . . so umm . . . all the magical creatures I''m seeing are real?''


    ''Indeed they are.''


    ''Isn''t that something.'' The boy wasn''t too taken aback by it one bit. In fact, he looked rather happy to be seeing giants, centaurs and the lot. ''So is this a gathering of superheroes then?''


    ''Well, I guess you could say that.''


    The boy beamed from ear to ear. ''I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew you were a superhero, Mr Scarlett.''


    ''Who''s the boy, Will?'' bellowed Amzin. The centaur trotted around the table to get a better look at the young stranger.


    ''He said he lives in my neighborhood,'' Mr Scarlett replied. ''I think I''ve seen him around. Lives at the other end of the street. I found him hiding on the back of my carriage.''


    ''Is he a spy?''


    Clearly offended, the boy glowered at the centaur and shouted, ''I''m not a spy. And don''t you ever say that again.''


    ''All right, calm down there,'' Amzin replied, looking somewhat amused yet taken aback by the fierceness of the boy''s reaction. ''You can''t be too careful. Especially in these very dark times. Do you have a name?''


    The boy was obviously deciding if he should tell, as he started to rub his chin. Eventually, he barked, ''Tell me your name first.''


    ''My name is Amzin.''


    ''Mine is John.''


    ''John?'' The centaur showed surprise and so too did everyone else with many murmurs following. ''A little John?''


    Mr Scarlett crooked his neck and eyed Amzin with a look of concession. ''It seems so.''


    ''Hey, it''s Little Johnny to you, horseman,'' the boy grumbled.


    ''I meant nothing by it,'' said Amzin, not at all hurt by the insult hurled at him. ''Little Johnny it is.''


    Little Johnny looked up at Mr Scarlett and asked, ''Can I have my weapon back?''


    ''I will give it back if you promise not to try and attack me again,'' Mr Scarlett answered. ''You really did a number on my foot. It''s still throbbing madly.''


    ''I can''t make that promise but I''d still like it back.''


    ''Very well,'' Mr Scarlett huffed in defeat and handed the large stick over to the boy, who spun it around his head before pounding one end into the floor.


    ''Thank you.'' Smiling again, Little Johnny''s gaze then drifted over the round table and over to Arthur, who was now up on his feet. ''Hey, I know you. You look exactly like the figurine on Mr Scarlett''s table. Arthur Hood, right?''


    Mr Scarlett, who had also noticed Arthur and was looking at him with pride yet fear and pity, turned back to Little Johnny and said, ''Now, how would you know that? Unless¨C''Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Little Johnny chuckled nervously. ''I may have snuck into your lair.''


    ''Is that so? You found the way to get in?''


    ''I have to say, it wasn''t that hard.''


    ''I hope you didn''t touch anything.''


    With another nervous chuckle, Little Johnny replied, ''I may have.'' Then from his coat, he took out Mr Scarlett''s quill, the one that had turned into a lush red feather just like Arthur''s.


    Looking confused, Mr Scarlett asked, ''What''s that?''


    ''It''s the quill from your lair.''


    ''It is not. That looks like it was recently plucked from a bird.''


    ''It''s yours. I swear. You probably won''t believe me, but when I touched it, it turned into this.''


    More murmurs filled the hall before Miss Eustace announced, ''That''s what happened to Arthur''s quill too, Will.''


    ''It''s true,'' Arthur replied, unable to take his eyes off of Mr Scarlett. His gnomes, Miss Eustace, his great uncle and now this man, a man he had known since forever like the others, knew the secret of who he was.


    Arthur took off his backpack, reached inside and pulled out his feather, lifting it up for everyone to see. Its vibrant red flickered from the lights inside the hall. The two feathers looked identical.


    ''My stars, what is happening?'' a giantess burst out, her voice booming over others.


    ''May I see that, Arthur,'' said Mr Scarlett. He took the feather from Little Johnny and walked over to the table.


    Arthur quickly joined him, leaving the tomb of King Arthur, before handing him his feather.


    ''Thank you and let me say that I am sorry for what has happened to your parents,'' said Mr Scarlett. ''We will get them back. You will see them again.''


    Arthur nodded with a solemn smile.


    Mr Scarlett raised both feathers side by side and inspected them for quite some time. ''Very peculiar. Very peculiar indeed.''


    Miss Eustace then told him of Arthur''s shard and the fairy princess'', which Mr Scarlett was not at all pleased to hear, and the man was quick to ask Arthur to show him.


    ''Of course,'' said Arthur. He took the shard out of his backpack, it still glowing like before.


    ''Whoa, what is that?'' Little Johnny had wandered over and was looking over Arthur''s shoulder.


    ''It''s a piece of the Sword in the Stone,'' Arthur replied.


    ''What''s the Sword in the Stone?''


    ''A powerful and magical sword that belonged to King Arthur. He fought the evils of the land with it until it broke into fragments while battling a rival king.''


    ''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,'' came Little Johnny, putting his hands up in disbelief. ''King Arthur? King Arthur? The King Arthur? As in the castle of Camelot? As in dragons and all that other fun stuff?''


    ''That''s correct,'' replied Arthur, nodding.


    Little Johnny soon scrunched up his face, clearly putting two and two together, and said to Arthur, ''Are you related to him or something?''


    ''It seems like I am.''


    ''Not just related,'' said Mr Scarlett, ''but King Arthur''s heir.''


    ''Oh wow,'' Little Johnny said, his mouth almost dropping to the floor. ''That is quite something, isn''t it.'' Then back to face Mr Scarlett, he asked, ''And what are the feathers?''


    Arthur was interested to hear the answer to that.


    Mr Scarlett lifted the two feathers up higher and replied, ''These belonged to Robin Hood. They were the very ones he wore in his cap.''


    Arthur was blown away and Little Johnny was once again too.


    ''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,'' the boy exclaimed. ''Robin Hood? Robin Hood? The Robin Hood? As in the famous outlaw? As in Maid Marian?''


    ''Indeed,'' said Mr Scarlett.


    ''So King Arthur and now Robin Hood.'' Little Johnny looked at Arthur and asked him, ''Are you his heir too?''


    Arthur nodded.


    ''Wow again,'' replied Little Johnny.


    ''Any idea of why Robin Hood''s feathers are acting like this?'' asked Arthur''s great uncle. ''There has to be a purpose.''


    ''There could be a bigger explanation, but at the least, it''s surely more proof of the boys'' connection,'' Mr Scarlett answered.


    Arthur and Little Johnny snapped their gaze at one another and said together, ''What connection?''


    ''A connection foretold by me,'' came Amzin.


    In a flash, the boys turned their sights to the centaur.


    ''For¨Cforetold?'' said Arthur. ''Like a prophecy?''


    ''Are you a seer or something?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Amzin bowed. ''Yes and yes to your questions.''


    ''What did you see?'' Little Johnny looked enthralled, entranced with anticipation.


    ''Long prophecy short, I saw you, Little Johnny, alongside¨C'' Amzin nodded at Arthur ''--the heir of King Arthur and Robin Hood.''


    Arthur and Little Johnny stared at each other once again, smiles on the cusp of curling on their lips.


    ''Destined to be together or not,'' said Mr Scarlett, ''Little Johnny, it''s time to go back home. That''s where you''ll be safest.''


    His face turning sad, Little Johnny said, ''Please don''t take me back. Let me stay. Let me help all of you.''


    ''Your parents will worry.''


    ''Foster parents,'' Little Johnny corrected him. ''And no, they won''t. They won''t even notice I''ve gone.''


    ''It''s not my place to allow this.''


    ''But what about him?'' Little Johnny stared at Arthur once more. This time a smile graced his face and Arthur returned it with his own.


    ''I think we should let him stay,'' piped up Arthur.

 Chapter Thirteen

    As the night drew on, and as everyone continued to sit around the table, Arthur and Little Johnny were told more of the Shadow and what evil they cast on the world. Bitty, Dolores, and the other gnomes told the boys that the Shadow, led by goblins, had forced them out of their homes to take for themselves. The elves told of their meadows being churned up and the giants told of their caves being buried by ogres and trolls. And Amzin told of his home, a mountain that was now occupied by a heinous dragon.


    ''I''m so sorry to hear that,'' said Arthur as he looked around at all the saddened faces. It wasn''t just him who was hurting.


    ''This Shadow will get what''s coming to it,'' growled Little Johnny. ''The Deputy and the Princess of the Fays will regret their mean ways.''


    ''And what happened to everyone,'' came Arthur''s great uncle as he combed his mustache, ''happened to Camelot itself.''


    The thought of Camelot being real hadn''t even crossed Arthur''s mind and he was beyond awestruck once again. He pictured King Arthur sitting on his throne.


    ''What happened?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Let''s show them, shall we,'' replied Mr Scarlett.


    The elves bowed and rose to their feet. Then with a wave of their hands, the lights in the hall turned a dazzling bespeckled blue before parting from their source and flashing towards the table. There, they mingled and danced above the seats until Arthur saw a looming turret form from the luster. Then came another tower and another and another. Before long, the two boys were staring up at the likeness of the most majestic castle that beamed with magic. Unicorns, great stags and fauns pranced before it, and griffins, phoenixes, peacocks soared through its splendor.


    ''Whoa!'' exclaimed Little Johnny.


    ''So¨Cso¨Cso that''s Camelot?'' asked Arthur.


    ''It is,'' Mrs Scarlett replied. ''And a long time ago, it looked as wonderful as this. But it was lost. Lost to the Shadow.''


    The elves waved their hands again and the castle turned dark. The turrets and towers crumbled, cracks shattered the walls, the creatures fled and flew away, and a violent storm grew above.


    ''Yikes,'' gulped Little Johnny.


    ''Sadly, Camelot was not just lost to the Shadow. As time went on, the whereabouts, its location was lost too. And there is a possibility that the Shadow took your parents there, Arthur.''


    Arthur slumped down in his chair as the castle disappeared and the hall''s lights returned to their torches. ''So we won''t be able to find them then?''


    ''We will,'' came Arthur''s great uncle. ''We will find them. We will find Camelot again.''


    ''But not only that,'' Amzin said with passion, his voice as riotous as a giant''s. ''We will take it back from the Shadow.''


    Fists slammed the table with vigor.


    ''Hear, hear,'' bellowed Arthur''s great uncle.


    ''Yes,'' cried Little Johnny, joining in enthusiastically with the fist slamming. ''Hear, hear.''


    Once all the heartening had died down, Mr Scarlett turned to Arthur and said, ''Now, I''d like to show you something.''


    ''May I show him, Will?'' Amzin burst out. ''It would be an honor to see the young prince in its presence.''Stolen novel; please report.


    Mr Scarlett nodded. ''You may.''


    The centaur looked at Arthur. ''Please, young prince, if you may follow me.''


    ''Can I come?'' Little Johnny asked with a look of longing.


    ''Of course,'' replied Amzin and Arthur in chorus.


    The boys then got to their feet and together followed the centaur across the hall and through an archway etched with sparkling runes behind the tomb of King Arthur.


    ''Whoa!'' Little Johnny croaked.


    Beyond the entrance was a most brilliant and extraordinary chamber that seemed to hum and sing with magic and power. Stained-glass windows of colors that Arthur never knew existed encircled the three, sending glorious shafts onto a golden crown nestled above a glimmering shield adorned with a masted ship.


    Arthur and Little Johnny couldn''t take their eyes off of the display.


    ''Who''s crown is that?'' asked Little Johnny, though Arthur was sure he knew.


    ''That was once King Arthur''s,'' Amzin replied. ''And it will be Arthur''s once Camelot has been reclaimed from the Shadow.''


    ''Whoa!'' Little Johnny replied again.


    ''And is that Pridwen?'' asked Arthur.


    Amzin smiled. ''That is correct, young prince.''


    ''What''s a Pridwen?'' asked Little Johnny, looking confused.


    Arthur gestured below the crown and replied, ''Pridwen is the name of King Arthur''s shield.''


    ''Just incredible.''


    ''And do you know what''s said of it, young prince?'' asked Amzin.


    ''That it has magical powers and can turn into a ship,'' Arthur replied.


    ''Really?'' came Little Johnny.


    ''Indeed,'' said Amzin.


    Arthur wanted to get closer, to touch them, but he was scared to. It was all just so overwhelming. And the three just stood and stared until Little Johnny piped up.


    ''Any chance of telling us more about your prophecy, Amzin?'' he asked.


    ''Follow me,'' replied the centaur and he disappeared through another archway, the boys quick to follow.


    Up another winding staircase they went, this one draped with tapestries depicting many of the magical creatures that were present tonight, all of them seemingly bending a knee of fealty.


    ''Oh, there''s something else,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Yes?'' replied Amzin.


    ''I''d like to apologize for calling you horseman before. It was a horrible, mean thing to say. A big mistake.''


    ''There''s no need to apologize, young Merry Knight. We all make mistakes. And so long as we learn from them, it is good to make them.''


    ''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,'' Little Johnny breathed. ''Did you just call me young Merry Knight?''


    ''I did because that''s what you are now. You''re one of us.''


    Little Johnny whimpered ever so and Arthur saw his new friend''s eyes water over.


    ''You guys really need to sweep this place up,'' Little Johnny then said with a sniffle. ''Dust is getting into my eyes.''


    ''Well being that you''re now a Merry Knight, be my guest.''


    Little Johnny wiped his face instantly with his gnarled hooded coat and replied, ''Actually, I think I''m fine now.''


    Amzin burst out a laugh and Arthur smirked. The three then continued all the way up to the top of the tower, entering another chamber filled with all sorts of things. There were chalices, swords and bows, strange potted plants that grew all over the walls, ancient looking books and rolls of parchment that were stacked high and in every nook and cranny. There were also windows that peered into the fog surrounding the tower and the Isle of Avalon, and a huge telescope pierced up through the middle and out of the top.


    ''Big stargazers are the Merry Knights?'' Little Johnny asked.


    ''Just me,'' Amzin replied, as he led the boys over to a desk, where they sat down. ''It helps me with my visions and prophecies.'' The centaur then gestured to all the rolls of parchment. ''And I have quite a few so I must write or draw them all down.''


    ''Quite a few?'' said Arthur. ''There''s more than quite a few.''


    ''Indeed. Now where did I put them?'' said Amzin. The centaur rifled through the rolls of parchment that buried the desk until he found two and held them out for Arthur and Little Johnny. ''Yes, here we are. And here you are.''


    The boys grabbed the parchments and were quick to unfurl them. And as Arthur stared down at the one he was given, he saw a drawing of a ship, its masts filled with air.


    ''Pridwen?'' Arthur burst out.


    ''It is,'' Amzin replied. ''But there''s something else. Take a closer look, young prince.''


    Arthur raised the parchment and saw three figures standing on the bow. ''Who are they?''


    ''My only guess is that two of them are you, boys.''


    ''The other?''


    ''I believe the other is stated in the prophecy that Little Johnny is holding. Little Johnny, if you would be so kind.''


    Little Johnny cleared his throat and began dancing his gaze across the parchment. ''It says you saw a king, A new king. A king that will finally rid this world of the Shadow.'' He looked at Arthur and gave him a smile before continuing. ''A king helped by two others. One, a little John¨C'' He briefly popped his head back up to give Arthur another look and smile ''--and the second, a young witch. A witch named . . . .''

 Chapter Fourteen

    ''Merlynna, it''s time to go.'' Mrs Good''s voice wafted through the young witch''s bedroom window. ''Time to travel to your placement. And be quick about it, you don''t want to be late.''


    Stuffing the remainder of her belongings inside her tiny cat-print suitcase, Merlynna shouted loudly, ''I''ll be down in a moment. I just need to pack one last thing.'' Then with a smile, she looked down at the floorboard beside her feet and said with a snap of her fingers, ''Open sesame.''


    In an instant, the floorboard lifted, revealing a secret compartment and two objects. Merlynna reached inside and pulled out the shard that she had stumbled across the other night. It was still glowing.


    ''Maybe not the best idea to bring you,'' she said. ''Who knows what you are and what you''re capable of. Safer to keep you where I found you, here at the orphanage. Imagine you''re something extremely powerful and I lost you. But if you are powerful, maybe I should tell Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good about you. But they may get mad and not let me back in here if things don''t go well with my placement. Yes, you''ll remain a secret.''


    After putting the shard back inside the secret compartment, Merlynna pulled out the other object.


    ''You I will take.'' Merlynna beamed at the yo-yo. ''I wonder if they''ll notice that it''s missing from their office. And if they do, how long will it take them?'' She gave out a giggle. ''It''s their fault, they shouldn''t have reminded me of it.''


    Before putting it inside her suitcase, Merlynna gave the yo-yo a quick test. And with a flick of her wrist, it raced away from her hand and began zigzagging across the room like a shooting star with an endless tail. After doing a few loops, it then began to spin around and around like a tornado.


    Watching the toy reminded Merlynna of Fury.


    Where was he, she wondered? Hopefully, he''ll see her leaving and come with her. She really didn''t want to go to her placement alone.


    ''Where are you, Merlynna?'' bellowed Mrs Good, a clear agitation now in her tone.


    ''I''m coming,'' Merlynna replied. With another flick of her wrist, the yo-yo shot back into her hand. She then said to it, ''Yes, you could come in very handy.''


    Staring back down at the secret compartment and the shard inside, she snapped her fingers and the floorboard was put back in place.


    ''Now what''s the best charm so that nobody will ever find my hiding spot?'' she then thought to herself. ''Ah, yes.'' And with a wink, she muttered, ''Abraxa.'' Suddenly all the floorboards in her bedroom shifted around like speedy slithering snakes. ''Now I don''t even know where it is anymore.''


    ''Merlynna! If you don''t come down this instant, I will levitate you out of your window.''


    Not wanting to leave ungracefully like that, Merlynna slammed her suitcase closed, grabbed the handle and bolted from her bedroom, where a sendoff party was waiting for her in the corridor.


    Standing with their backs to the walls, it seemed like every girl at the orphanage was there.


    ''That''s very kind of all of you for seeing me off,'' Merlynna bantered with them, a big grin on her face.


    Scowls replied to that, which widened Merlynna''s smirk.


    ''We''re making sure you leave,'' came a chorus.


    ''Oh, so none of you will miss me then?'' Merlynna said. ''But we had so many wonderful times together. Remember when I accidentally hexed everyone''s clothes with an itching spell.''The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ''I was covered in a rash for weeks,'' someone snapped.


    As more raised voices reacted to the reminiscence, several girls began closing in on Merlynna from behind, making the young witch pick up the pace. And when she reached the stairs, more girls had joined in, it feeling like she was being pursued by a mob with pitchforks.


    ''All right, all right, I''m leaving,'' Merlynna quivered before leaping down the stairs three steps at a time and dashing outside.


    ''Finally,'' growled Mrs Good. She, Madame Joan and Miss Harrower were standing with their usual impatient looks.


    A purr from above drew Merlynna''s attention. She craned her neck and saw Fury sleeping on the roof. She huffed before turning back around.


    ''So how am I getting to my placement?''


    Miss Harrower waved her hand and a broom shot into her grasp. ''With this.''


    Merlynna was completely bewildered. ''You do remember, I can''t fly too well, right. Or have I somehow let loose a forgetful charm.''


    ''Not today you haven''t,'' Miss Harrower replied.


    ''Are you hoping I don''t make it to my placement alive then?''


    ''Of course not.'' Miss Harrower frowned along with Madame Joan and Mrs Good.


    ''Then are you hoping I''ll somehow get lost and be taken far away so that I''ll be unable to find my way back to the orphanage,'' said Merlynna.


    ''Now stop this silliness,'' demanded Mrs Good. ''Miss Harrower has charmed the broom to take you safely to your destination. All you have to do is sit on the broom. Nothing else.''


    Merlynna tapped her temple. ''Very smart of you, Miss Harrower. And I''m extremely grateful.''


    It was then that the three old witches curled their mouths into warming smiles, something they rarely did.


    ''Well, it''s time,'' said Mrs Good, and Miss Harrower handed Merlynna the broom. She then said, ''I know we''ve had our issues but the three of us hope you well, Merlynna. Truly. And if your placement doesn''t work out, just remember, you may return.''


    Merlynna didn''t know what was happening but tears welled in her eyes. ''Thank you, Mrs Good, Madame Joan and Miss Harrower.'' Then surprising herself and the old witches, she gave them each a quick hug. ''I''ll miss you.''


    With somber voices, the witches said together, ''Magic be with you, Merlynna.''


    ''And you.''


    Before Merlynna mounted the broom, she looked back at Fury. He was still on the roof but was now awake and looking down at her.


    ''Hmm,'' came Madame Joan. ''It''s nice of them to see you off.''


    Behind all the windows on the bottom floor of the orphanage, the pitchfork mob were glaring. But with her back turned to the old witches, Merlynna gave them all a goodbye gesture, which sent them into a miming rage.


    ''I''ve never seen a farewell like that,'' said Mrs Good.


    ''Maybe they''re just so sad to see me go that they''re angry about it,'' Merlynna replied. ''Well, I better be off before they start smashing windows to get at me to stay.''


    ''I think that would be best. Goodbye, Merlynna.''


    ''Goodbye,'' Merlynna replied.


    With a twirl of Miss Harrower''s finger, the broom began to rise. And as Merlynna gripped her suitcase more tightly with one hand, she gripped the broom handle with the other.


    Up and up Merlynna climbed until she was level with the roof. And as she was about to look over her shoulder, to plead with Fury to come with her, the flying cat swooped over her head and landed on her lap.


    ''I knew you''d come with me,'' said Merlynna.


    The broom sped off and up the river they went, their reflection in the water flickering from scampering ripples.


    It was then that Merlynna wondered about her placement as she gave a last glimpse back at the orphanage. Being assured by Mrs Good that it wasn''t going to be dangerous, a picture of her mixing flour and water with a wand at a magical bakery flashed in her mind.


    ''That would be quite fun,'' Merlynna said to Fury. ''And I like pastries. Or maybe I''ll become an apprentice for a good yet powerful wizard with a long white beard. Yeah, that sounds more fun.''


    Merlynna''s thoughts carried her into the night. And as the moon now shone down, Fury had curled himself under his wings and was sleeping.


    Just then, she noticed something in the distance.


    It was moving in the air above another river, heading in the opposite direction the broom was going. It looked like a large flock of birds. Merlynna then noticed dozens and dozens of silhouetted figures beneath it. Humans possibly.


    ''Well that''s strange,'' Merlynna muttered. ''Unless they''re birdwatching. Yeah, that would make sense. Or does it? Who watches birds at night? And who follows them like that?''


    Any other time, Merlynna would have tickled her curiosity and had a closer look, but being that she had no control of the broom, she was unable to do so.


    The flock and the birdwatchers soon disappeared behind her and she quickly forgot all about them.


    ''A few more hours and we should be at our destination,'' Merlynna said before joining Fury and closing her eyes.

 Chapter Fifteen

    ''A witch, really?'' asked Arthur. He had taken Azmin''s prophecy from Little Johnny and was now reading it himself.


    The centaur nodded. ''And you two may keep the parchment. It may come in handy in the future.''


    ''I wonder what kind of spells she knows,'' said Little Johnny. ''Hopefully some real powerful ones so we can defeat the Shadow.''


    Arthur could picture the young witch, this Merlynna, casting the most brilliant magic. He could imagine fire tornadoes, tsunamis, lightning and much more. ''I can''t wait to meet her if we indeed do.''


    ''Well, now that you have seen what I have foretold,'' said Amzin, ''I''ll take you boys back downstairs.''


    ''Can we look at King Arthur''s crown and Pridwen again?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Of course you may.''


    Arthur curled up the prophecy and carefully stuffed it inside his backpack. The three then left, taking the stairs all the way back down through the tower and back to the chamber.


    And this time, Arthur plucked up the courage and got closer to the crown and shield, the two objects seemingly radiating even more power and magic than before.


    ''Can we touch them?'' Little Johnny asked as he followed at Arthur''s side.


    The centaur bowed in reply and Little Johnny glared at Arthur.


    ''Go on,'' he said. ''You first. They will be yours.''


    ''Okay,'' Arthur came back. He then breathed deeply and reached out. And as his hands drew nearer to the crown, he felt a spark which grew into a wave of pulsating energy.


    With a rush, he cupped King Arthur''s headdress and a jolt flooded through his arms and into the rest of his body.


    ''I''m feeling something strange here,'' Arthur said before all of a sudden, the crown started to vibrate. Now frightened, he then shouted, ''What''s going on?''


    ''I don''t know,'' Amzin came back with a look of absolute alarm. ''This has never happened before.''


    ''Put it down, Arthur,'' screamed Little Johnny, and when Arthur did, Mr Scarlett, Miss Eustace and his great uncle came rushing into the room.


    ''What''s all the commotion?'' Mr Scarlett asked.


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur yelled back as the crown continued to shake. ''All I did was touch it.''


    Suddenly, the beams filtering through the stained-glass windows began to curve until a vortex raged between everyone.


    ''What''s happening?'' the boys yelled in unison before an image formed before them.


    It was a castle.


    ''Camelot,'' Arthur breathed.


    It looked as it did in the hall, it dark and crumbling, but this time, it appeared so real.


    ''Could it be?'' stammered Miss Eustace, gazing in awe.


    ''I think so,'' Mr Scarlett.


    ''What is it?'' Arthur yelled.


    ''The crown has shown you the way, Arthur, to its throne,'' said his great uncle. ''It''s a portal. A portal to Camelot. It''s not lost anymore.''Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ''How?''


    ''As I told you before Arthur,'' said Miss Eustace, ''a child''s imagination can unlock many things.''


    ''So my parents could be just a step away?'' asked Arthur. An urge to leap through the portal burned inside him.


    Clearly realizing the boy''s desire, Amzin burst out, ''Don''t do it, young prince. Unprepared, it will not end well.''


    ''But I have to. This could be my only chance.'' Arthur then felt a hand land on his shoulder. It was Little Johnny.


    ''He''s right,'' the young Merry Knight said before another voice pierced into the chamber with an ear-splitting shriek.


    ''They''ve found us,'' it said.


    Arthur turned and saw a petrified Bitty and Dolores.


    ''The Shadow has found the Isle of Avalon,'' cried Bitty.


    Gasps filled the chamber.


    ''How''s that possible, Will?'' asked Miss Eustace.


    ''I can only think it''s Arthur''s piece of the Sword in the Stone,'' replied Mr Scarlett. ''The Princess of the Fays must somehow be using hers to find it.''


    ''What do we do?'' bellowed Little Johnny.


    ''We must defend ourselves,'' boomed Arthur''s great uncle.


    ''And we will,'' Mr Scarlett replied. ''Amzin, you''ll take the boys to the top of the tower. They''ll be safer there. ''Amzin? Amzin?''


    The centaur wasn''t listening. His attention was on something else. And he was riddled with even more fear than before.


    ''What is it, Amzin?'' Mr Scarlett yelled.


    Amzin just pointed.


    Everyone turned back to the portal and saw a terrible sight. Faces. The faces of evil. The faces of fanged fairies, of raging Sheriff''s Men, of hideous goblins, of monstrous minotaurs and many other wicked creatures.


    ''The Shadow is about to come through,'' cried Miss Eustace.


    In a flash, Mr Scarlett bounded over to King Arthur''s crown and Pridwen, grabbed them both and brought them to Arthur and Little Johnny. ''Take these and go to the top of the tower while we try to fight them off.''


    ''We can fight too,'' Arthur cried.


    ''Yes,'' Little Johnny burst out, flashing his staff, ''let me get a piece of them.''


    ''Your courage is very honorable, you two,'' replied Mr Scarlett, ''but your survival is the only thing we can hope for now. Please, take the crown and shield and go.''


    ''But¨Cbut¨Cbut¨C'' started Arthur.


    ''Do it for your parents,'' howled Arthur''s great uncle as the horrible faces on the other side of the portal were only moments away from appearing.


    With a huff, Arthur grabbed Pridwen from Mr Scarlett and handed it to Little Johnny. He then grabbed the crown. ''Let''s go.''


    The boys bolted out of the chamber and began climbing the tower''s stairs once more. As they quickened their pace, the sound of a commencing fight and the battled voices of Bitty, Dolores, Miss Eustace, Arthur''s great uncle, Mr Scarlett and Amzin shuddered up.


    The top of the tower couldn''t come any faster. And once inside the room, the two began to barricade themselves in. Desks, chairs and many other objects were thrown against the entrance until it was completely hidden.


    ''Now what?'' yelled Little Johnny.


    But before Arthur could answer, he heard the sound of flapping wings, pounding boots and the clamor of other beasts bounding after them.


    Did that mean the fight had already been lost?


    ''Get back,'' Arthur yelled and the two cowered to the other side of the room, where they just listened to the coming threat getting louder.


    The boys gulped with every shudder of the tower before the barricade exploded with a crash, sending them, the crown and the shield to the floor. And once everything cleared, Arthur craned his head and saw him. The Deputy.


    ''You have nowhere to run now, Arthur Hood,'' the man barked as fairies hovered behind him and terrifying monsters growled behind. Then unsheathing his sword, he said, ''You are coming with us.''


    Little Johnny popped back up to his feet and began spinning his staff. ''You''ll have to get through me first.''


    Arthur clawed himself up too and was quick to retrieve the crown and shield. And it was then that the crown started to vibrate like it did down in the chamber.


    Suddenly, the rolls of parchment and debris scattered everywhere lifted into the air and started to race around, quickly shrouding the Deputy.


    ''It''s happening again,'' yelled Arthur.


    Faster and faster the torrent went until another image burst forth. Thankfully, it wasn''t Camelot this time, but a village with a cobbled street deserted of any menace.


    ''Where do you think that is?'' Little Johnny yelled.


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur shouted back.


    ''Your efforts are futile. Give up and perhaps you will see your parents again.''


    Arthur snapped his gaze back towards the door and saw the Deputy had slashed his way through the flying wreckage.


    ''Don''t listen to him,'' Little Johnny howled as he jabbed his staff in the direction of the approaching man.


    Beyond anything, Arthur wanted to see his mom and dad again, but his new friend was right. The situation was definitely now more important than just his parents.


    After making sure his backpack was still on, Robin Hood''s feathers, his piece of the Sword in the Stone and Amzin''s prophecy tucked away inside, Arthur gripped the crown and shield tighter.


    ''We need to go,'' he then bellowed at Little Johnny. ''We need to jump through the portal.''


    Little Johnny lowered his staff, as the Deputy lunged towards them, and nodded. The two then turned to the image of the cobbled street and jumped.

 Chapter Sixteen

    The boys hit the cobblestones with a whomp. And as they groaned, Arthur looked over his shoulder and saw the portal that they had just jumped through vanish with a shrinking gulp, the Deputy nowhere in sight.


    ''Arthur, are you okay?'' croaked Little Johnny.


    Getting to his feet, Arthur replied, ''I think so. What about you?''


    ''I think so too.''


    After helping Little Johnny up, Arthur looked around and saw that the night had come with them to the village, a clock tower shooting up into the darkness nearby.


    ''Where do you think we are?'' Little Johnny asked.


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur replied, ''but let''s get out of the open. Who knows what could be lurking around.'' He then put King Arthur''s crown into his backpack.


    Meanwhile, Little Johnny grabbed his staff, which had escaped his grasp and had landed beside a sign that read, ''Welcome to the Hamlet of Huldalane.''


    ''Come on, let''s go,'' said Arthur, but the very moment they were about to dart off, the sound of flapping wings echoed from somewhere up in the night sky.


    ''They''ve already found us,'' Little Johnny whispered in panic.


    Glaring up, that''s when Arthur suddenly saw the silhouette of a flying creature flash towards them.


    ''A fairy,'' he yelled. He raised Pridwen, covering both him and Little Johnny, and prepared for impact.


    But nothing came.


    What Arthur thought was a fairy zipped over the boys'' heads and landed on the sidewalk underneath the faint light of a streetlamp.


    Looking over, Little Johnny burst out, ''That''s not a fairy. That''s a cat. And¨Cand¨Cand it has¨Care those wings?''


    Arthur had to do a double take but his friend was right. ''Surely another of the Shadow''s minions though. It must be. Cats don''t have wings.''


    Just then, the cat meowed, making the boys flinch, before it lay down, stretched its paws and started licking itself.


    ''I don''t know,'' said Little Johnny. ''It doesn''t look like an evil being. But maybe that''s what it wants us to think. Should we do something?''


    ''Like what?'' asked Arthur. ''Capture it?''


    ''I was thinking maybe we should dispatch it.'' Little Johnny raised his staff, preparing to step towards the winged feline, when a voice spoke.


    ''Don''t you dare do anything to my cat,'' it said angrily from above. ''Anyway, you probably wouldn''t be able to get near it.''


    Arthur snapped his gaze up once again and saw a figure standing on top of the clock tower. He then reached into his backpack and pulled out his piece of the Sword in the Stone, raising it. ''Don''t come any closer.''


    ''Yeah, don''t come any closer,'' Little Johnny repeated and displayed his staff with a flaunting swish.


    ''Hey, wait a minute,'' the figure erupted, ''how did you get that?''


    ''I snapped it off a tree,'' growled Little Johnny. ''It''s a really hard branch that can do a lot of damage so be warned.''Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ''Not what you''re holding, but what the other boy''s holding. Do you two have anything to do with my placement or something?''


    Tightening his grip on the shard, Arthur replied, ''This is mine. And what is this placement you''re talking about?''


    ''I was sent here. My name''s Merlynna.''


    Slowly, Arthur and Little Johnny glanced at one another as if they had been struck by lightning.


    ''Can you say your name again?'' asked Arthur. He had to be sure.


    ''Uh, yeah, it''s Merlynna,'' said the voice.


    ''Are you a witch?''


    ''Well that depends.''


    ''Depends on what?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Depends on who you are and why you''re here in this village at this exact moment,'' replied the voice


    ''Well, I''m Little Johnny and this is Arthur. And why we''re here is quite the story.''


    ''I''m all ears.''


    ''Any chance of you coming down from up there so we can see who we''re talking to,'' said Arthur.


    ''If you insist.''


    Arthur watched as the figure mounted something long and slender before suddenly, and to his and Little Johnny''s horror, they leapt off the clock tower. The boys screamed but quickly realized that the figure wasn''t plummeting to their death as someone would normally do if they had just jumped off a building.


    ''Whoa. How are you floating down like that?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Being that you think I might be a witch,'' the figure said, ''don''t you think magic would be the most reasonable explan¡ªuh oh.''


    Just then, the figure began to jerk around. Up and down and side to side they went until . . .


    Thwomp.


    The figure crashed beneath the streetlamp, revealing a girl clasping a suitcase and a broom.


    ''I guess Miss Harrower''s charm has worn off,'' Merlynna moaned as she lay on the sidewalk.


    Arthur rushed over. ''Are you okay?''


    ''I''ll be alright.''


    Arthur extended his hand. ''Let me help you up.''


    ''Thank you.'' Merlynna grabbed his hand and pulled herself up. ''Now, what''s this story of yours?''


    The boys rushed to tell her everything, speaking a mile a minute. And in the end Merlynna looked as though she had just eaten a lemon.


    ''I''m not going to lie, that''s quite a lot to take in,'' she said nervously, staring at Arthur. ''Go figure, King Arthur and Robin Hood were real people. And you''re the heir to both?''


    ''That''s right, he is.'' Little Johnny answered.


    ''And are you sure this centaur''s prophecy mentioned my name?''


    ''We have proof.'' Arthur took out Amzin''s parchment and handed it over.


    Merlynna unfurled the roll of the paper and flashed her eyes back and forth. ''So I guess this means I have been placed with you two. But surely this is beyond my skill level. Also, Mrs Good said that it wouldn''t be dangerous.''


    Arthur was about to ask who Mrs Good was and what all this placement business was about when Merlynna followed quickly with a question.


    ''Do you think the Shadow could find you here?'' she asked, handing back the prophecy.


    ''They could already be on their way,'' said Arthur.


    ''But how?''


    Arthur lifted the glowing shard. ''This is how.''


    A worried look spread across Merlynna''s face. ''I was going to ask you about that.''


    ''It''s a fragment of King Arthur''s Sword in the Stone.'' Arthur then told the young witch that the Shadow have their own piece and they want the rest to make the sword whole again.


    ''You''ve got to be kidding me.'' Merlynna then looked away and mumbled to herself, ''And it was right inside the storage room, right under my nose all this time.''


    ''What are you talking about?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''What if I told you I found another one?'' said Merlynna.


    ''What? Where?'' Arthur burst out.


    ''At the Home for Enchanted Girls. And it''s still there.''


    ''The what?'' screeched Little Johnny.


    ''The Home for Enchanted Girls. It''s an orphanage for young witches. That''s where I''m from.''


    ''You are a witch then,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Clearly. And does this mean my orphanage is in danger?'' Merlynna then came to the realization. ''The birds and the birdwatchers.''


    ''The what?''


    ''While flying here, I saw what I thought was a flock of birds that was being followed by birdwatchers. They were heading in the direction of the Home for Enchanted Girls.''


    ''You think they were the Shadow?'' asked Arthur.


    ''There''s no doubt about it. I need to go. I need to warn Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good. Maybe they could help you too.''


    ''Who are they?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''The orphanage''s caretakers. Very strong, kind and wise old witches.''


    ''So we''ll come with you then?'' Arthur asked.


    ''If you want. There should be enough room on the broom. The journey there might be a bit rough ¨C I''m not the greatest of flyers ¨C but we''ll get there. And hopefully fast.''


    Little Johnny looked at Arthur and said, ''What else can we do? Also, we certainly need help.''


    Arthur nodded. ''Okay. We''ll come.''


    Merlynna mounted the broom. ''On you get.''


    Despite everything the boys were carrying, they were able to squeeze on behind.


    ''Now when I say go,'' said Merlynna, ''I want you to push off with your feet. Got that?''


    ''Yes,'' Arthur and Little Johnny answered.


    ''Good. Oh, and by the way, it''s nice to meet you two.''


    ''It''s nice to meet you too,'' said Arthur.


    ''Now let''s do this. Ready . . . Set . . . Go.''


    In a whoosh, the broom took to the air.

 Chapter Seventeen

    ''I don''t think I can take much more of this,'' Little Johnny yelled into the wind. ''My stomach is not agreeing with this one bit.''


    Despite Merlynna''s complete focus on flying, something she had never truly been able to do before, the broom was still as wild as ever.


    Arthur had to agree with Little Johnny. Though thrilling, and also completely bizarre that he was on a broom high up in the air, he felt a little queasy. And being that he was holding onto Pridwen and for dear life, his arms were beginning to tire.


    ''Just hold on a bit more,'' Merlynna shouted back. ''We''re nearly there.''


    Below them towns morphed into countryside, and countryside morphed into wilderness, where meandering and raging rivers emerged. And there was one waterway that they were quick to follow. After a dozen or so bends, that''s when Arthur saw something in the distance. It looked like a country estate.


    ''There is it,'' yelled Merlynna. ''The Home for Enchanted Girls. To you it will look like an old disused mill but it''s charmed to make it look like that.''


    ''I don''t see an old mill,'' said Arthur, ''I see a country estate.''


    ''Yeah, me too,'' added Little Johnny.


    ''Oh, cauldron cracks,'' swore Merlynna. ''That means the charm''s been broken.''


    ''Broken? But how?'' asked Arthur.


    ''My guess . . . fairies.''


    ''What do we do now?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''I need to make sure everyone''s okay,'' Merlynna replied.


    ''That could be too dangerous though.''


    ''But I have to do it.''


    ''Maybe we should get lower,'' suggested Arthur. ''We may be seen up here.''


    ''You''re right. Hold on.'' Merlynna pushed the broom handle down, making the boys whimper.


    For the next several moments, and as the river hurtled up towards them in shaking and undulating chaos, Arthur felt like his heart was about to explode. It was when he was sure that they were about to crash into the water, and which sent him wailing in fright, that Merlynna pulled up.


    The broom head sliced into the current as they then swayed and pivoted almost out of control. From bank to bank they veered and drifted until the broom eventually began to slow and straighten out.


    ''Phew,'' breathed Merlynna. ''That was a close one.'' Then shaking her head, she added, ''If only my broom skills were a lot better¨C''


    ''Hey, don''t worry about it,'' gulped Arthur, happy they were closer to the ground now.


    ''Yeah,'' said Little Johnny. ''In fact, that was quite impressive.''


    As the three continued over the river like a skimming dragonfly, the Home for Enchanted Girls in the distance grew larger and larger. And all eyes were on the lookout for any sign of movement.


    But there was none.


    ''What do you think happened?'' asked Arthur.


    ''I don''t know, but it doesn''t look good,'' said Merlynna. ''I don''t think I''ve ever seen the orphanage without any lights on at night before.''


    Suddenly, the broom began to drift downwards and everyone''s shoes dipped into the water, soaking them through.


    ''Any chance of getting a bit higher?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Arthur could hear Merlynna straining.


    ''I''m trying but nothing''s happening,'' she wheezed out. ''The broom''s not responding to anything I do to it anymore. Something''s not right here.''


    The three had barely made it to the bank of the river, when the broom just dropped and they plonked with a thud onto the ground next to the Home for Enchanted Girls.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ''That was another close one,'' said Merlynna.


    With their shoes squelching below them, the three then dashed through the orphanage''s grounds and behind a stack of large cauldrons, where they peered over and looked around.


    ''See anything?'' Arthur asked.


    ''Nothing,'' answered Merlynna.


    ''Me neither,'' added Little Johnny.


    ''Good, I guess,'' said Merlynna. ''Now, follow me¨Cbut wait¨Clet me dry out our shoes first.'' And as she waved a hand over them, she said, ''Tioram.''


    Arthur felt an instant tingle in his feet but that was all.


    ''That''s odd. My shoes didn''t dry out,'' said Melynna before asking the boys if theirs had.


    Arthur and Little Johnny shook their heads.


    Merlynna tried another spell. ''Felm.''


    Once again, Arthur felt a tingle in his feet. Yet still, his shoes remained wet.


    ''Any change?'' Melynna asked.


    ''Nope,'' replied Arthur.


    ''Me neither,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Hmmm,'' said Merlynna, ''Whatever magic broke the orphanage''s disguising charm seems to be having an effect on mine.'' Then without warning, she leapt out from behind the stack of cauldrons and over to the closest window.


    ''Wait for us,'' breathed Arthur, and he and Little Johnny followed her over, where all he saw was darkness inside.


    ''It''s locked,'' whispered Merlynna. ''And I''ve tried unlocking it with a spell but nothing.''


    ''Let''s check the other windows,'' said Arthur. ''Surely one of them is unlocked.''


    Sadly, none were.


    ''Now what?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Let me think,'' Merlynna replied.


    But the answer of how to get in zoomed over their heads.


    Thinking it was a fairy, the three of them dived inside a bush close by, but after hearing a few meows, they crawled back out and saw Fury up on top of the roof. The winged cat then slinked over to the chimney, leapt up before disappearing down the flue.


    ''Where does that lead?'' Little Johnny asked.


    ''Into the dining room,'' Merlynna replied.


    ''All right, I''ll meet you two at one of its windows.''


    ''What?'' breathed Arthur. ''What are you talking about?''


    ''Just watch,'' replied Little Johnny. ''Now, I think I''ll be able to fit.''


    ''Seriously, though,'' said Merlynna, ''what are you talking about?''


    Little Johnny didn''t answer but held out his staff to the young witch. ''Can you hold onto that for a second?''


    ''Okay.'' And Merlynna took it.


    ''Thanks.'' Then like that, Little Johnny scurried off and over to a drain.


    Now what he did next made Arthur and Merlynna gasp. He began to climb the pipe. And he was so swift that it made Arthur and Merlynna gasp again. The two then watched as Little Johnny clambered onto the roof, darted over to the chimney and disappeared down.


    ''That was quite something,'' said Merlynna.


    ''You can say that again,'' replied Arthur.


    ''Come on, follow me.''


    The two kept to the walls of the orphanage like scampering rodents before stopping underneath another window. Then as they were about to peer through, Little Johnny appeared on the other side of the glass and unlatched the lock.


    Moments later, Arthur and Merlynna joined him inside.


    ''That was brilliant,'' Arthur whispered to Little Johnny.


    ''Thank you,'' Little Johnny replied before the two bolted after a determined looking Merlynna crossing the dining room.


    The three then made their way out into a corridor and quietly searched every room they came across, but there was no sign of the caretakers or the other girls.


    ''Maybe the Shadow took them like they took my parents,'' whispered Arthur as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. ''And maybe they took the piece of the Sword in the Stone that you found too.''


    ''We shall see,'' Merlynna replied and she picked up the pace.


    Soon, the three were standing in her bedroom and looking at an absolute mess.


    ''My goodness,'' said Merlynna, ''If Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good saw this, they''d freak out.''


    ''So this is where you kept it?'' asked Arthur.


    ''That''s right. And clearly the Shadow knew it was in here, but they didn''t find it.''


    ''Where is it then?''


    ''I put it under a floorboard.''


    ''Which one?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Now that''s a good question,'' said Merlynna. ''I used a spell to jumble them all up. If I still had my magic, I''d be able to arrange them back.''


    ''We''ll just have to rip them all up then.''


    That, however, was to be unnecessary, for Arthur''s piece of the Sword in the Stone, which was in his pocket, suddenly began to glow more brightly.


    ''What''s-what''s happening?'' he sputtered the moment he took it out. He then stepped forward to show the other two and the radiance increased.


    ''Maybe it''s . . . .'' began Merlynna.


    ''Maybe it''s what?''


    ''Let''s see what happens to it if you take a step back.''


    Arthur did and the shard''s glow dimmed.


    ''Now take two steps forward,'' said Merlynna.


    Arthur again did as she commanded and the shard burned brighter than before.


    ''Oh my,'' said Little Johnny, ''I think it''s showing you where the other piece is.''


    With haste, Arthur zigzagged around the room. The shard brightened and dimmed, brightened and dimmed, until he finally found where the shard burned its brightest. Then looking down at the floorboard beneath him, he said, ''I think I''ve found it.''


    Little Johnny and Merlynna rushed over, got to their knees and ripped the floorboard up. And there it was, the other fragment, it glowing as splendidly as the one Arthur was holding. Then unexpectedly, and which sent all three of them into paralyzing surprise, the fragment inside the secret compartment shot up.


    The next thing Arthur heard was a clash of metal on metal before a blinding light burst all around like an exploding star. But in a flash, the blaze vanished and Arthur stood looking down at the conjoined creation of the two fragments.


    The three gazed at it in awe until Little Johnny said, ''It looks more like a sword now.''


    It sure did, thought Arthur, and he wondered about the Princess of the Fays'' piece. It would surely make the sword whole. But that was soon thrown from his mind as he heard a noise coming from outside.


    ''What was that?'' Merlynna asked, and they dashed over to the window. ''Uh, oh.''

 Chapter Eighteen

    In the grounds of the Home for Enchanted Girls were hundreds of fairies, Sheriff''s Men and other different beasts. Monsters lumbered with big hairy feet, werewolves skulked and howled, and zombies frothed at their mouths. And they were all closing in fast.


    ''We need to get out of here,'' Arthur whispered in a frantic hush.


    ''Then what?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Maybe we can hide in the river or something. Or maybe there''s somewhere in the orphanage we can hide. Merlynna?''


    ''If my magic was working,'' Merlynna replied, ''there''d be plenty of places to hide. I could have shrunk us to the size of thimbles and we could have snuck away in a mouse hole.''


    ''Let''s get outta here then,'' said Arthur.


    From her bedroom, Merlynna led the way back downstairs. And as they scurried through a corridor, passing window after window, they could see more and more fairies and Sheriff''s Men outside. Eventually, they found a window where the coast seemed to be clear.


    ''I can''t see anything. Can you?'' said Merlynna as she looked through the glass.


    ''Nothing,'' Little Johnny replied. They then opened the window and climbed out.


    ''To the river,'' Arthur whispered. But before they took one step, four Sheriff''s Men appeared. Fairies soon followed from above and were led by the Princess of the Fays herself, her evil gaze snapping at the conjoined pieces of the Sword in the Stone in Arthur''s hand.


    ''I see you''ve found some friends, Arthur Hood,'' the fairy princess cackled before stretching out a long fingered hand. ''And something else that belongs to me.''


    ''The sword doesn''t belong to you, you winged rat,'' Little Johnny burst out. ''It belongs to only Arthur.''


    ''Yeah, what he said.'' Merlynna stepped forward, raised her hand at the fairy princess and yelled a spell. ''Teine.''


    Expectantly, nothing happened. She then shouted it over and over again, hoping her magic would come back, until the fairy princess hissed with devilish delight at her failure.


    ''A young witch, are you?'' the Princess of the Fays crowed. ''From here? Well, I''m afraid to say that magic will never return to you. Ever. We''ve taken it like we took the magic from the other girls and those insufferable three old hags that called themselves caretakers.''


    The night erupted with more cackles.


    ''Where''d you take them?'' Merlynna shouted.


    ''Don''t worry,'' the fairy princess replied, ''you''ll join them. All three of you are coming with me. But before we go, let me rid this world of this sanctuary for witches, for one, Morgana le Fay, the Queen of the Fairies, shall be this world''s only.'' With an evil wink at Merlynna, she then bellowed with a raspy cry, ''Teine.''


    In an instant, flames danced across the Home for Enchanted Girls, spreading until every corner was engulfed and the night turned to day.


    ''NOOO!!!'' bawled Merlynna.


    ''Now, we can do this the hard way or the harder way,'' said the fairy princess.


    ''We''re not coming with you,'' shouted Arthur. ''That will never happen.''


    ''The harder way it is.'' The fairy princess then showed her fangs and screeched, ''Cadal.''The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    As bright as the flames, a spell shot towards the children. However, Arthur raised Pridwen not a moment too soon. The spell bounced off the shield and zipped back, hitting several fairies and Sheriff''s Men, who dropped to the ground out cold.


    ''GET THEM!'' the fairy princess yelled.


    This time, dozens of spells bolted through the air. And as each one hit Pridwen, they too ricocheted back. But despite this, fairies, Sheriff''s Men and other beasts had started to close in.


    Just then, the sound of a cat''s hiss cracked the air before a ball of fur zoomed out from nowhere and bowled into the oncoming advance.


    Down many went but more took their place.


    ''My magic might be gone but maybe this will still work,'' said Merlynna as she had taken out her yo-yo. ''There''s only one way to find out.'' She gave her wrist a flick and off it went.


    The magical toy darted and streaked, knocking out enemy after enemy. And its string tripped and ensnared. Yet still, and as spells kept hitting Pridwen, fairies snuck through the yo-yo''s mayhem. This time, however, it was Little Johnny''s turn. With all his strength and skill, he swung his staff, keeping the winged rats at bay.


    Meanwhile, and as all this was happening, the children had slowly retreated to the river''s edge.


    ''ENOUGH WITH THIS FOOLERY!'' Arthur heard the fairy princess screech through the tangled battle.


    Seconds later, there was a blinding flare and Pridwen was hit with a monstrous force, sending it out of Arthur''s hand and the children tumbling into the water. Now waist high in the river, the three then watched as the fairy princess menaced closer.


    ''I''ve got you now,'' she snickered before magicking up a hovering cage. But the Princess of the Fays couldn''t have imagined what happened next.


    Arthur did, however, for when he heard a large whoosh behind him, he turned and saw a great big ship with sails of golden crowns on seas of blue.


    ''W¨Cwhere did that come from?'' stammered Merlynna, wide-eyed.


    ''The shield,'' Little Johnny burst out, looking at Arthur. ''It transformed.''


    ''It sure did,'' Arthur replied.


    ''But why?''


    ''It must have sensed we were in danger or something. But whatever the reason, I think it''s time to get on board.''


    Quickly, the children swam over and climbed onto the ship''s deck. But now what? The fairy princess, though shocked, was still moving towards them.


    ''Does anyone know how to drive this thing?'' Little Johnny asked as more spells were sent at them, a powerful one hitting the side of the ship with a mighty crash and sending him, Arthur and Merlynna to the floor. ''Because I don''t,'' he then yelled.


    Arthur and Merlynna shook their heads before the young witch added, ''Even if one of us knew, there''s no wind to drive the sails.''


    But for a second time, another miracle happened.


    From Arthur''s backpack, which incredibly was still slung over his shoulders, Robin Hood''s vibrant red feathers flew out and levitated before them. And as another spell smashed into the ship, the feathers joined together end to end and started to rise. Higher they went until they were level with the sails. Then, they began to rotate, spin so fast that the current puffed out the seas of blue with a powerful wallop.


    And before Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna could comprehend what was happening, the ship was speeding upstream, steering itself. They were going so fast that they left the fairy princess in their spray.


    ''I can''t believe it. That''s twice we''ve escaped the Shadow,'' Little Johnny huffed to Arthur in relief.


    ''Both times lucky,'' Arthur added.


    ''Yes, but we did fight them off this time. Which, if I do say so myself, we did a good job doing.''


    ''Indeed. We make a good team.'' Arthur then turned to Merlynna, to thank her for tonight and saw the young witch staring at the orphanage shrinking in the distance, its flames licking high into the sky.


    The two boys quickly stood by her side.


    ''I''m so sorry, Merlynna,'' said Arthur.


    ''My home''s gone,'' she replied, sadly. ''My home''s gone, my magic''s gone and the only people that I''ve ever known have gone.''


    ''We''ll get them all back,'' Little Johnny said, ''like we''ll get Arthur''s parents back and the Merry Knights if they were taken too.''


    ''And we''ll help get your magic back as well, if that''s possible,'' said Arthur.


    ''Thank you,'' Merlynna said as the Home for Enchanted Girls finally disappeared.


    Just then, the sound of a meow floated down from above. And as the children looked up, they saw Fury on the crow''s nest of the ship, his fur getting ruffled by the wind.


    Merlynna smiled a sad smile.


    ''He was quite the help too,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''He sure was,'' said Arthur.


    ''He''s always been,'' said Merlynna. ''I do wish he was more cooperative and obedient, though, but I guess he takes after me.''


    ''Come on,'' said Little Johnny, ''let''s see where the ship''s taking us.''


    The children meandered to the bow, where Arthur snorted at something he remembered.


    ''What is it?'' asked Little Johnny as spray from the churning water speckled his face.


    Gazing out, Arthur replied, ''Amzin''s other prophecy. The drawing of the three of us on this ship. It came true.''

 Chapter Nineteen

    Pridwen sailed through the night, the ship traversing river after river. And as a cloudy and rainy morning welcomed them the next day, the children found themselves surrounded by a barren yet grassy and boggy expanse.


    ''It has to be taking us somewhere,'' said Arthur as the three of them lay down on the deck, tired. ''Surely. It would have stopped by now if it was just helping us escape.''


    ''But where?'' asked Merlynna as she stroked her flying cat.


    Arthur shrugged.


    ''Hopefully the ship''s taking us somewhere where the Shadow will not find us,'' said Little Johnny.


    Despite Pridwen flying through the water with incredible speed, Arthur craned his neck to make sure they weren''t being followed.


    They weren''t.


    Arthur lay his head back down but then suddenly Fury perked up from Merlynna''s lap and darted into the air, his eyes trained on something somewhere up ahead.


    The children bolted to their feet, stared over the bow but they didn''t see anything except for more barren grassland.


    ''What is it?'' Merlynna said as Fury flapped his wings vigorously right beside her.


    The flying cat just continued his gawking even when a noise from above garnered the children''s attention.


    Looking up, Arthur saw the wind had gone from the sails, and Robin''s feathers had stopped spinning and were now floating down towards him. And when he grabbed them, it was then that he noticed they were slowing down.


    ''Are we about to stop?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''It seems so,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''But there''s nothing around.''


    The children kept their eyes peeled for any sign of something out of the ordinary. And it didn''t take long before Arthur saw it.


    He was just gazing at a patch of grass when a tree suddenly popped out from the ground.


    ''Whoa! Did you two see that?'' he gasped.


    ''See what?'' Little Johnny and Merlynna said together.


    ''That over there.'' Arthur pointed at the lonely yet majestic tree. ''It just . . . it just . . . it just shot out from nowhere.''


    ''Are you sure?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''I swear.''


    It was then that another tree mushroomed from the grass. This time, all three saw it.


    ''WHOA!'' snapped Little Johnny before more and more appeared. ''What''s going on?''


    Arthur shrugged. ''I don''t know. Could it be magic?''


    ''Oh, yes,'' said Merlynna. ''This is definitely magic.''


    ''Fairy magic?''


    ''Possibly. But possibly not.''


    The children continued to watch as more and more trees reached for the skies until they found themselves surrounded by a thick deep forest.


    With a look of awe plastered on his face, and as birds chirped and critters croaked, Little Johnny said, ''I guess this is our final destination.''


    ''It appears so,'' Merlynna replied as the ship had slowed even more.


    ''Whatever this place beholds,'' said Arthur, ''bad or good, we must stick together.''


    Around a bend in the river they drifted before entering a tiny lake. And it was there that Pridwen came to a complete stop.


    ''I know that look, Fury,'' Merlynna burst out as the flying cat flicked his tail back and forth. ''Don''t you dare.''If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    But Fury, as usual, did not listen. With a sly purr, and as Merlynna attempted to grab him, he scampered from the ship and into the forest.


    ''Come back,'' the young witch cried before leaping into the water without any thought.


    The boys rushed over to the side of the ship, peered down and saw Merlynna swimming towards the shore of the lake.


    ''What did I just say, Merlynna?'' Arthur said loudly. ''We need to stick together.''


    ''Come on,'' said Little Johnny. ''We need to go after her.''


    The boys too jumped overboard. And as their shoes touched the water, the ship transformed back into King Arthur''s shield. Then using it, Arthur and Little Johnny paddled, followed Merlynna to the shore, where they watched as she crawled out and disappeared into the trees.


    Not long after, the soaking boys were racing after her through the forest''s undergrowth. But with everything they were carrying, they were just too slow and soon lost her.


    ''Where''d she go?'' huffed Little Johnny.


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur panted in reply. ''But we need to find her.'' He then looked up to see if he could find Fury darting through the trees or perched somewhere but all he saw were branches and leaves.


    Suddenly, a yell punctured the air.


    The boys glared at each other, snapped in frightened whispers, ''Merlynna,'' before racing in the direction of the cry.


    Through a creek they slogged, under a tangled mass of enormous roots they crawled and over a rocky outcrop they leapt before reaching a small clearing.


    ''Arthur, Little Johnny,'' shrieked Merlynna''s voice. ''Help me.''


    The boys looked up and saw Merlynna ensnared in a net high in the trees.


    ''Get me down from here,'' the young witch added.


    ''What happened?'' Arthur strained.


    ''One second I was running on the ground and the next I was up here trapped in this.''


    ''Don''t worry,'' Little Johnny bellowed, ''I''ll get you down. Just sit tight.''


    ''You''re not going to climb all the way up there are you?'' asked Arthur.


    ''I don''t see any other way we can get Merlynna down.'' Little Johnny placed his staff on the forest floor and stepped towards the closest tree, ready to climb, but just then, and with a whoosh, a net closed around him and he was slung into the air.


    ''Little Johnny!'' Arthur screamed instantly, jumping after his ascending friend, but he was too slow, his grasp just out of reach of grabbing the net. And as he landed back down, that set off his own trap.


    Moments later, Arthur screeched, joining Little Johnny''s cry of terror. Past branch after branch he went until, and with a violent bump, he came to a stop next to his friends.


    ''Nice of you two to join me,'' Merlynna joked but with a tremble in her voice, which made Little Johnny shoot daggers at her. ''I know, I know. I''m sorry. If it wasn''t for me, we wouldn''t be in this mess. It''s just with everything that''s happened, I didn''t want to lose Fury too.''


    At this, Little Johnny eased his glare and replied, ''It is what it is. Now let''s try and figure out how we can get out of these nets.''


    ''Maybe I can use the sword to cut us out,'' said Arthur, but he quickly noticed that he wasn''t holding the conjoined pieces as he had been. ''What? Where''d it go?''


    ''You dropped it,'' came Little Johnny, pointing towards the ground.


    Past his feet and through the holes in the net underneath, Arthur stared at the clearing below. And that''s where he saw it. He also saw Pridwen next to it. ''Drat.''


    ''Now how are we supposed to get out?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''Maybe Fury could help,'' suggested Arthur and the three of them began calling out for the flying cat.


    ''FURY!!''


    ''FURY!!''


    ''FURY!!''


    However, their yelling soon garnered another''s attention.


    Arthur was about to call out for Fury again, when he saw a bush rustle below.


    ''Shush, you two,'' he said, pointing. ''Look down there.''


    ''FURY, UP HERE!'' bellowed Merlynna, not listening to Arthur.


    But it wasn''t a flying cat who had caused the bush to move. It was a tall older boy with red paint smeared across his face. And as he stepped out of the tangled thicket, readjusting the bowler hat on his head, he looked up and gave a wicked smile.


    ''What do we have here?'' he growled at Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna. ''Children of the Forest? No, I don''t recognize you. You must be new? Well, there''s a price to pay for being in this wood. And I hope you have enough to hand over because things might get very bad for you.''


    ''Are you threatening us?'' Little Johnny growled back.


    ''Obviously,'' the boy chuckled. ''You must be the smart one.''


    ''And do you really think you can take on the three of us?''


    ''Well, you are stuck in my traps, so yes. But if you''re still not persuaded, maybe my brothers and sisters may change your mind.''


    The boy snapped his fingers and out from the many corners of the forest appeared more and more mean-looking children with red paint smeared on their faces.


    Arthur gulped, hoping nobody would notice Pridwen or the sword laying on the ground, before saying. ''We have nothing to give. So leave us be.''


    ''I see you have a backpack,'' replied the boy with the bowler hat. ''We''ll take that.''


    ''Not going to happen.''


    The boy with the bowler hat pointed to one of the other red-faced children, a blue-haired girl with a small ax wedged in her belt, and said, ''Get them down.''


    ''Merlynna,'' whispered Arthur, ''maybe it''s time to get that yo-yo out.''


    ''I''m sorry, you two,'' she replied, looking ashamed, ''I dropped it somewhere while I was running after Fury.''


    The girl with the ax wandered under the nets, ready to take aim at the ropes holding them aloft, when she noticed, and to Arthur''s dismay, Pridwen and the sword. And as she picked them up and raised them above her head, she said, ''Look what I just found.''


    ''Put those down,'' Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna yelled together.


    Arthur then watched as the boy with the bowler hat walked over to the girl.


    ''These look valuable,'' he said before asking Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna, ''What are they? And do you have anything more like this in that backpack?'' Then turning back to the girl with the ax, he nodded.


    The girl raised her weapon and threw it back behind her head. But just as she was about to let loose, the sound of a horn blared through the trees.

 Chapter Twenty

    The horn blared again. This time, it sounded closer.


    ''The Children of the Forest,'' several children below growled with hatred before a war cry echoed all around.


    ''YEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEY!''


    Then on a branch halfway up a tree behind Arthur appeared a girl with rosy cheeks and wearing a necklace of twigs and flowers.


    ''You dare to cross the Babbling Brook to set up traps, no doubt to capture us,'' she boomed down to the forest floor.


    ''These are not our traps.'' the boy with the bowler hat yelled back. ''We heard a cry for help and found these three. We were just about to rescue them.''


    The girl eyed Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna with curiosity, just realizing their presence, before saying, ''Please don''t insult me with such lies. Wild Children rescuing others? Don''t make me laugh.''


    The boy with the bowler hat grinned madly and snarled, ''One day, one day, Robin''s Wood will be ours and the Children of the Forest will be no more. Mark my words.''


    Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlyna glanced at each other and mouthed together, ''Robin''s Wood?''


    As in Robin Hood, Arthur wondered.


    ''Not if we have anything to say about it,'' the rosy-cheeked girl replied. At this, more and more children appeared on branches all around, soon outnumbering the painted-faced children. ''Now be gone with you. Go back to your side of the forest and never return. If you do, there will be war.''


    Arthur could tell the boy with the bowler hat didn''t want to back down as the tips of his ears flushed. He also clenched a fist before calling out, ''Wild Children, back across the Babbling Brook.''


    And as the painted-faced children leapt away, vanishing into the undergrowth, the Children of the Forest whooped and hollered in victory, drowning out Arthur''s cry.


    ''Wait!'' he shouted, straining to free himself from his net. ''I want my things.''


    But Pridwen and the sword were not coming back. The boy with the bowler hat had taken them.


    Soon the triumphant roars stopped and all eyes descended on the ensnared three. And it was the rosy-cheeked girl who made the first move. She jumped and swung from branch to branch until she leapt into the air and landed on top of Arthur''s net.


    Impressed, Little Johnny shot out, ''Whoa. Quite the skills you have there.''


    The rosy-cheeked girl looked over at him and replied, ''Thank you. Nice coat.''


    Little Johnny puffed out his gnarly hooded fleece with pride. ''Thank you, too.''


    ''So, are the three of you lost?''


    ''I guess you could say that,'' Arthur replied, staring up.


    ''I thought as much. That''s why the forest brought you to it,'' the rosy-cheeked girl replied. ''Now, would you like to get out of your traps?''


    ''That would be nice,'' replied Merlynna. ''By the way, any chance of you seeing a cat flying around.''


    ''A cat flying?'' The rosy-cheeked girl looked shocked.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ''Yes, his name''s Fury and he''s mine.''


    ''I''m very sorry to say, I haven''t. We haven''t.''


    One by one, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna were then lowered back to the forest floor, where they were released from their snares.


    ''Thank you,'' Arthur said to the rosy-cheeked girl as more children drew closer.


    ''You are quite welcome,'' she replied. ''My name''s Esme.''


    The three introduced themselves before Arthur hastily said, ''Any chance of telling me where they went? The ones that did this to us. They stole a couple of things of mine and I''d like to get them back. They''re very important.''


    ''The Wild Children will be long gone by now,'' replied Esme. ''But whatever they stole, we''ll help you get them back. I don''t know how but we''ll think of something. Now, are you thirsty? Hungry? You definitely look like you could do with a rest.''


    ''I just want to get my things back and find out why we were brought here,'' Arthur replied, getting nods from Little Johnny and Merlynna.


    ''So you being lost isn''t the reason you''re here then?''


    ''We are lost but there''s another.''


    ''I will not pry, but if the three of you want to share, we are all ears. Now, please, come with us back to our home here in the forest where we can plan out some ways to find your flying cat and to get your belongings back.''


    ''I think that will be a good idea,'' replied Merlynna.


    ''Me too,'' said Little Johnny, grabbing his staff which he had left on the ground.


    ''Let''s go then,'' said Arthur.


    ''Excellent,'' said Esme, brimming. She then yelled so that all the other children could hear, ''They''re coming back home with us.''


    The surroundings filled with cheers as Esme began to lead Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna in the opposite direction that the Wild Children had fled.


    ''So did I hear you right,'' said Arthur as they rounded a thick trunk, ''and that this forest is called Robin''s Wood.''


    ''It is,'' said Esme. ''And it''s named after a famous Robin. I''m sure you can figure which one.''


    ''Would that be Robin Hood?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Esme smiled. ''That''s correct.''


    Arthur could tell Little Johnny was about to let slip something about who he really was and quickly gestured for him to keep quiet. Though they had just rescued them, Arthur didn''t know if the Children of the Forest could be trusted.


    ''So did Robin Hood live here then if it''s named after him?'' asked Arthur.


    ''He did but that was a very very long time ago as you know,'' Esme replied. ''Now this forest is home to the forgotten and the ones that want to be forgotten. And it''s not just children who live here. Or humans either. Or your usual animals.''


    ''What do you mean by that?'' Merlynna asked as she kept a lookout for Fury.


    ''There are creatures here that many would describe as mythical,'' Esme answered.


    Being that Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna were quite aware of the existence of fabled beings, they only showed little surprise. And this didn''t go unnoticed by Esme, who crossed her brows quizzically.


    Then as if she had just realized something, Merlynna snapped towards Esme and said, ''Are there witches here?''


    This brought a more inquiring look to Esme. ''We''ve never come across any, but there''s definitely magic here.''


    Merlynna nodded without expression before going back to scanning the canopy for Fury.


    Arthur soon realized something too. Was it possible the Shadow could find them here? Despite not wanting to divulge too much, he thought that he should warn their rescuers.


    ''Someone''s after us,'' he came right out and said. ''Someone very evil. You could be in danger. This forest could be in danger.''


    ''That''s probably the reason why Robin''s Wood appeared to you,'' replied Esme. ''And we are not in danger from them here. This forest only appears to people and others who are good at heart.''


    ''What about the Wild Children?'' asked Little Johnny. ''They don''t seem to be good at heart.''


    ''They once were,'' said Esme, her tone turning sad. ''The Children of the Forest and the Wild Children got along well, lived in peace, but they were led astray not too long ago.''


    ''I''m sorry to hear that,'' said Arthur.


    Esme dropped her head. ''Thank you. It was very tough for us.''


    ''So, do you know if there are any other legends associated with Robin''s Wood?'' Little Johnny then asked sheepishly. ''I don''t know, maybe relating to King Arthur or something?''


    Arthur glared at him.


    ''Hmm,'' Esme replied, ''funny you should say that. But first, I almost forgot.'' She reached into her pocket and pulled out a familiar toy. ''Does this belong to any of you? We found it lying on the ground.''


    Merlynna''s attention shifted and she eyed the object in Esme''s hand. ''That''s mine. I dropped it while I was chasing after Fury.''


    ''Well, here you go. And I must say, it''s quite something.''


    ''You tried it out?'' said Merlynna, taking the toy.


    ''I did. I had to. I haven''t played with one of these in years. Not since coming to the forest. Not the typical yo-yo, is it? In fact, it almost seems magical.'' Esme smiled. ''Witchy perhaps?''


    Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna smiled back uncomfortably, which sent Esme''s grin even wider.


    ''Come on,'' she then said, trotting ahead, ''We''re almost home.''

 Chapter Twenty-One

    ''Home is just over this,'' said Esme.


    Arthur had heard the raging torrent long before he saw it. And as he looked down from atop the rocky wall of the treacherous river below, he wondered how they were going to get across. He couldn''t see any bridge or felled tree spanning the gap that they could use. There was nothing.


    ''Are we supposed to jump over or something?'' asked Little Johnny, and before Esme could respond or before anyone could stop him, he took a running jump and leapt over the gap with ease. Then, and as everyone gasped in shock, he just smiled and waved.


    ''Whoa,'' Esme burst out. ''I can''t believe it. I can''t believe he just did that. Nobody has ever done that before. Children have tried but failed. Even me. And I consider myself quite nimble and athletic.''


    ''So how are we supposed to get across?'' Merlynna asked.


    Esme gave her a wink before retreating over to a tree that had a tiny knot. Then after a very theatrical twirl of her finger, she pressed it.


    Suddenly, creaks and groans echoed amongst the children. And before Arthur knew it, dozens of stairs made of branches descended up and down the river, pivoting out from between the trees on the other side. Down they went until all the bottom steps landed with a thud, one of them only a few feet from Arthur and Merlynna.


    ''Incredible,'' Merlynna said.


    ''You can say that again,'' said Arthur. ''Did you build these yourselves?''


    Esme gleamed. ''We sure did.'' She then grabbed Arthur and Merlynna''s hands and led them up the stairs. And as all the other Children of the Forest mirrored their ascent, the three climbed and climbed until they were up high on the other side.


    When they reached the top step, Little Johnny decided to make his appearance, popping out right in front and scaring them half to death.


    ''If I still had my mag¨C,'' an angry Merlynna started but stopped herself.


    ''Sorry about that,'' Little Johnny said.


    Now with a grin, Esme took off and onto a maze of walkways winding through the trees.


    Following behind, Arthur asked, ''Did you build all this too?''


    ''Yep,'' Esme replied before leading the three through the labyrinth until they came to an even more impressive sight.


    Perched on branches and spiraling all over was a steam engine train of green and gold, and which was surrounded by bridges, slides, ladders and rope swings.


    ''Welcome to the home of the Children of the Forest,'' announced Esme, gesturing with her arms and hands at the wonder.


    Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna were speechless. Well, not for long.


    ''How¨Chow¨Chow did a train get up in the trees?'' Little Johnny burst out, his mouth agape.


    ''I couldn''t tell you,'' replied Esme. ''It was already here when we found it.''


    ''Well, it''s beautiful,'' Merlynna added.


    ''Come on, let''s get you something to eat and drink,'' said Esme. ''You can have a rest too and we can talk some more.''Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Across another walkway they went until they came to a train car that was wrapped with flowering creepers. And inside was bunk bed after bunk bed stacked to the very top. The next train car was the same, with a few children snoring away, and so too was the one after that and the one after that.


    Eventually, they came to a train car that was filled with tables set with wooden bowls and cups.


    ''This is where we eat,'' said Esme. ''Please, make yourselves at home and I''ll get you some food.''


    While she scuttled away through the door at the opposite end, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna sat down.


    ''Quite the set up they have here, don''t they?'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Yes, rather impressive,'' Arthur replied. ''Don''t you think, Merlynna?''


    Merlynna didn''t answer. She was staring out of the closest window, hoping to see a ball of black fur darting through the trees.


    ''Where are you, Fury?'' she mumbled to herself.


    Soon after, Esme returned and was holding a plate stacked with pancakes, which sent Arthur as glum as Merlynna. They reminded him of his great uncle and the old man''s attempts at making him the fare.


    ''Now, I was going to tell you something before,'' said Esme as she set the plate down and sat down herself. ''Ah, yes, something about King Arthur, which you had asked about right, Little Johnny?''


    ''That''s right,'' Little Johnny replied.


    ''By the way, Arthur,'' Esme added, ''I''m guessing it''s just coincidence that you have the same first name as the legendary king.'' Then seeing Arthur turn slightly red, she said, ''You don''t have to respond to that. It''s none of my business. Anyway, as I was about to say, there have been many legendary inhabitants that once called Robin''s Wood home and some that still call it home. Like I said before, this forest is a place to be forgotten, a place to hide, a place to be safe. Many of the mythical have flocked to it to find a peace they''d never get elsewhere. This forest is a refuge.''


    ''So there were¨Care inhabitants related to King Arthur in this forest then?'' said Arthur.


    ''Have you ever heard of Jack the Ogre Slayer?'' asked Esme.


    ''Does he live in the forest?'' Arthur was shocked.


    ''He died here a long time ago.''


    ''Wait, who''s Jack the Ogre Slayer?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''He was a boy who helped King Arthur rid his kingdom of horrible ogres,'' Arthur replied.


    ''I remember reading that story when I was younger,'' said Little Johnny. ''Didn''t he have those magical shoes?''


    ''That''s right,'' said Esme, nodding. ''The Shoes of Swiftness. As the name suggests, they gave Jack incredible speed. There is a rumor in the forest that the shoes are still here. If they are, they''re more than likely located in his old home.''


    ''Those shoes would be something. Has anyone tried to find them?''


    ''Jack''s old home is located in a very dangerous place.''


    ''Oh. How dangerous?''


    ''In the clouds.''


    ''Well then, that is dangerous. Yikes.''


    ''Are there any other inhabitants related to King Arthur here?'' Arthur asked.


    Esme nodded with a smile before saying, ''You''ll know her too. And she still lives.''


    ''Who?''


    ''The Lady of the Lake.''


    Arthur and Little Johnny were outright shocked but it was Merlynna who was even more so.


    ''Nimue the Enchantress!'' she snapped. ''A magical one.''


    ''That''s correct,'' said Esme. ''A friend of King Arthur, and who helped him throughout his life, she was the one who took him to the Isle of Avalon when he died.''


    ''Where can I find her?'' Merlynna''s tone was almost demanding. She wanted to see if the Lady of the Lake could help her get her magic back.


    ''I couldn''t tell you. There are many lakes in this forest and she travels between them all.''


    ''Could you take me to these lakes?''


    ''If that''s what you want but there is no guarantee we''ll find her.''


    ''I must try.''


    Esme nodded and nodded. ''Okay, I''ll take you.''


    ''Thank you so much. I owe you.''


    ''There''s no need to owe me anything. It will be my pleasure.''


    ''We''ll come too,'' said Arthur and Little Johnny agreed.


    ''But first,'' said Esme, pulling out her horn and plonking it down on the table, ''we should eat and rest a bit because we are in for a lot of walking.''


    Though Merlynna didn''t want to wait, she nodded in acceptance.


    ''That''s quite the old-looking horn?'' said Little Johnny as Esme was quick to dig into some pancakes.


    The length of a wooden spoon and as straight, the horn was stained with age.


    ''I found it deep in a cave here in the forest,'' Esme mumbled, her mouth full.


    ''It sure gives quite the blast,'' said Arthur.


    ''Do you want to give it a try?'' asked Esme.


    ''Umm.''


    ''Go on.'' Esme picked the horn back up and thrust it into Arthur''s hands.


    At this, and making everyone shriek in surprise, the horn began to grow and curl as if one of Amzin''s, and its stain vanished, giving way to a blinding white.


    ''Whoa!'' bellowed Esme. ''How¨Chow¨Chow did you do that?''


    ''Any chance this horn could have belonged to Robin Hood?'' asked Arthur.


    ''I guess that''s possible.''


    ''Maybe it''s time to tell her who you are, Arthur,'' said Merlynna. ''Who we are?''


    ''That''s probably a good idea,'' Arthur replied.

 Chapter Twenty-Two

    ''Do you think the Lady of the Lake can give you your magic back?'' said Esme as they left the train in the trees. Although she was asking Merlynna, she was spying Arthur very closely. She had done so ever since he had told her that he was both the heir of King Arthur and Robin Hood.


    ''I don''t know but I need to try,'' Merlynna replied, still on the lookout for Fury. ''And if she can give me my magic back, I can use it to help get Pridwen and the Sword in the Sword back to Arthur.''


    ''So what''s the Lady of the Lake like?'' asked Little Johnny as he swatted away a branch with his staff.


    ''Like I said before, this forest only allows in the good of heart. She can be a bit stand-offish though.'' Esme stared at Arthur once again before taking Robin''s Horn from her belt, it still changed from when Arthur had touched it. ''Are you sure you don''t want it? It rightfully belongs to you.''


    Though he felt a strong connection to it, Arthur replied. ''You keep it. You found it. It''s yours.''


    Esme threaded the horn back through her belt and replied, ''Thank you. But if you ever change your mind, just ask¡ª''


    Little Johnny had gasped sharply.


    ''What is it?'' Arthur and Merlynna snapped in fright.


    Little Johnny pointed up through the branches and the leaves up above.


    ''Is it Fury?'' Merlynna added eagerly.


    She and Arthur followed Little Johnny''s gaze and saw a tree like no other. A tree that towered far above all the others, it shooting into the clouds and beyond.


    ''That¨Cthat-that''s huge,'' Arthur almost choked.


    ''We call it Jack''s Tree,'' said Esme. ''After Jack the Ogre Slayer. He used to live at the very top of it.''


    ''Have you ever climbed it?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Although I consider myself a great climber of trees and the rest of the Children of the Forest too, you wouldn''t get me up there.''


    The children continued on but were soon met by a loud clanging noise. It sounded like the clashing of swords.


    ''And what''s that?'' Arthur, Merlynna and Little Johnny shrieked together.


    ''Sparring ghosts,'' Esme replied.


    ''Ghosts?'' breathed Arthur.


    ''Yep. The ghosts of Robin Hood''s band of good fellows, the people that helped him fight tyranny.''


    ''Really?'' snapped Arthur. ''Have you seen them?''


    ''Occasionally we will but they usually don''t stick around too long.''


    Once again, the children carried on through the forest. And with each step, they got closer to Jack''s Tree, its trunk seemingly growing until it was wider than Arthur''s house. Still far from it, they entered a path wedged between rolling crests, where the smell of water wafted on the breeze.


    ''We''re close to a lake,'' said Esme. ''Let''s hope the Lady is there.''


    The path took them through shallow caves and over swathes of fallen acorns. It was when they crossed a short foot bridge traversing a trickle that the lake came into view.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Surrounded by a pebbly shoreline, the vast body rippled and purled. And as a cloudy gloom above made the water look as black as night, a single ray of sunshine pierced down onto a rock in the water and over a figure basking in its warmth.


    ''Is that the Lady in the Lake?'' snapped Merlynna.


    Arthur could tell the young witch was ready to dive in.


    Esme shook her head. ''That is another inhabitant of the lakes and waters in Robin''s Wood. Her name''s Nixie. She''s a mermaid.''


    ''A mermaid? Really?'' muttered Little Johnny.


    ''Yep. There are dozens in the forest. The last of their kind, here to be forgotten like the rest of us.''


    ''Does she know where the Lady of the Lake is?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''She might. Let''s ask her.'' Esme took in a deep breath before bellowing out, ''Nixie! Nixie!''


    The figure raised herself from her bathing and Arthur saw the face of a woman that morphed down into a shimmering scaly body.


    ''Nixie! It''s Esme. I''ve brought some friends. They want to meet the Lady of the Lake. Do you know where she is? Where we might find her?''


    The mermaid, however, didn''t answer but scurried and dived into the water as if she was frightened.


    ''That was odd,'' Esme breathed with a look of bewilderment. ''I wonder what got into her. She''s never acted like that before. She''s usually quite happy. I''ve seen her sad on occasion but nothing more.''


    ''Maybe it''s because we''re new here,'' suggested Little Johnny.


    ''But she''s been very welcome to new children in the past. Very caring and playful, in fact.'' Esme crossed her brows. ''Something''s not right. Something must have happened.''


    ''Could it have anything to do with the Lady of the Lake?'' Merlynna asked.


    ''I don''t know. Let''s call her,'' Esme replied before yelling, ''LADY OF THE LAKE!'' Her voice echoed across the water, the ripples seeming to grow at the name before ebbing back to normal.


    ''LADY OF THE LAKE!'' Merlynna joined in before Arthur and Little Johnny did as well.


    ''LADY OF THE LAKE!'' Esme shouted again. ''Can you hear us? There are children who need your help.''


    A splash in the water made the children suddenly cease but it had only been a fish.


    ''I guess she''s not here,'' said Arthur.


    ''She must be at another lake,'' Esme replied. ''Come on, it''s not that far to the next.''


    But before the children had a chance to leave, a grisly and monstrous roar thundered behind them. And they spun around so fast that Arthur''s backpack almost went flying off his shoulders.


    ''What was that?'' Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna panted.


    ''I don''t know,'' Esme replied with a hoarse croak.


    ''Could it be the ghosts of Robin Hood''s good fellows?'' Arthur asked, a quiver in his voice and legs.


    Esme shook her head. ''I''ve never heard anything like that in the forest before.''


    ''Over there!'' snapped Merlynna, gesturing to a group of trees violently thrashing in the distance before another roar echoed all around.


    ''What could it be?'' stuttered Little Johnny.


    ''Whatever it is,'' Esme replied, ''it''s coming this way.''


    She was right. The thrashing was speeding towards them and it sent Arthur now quivering all over.


    ''Maybe we should get out of here then,'' said Little Johnny.


    But there was nowhere to go. With the lake behind them, it was too little too late to do anything, for the source of the disturbance and the roars showed its hideous self.


    With a bound and an earth quaking thud, a monstrous beast burst out from the trees and gave out an incredible boom from its tusked mouth, making the children scream in terror. Then as it pounded its hairy and knurled boulder-sized fists into the ground, its blood-veined eyes seemed to yearn with hunger.


    Though scared, Merlynna whipped out her yo-yo, ready to let loose, Little Johnny displayed his staff menacingly and Arthur clenched his hands into his own fists. Esme, on the other hand, yanked out Robin''s Horn from her belt and blew it with all her might.


    The horn blared with a warning. The beast, however, did not scare and roared even louder in response.


    ''That thing does not look to be good at heart,'' screeched Little Johnny as great big gobs of spit flew in their direction.


    ''That''s because it isn''t,'' replied Merlynna. ''It''s an ogre.''


    Esme blew Robin''s Horn once again but this made the beast even more angry. And with a pounding of its chest, it bounded towards the children.


    ''AHHHHHH!'' the four of them screamed before Merlynna flicked her wrist and off her yo-yo shot.


    The toy zipped through the air and the moment it reached the approaching ogre, it wrapped itself around over and over until the beast became cocooned.


    ''You did it, Merlynna!'' Arthur yelled in triumph.


    ''Yeah, well done,'' beamed Little Johnny.


    But their jubilation had been too hasty.


    In a blink of an eye, the yo-yo''s string exploded into countless pieces and were flung into the air. The next thing Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna knew, they too were being hurled themselves by the beast''s power before crashing into the lake with a wallop. And when the three clawed themselves back above the surface of the water and wiped their eyes, they saw the ogre carrying Esme off into the trees.

 Chapter Twenty-Three

    Following the trampled down undergrowth and the ogre''s huge footprints beat into the earth, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna raced after Esme, whose screams echoed loudly through the forest. Past tree after tree they went until Arthur realized where the beast was taking her.


    ''It''s headed for Jack''s Tree,'' he said, spying the looming branched behemoth through the forest''s canopy.


    ''I hope it doesn''t take her up there,'' huffed Merlynna, but her fear came true.


    Reaching the humongous tree, the three glared up and saw the ogre already a quarter way up its trunk. And Esme was still slung over its shoulder.


    ''Now how are we going to rescue her?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''We have to climb up there and get her,'' replied Little Johnny.


    ''But it''s too high,'' Arthur burst out. ''One misstep and we''re toast.''


    ''You''re right. It''ll just have to be me then.'' Little Johnny threw his staff to the ground. Then without another word, he began to climb.


    ''But you can''t,'' howled Merlynna. ''It''s too dangerous for anyone.''


    ''Maybe, but I must.''


    ''Let me come with you,'' said Arthur, but the moment he tried to follow, he realized he just wasn''t skillful enough. His grip soon slipped and he fell back down to the ground.


    ''It''s all right, I''ll do it alone,'' came Little Johnny before craning his neck and seeing the gap between him and the ogre grow further.


    But that pushed the boy even more and he quickened his climbing. Even when his arms and legs began to ache, he did not stop. Eventually, he took a peek to see how far he had scaled . . . . and whoa!


    ''Okay then,'' Little Johnny stammered to himself as he saw Arthur and Merlynna now far below. They looked like tiny ants and the rest of the forest, the trees, looked like green matchsticks. ''This is quite high.''


    Just then, a roar cracked down through the air like a bolt of lightning. Little Johnny snapped his gaze back up and saw the ogre disappear beyond the clouds.


    Up and up the boy continued for what felt like an entire day, every step bringing the wind and cold, but Little Johnny finally reached the puffy white mistiness. And before he knew it, a great hovel made of stone appeared before him, its front door just one big crumbling hole and the roof looking as if it was about to cave in.


    He had reached the top of Jack''s Tree.


    A scream bellowing out from within perked Little Johnny''s resolve. He clawed his way to the entrance, where he carefully peered through. And inside was a cavernous room with its own smaller, yet still large, hovel made from tables and chairs, paintings, a bed, and pots and pans. And inside that, the ogre was resting, its eyes closed and Robin''s Horn nestled on its breathing and heaving chest.


    Yakking, snarling snores soon trumpeted from the beast and Little Johnny''s gaze wandered to the corner of the room, where a cage made of bones sat occupied. He then waved his hands, quickly getting the attention of Esme.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Though scared, relief washed over her instantly as she mouthed, ''Get me out of here.''


    On his tiptoes, Little Johnny shuffled inside and over to the cage.


    ''Where''s the door to this thing?'' he asked in whispers.


    ''There''s no door,'' Esme answered. ''He just put it over me. I tried lifting it up but it''s too heavy.''


    ''I''ll help.''


    Little Johnny took hold of two bones at the base of the cage and Esme grabbed them too. Then with muffled grunts, the two lifted the enclosure. Up it went, making enough room for Esme to crawl out, but they needed something to prop it up first.


    ''I don''t think I can keep it up for you to get out,'' Little Johnny told Esme. ''I''ll get something we can put underneath it. Wait here.''


    ''I''m not going anywhere,'' Esme replied as they placed the cage back down.


    Little Johnny turned to the indoor hovel, where fortunately the ogre was still sleeping. He then eyed something wedged in the debris that would do perfectly. It was a wooden box.


    Once again, he tiptoed across the room, where the smell of the ogre''s breath socked him in the face. The stench was so bad, like a hundred times worse than rotten eggs, that he had to cover his nose with the hood of his hairy coat.


    Soon, he was grabbing the box he had eyed and began to carefully pull it out, hoping that the indoor hovel wouldn''t collapse and wake the terrifying beast. To his relief, it didn''t and before he returned to the cage, he swiped Robin''s Horn.


    Once Esme had crawled out from under her prison, she beamed with gratitude. ''Thank you so much.''


    ''You''re welcome,'' Little Johnny replied. ''Now let''s get out from the clouds and down from this tree.''


    ''You don''t have to tell me twice¨C''


    Suddenly, the box propping up the cage imploded with an almighty crash, sending splinters everywhere. And despite the ogre''s snores being much louder, the noise woke the beast with a roaring start.


    ''Time to run I think,'' Esme gulped.


    Little Johnny knew that out-climbing the ogre would just be impossible. But as luck would have it, he saw something lying underneath the remnants of the wooden box. It was a pair of ratty looking black boots with an image of a wing sown into each one.


    ''Are those¨Care those¨C'' he started to ask as the ogre bounded up to his feet and boomed in rage.


    ''The Shoes of Swiftness,'' Esme replied with a tremble.


    Not knowing if they still worked, Little Johnny scrambled to put them on anyway. But the moment he tightened their laces, he knew they did, for his whole body twitched as if he had just eaten ten bars of chocolate.


    ''Jump on my back,'' he then burst out. And Esme did just that. ''Now, hold on tight.''


    In a flash, they were gone as if they had vanished with a poof, leaving the ogre to roar with such anger that the clouds covering the crown of Jack''s Tree parted with a rush. And as more roars sent the walls of the stone hovel to crumble, Little Johnny was already racing towards the ground. He was going so fast, the fastest he''s ever gone, that leaps felt like steps and clambering down the trunk felt as if he was sliding down a fireman''s pole.


    It was thrilling, but, oh, did he scream. So did Esme. And as they continued down, Arthur and Merlynna were looking up in horror as chunks from the hovel began to tumble through the air.


    ''That doesn''t look good,'' quivered Arthur. ''Do you think something''s happened to them?''


    ''I hope not,'' cried Merlynn before the two heard a voice zip down from above.


    ''I''ve got Esme, guys,'' it yelled, sounding rather close.


    ''Was¨Cwas that Little Johnny?'' croaked Arthur, but he or Merlynna couldn''t see him anywhere.


    But then, and in a gust of wind, Little Johnny appeared right in front of them with a pop.


    ''What in the hag''s mole¨C'' Merlynna swore as Arthur cowered back in shock. ''How? How? Is this magic?''


    ''The Shoes of Swiftness,'' Little Johnny answered, pointing down at his feet, before Esme jumped off his back with utmost delight.


    The four then quickly embraced. And after Esme thanked Little Johnny again for rescuing her, she said with concern, ''I just don''t get it.''


    ''Get what?'' asked Arthur.


    ''How did the ogre get inside Robin''s Wood?''


    Arthur wondered if it had anything to do with the Shadow.


    ''Whatever the reason,'' Merlynna replied, ''I think we should probably skedaddle just in case the beast decides to follow you two down.''


    ''That''s a good idea,'' replied Little Johnny and the four were quick to head off back to the train in the trees.

 Chapter Twenty-Four

    Inside their own train car that night, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna slept in their own comfy bunk beds. Despite what had happened earlier that day with the ogre and with everything else, shutting their eyes came easy. They were just unable to keep them open. And though there was a danger of the beast making its appearance again and finding the train in the trees, the Children of the Forest were ready.


    ''With the extra traps we''ve placed around here, not only will the Wild Children have an even tougher time trying to find us if they plan on attacking us, the ogre will have a hard time too,'' Esme had said. ''We''ll be safe.''


    And as a breeze floated through a window and over her bunk bed, Merlynna was dreaming of her feline companion. She was back at the Home for Enchanted Girls, lying down on a patch of grass and soaking up the summer sun. Fury darted above, trying desperately to catch a butterfly in his mouth.


    ''Stop that,'' Merlynna giggled in demand but Fury kept at his pursuit. ''I said, stop that. If you do, I''ll give you a treat.''


    Now Fury listened. With a meow, he dropped out of the air and landed with a thud right on top of Merlynna. He then began to lick her face in a hungry obsession.


    ''All right, all right,'' the young witch moaned in delight. ''Let me get the treat.''


    But as she was about to retrieve the goody from her pocket, a chill came blowing by, nudging her from the slumber. And as a shiver sent goosebumps coursing over her skin, her eyes burst open and she found that was still being licked.


    ''Fury,'' Merlynna softly beamed at her flying cat. She wanted to yell and scream with joy but she didn''t want to wake Arthur and Little Johnny. ''You found me. I''m so glad you''re safe.'' She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug.


    Fury purred and purred some more but quickly got bored and wriggled free. Then to Merlynna''s dismay, he shot into the air and flitted out of the window.


    ''Not again,'' Merlynna groaned with a muted tone before jumping out of bed and out of the train car, where light from several lanterns dotted around strained her eyes. But they soon adjusted and she saw Fury swoop towards the forest floor right underneath her.


    With everyone else sleeping, Merlynna made sure to keep quiet as she bolted after him. She leapt across a walkway, down a set of stairs, climbed a ladder, swung on a rope and slid down a slide. And as her shoes eventually touched the forest floor, she looked around.


    ''Fury?'' she breathed. ''Fury?'' A meow then caught her and she saw her friend sitting on a well underneath a lamp.


    Slowly, she tiptoed over before pouncing and catching him in her arms. ''You''re not getting away from me this time.''


    She thought Fury would protest but all he did was stare down at the water in the well.


    ''What are you looking at?'' she asked, glaring down too. It was then that she saw a face staring back at her and it wasn''t a reflection.


    It was the face of the mermaid at the lake. It was Nixie. Her skin gleamed as if it was made of a million sequins and her green eyes sparkled like emeralds.


    Though shocked, Merlynna waved and said calmly, ''Hello.''


    Nixie blinked before raising her head above the water. And she replied in a dreamy and hypnotic voice, ''Hello, young one.''This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ''I would never have thought I''d see a mermaid inside a well. How did you get in there?''


    ''Your cat brought me here. This well is connected to the rivers, creeks and lakes in this forest.''


    ''Did he now?''


    ''He told me of you.''


    ''You can understand cat?''


    ''I can understand many creatures.''


    ''We called for you at the lake. Why didn''t you come over?''


    ''This forest has started to change. Change for the bad. I was a little hesitant. But after I saw your friend rescue Esme and after your cat persuaded me, I came to see you.''


    ''Why?''


    ''I''d like to show you something.''


    ''What is it? Is it the Lady of the Lake?''


    Nixie bowed in sadness.


    ''What''s wrong?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''Please, let me show you. I''ll take you there.'' Nixie raised her hand out of the water and gestured to Merlynna to take it.


    ''You want me to come in the water?''


    Nixie nodded. ''It''s the only way I can travel. It won''t take long. I can swim very fast. You''ll have to hold your breath though.''


    ''Hmm, I don''t know.'' Suspicion throbbed at the back of Merlynna''s mind but Fury soon started licking her ferociously. ''But I guess he wants me to go with you.''


    ''He does.''


    Merlynna then whispered in Fury''s ear. ''Do you trust her?''


    And Fury responded with a prompt meow.


    Merlynna turned back to Nixie and said, ''I''ll come with you.''


    Nixie smiled and raised her hand further out of the water. Merlynna took it and in she went.


    ''Oh, that''s cold,'' Merlynna squeaked.


    ''Now hold your breath,'' said Nixie.


    At once, water was rushing over Merlynna and she was diving into the growing darkness below. And she could feel Nixie''s tail beside her flipping madly as their speed grew. Soon, she felt herself level out before light from luminescent fish cast their brilliance on the walls of an underwater cave. Then up and up they went until . . .


    Splash.


    Sucking in air, Merlynna looked around and saw they had burst out into a creek. Fury was hovering above them and frogs croaked in every direction.


    Still holding Merlynna''s hand, Nixie continued on, but this time much slower. And after they meandered upstream for a while, the mermaid stopped in front of a rocky wall covered in vines.


    ''Through this way,'' said Nixie. Then like that, the vines moved aside, revealing a channel, and in they entered.


    Further down, the narrow passage opened wide like a mouth. At the end was the most glorious of waterfalls Merlynna had ever seen, the glistening pool it poured into teeming with dozens of other mermaids.


    ''Wow,'' Merlynna gasped.


    Nixie gave out a sad smile and replied, ''We call this the Secret Pond. It''s where we rest our heads at night.''


    ''So what do you want to show me?''


    ''The grave of the Lady of the Lake.''


    Nixie''s voice had stammered with heartache and the words sent Merlynna into a terrible dizzying spell.


    ''Any reason why you want to show me it? Merlynna then asked with a shudder.


    ''Because it was not long ago that her death occurred,'' Nixie replied, ''and her magic is still around. Come.''


    The other mermaids watched with twinkles in their eyes as the two drew closer to the waterfall. Then as eddies began to twirl around them, the plummeting liquid parted to let them through.


    Beyond was a hidden lagoon where more luminescent fish bedazzled their surroundings. And in the middle breached a rock of which a heap of pebbles lay.


    Nixie took Merlynna over and helped the young witch out of the water.


    ''Is this her grave?'' asked Merlynna, glaring down at the mound.


    ''It is,'' Nixie replied.


    ''How did she die?''


    ''She was killed.''


    ''Killed?'' Merlynna burst out. ''How? Who? What?''


    ''It was a creature that the Lady of the Lake kept guarded inside a rock.''


    ''Like a prisoner?''


    ''Yes.''


    ''How did it escape?''


    Nixie shook her head. ''It could have been biding its time. Ever since its appearance, though, this forest has slowly been encroached by beings that are not good at heart.''


    ''Like the ogre.''


    ''Yes. But there are other monsters even worse than that who have started to call Robin''s Wood home. And there is one that had been kept a secret by Robin Hood himself here in the forest, a man in his own grave who was woken by the creature that killed the Lady of the Lake.''


    ''Robin Hood?''


    ''Yes, and the man had been his greatest enemy.''


    ''That¨Cthat could only mean¨Cthe¨Cthe Sheriff.''


    ''Yes.''


    ''Oh, my. And what of the creature? Do you know its identity?''


    ''She is named Morgana.''


    Merlynna''s mouth dropped again. ''King Arthur''s greatest enemy. Are you sure?''


    ''Very much. And I''m afraid they could cause the destruction of this forest.''


    ''They could cause the destruction of much more.''


    Merlynna grew more dizzy at the thought. Her legs gave out and she crumbled onto the pebbled grave. But suddenly, a flash of brilliant light and warmth engulfed the young witch.

 Chapter Twenty-Five

    Arthur jolted awake to the scent of a cat.


    ''Fury?'' he breathed in a whisper as looked around the train car.


    Nothing.


    Strange, he thought, before glancing over at a sleeping Little Johnny, the Shoes of Swiftness tucked under his bunk. He then gazed at Merlynna''s and saw that it was unoccupied.


    ''Merlynna?'' he snapped as he sat up in a rush, his backpack still strapped to his shoulders, but like Fury, there was no sign of the young witch.


    Arthur jumped out of bed and flushed with panic. But right before he was about to wake Little Johnny, he heard faint voices, a conversation, coming from outside. One belonged to Merlynna, but the other, he didn''t recognize.


    Despite not knowing who the young witch was talking to, there was no menace or fright in their tones. Relief washed over Arthur and he decided to see what Merlynna was up to.


    Out from the train car, he began following the voices. And down he went through the trees, but as he neared the forest floor, he heard a loud whomp. Panic washed over Arthur again and he raced the remainder of the way, dropping right beside a lit well and finding a tiny ripple in its water.


    ''Merlynna?'' he snapped at the darkness around him. ''Where are you?''


    There was no answer nor a response from the other voice either. But Arthur did hear something, a whizzing noise zipping through the air and it was getting louder.


    Was it Fury? A flying broomstick? A fairy even?


    Arthur stepped back from the well, about to flee back up into the trees if necessary, when the sound suddenly whistled down his ears before a loud thwack rang out below. He dropped his stare and saw an arrow sticking out from the ground. And it was no ordinary arrow. It was silver.


    Gasping in shock, Arthur swiveled around to find the culprit who had shot it but saw nothing. He heard nothing more either. He then dropped his stare again, where he noticed that Robin''s feathers were flapping around madly inside his backpack.


    Why were they doing that, he asked himself, before quickly speculating if there was a connection between them and the arrow. Could it have been Robin Hood''s?


    Arthur felt like he should go and wake Little Johnny, but he just couldn''t take his eyes off of the arrow. He was drawn to it like he was drawn to King Arthur''s crown. He wanted to touch it.


    He bent down to rip it out from the ground, but before he had a chance to grab hold, the projectile sprang into the air all by itself, turned like a wind vane and took off.


    ''Wait!'' Arthur bellowed. He grabbed the light above the well and went after it.


    Beyond the train in the trees he raced after the silhouetted arrow above him, dodging trap after trap that had been set to keep them safe from the ogre. And as he traversed tree roots the size and length of the biggest of snakes, Arthur wondered if it wanted to show him something.


    Was it leading him to Merlynna? Was she in danger? Or maybe it was leading him to the Lady of the Lake?This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Wherever it was going, Robin''s feathers were acting up even more. And so much that they were hitting King Arthur''s crown and causing it to whine like some distant jet engine.


    Eventually, and after Arthur felt like he was going to collapse with exhaustion, he came to a brook that appeared to gurgle. And on the other side, the forest seemed to darken into a pitch black abyss. But without hesitation, and as the silver arrow shot into the lightless realm before him, he waded through the water. Little did he know, he was crossing the Babbling Brook, the border to the Wild Children''s territory.


    Once Arthur''s feet were on the opposite side, he lifted the lamp as high as he could and entered into the shadowy giant timbers. And it wasn''t long before the creepy and slithering sounds of critters wretched his insides.


    Fright was quick to comfort him, making him shake and shiver, and his thoughts soon turned to the ogre. He was just waiting for the monster to jump out and claw at his face. It was now that he started to regret following the arrow, of which he could barely see anymore through the dim and overgrowth.


    After only several more steps, Arthur stopped and pondered if he should head back to the train in the trees. However, as he turned to figure out where he had come from, all he saw was a wall of aping gloom.


    He was lost.


    Yet things were about to get worse, for suddenly, the sound of a crunching twig made Arthur cower to the ground. And as he fumbled with fear to extinguish the lamp, more and more biting noises came.


    Time to run, Arthur thought, and despite not being able to see in front of him, he did.


    Branches and leaves soon whipped at his face, scratching and gouging, and rocks and stumps made him stumble. But he kept on his feet. His heart raced and his breathing rumbled. And that''s all he heard until he felt himself trip over something, setting off a violent clatter of what sounded like menacing wind chimes.


    ''Intruder!'' a young voice yelled, and Arthur knew right then where he was.


    Scrambling to his feet, he took off again, but in the blink of an eye, he tripped over something else and was launched into the air. And when the soaring stopped with an abrupt jerk, he found himself dangling by his leg, a rope wrapped around his ankle.


    Arthur wanted to scream for help but he didn''t want to give himself away. He should have, though, for a familiar voice growled below.


    ''Gotcha,'' the boy with the bowler hat said, and in an instant, dozens of flaming torches flooded the forest floor, each one held by a wild child.


    Arthur gulped at the sight, at the wicked smirks on each of the painted faces.


    ''What were they going to do to him?'' he said to himself, as he swayed back and forth, blood rushing to his head. Then desperate, not even thinking about how high he was, he tried wriggling free.


    ''You can''t escape,'' the boy with the bowler hat cackled, setting off the other Wild Children into hysterics. ''You''ll be coming with us.''


    ''Good,'' Arthur replied sternly, not wanting to show any fear. ''And when I do, you will give me back the things you took from me and then you''ll let me go.''


    The forest erupted with more chuckling.


    ''You are in no position to dictate anything,'' the boy with the bowler hat snapped.


    Arthur didn''t want to do it but there was only one thing he could do now and that was to threaten his captors with who he was.


    ''You''ll be sorry if you don''t do as I say,'' he bellowed. ''I may look like an easy target to bullies like you but I am the descendant of two of the greatest legends, one of which this forest was named after.''


    Arthur honestly thought that the Wild Children would all keel over and die crying of laughter this time but the boy with the bowler hat was about to say something that would completely shock him.


    ''We know who you are,'' he spat. ''Mother and father thought as such. And they''re really looking forward to meeting you.''


    How? How was it possible that they knew? And who were their mother and father? Esme had never mentioned that the Wild Children had parents.


    Just then, the familiar whizzing noise pierced the darkness above.


    Arthur had completely forgotten about the arrow. And as he craned his neck, he saw it dip down, skirting the dome of light from the torches, and towards a dark figure looming in the shadows of two trees.


    ''Yes,'' the figure then growled menacingly. It was a man. ''The outlaw''s blood courses through this child''s body. I can smell its foul stench.''


    ''Do you want us to get him down?'' the boy with the bowler hat asked.


    ''No need for that. I''ll do it.''


    Suddenly, the silver arrow changed directions and charged towards Arthur.

 Chapter Twenty-Six

    ''Little Johnny. Little Johnny.'' Merlynna shook the sleeping boy. ''Wake up. Wake up.''


    Little Johnny rolled over and snapped his eyes open. Instinctively, he went for his staff resting next to him but it suddenly floated into the air and out of his reach.


    ''What in the Robin''s Wood?'' Little Johnny''s gaze had found the young witch. ''Did... did... did you just do that?''


    Merlynna nodded. ''I thought you were going to hit me with it.''


    ''But how?'' Little Johnny asked.


    ''Magic has returned to me. Though it is weak. But, hopefully, it will grow stronger.''


    ''How-how-how did you get it back?''


    ''I''ll tell you all about it later after you tell me where Arthur is.''


    ''He''s asl¨C'' Little Johnny had looked over at Arthur''s bunk and saw that it was empty. ''Wait. Where is he?''


    ''I don''t know. That''s why I asked.''


    Little Johnny got out of bed, checked to see if the Shoes of Swiftness were still there, which they were, and replied back, ''Maybe he just went for a walk around the train. He could be getting some food.''


    It was then that something leapt onto Little Johnny''s bunk, making the boy tumble to the floor in fright. The thing then meowed and wings sprouted from its side.


    ''You found Fury then,'' he breathed.


    ''More like he found me,'' Merlynna said before helping Little Johnny up. She then retrieved his staff using more magic and handed it to him. ''And you''re going to need that more now.''


    ''What do you mean by that?''


    ''Something bad is happening in the forest. I need to tell Arthur.''


    Merlynna started towards the door of the train, as Fury curled up into a ball and fell asleep, when Little Johnny asked, ''Tell him what?''


    Merlynna didn''t reply but entered into the next car.


    ''Well wait for me,'' Little Johnny called out. He grabbed the Shoes of Swiftness, threw them over his shoulder and went after Merlynna.


    For ages, the two then searched the entire train and the surrounding trees, but they were unable to find Arthur. Now truly concerned, they woke up Esme and all the other Children of the Forest, telling them of his disappearance.


    ''Do you think the ogre may have taken him?'' a young girl quivered as she teetered on a chair in the dining car.


    Many others were swaying with nerves as they all stared at Esme, who stood on a table.


    ''No chance,'' Esme replied with strength in her voice. ''It would be impossible for that monster to get through our traps.''


    ''Maybe he went to get Pridwen and the Sword in the Stone back from the Wild Children all by himself,'' said Merlynna.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ''I think that would be a more likely scenario.''


    ''Surely, he would have told us,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Maybe he just didn''t want to put us in danger,'' said Merlynna.


    ''We should go after him then.''


    ''I agree.''


    ''I will come with you two,'' said Esme.


    ''You don''t need to do that,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''You''ll need help. You also don''t know the way to the Wild Children''s territory.'' She then told the rest of the Children of the Forest, ''Everyone else will stay here,'' before turning back to Little Johnny and Merlynna. ''And on our travels, we can ask around. See if any of the forest''s creatures may have seen him.''


    ''But before we go,'' said Merlynna, ''I must tell you all something. Something dire.''


    She then told everyone about what had happened to her. How Fury had woken her up, how she had met Nixie at the well before the mermaid took her to the Secret Pond. She was then hesitant to tell them the news that the Lady of the Lake had died but she did. And many cries echoed through the dining car in response.


    ''I''m afraid that''s not all,'' said Merlynna as Esme consoled a young boy beside her. ''The Lady of the Lake was killed.''


    Cries abruptly turned to gasps.


    ''Killed by who?'' snapped Little Johnny.


    ''By Morgana.''


    ''Morgana? The Queen of the Fays? King Arthur''s nemesis?''


    ''Yes.''


    ''But how?''


    ''The Lady of the Lake had imprisoned her a long time ago in a rock and brought her here to the forest to keep safe. But somehow Morgana escaped. And that''s not all. After Morgana killed the Lady of the Lake, she brought someone back to life.''


    ''Who?''


    ''The Sheriff. Robin Hood''s sheriff. His grave was located here in the forest.''


    Every face turned horror-stricken.


    ''What does this mean?'' someone stammered loudly.


    ''That the appearance of the ogre is just the start,'' Merlynna answered.


    ''So does this mean we have to leave the forest?'' another child asked, a bespeckled girl.


    It was Esme who responded this time and she did so with her head held low. ''It may have to come to that if it gets too dangerous.''


    ''But I don''t want to leave Robin''s Wood.'' Everyone aped the bespeckled girl''s sentiment. ''This is my home.''


    ''If nobody wants to leave, then we all have to be extra careful from now on,'' said Esme. ''And while the three of us are off in search of Arthur, I want everyone to set up more traps. I want you to make this place a fortress. Got that?'' The Children of the Forest saluted. ''Good, now Merlynna and Little Johnny, let''s go.''


    The three quickly got ready for their journey ahead, grabbing supplies and anything that could help them. And as they left the train in the trees not too long after, Esme noticed that Merlynna had brought along a broomstick that the young witch had found lying around.


    ''Why''d you bring that?'' Esme asked.


    ''Oh,'' Merlynna replied, ''I forgot to tell you, I got my magic back.''


    ''You what? When?''


    ''I was hoping the Lady of the Lake would help with its return and she did. Sadly, it wasn''t the way I would have liked and I wasn''t able to thank her.''


    Esme nodded sadly. After a pause, she asked, ''So can you fly it? The broomstick?''


    ''My magic is incredibly weak at the moment ¨C I think my body is trying to get used to it again ¨C so I can''t fly yet ¨C I''ve tried. I can''t even get off the ground. When my magic gets stronger, however ¨C and hopefully, it does ¨C I''ll be able to. And hopefully also, it can help us.''


    ''It will definitely take us a lot less time to travel through the forest if we could fly above the trees.''


    Little Johnny snorted. Merlynna looked over and saw that the boy''s eyes were wide with cynicism.


    ''Something to say?'' she asked him.


    Though many would think this was no time to joke, Little Johnny thought a little good-natured teasing would lift the mood. And as he beamed with a wicked smirk, he replied, ''I think it would take more time to fly than to walk through the forest. That''s if you''re flying the broomstick of course.''


    Although Fury hissed at the remarks as he glided between the trees above the children''s heads, Merlynna smiled back, able to take the ribbing, and said, ''Careful now. I''ve got my magic back. Any more of that and I''ll turn you into a pool of slime.''


    ''That''s if you can catch me with your spells.'' Little Johnny gestured to the Shoes of Swiftness, which he was now wearing. ''As you''ve seen, I can go really fast with these on.''


    ''Well, when I get my full magic back, and after all this is over, after we defeat the Shadow like Amzin''s prophecy foretold, maybe we can have a competition. And the winner gets to be Arthur''s council when he''s crowned King of Camelot.''


    Little Johnny gave Merlynna a wink. ''You''re on.''


    The two shook on it before Esme led the way towards the Babbling Brook.

 Chapter Twenty-Seven

    The dark figure kept to the shadows in front as Arthur was led through the forest by the Wild Children. They had been walking for ages.


    ''Where are you taking me?'' Arthur asked as he stared at the looming silhouette and his backpack dangling from the man''s hand. He could still hear Robin''s feathers buzzing inside.


    Right behind, the boy with the bowler hat planted a stick into Arthur''s back, making him stumble forward. ''Keep moving.''


    Despite his predicament, Arthur was feeling bold. And he asked loudly so that the man was sure to hear, ''Who are you ? I think I have the right to know.''


    The man came to a halt, making everyone else stop too. Then slowly, he walked into the light from the Wild Children''s torches and right up to Arthur, who gulped at the sight.


    The man was grizzled and stared down with the blackest of eyes. Scars covered his sinister and brutish face, and a brown robe flowed down his bulging frame.


    ''You want to know who I am?'' the man gruffed with hatred. ''I am the enemy of outlaws and the one that went by Robin Hood.''


    Arthur gulped again. He wasn''t feeling bold now. ''You''re...you''re...you''re the Sheriff?''


    The man gave an evil smile before a shrill laugh drew everyone''s attention.


    ''Mother''s here,'' the boy with the bowler hat said.


    Arthur peered around the Sheriff and saw another silhouette looming beyond the light.


    ''Is this him?'' the figure then rasped softly.


    ''It is, mother,'' the boy with the bowler hat answered.


    ''Good.''


    The figure appeared, making Arthur gasp this time. With skin that cracked and flaked, thin and scraggly hair cascaded over the crooked shape of a gaunt-faced woman.


    ''Ah, yes,'' she brayed, wrenching over. She bent down, grabbed Arthur''s chin and yanked his head up. ''I see the resemblance to the villainous king.''


    ''Morgana?'' Arthur breathed.


    ''Morgana le Fay you will call me,'' the woman shrieked before snapping her gaze at Arthur''s backpack, where she glared at it hypnotically. ''I sense Camelot.''


    The Sheriff ripped open the bag, where Robin Hood''s feathers suddenly flew out and up into the air. And realizing what they were, the man stared, enraged.


    Yet, Arthur''s heart filled with hope at their sight, that somehow they would help him escape, but that very instance, they took off and disappeared.


    The Sheriff snarled. And as he sent his silver arrow after them, Morgana grabbed Arthur''s backpack, reached inside and pulled out the crown.


    ''I knew this day would come,'' the woman hissed with delight, making her skin crack and flake even more. ''It''s finally in my hands. My magic may be weakening, the Lady of the Lake cursing it before I rid this world of her, but with this crown, the power of Camelot is mine for the taking. I will be as powerful as I''ve ever been.''


    Arthur went numb, but anger boiled. ''You killed the Lady of the Lake?''Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ''Indeed, boy. Only fitting for the one that imprisoned me for too long.''


    ''You will never get Camelot''s power.''


    ''I will. And you will help me. You will make me the Queen of Camelot.''


    ''I will never help you. And you will be stopped.'' Though Arthur had no idea what had become of them, not knowing if they were still alive, he added, ''Outside of this forest, there are people, the Merry Knights they call themselves, the protectors of the legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood. They fight for justice and they will stop you, along with me and my friends.''


    Suddenly, Morgana and the Sheriff howled with maddening rage. It was so terrifying and loud that it felt like the ground was about to gobble up the entire world.


    ''They must be destroyed,'' Morgana finally shirked.


    ''And this forest can join them,'' bellowed the Sheriff. ''I want to finally rid Robin Hood''s name from existence.''


    ''Mark my words, my ally,'' Morgana''s voice now sounded dreamy, ''the legends of this land will wither, perish under us.''


    Arthur was about to tell them otherwise when the boy with the bowler hat piped up.


    ''Will you really destroy this forest?'' he said, cruelty now missing from his tone.


    Arthur turned around and saw that he looked afraid. All of the Wild Children looked afraid.


    The boy with the bowler hat continued, ''I thought you were going to help us take it all, make it ours, take it from the Children of the Forest.''


    The Sheriff''s forehead creased sharply and he replied with force, ''We have no time for child''s play.''


    ''But you promised. And where will live if the forest is destroyed?''


    ''ENOUGH! THAT IS NOT MY CONCERN!'' The Sheriff had raised his hand, ready to strike.


    The boy with the bowler hat cowered to the forest floor and cried, ''Please don''t. I''m sorry.''


    The Sheriff lowered his hand and smirked. ''You will do as we say. Do I make myself clear?''


    ''Y¨Cy¨Cyes.''


    The Sheriff then looked around at the other Wild Children. ''All of you will do as we say. Yes? If not, you''ll meet the same fate as this forest.''


    There was silence.


    ''ANSWER ME!''


    ''W-we''ll do as you say,'' came a chorus of frightened girls and boys.


    ''Good,'' the Sheriff gruffed.


    The boy with the bowler hat now looked at Arthur, his face filled with guilt and regret. And Arthur felt sorry for him. He felt sorry for the Wild Children.


    Just then, Morgana cackled, ''The crown can take us to Camelot. I can see the path entwined in its layers and seams.''


    That is not what Arthur wanted to hear.


    Morgana placed the crown onto the forest floor before muttering something under her breath. The next moment, leaves and twigs lifted into the air, making the Wild Children cower back. The debris then started to swirl until a violent vortex sputtered with bolts of light.


    Soon, and through all the disorder, Arthur saw an image. It wasn''t as clear as when he saw it at the Isle of Avalon, but there was no doubt it was Camelot.


    Morgana shrieked with pleasure. However, her delight was short-lived.


    The castle disappeared in a shimmer, the churning stopped, and the leaves and twigs fell back to the ground with a sudden whoosh.


    ''My magic is not strong enough,'' Morgana howled. ''But maybe¨C'' she turned to Arthur. ''Yes. I''m sure it will show you. Boy, take the crown.''


    Arthur didn''t budge.


    ''Boy, take the crown,'' Morgana demanded once more.


    Again, Arthur didn''t move, but straightaway, his body began to shift all by itself like he was a puppet on a string. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t stop it. He wrested over the crown and picked it up, his entire body flushing with energy as it had done so before. But that was all. Nothing followed. Nothing stirred.


    Morgana howled in defeat again, breaking her spell on Arthur. ''I need more power. And I know where we can get it.'' She snapped her fingers and a loud plodding filled the night.


    THUMP, THUMP, THUMP was all Arthur heard until he saw four colossal trolls with enlarged and grotesque heads tramp into the light. Larger and more frightening than the ogre, they were carrying a carriage made of slithering bramble of which sat Pridwen and the Sword in the Stone.


    Arthur was so relieved to see them, and to see them intact.


    With heavy rumbling huffs, the trolls were quick to their knees. And after Morgana snatched the crown from Arthur, she climbed onto the carriage, the Sheriff right behind. The crooked woman then snapped her fingers again and the trolls got back to their elephant-sized feet.


    ''ONWARDS!'' she commanded and the trolls began thumping away.


    ''Move it,'' the boy with the bowler hat said before Arthur felt a sharp poke in his back.


    Arthur turned around and saw the boy, his stick raised. ''You don''t have to do this. Let me go. If you do, I''ll try my hardest to not let them destroy Robin''s Wood. I promise.''


    For a second, the boy with the bowler hat seemed to contemplate his words, but after the Sheriff yelled for the Wild Children to follow, his face turned grim. ''Don''t make me tell you again. Move it or things will go from bad to incredibly worse for you.''


    Arthur turned back around and began to trudge after the lumbering trolls.

 Chapter Twenty-Eight

    ''Nixie!'' Merlynna shouted, as she, Little Johnny and Esme stood on the riverbank across from the entrance to the Secret Pond.


    ''In all my time here in Robin''s Wood,'' said Esme, ''I never knew about their home.''


    ''There,'' snapped Little Johnny. He was pointing to the vines covering the entrance. They were moving, their leaves shimmering under the stars. ''I think Nixie heard you.''


    Merlynna smiled but Fury hissed and started to dart back and forth in agitation.


    ''What''s wrong with you?'' Merlynna asked him as the vines had parted and a long shadow beneath the water swam out into the river.


    Fury continued to hiss.


    Watching the shape head towards them, Little Johnny said, ''I hope she can help us with finding Arthur.''


    The shadow was only yards away from the children now, which sent Fury into more distress.


    ''Seriously, what is wrong with you?'' Merlynna asked her flying friend.


    Suddenly, a tail with thick green scales flicked out of the water with a tremendous splash.


    ''That''s not a mermaid,'' Little Johnny bellowed with a stammer before the head of a horrifying serpent with spikes roared into the air.


    And as the beast shrilled like some giant abominable raptor, Merlynna instinctively waved her hand and screamed, ''Danu!''


    Her dull stunning charm zipped pathetically through the air yet hit the serpent flush on its flared snout. The beast froze for only a few moments but that was enough time for an escape.


    The children ran, Fury racing overhead, and they ran some more. They ran until they couldn''t run any longer, eventually finding a rock to hide under.


    ''What was that thing?'' Little Johnny said, his voice cracking.


    ''It was a leviathan,'' replied Merlynna. ''I read about them in a book about terrifying water monsters.''


    ''It was huge,'' Esme shrieked softly.


    ''And that was just a baby leviathan.''


    Little Johnny and Esme snapped their shock looks at Merlynna.


    ''That was a baby?'' stammered Little Johnny.


    Merlynna nodded.


    ''What do you think happened to the mermaids? To Nixie?'' asked Esme.


    Merlynna shrugged with horror. ''I don''t know. And I was only talking to her not too long ago.''


    ''Hopefully they were able to escape like us,'' said Little Johnny. ''What is it, Merlynna?''


    Merlynna was now looking off into space. ''This was what Nixie was talking about. Morgana and the Sheriff have corrupted this forest with their presence. More and more horrible creatures and monsters will find Robin''s Wood and make it their home. The Shadow will eventually take it over.''


    ''This is not good. Not good at all,'' Little Johnny mumbled to himself.


    ''What do we do? Esme asked. ''I can''t let that happen. Robin''s Wood is all the Children of the Forest has?''A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ''Then we need to find Arthur and defeat Morgana and the Sheriff,'' said Merlynna. ''If we do that, the forest will surely heal itself¨C''


    ''Now what is it, Merlynna?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Merlynna had broken off and was staring down at herself. ''I feel something, something strange coursing through my veins.''


    And just like that, sparks flickered briefly between her fingers.


    ''What''s happening?'' asked Esme.


    ''I think my magic''s getting stronger.'' Merlynna looked down at her broomstick and cast a spell. ''Fy.''


    The broomstick shimmied, wobbled.


    ''You''re doing it, Merlynna,'' Esme breathed with excitement as it then began to lift.


    But before the broomstick could get any higher, it dropped back to the ground with a thud.


    Merlynna was annoyed and cursed under her breath. ''My magic''s stronger but it''s still weak.''


    ''But it''s going in the right direction,'' Little Johnny replied.


    Merlynna nodded with a huff before saying, ''So, what''s the plan now?''


    ''We should probably wait until it''s light out before we continue our search for Arthur,'' suggested Esme. ''If there are monsters out there, it would be best if we could see them.''


    ''I agree with that,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Yes, me too,'' said Merlynna.


    So the three waited and rested under the rock until morning made an appearance. After they had a bite to eat, they crawled out of their hiding place and started once again towards the Babbling Brook and the Wild Children''s territory. And needless to say, they kept their distance from any body of water.


    Not too long after, however, and as they were skirting a beaver pond, they heard something. It was a clashing noise.


    ''That sounds like the claws of something huge,'' quivered Little Johnny. He was quick to raise his staff, ready to start swinging.


    ''Or the gnashing teeth of something huge,'' said Merlynna.


    ''It''s neither,'' answered Esme. '' Remember you heard the exact same noise when we went looking for the Lady of the Lake. It''s the ghosts of Robin Hood''s good fellows.''


    ''Oh, yes, that''s right, I remember,'' Little Johnny and Merlynna said together.


    Little Johnny lowered his staff and added, ''What a relief.''


    The children continued on until the clashing died to a faint buzz, but as they traipsed along a path dotted with wild strawberries, another sound stopped them in their tracks. It was close. It was a squeaking laugh.


    ''Now what''s that?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Esme gulped. ''I''ve never heard anything like that before.''


    ''I have,'' Merlynna said with fear. ''We had one sneak into the orphanage during the winter a few years ago. And let me just say, if it wasn''t for Miss Harrower, Madame Joan and Mrs Good finding it quickly, I wouldn''t be standing here today.''


    ''One?'' breathed Little Johnny. ''One? What is it?''


    ''It''s a redcap.''


    ''What''s that?'' asked Esme.


    ''An evil and murderous little creature,'' Merlynna replied.


    Little Johnny''s heart began to pound. ''At least it''s only one.'' But suddenly, more and more squeaking laughs burgeoned throughout the forest. ''Why did I open my mouth?''


    ''We need to run,'' croaked Merlynna.


    The three were about to do so when a redcap leapt out in front of them. And it was hideous. It had crusty warty ears, hair the color of blood and a crooked nose that peeled and dripped.


    ''Little bitty children are my favorite meal,'' the creature squawked, rubbing its long-fingered hands together. ''We''re going to eat well today.''


    As Fury hissed above, showing his teeth at the fiend, a chorus of snapping twigs rang out. Then all round, like some horde, appeared more redcaps. And they just kept coming. Hundreds and hundreds there were.


    Little Johnny made sure the Shoes of Swiftness were tied tightly before raising his staff. ''It looks like it''s time to fight.''


    ''It sure does.'' Merlynna stuck out her hands, ready to unleash what magic she had.


    ''I wish I had something more substantial to use than this.'' Esme had raised Robin''s horn above her head.


    Merlynna looked over at her before pulling out her yo-yo. She then handed it to Esme. ''You can use this.''


    ''I thought the ogre broke it.''


    ''It''s magic. It can mend itself.''


    ''Here we go!'' screamed Little Johnny as the children''s visions were now just blotted with the countless charging redcaps.


    Only a second later, all mayhem let loose. Stunning charms whipped through the air, the yo-yo zipped, tripped and tangled. Furry wings dive bombed, and the Shoes of Swiftness sent Little Johnny and his staff pummeling through the evil mass, sending redcaps into the air and over trees.


    It was complete chaos. But despite the children doing their best, fighting as hard as they could, there were just too many of the murderous creatures. In time, moving through the throng of ravenous giggles without being clawed at was impossible.


    ''This can''t be it,'' cried Merlynna. ''This can''t be how it ends. What about the enchanted girls?''


    ''What about the Children of the Forest?'' came Esme.


    ''It''s not over until it''s over,'' Little Johnny shouted with gusto, though he knew they were done for. And his thoughts were quick to how he got here, it all beginning with him hiding on the back of Mr Scarlett''s carriage.


    The children closed their eyes and waited for everything to end. But just then, a different noise blew by. Through the crush and hysterical laughter of the redcaps, it was faint at first and grew to a plodding rush.


    Help was on its way.

 Chapter Twenty-Nine

    Little Johnny, Merlynna and Esme watched as dozens of apparitions charged into the horde of redcaps, the chorus of evil laughter turning to frightened squeals.


    ''It''s Robin Hood''s good fellows,'' bellowed Esme, as the three, plus Fury, were quick to pick up the fight again.


    More stunning charms flew through the air, Little Johnny''s staff batted more of the tiny beasts, the yo-yo continued its wrecking procession and black wings swatted and swatted some more. And the ghosts? Well, they were just too strong, too quick and too undead.


    Then, and as if a strong wind came through and started to carry them off, the remaining redcaps began to flee.


    ''We did it,'' Merlynna cried with a huff, as she, Little Johnny, Fury and Esme rushed to huddle together in celebration.


    Putting his arms over the girls'' shoulders, Little Johnny replied, ''We sure did. We fought well.''


    ''Indeed, you fought extremely well,'' came a voice.


    The children turned and saw a ghostly woman carrying a spectered wisping sword. And behind her were the other phantoms.


    ''Thank you,'' Merlynna replied as the woman floated over. ''And thank you for coming to our rescue.''


    The woman bowed, her red transparent hair falling over her lucid charming face.


    ''So you''re the ghosts of Robin Hood''s good fellows?'' Little Johnny asked.


    ''Indeed,'' the woman answered. ''My name is Marian.''


    ''Marian?'' snapped a shocked Little Johnny and Merlynna together. ''As in Maid Marian?''


    The woman smiled. ''That''s correct.''


    ''Well, it''s a pleasure to meet you,'' added Little Johnny. He then introduced himself and the girls.


    ''It''s a pleasure to meet you, too.'' Marian then spied Robin''s horn that Esme was carrying. ''My, my. I haven''t seen that for a very long time. You know, it once called the good fellows into battle when Robin was still alive.''


    ''Did it really?'' breathed Esme.


    ''Yes, and maybe it should be used for that purpose again.'' Marian nodded with approval. ''Robin would have wanted such, and especially now that his forest is growing dark. So, young ones, if you ever find yourself in danger once more, sound the horn and we will come.''


    Little Johnny, Merlynna and Esme were quick to thank her, talking over one another with stunned delight.


    ''Well, we must be off,'' said Marian, ''to train as always, to keep the fire of courage and justice burning.''


    ''Thank you again,'' said the children together.


    ''Before you go,'' Merlynna added quickly, ''have you seen our friend? He''s Robin''s¨C'' But she hadn''t been fast enough. Maid Marian and the other good fellows had already vanished.


    The children then stood in silence before Little Johnny eventually said, ''Come on, let''s go.''


    Merlynna, however, didn''t move and was staring down at her hands.


    ''Did your magic just strengthen again?'' Esme asked her.


    ''It did,'' Merlynna replied.


    ''See how high you can raise the broomstick now,'' said Little Johnny.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    And she tried. Merlynna waved her hand and muttered the spell. The broomstick didn''t wobble this time but shot up to her waist before dropping back down.


    ''Incredible,'' said Esme. ''You''ll be flying in no time.''


    ''Let''s hope,'' said Merlynna.


    With that, the children and Fury started off again through the forest. But as they were nearing the Babbling Brook, they heard another disturbance.


    ''Not again,'' squirmed Little Johnny, yet he raised his staff in preparation.


    ''Esme,'' Merlynna said eagerly, ''get ready to blow that horn.''


    ''Will do,'' Esme replied, and she ripped it from her belt. And as she placed it up to her mouth, about ready to call Robin''s good fellows, out from the undergrowth came the figures of men and women shaped by branches, leaves and bark.


    The beings didn''t seem wicked but Little Johnny wasn''t swayed.


    ''Stay away from us,'' he bellowed, ''or else.''


    Merlynna was eyeing them as foe too but Esme was quick to drop Robin''s horn.


    ''It''s okay, you two,'' she said. ''They are the Green People, the stewards of Robin''s Wood. They''re good.''


    ''Are you sure?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Yes,'' said Esme, ''they''re friends. Trust me.''


    Little Johnny and Merlynna relaxed as the beings glided towards them, morphing and changing, collecting and discarding matter as they walked. And one of them, a man who had a face of papery sheath and a beard of fuzzy white moss, came right up and peered down at the children with an inquiring look.


    ''Ah, Esme,'' he said heartily, ''it''s good to see you.''


    ''And you, Bredbeddle,'' Esme replied.


    The green man''s face then turned grim. ''It may not be wise to be wandering the forest right now.''


    ''I know. And we know what''s happening to it but we must. We are trying to find a boy. A new child to the forest, like these two.'' Esme had gestured to Little Johnny and Merlynna. ''His name is Arthur Hood. We think he was heading towards the Wild Children''s territory.''


    ''Yes, I heard whispers amongst the trees about such a child.''


    ''And?'' Little Johnny and Merlynna asked keenly.


    ''He indeed entered the Wild Children''s territory and was captured by them and two others who go by the names of Morgana and the Sheriff.''


    The children gasped.


    ''So it must have been them that led the Wild Children astray,'' Esme stammered.


    ''Do you know where they''re taking Arthur?'' Merlynna asked.


    Bredbeddle bowed, ''To the druid stones.''


    ''The druid stones? What are those?'' Little Johnny said.


    ''A place of magic. Strong magic.''


    ''That doesn''t sound good,'' said Merlynna.


    ''Do you know why they''re taking him there?'' Esme asked.


    ''Whispers of such haven''t reached my ears,'' Bredbeddle replied, ''but I will keep them open.''


    ''Being that you''re the stewards of this forest,'' said Little Johnny, ''could you stop them from reaching these druid stones?''


    A look of shame flitted on Bredbebble''s papery face. ''As you can see, the Green People are but made mostly of this forest''s remains. We are only custodians. That is it. I truly wish we could help. I''m sorry.''


    Little Johnny was disappointed. Merlynna too.


    ''Although maybe,'' Bredbebble continued, ''I can send word out there, for the many other Green People to make a path to the druid stones that will take you away from the danger that has infiltrated Robin''s Wood.''


    ''Would you really do that?'' Esme asked.


    ''I''ve already sent word on the wind.'' Bredbeddle turned and waved his twig hand. And where there was once just undergrowth was now a narrow path winding amongst the trees. ''And don''t be alarmed if it changes before your eyes.''


    ''Thank you so much,'' the children said together.


    ''May your journey be fruitful.'' Bredbebble bowed before he and the other Green People disappeared back into the forest.


    Little Johnny glared down the new path now before them and said, ''Maybe I should go ahead and catch up with Arthur. Scout it out or something.''


    ''I know it''s me saying this,'' said Merlynna, ''but we should stick together. Morgana has magic and powerful from what I''ve read. Who knows what she''s capable of.''


    Little Johnny was about to reply with a nod when a whooshing sound filled the air and which was followed by blurs of red flashing towards them.


    ''Are those¨Care those¨C'' Merlynna started.


    ''Robin''s feathers,'' Little Johnny announced before the plumes zipped above his head like dragonflies, stopped and floated down, landing in his open hand. ''They must have escaped or something.''


    ''And maybe they came to find us,'' said Esme.


    ''Umm, Little Johnny?'' said Merlynna, turning confused. ''Why is it that I can still hear a whooshing noise.''


    The children craned their necks up at the sound and saw something else flashing towards them.


    ''What''s that?'' shrieked Esme.


    Whatever it was, Fury was having none of it. And before Merlynna could send off a freezing spell, he shot towards the object and grabbed it out of the air with his mouth. He then flew back and landed on the young witch''s shoulder.


    Taking the object, Merlynna announced to the other two, ''It''s an arrow. A silver arrow.''


    ''Who do you think it belongs to?'' asked Little Johnny.


    Before anyone could wonder, the arrow broke free from Merlynna''s grasp and zoomed off, disappearing before anyone had a chance to react.


    ''Well, whoever it belongs to,'' said Esme, ''it wanted to get back to them fast.''


    ''Come on,'' said Little Johnny, ''let''s go.''


    Now with Robin''s feathers, the children entered the path that Bredbebble had carved out and headed off.

 Chapter Thirty

    Arthur huffed with exhaustion as he slogged through a shoe-sucking swamp, the trolls carrying Morgana and the Sheriff up ahead. He wanted to stop, to rest, but a stick in his back told him to keep moving.


    ''Don''t even think about it,'' the boy with the bowler hat said from behind.


    Arthur continued. And when he eventually made it to the other side of the fetid bog, he saw their final destination.


    Inside a hollow sunken into the earth were the strangest of stones he had ever seen. Twice the size of the tallest man, they were arranged in a circle and glowed with veins of sparkling blue.


    Arthur could tell there was magic within them. Then down he and the Wild Children climbed, joining Morgana and the Sheriff, who were now out from the carriage and standing in the very center of the circle, the crown perched on top of a fallen stone.


    ''Bring him here,'' Morgana shrieked at the boy with the bowler hat, and he quickly brought Arthur to her. She then said to Arthur without looking at him, ''You''re coming with me to relinquish your right to the throne.''


    Once again, she muttered under her breath. And when she was done, the veins in the stones began to pulsate with a thumping hum. Louder and louder it got until leaves and twigs from the forest floor flew into the air like before.


    Then something else happened that not just shocked Arthur, but the Sheriff and all the Wild Children too.


    The surrounding stones started to shake. The vibrating grew so violent that the forest felt as if it was convulsing.


    Suddenly, the stones lifted and joined the twigs and leaves now whipping around.


    Dust and debris pummeled Arthur''s face. It made his eyes burn, but he kept them open to see the sudden blurry image of Camelot grow more and more sharp until he knew the portal had fully opened.


    Morgana''s cackle of pleasure bounced off the walls of the hollow. ''Camelot is now mine.''


    ''Let''s get to it then,'' the Sheriff gruffed. ''The faster this pit of a forest is destroyed, the better.''


    Several faint whimpers from the Wild Children sprang forth before a girl with bright green eyes stepped forward. ''Must it be done?''


    Arthur turned to her as did the other Wild Children, the boy with the bowler hat looking at her with guilt and fear. Then the Sheriff stormed over and lifted her up by the scruff of her shirt.


    ''I warned you,'' he growled before spinning around with a grunt and tossing the child out of the hollow and through the trees.


    As the girl''s screams dwindled to nothing, Morgana cackled again.


    The Sheriff glared at the shocked and terrified faces staring at him. ''The next one to question me, I will do much worse.'' He then wheeled around before he and Morgana stepped towards the portal.


    This was it, thought Arthur. He had failed. The Shadow was about to get its king and queen. The world was surely doomed now.


    However, the moment Morgana and the Sheriff were about to step through, they were stopped.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ''What is the meaning of this?'' Morgana shrieked, her twitchy hands pressing against what seemed to be an invisible wall.


    With fury, the Sheriff grabbed another child, a boy who looked younger than Arthur, and tossed him at the portal. And like that, he disappeared through.


    ''It looks like the forest isn''t allowing you two to leave,'' replied Arthur. Though he didn''t show it, he was glad.


    Morgana yelled, as the Sheriff stared daggers, before rasping, ''The boy may speak the truth. But wait . . . what is that I see?'' She was now peering inside the portal with the most curious of curiosities. ''It looks like an army, an army on foot and in the air. They''re advancing towards us. They''re getting clearer. YES! YES! My children. I see my children. And there are men with them. Men who look like you, Sheriff.''


    The Sheriff was quickly back to Morgana''s side. ''Yes, they are men of my ilk.''


    The two then backed away before a fairy and a Sheriff''s Man appeared out from the portal. And Arthur tensed up at who they were. It was the fairy princess and the Deputy. The two then looked around, stunned at all they were seeing, the trolls, the swirling stones, before their gazes descended on Morgana and the Sheriff. Instantly, they dropped to the ground and bowed in fealty.


    ''My lord,'' the Deputy groveled, ''my wishes have come true. The world will finally be as it should.''


    ''And my queen,'' cried the princess fairy, ''the Queen of the Fays. I thought this day would never come. We searched and searched for Your Majesty for hundreds and hundreds of years. Your children are here to serve. And may I present to you a gift.'' The fairy held out her hands before a slender object materialized between them.


    It was the final piece of the Sword in the Stone.


    With fervor, Morgana took it into her grasp and stared at it with fire in her eyes. ''With the power of Camelot and King Arthur''s sword, we will be unstoppable. The entire world will bend its knee.'' She shot her gaze at the carriage, where the conjoined piece of the Sword in the Stone sat. Then with a wave of her finger, it labored into the air, something which clearly displeased her, and toiled over. And once she took it, a thrust of the final piece caused a blinding flash to explode all around.


    When the light finally dimmed, Arthur was shocked to see that the fully formed sword had found itself plunged into the stone where the crown was nestled, its newly blossomed hilt of whitish-blue and coiled into the shape of a dragon beaming from a ray of brilliance. Relief, however, quickly washed over him.


    Not surprisingly, the sword''s entombment didn''t have the same effect on Morgana.


    ''AHHHHHHHH!'' she shrieked before fumbling over. She then tried desperately to pull the sword from the stone but it wouldn''t budge. ''AHHHHHHHHH!''


    The Sheriff too gave it an attempt, his voice straining and groaning at his exertion, but again, King Arthur''s blade remained confined.


    Morgana tried to free it with her magic, the fairy princess coming to her aide, but their combined power had no effect.


    Even if Morgana''s magic was at its strongest, Arthur was sure it still wouldn''t budge. He then had an idea.


    ''Let me try,'' Arthur said with hope. ''I''m sure I can get it out for you.'' Being that he was the heir of Camelot, he was positive that he could.


    Morgana, the Sheriff, the fairy princess and the Deputy turned their heads towards Arthur and snarled with suspicion.


    ''Do you take us for fools?'' Morgana howled, her skin cracking as if it was glass.


    Arthur turned to the sword, tempted at lunging for it, but the Sheriff stepped between him and the stone.


    ''It would be the last move you make,'' he barked.


    Arthur stepped back from the frothing man.


    ''So, this is where you ran to, little boy.'' The Deputy was back on his feet and glaring at Arthur.


    The sword was quick from Arthur''s mind and he shouted angrily, ''What did you do with my parents? What happened to the Merry Knights and the witches from the Home for Enchanted Girls?''


    The fairy princess answered this with a wicked grin. ''There''s no need to worry yourself with any of that. You''ll never see them again.''


    Instantly, Arthur''s anger turned and a tear began to run down his cheek. And as the Wild Children stared at him with what looked like compassion, Morgana and the Sheriff contemplated their next steps.


    ''Let it be known,'' said the Queen of the Fays, ''I will find a way through the portal. Whatever it takes, whatever the sacrifice, I will sit on the throne of Camelot.''


    ''In the meantime,'' the Sheriff said, turning to the fairy princess and his deputy, ''show me your army. Show me the army that will destroy this forest.''


    With a bow, the Deputy entered back into the portal and disappeared. Arthur then heard a faint and garbled shout in turn from the man.


    ''Onward, we march,'' he said.


    Right away, hundreds of fairies, Sheriff''s Men and other monsters of the Shadow began to appear.

 Chapter Thirty-One

    As Pridwen now rested next to King Arthur''s crown and the embedded Sword in the Stone, Sheriff''s Men looked on from atop the walls of the hollow, fairies hovered in the air, and beasts lumbered and stooped.


    And while more of the Shadow marched out of the portal, Arthur wondered how he was going to get out of this horrible mess, to get back to Little Johnny and Merlynna. He knew he would have to do something quick if was going to escape, otherwise they''d just be too many to stop him.


    Arthur was eyeing the sword for the umpteenth time when out from the portal came cart after cart, each one piled high with axes. They were to cut down the forest, to destroy it as the Sheriff wanted. And all the Wild Children, who were now resigned to crouching, cowering on their knees, were terrified by the sight.


    At that moment, Arthur heard the noise that had got him into this trouble he was in.


    Out from the corner of his eye, the silver arrow zipped overhead. It sped towards the Sheriff before abruptly stopping right in front of his unflinching face. Next, the arrow spun around, pointing in the direction from which it just came.


    The Sheriff screwed up his features, making him appear more evil, yet it was a look of vigilance.


    Interesting, Arthur thought, waiting for maybe the appearance of Robin''s feathers. Or had something spooked the Sheriff''s arrow?


    Well, that would be a resounding yes, for suddenly, dozens of Sheriff''s Men went flying as if something invisible had plowed through them. And as more fumbled through the air, fairies began to drop like flies as if they had been stunned.


    Had someone magical come to rescue him, Arthur wondered?


    But then, a yo-yo flung down into the hollow and a swish, as if someone really fast just blew by, ruffled Arthur''s hair. The familiar blast of a horn followed before ghosts, ghosts and more ghosts descended into the pit, and who were tailed by a hissing Fury.


    The ensuing chaos sent the trolls and other monsters bounding around in rage, as Arthur then watched King Arthur''s crown and Pridwen vanish with a swoosh.


    ''WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?'' screeched Morgana, as the faint laugh of Little Johnny flitted around. ''AND WHERE''S MY CROWN?''


    With a jerk, the Sheriff grabbed Arthur and shook him. ''IS THIS YOUR DOING?''


    ''Get your filthy hands off of him!'' came a woman''s voice. And through all the fighting appeared an apparition. A woman.


    Dropping Arthur, the Sheriff turned. ''Well, well, look who we have here. It''s been a long time, Marian.''


    Arthur went wide-eyed at the name. Could it really be?


    The woman glanced at Arthur with a realization of who he was too before the Sheriff continued, ''It seems like my killing you didn''t rid you from this world completely. How sad for me. Let''s try again, shall we.''


    Out of nowhere the silver arrow sliced the air and pierced Marion through the heart. A look of dread washed over her before she dissolved into wisps. Soon after, all the other ghosts disappeared with her.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Sheriff grabbed Arthur again. ''NOW I WON''T ASK YOU AGAIN. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE CROWN?''


    ''This is not my doing,'' Arthur croaked as he stared into the man''s black-hearted, seething eyes. He then heard another swooshing noise.


    The Sheriff''s head whipped back as if he had been hit. The swoosh then came again, but this time, the man was ready and he stuck out his hand. In an instant, Little Johnny materialized into his grasp. And sitting on the boy''s head was King Arthur''s crown and in his hand was Pridwen.


    ''YOU''VE MADE A GRAVE MISTAKE, BOY,'' the Sheriff growled as Morgana twitched and squirmed over, ready to take back the legendary relics.


    Arthur knew this was his time to act, and he lunged for the Sword in the Stone, grabbing its hilt. Then with all his might, he pulled.


    The blade sang and thrummed as it was freed from its rocky tomb.


    Arthur screamed in triumph. And as he raised the sword into the air, preparing to free his friend, a bolt of lightning flashed down into the hollow. It hit the blade with earth-shattering effect, sending dazzling sparks showering everywhere.


    Still adorned, Little Johnny dropped to the ground with a hard thud as the Sheriff and Morgana''s attention shifted.


    ''Hand that over,'' the Sheriff growled to Arthur.


    ''To me,'' Morgana demanded, thrusting out a bony hand.


    ''No chance,'' Arthur replied before hearing frightened screams. With a snap, he looked in their direction and saw that Merlynna, Esme and even Fury had been captured by the Deputy.


    ''Do it now.'' The cracks in Morgana''s face widened even more.


    ''Little Johnny,'' Arthur yelled, ''go rescue them. Then get outta here.''


    ''What about you?'' Little Johnny replied.


    ''Just do it. I''ll be fine.''


    At the speed of light, Little Johnny disappeared and the Deputy was instantaneously knocked out cold. The girls and Fury then vanished too.


    ''MY CROWN!'' Morgana screamed and sent a spell, a ball of fizzing black, charging towards Arthur. ''HOW DARE YOU!''


    Arthur swung the sword as hard as he could and the blade hit the hex, causing it to explode with a ripping boom.


    ''I''LL TAKE CARE OF HIM!'' The Sheriff roared. And as the Shadow still continued to emerge from the portal, the silver arrow made another appearance.


    Luckily, Arthur swung the sword just in time and batted it out of the air.


    Now howling like a mad man, the Sheriff snatched a sword from the ground and lunged. His blade came down but Arthur was able to catch it with his.


    Sparks flew as if a flurry of fireworks were let off.


    The Sheriff came down with his sword once more and Arthur caught it again. But the impact sent him sprawling to the floor.


    ''HAHAHAHAHA!'' The Sheriff laughed. ''You are defeated. Now hand over the blade.''


    ''I WILL NEVER!'' Arthur yelled back. ''YOU''LL HAVE TO PRY IT FROM MY HANDS!''


    ''That can be arranged.'' The Sheriff looked over at Morgana. ''You have no need for his limbs, do you?''


    ''Just his head and his heart,'' Morgana replied with a click and clack, her body twitching in pleasure.


    The Sheriff peered back at Arthur. ''This is your last chance. Hand over the blade.''


    ''Do your worst,'' Arthur growled back and as an image of his father and mother flashed through his mind.


    The Sheriff raised his arms. And with a heave, he slashed down.


    ''AHHHHHHHHH!'' Arthur screamed and swung.


    The two blades connected like before, but this time, one won. The Sheriff''s sword broke in two with not just a clatter but a rumbling blast, the tip shooting off towards the trolls.


    It was then, and like slow motion, the point pierced the backside of one of the monsters, who cried with wrath before pummeling one of the druid stones in absolute rampage. The still revolving rock crashed to the ground like some fiery meteor falling from space, sending up dirt so thick that everywhere became shrouded.


    Arthur turned back to the Sheriff to see that he had disappeared inside the storm and decided it was time for him to disappear too. He scrambled to his feet as he heard Morgana screech, ''DON''T LET THE BOY ESCAPE!'' and took off.


    Arthur bolted through the jumbled mess of Sheriff''s Men, fairies, other heinous beasts, crying Wild Children and debris. It felt like an eternity, but he finally made it out of the hollow and away from the grasp of the Shadow once again.


    Then without looking to see if he was being followed, he just ran and ran and ran. He ran until he was leaping over the Babbling Brook and back inside the territory of the Children of the Forest, where shortly he found himself collapsed in exhaustion and glaring up at welcomed faces.

 Chapter Thirty-Two

    ''For certain they''ll come looking for me,'' said Arthur. An ominous wind was churning outside, thrashing branches and limbs against the windows of the dining car. ''Or they could already be on their way¨Cthe Sheriff''s silver arrow found me here.'' He gestured to King Arthur''s crown on the table before him. ''I should take this and leave Robin''s Wood. It''s only fair. It''s because of me that all of you and this forest are in danger.''


    ''No,'' came Esme with a wave of agreement from the other Children of the Forest, who were listening with utmost regard. ''We will help you. You were brought to Robin''s Wood for a reason. Morgana and the Sheriff would still have appeared if you hadn''t come. We still would be in danger.''


    ''But I''m the reason they''ll stay. Stay until they get what they want.''


    ''Maybe you, Esme,'' said Little Johnny, ''and everyone else should leave Robin''s Wood.''


    ''No chance,'' thundered a chorus. ''This is our home. We''ll never leave.''


    ''Well, that settles it,'' said Merlynna, nodding as Fury licked his wings on her shoulders. ''We''re all staying.''


    ''That means Morgana and the Sheriff will come here to the train in the trees,'' said Arthur.


    ''We''ll have to defend it then,'' Esme replied.


    ''But how? I barely escaped them. And who knows how many more fairies, Sheriff''s Men and monsters have come through the portal since yesterday. If we''re going to defend ourselves, we''ll need help.''


    ''So that''s what we''ll get. There is still much good in this forest, creatures that will come to our side, especially now. I''m sure of it.''


    This sent a wave of enthusiastic nodding all around.


    ''The pixies will help,'' came someone. ''The unicorns, too.''


    ''There are unicorns in Robin''s Wood?'' sputtered Arthur in surprise.


    ''Oh, yes.'' Esme smiled. ''And they''re friends with the phoenixes. So if we get the unicorns, they will surely come to our aid as well.''


    ''Ooh, I''ve always wanted to see a phoenix,'' said Merlynna, ''I once collected their feathers when I was younger, ones I found in the grounds of the orphanage.''


    ''What about Nessie?'' a young girl said. ''She''d be a great help, I''m sure.''


    ''We could definitely ask,'' said Esme.


    ''Who''s Nessie?'' wondered Little Johnny.


    Esme looked at him. ''You know, the Nessie, as in the Loch Ness Monster.''


    ''WHAT?'' Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna snapped with shock.


    ''The Loch Ness Monster lives in Robin''s Wood?'' Arthur added.


    ''She has for quite some time,'' said Esme. ''She came here because she just couldn''t get any peace at her old home. Too many people trying to find her.''


    ''I don''t know how she''s going to help defend us here,'' said a boy. ''She''s quite the big creature and we have no water here except for the well.''


    ''Maybe she can help us some other way,'' said Esme. ''Speaking of water and the well, we should go look for the mermaids.'' This made Merlynna hang her head in sadness. ''If they''re still alive, they''ll help.''


    ''Apart from getting help, we should set up more traps around here,'' said another boy. ''Set up lookouts, too.''


    ''That''s a great idea,'' replied Esme.Stolen story; please report.


    ''Shame about Maid Marian and the other ghosts,'' said Little Johnny.


    Arthur looked over at Esme, who had started to fumble with Robin''s horn. ''Maybe you should try to call them again.''


    ''It''s no use,'' Esme answered. ''Whatever happened to them, they''re not answering.''


    ''You should keep trying, though.''


    ''I will.''


    ''Well, I guess it''s time to find us some allies.''


    Many got to their feet and set out with haste and urgency.


    ''I hope we can find Nixie and the other mermaids,'' Merlynna said to Arthur and Little Johnny a short time later.


    ''I''m sure we will,'' replied Little Johnny. ''Fury will find them.''


    The flying cat was fluttering in front of them, following the smell of water on the wind.


    ''We''ll check every lake and river in this forest if we have to,'' said Arthur.


    And for hours, that''s what they did despite the threat of running into the leviathan again. Even the spine-tingling roars and growls from monsters that they heard echoing through the forest didn''t stop them.


    But that soon changed while they were clambering through a field of giant mushrooms. It was Fury who picked up the scent first and flew off with great speed in its direction.


    ''Is that smoke?'' Arthur snapped, raising his nose and taking a long whiff.


    ''It sure smells like it,'' Little Johnny replied, and the three looked at each other with absolute horror.


    ''Come on,'' said Merlynna, ''let''s see what it is.''


    Out from the mushrooms they burst, through a tight crevice with walls of slimy moss they squeezed and over a rocky ridge they padded until they saw a smoldering pile of brush.


    ''Hmm, I wonder who made that?'' asked Arthur.


    ''Or what made that?'' added Little Johnny.


    With caution, the children drew closer. And as they peered down into the cinders, they saw a gut-wrenching sight. Staring up at them was the charred face of Bredbebble, his eyes now embering acorns.


    ''We need water!'' Merlynna shouted.


    ''I think it''s too late for that,'' Little Johnny cried.


    ''We need water!'' Merlynna repeated.


    ''Over there,'' Arthur snapped and he pointed to a creek not too far away. ''But we don''t have a bucket.''


    ''We don''t need one.'' Merlynna then yelled, flicking her wrist at the creek, ''Dwar!''


    In a rush, water arched up, roared through the air before crashing down on the smoldering pile, extinguishing it with a tremendous sizzle. Smoke and steam burst everywhere, but once everything cleared, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna found themselves staring down into a sludgy mess of ash and charcoal.


    Now with a tear running down each of their faces, the children stood in silence until faint rumblings fouled their minds.


    At that moment, Merlynna took off after the menacing noise, anger quick to replace her sadness. And Arthur and Little Johnny were quick to her side.


    Through the forest they burst again before they were standing on top of a small cliff, looking far off in the distance at as many fairies, Sheriff''s Men and beasts as there were trees.


    The Shadow was coming as Arthur had feared.


    ''They''re heading right this way, right for the train in the trees,'' breathed Little Johnny as trolls and ogres could be seen smashing through the forest. ''We need to get back.''


    Looking like she was ready to pounce, Merlynna grumbled, ''No, we need to make a stand.''


    ''But we''d fail,'' Arthur replied. ''We need to find the mermaids. To find Nixie. That is our goal here.''


    ''We may not have time,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''We need to try. We need all the help we can get if we are going to have a shot at defeating the Shadow.''


    Just then, a glimmer sent Arthur snatching Fury out of the air, and yanking Little Johnny and Merlynna behind a boulder. It was just in time too, for a split second later, the Sheriff''s silver arrow appeared. Then looking a little sluggish, surely the result of Arthur hitting it with the Sword in the Stone back at the druid stones, it began bolting around as if on the hunt.


    ''Does it know I''m here?'' whispered Arthur.


    ''It seems so,'' Little Johnny replied softly.


    ''I can hit it,'' said Merlynna. She raised her hand, magic on the tip of her fingers. ''Finish it off.''


    ''Are you sure?'' asked Arthur. ''Because if you miss, we''ll be found out.''


    Merlynna didn''t answer. She wasn''t sure. But she knew she could at least try to fool it, having quite the experience from her escapades back at the Home for Enchanted Girls.


    With a snap, she muttered, ''Madad.''


    Her spell flashed into the air. And as the ball of magic transformed into the likes of Fury, the silver arrow''s attention was quick to it. Merlynna then waved her hand. Her flying feline''s double shot off into the sky and was immediately pursued.


    ''That was amazing,'' said Arthur, watching the silver arrow disappear after its prey.


    ''Now, let''s get looking for the mermaids,'' said Merlynna.


    ''Maybe we should warn the Children of the Forest back at the train in the trees first about you-know-who coming,'' said Little Johnny, pointing off towards the Shadow.


    ''Fury can do it,'' Merlynna replied ''The real one.'' At this, her winged companion purred. She then magicked over some papery bark from a nearby tree and wrote a message with a spark from a finger. ''All done.''


    Fury wriggled out of Arthur''s grasp, snatched the message in his mouth and took off like a bat towards the train.


    After watching him flap away, the children were about to set off, but before they did, Robin''s feathers suddenly zipped out of Arthur''s pockets as if jealous of all the flying that was happening and zoomed off too.


    ''Wait!'' Arthur yelled and chased after them.

 Chapter Thirty-Three

    ''Where do you think they''re taking us?'' said Little Johnny, as Robin''s feathers weaved through the branches and leaves in front of him and the others.


    ''Maybe to the mermaids,'' hoped Merlynna.


    Arthur added with a huff, ''Wherever they are, it has to be good, right?''


    But after skirting several small caves, trudging across a crumbling stone bridge and dodging under hundreds of beehives dangling from the trees, they found themselves inside a ravine and at a dead-end.


    ''Now what?'' said Arthur, looking up. Robin''s feathers were now just flickering around above with no want. ''Do you see anything?''


    ''Nothing,'' replied Little Johnny.


    ''Me neither,'' said Merylnna. ''But maybe there''s something hidden. Something we can''t see. I''ll try my magic.'' With determination, she breathed, ''Reveal your secrets to me.''


    A brief crack of a light bursting from the ravine''s wall caught Arthur immediately. And leaping over to the rock, he was quick to brush at its weathered and encrusted surface. Soon, he was staring at the etching of a handprint.


    ''Whoa!'' gasped Little Johnny, as he and Merlynna were now looking at it too. ''What do you think it means?''


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur replied.


    ''And why would the feathers want to show you this?''


    ''Maybe it''s not just a carving,'' Merlynna replied. ''Maybe it''s a key.''


    ''A key to what?'' Little Johnny wondered.


    ''Let''s see, shall we. Arthur, I have a feeling you''re the only one who can find out.''


    Arthur nodded and raised his hand over the etching. Then with a deep breath, he placed it on the print. Instantly, a warmth flooded through him before the rock cracked open.


    Now staring down a tunnel in absolute shock, a sparkle at the very end, Arthur said, ''You were right, Merlynna.''


    With a smirk, the young witch replied, ''As always.''


    ''So, after you, Arthur,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Right,'' Arthur replied. He then led the way through the pass and out into the light at the other end.


    Before them was a grass clearing sparkling with dew and surrounded by an orchard of fruit trees of which hung more busy beehives.


    ''What is this place?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''I don''t know,'' Arthur replied.


    ''They seem to like it though,'' said Merlynna.


    Like birds set free from a cage, Robin''s feathers were frolicking around. They looped. They glided. They soared.


    Keeping his eye on them, Arthur walked to the center of the clearing. And as he wasn''t looking where he was going, he almost tripped on something.


    ''Watch yourself,'' said Little Johnny.


    Arthur stared down and spied a rock. But it was no ordinary rock. It had a shape to it. The shape of a cap.


    ''Hmm, that''s interesting,'' he said, scrunching up his brows.


    ''What''s interesting?'' asked Merlynna, and she and Little Johnny hurried over.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ''That.''


    Before anyone could wonder why there was a rock in the shape of a cap at their feet, the feathers flew over with a whoosh and began circling. Around and around they went until they were just a spinning carousel. Then in a blink of an eye, they shot up into the sky, turned and dived back down.


    All Arthur saw and heard next was a streak of red and swooshing whistle before finding the feathers had stuck into the side of the stone crown. From there, a dark green rippled out until the whole thing gleamed like the grass and forest around it.


    It wasn''t a rock anymore.


    ''Robin''s cap,'' Arthur muttered in astonishment. He bent down and picked it up, the feathers now seemingly more vibrant and bristling with energy.


    ''Robin''s cap,'' Merlynna aped.


    ''Well, go on,'' Little Johnny said.


    Arthur gave him and Merlynna a hesitant look before raising the cap over his head and placing it on.


    ''How does it feel?'' asked Merlynna.


    Arthur didn''t have time to answer, for the moment he opened his mouth, he felt a tremor.


    ''What''s happening?'' shrieked Little Johnny.


    Hoping he hadn''t triggered something, Arthur shook his head. ''I think it''s time to leave¨C''


    Suddenly, a branch shot out from the ground where Robin''s cap had lay, sending the children clambering back and down onto the grass. Then as they scuttled, fumbled on their hands and feet, another branch appeared, and another and another.


    Then with an earth cracking rush, out popped the crown of a tree, it rising into the air and bringing with it a monstrous hollowed out trunk wider than any other in the forest. It was even wider than Jack''s Tree.


    ''What in the hag''s crooked nose?'' Merlynna swore once everything had stopped and had turned as quiet as before.


    ''Now that''s quite the oak tree,'' gasped Little Johnny.


    Arthur quickly scrambled to his feet and helped the others up. ''Do you think¨Cdo you think¨Cdo you think that''s the oak tree? Robin''s oak tree? Robin''s Lair?''


    ''Indeed it is, young master,'' echoed a voice.


    The children spun around to see Maid Marian and the other good fellows standing before them.


    ''You¨Cyou survived?'' Arthur said, looking around at all the faces.


    ''I don''t know if survived is the right word, for we are ghosts after all,'' Maid Marion replied.


    ''It''s good to see you again,'' said Merlynna.


    Maid Marian bowed. ''And I would like to apologize for leaving your side at your time of need.''


    ''What happened at the druid stones?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''Without a leader,'' said Maid Marian, ''the Sheriff''s strength is just too powerful for us, but now¨C'' she glanced at Robin''s cap on Arthur''s head ''--it looks like we have one.''


    ''The Shadow is coming,'' Arthur burst out. ''It wants to destroy this forest. We need your help again.''


    ''And we will be there. However, that will not be enough. You will need weapons.''


    ''Weapons? You have weapons?''


    ''Follow me.''


    Maid Marian swept past, entered the hollow of the oak and disappeared inside. The children followed, soon finding themselves climbing a carved out staircase. Up they went until a large space buried in rugs opened out. And despite the dim and the many hanging cobwebs, Arthur felt an aura that only a hero could awaken.


    ''So where are these weapons?'' Arthur asked, looking around.


    It was then, as if his voice had cast a spell just like Merlynna''s, candles sparked and flashed, the cobwebs vanished in wisps and the walls sprouted until bow after bow after bow grew from every shoot and bud.


    ''Whoa!'' the children said together before Little Johnny placed his staff down and plucked one of the bows.


    ''Where are the arrows?'' he then asked.


    ''Pull back its string,'' Maid Marian replied.


    ''But if there are no arrows¡ª''


    ''Just pull it.''


    Scrunching up his face, Little Johnny did, and his puzzlement and Arthur and Merlynna''s too abruptly disappeared, for an arrow materialized between the bow and the string.


    ''Incredible,'' gasped Little Johnny.


    ''Now give it a go,'' said Maid Marian.


    ''But I have no target.''


    Maid Marian pointed to the middle of the room. And right above, shoots began to sprout from the ceiling. Down they twisted and turned until they morphed into a wooden figure.


    Little Johnny took aim. Then with a twang, he let go of the string and the arrow shot off towards its target. And as it soared through the air, it morphed itself, stretching and turning into a rope before wrapping around the wooden figure.


    ''Amazing,'' said Arthur.


    ''Try it again,'' Maid Marian said.


    Little Johnny pulled back the string for a second time, another arrow appearing, and took another shot. In a blink of an eye, the bolt turned into hundreds of buzzing bees and swarmed around its mark.


    ''What else can they shoot?'' came Merlynna.


    Once more, Little Johnny shot off another arrow. And this time, apples, apples and apples flew across the room, pummeling the figure until it untwined and the shoots retracted back into the ceiling.


    ''Impressive,'' breathed Little Johnny. ''These will definitely help us fight the Shadow.''


    ''Speaking of which,'' said Arthur. He had turned an ear towards a small window nestled in the wall and could hear the nearing sound of Morgana and the Sheriff''s army. ''We should be getting back to the train in the trees.''


    ''But what about the mermaids?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''There''s no more time to look for them. I''m sorry.''


    Merlynna nodded in acceptance before the children scrambled to grab as many bows as they could carry. Then with Maid Marian and the rest of the ghosts of Robin Hood''s good fellows, they left in haste.

 Chapter Thirty-Four

    ''I can''t believe what I''m seeing,'' Arthur howled in surprise, tilting Robin''s cap to get a better look.


    Before him in the trees surrounding the train and below on the forest floor were countless creatures of Robin''s Wood. Esme and the rest of the Children of the Forest had found allies. And they were all hard at work.


    Arthur saw unicorns pulling logs, phoenixes flying through branches with nets in their beaks, fluttering pixies building more bridges and ladders, and much more. He also saw gnomes digging traps and covering them with twigs and leaves, making him think about Bitty and Dolores.


    And as the children got closer, another surprise was waiting. The ground opened up into a blossoming and ever growing lake, which too teemed with mythical creatures.


    ''Oh, wow,'' breathed Merlynna. ''I see selkies, kelpies¨C''


    ''But how?'' interrupted Little Johnny. ''How did they do this?''


    Suddenly, Esme dropped down from a branch up above.


    ''Good to see you back,'' she said in relief before giving the three bone crunching hugs. ''We got your message and we''re working overtime to get this place ready to defend, ready for the Shadow''s attack.''


    ''Yes, I can see,'' said Arthur. ''Impressive.''


    ''And hopefully, it will all be finished before they come.''


    ''How did you do this?'' Merlynna asked Esme before seeing Fury fly by carrying a ball of mud and off towards a line of them perched on one of the train cars. ''How is there now a lake where there wasn''t?''


    ''All the water creatures you see here made it,'' Esme replied. ''Using the well, the water, they flooded the place. The mermaids were the first to help.''


    ''The mermaids?'' Merlynna burst out. ''You found them?''


    ''We sure did.''


    ''And Nixie?''


    Esme gestured over to the far side of the newly made lake. The mermaids and Nixie were there. Like glistening busy beavers, they were building dams of logs supplied to them by the unicorns.


    Merlynna smiled and so did Arthur and Little Johnny. It was good to see they were still alive.


    ''Now,'' said Esme, ''what on earth are you lot carrying?''


    Looking down at the bows in his hands, Arthur answered, ''Weapons.''


    ''Where''d you get them? And where''d you get that cap, Arthur? You look like Robin Hood himself.''


    Arthur told her everything. About finding Robin''s Lair, the ghosts and what the bows were capable of.


    Pleased to hear that Robin''s horn would call Maid Marian and the rest of the good fellows once again, Esme nodded to the bows and said, ''I''ll get someone to hand them out to the children.''


    ''Great¨C''


    Just then, and with the most crashing of crashes, out from the water came a monstrous beast. Its long, thick neck rocketed into the air, sending waves rushing out and over the children, wetting them through and through.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Thinking it was a leviathan, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna shrieked in horror and recoiled back ,ready to do their worst, but. . . .


    ''Nessie!'' yelled Esme, wiping her soaking face. ''You really need to stop doing that. There won''t be any water left otherwise. And you really need to keep watch on the well at all times. We don''t want any horrible monsters to sneak in here.''


    With an echoing groan, the beast disappeared back below the surface of the lake.


    Esme then turned to Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna, ''Sorry about that. I keep on telling her.''


    After getting back to his feet, Arthur said, ''So that was the Loch Ness Monster?''


    ''Yep. And don''t be afraid of her. She''s incredibly nice.''


    ''But how did she get through the well, if that''s how she got in?'' asked Merlynna. ''Surely it''s too tight.''


    ''It took a lot of pushing and squeezing,'' Esme replied. ''But in the end, we did it.''


    ''Hopefully, she''s not too nice,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''Oh, she can become quite furious when she wants,'' said Esme. ''I saw her flick a fish with that neck of hers up into the clouds after it got a bit too nibbly with her. And I didn''t see it come down.''


    ''Really?''


    ''Oh, yes. Now, we should probably get ourselves some dry clothes. Come on.''


    ''There''s no need for that,'' said Merlynna. ''I think I''m capable now.''


    And with just a twitch of her nose, Arthur felt a surge of heat before his clothes, his hair and his skin began to evaporate. In the end, he, Little Johnny, Merlynna and Esme stood as dry as a bone.


    ''Time to start helping out, I guess,'' Merlynna then said.


    But before they could, the peel of a bell boomed, making every child and creature go still, and which was followed by someone yelling somewhere up in the trees, ''The Wild Children approach!''


    Shocked faces quickly turned confused.


    ''Just them?'' Arthur asked.


    ''Maybe they''ve come to give us a message from Morgana and the Sheriff,'' suggested Little Johnny. ''An ultimatum or something.''


    ''You could be right,'' said Merlynna.


    ''Well, let''s go see if that''s the case,'' said Esme.


    Then leading the way, she took off. And when they reached beyond the train, beyond its boundary, they saw the Wild Children standing in a group below a circle of Children of the Forest in the trees, the boy with the bowler hat in front.


    ''What do you want?'' Esme asked gruffly and with suspicion.


    ''We''re here to help,'' the boy with the bowler hat replied with a look that Arthur had seen at the druid stones.


    Sneers rang out from above.


    Still with wariness plastered on her face, Esme said, ''Are you now?''


    ''Yes,'' said the boy with the bowler hat.


    ''I''m sorry if I don''t believe anything you say.''


    ''Please. We don''t want this forest to be destroyed. It''s our only home.''


    ''You shouldn''t have turned to Morgana and the Sheriff, let them into your lives.''


    ''I know, but they promised if we did as they asked, the forest would be ours. Selfishness took over me, over us.''


    ''How do I know this isn''t all just a ruse? How do I know you won''t attack us when our backs are turned?''


    With a flourish, the boy took off his bowler hat and tossed it at Esme''s feet, sending murmurs of absolute shock flittering amongst the trees. He then wiped away the red paint from his face, the other Wild Children quickly following their leader. ''You may lock us away if you don''t believe us.''


    At this, Esme''s suspicion softened and Arthur could tell that she believed the boy was sincere. He believed it too.


    Esme picked up the bowler and dusted it off. ''You may take it back.''


    The boy was hesitant, but he eventually walked over, plucked it from her hand and put it back on his head. ''Please let us help. Let us fight with you.''


    Esme put a finger to her chin before looking up at the girls and boys in the trees and asking them, ''What do you say?''


    There was no response at first, a quiet descending all around. But then, a little girl shouted, ''Let them help!''


    ''Yes, let them help!'' came another and then another and then other until all the girls and boys had answered.


    Esme lowered her gaze and stared at the boy with the bowler hat. ''Well that does it then. My family has spoken.'' She then raised an opened hand. ''The Children of the Forest and the Wild Children are united once again. Put her there.''


    The boy with the bowler hat took Esme''s hand with his and bowed. ''Thank you.''


    With a cheer, the girls and boys in the trees shook their arms with glee and the Wild Children beamed. And Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna looked on with hope in their hearts.


    But everyone''s mood soon changed, as a noise scuttled and swirled over the forest floor.


    With the Shoes of Swiftness, Little Johnny was up a tree before anyone knew it. And as he stood on the top most branch, he looked out to see a wave of tiny beasts coming their way.


    ''REDCAPS!'' he yelled before climbing back down.


    ''The Shadow is here,'' quivered Arthur. He then turned to Esme, to everyone. ''This is your last chance to flee Robin''s Wood, to save yourselves.''


    ''Not a chance,'' Esme replied before bellowing, ''EVERYONE! TO YOUR STATIONS! IT''S TIME! IT''S TIME TO FIGHT FOR OUR HOME!''

 Chapter Thirty-Five

    Atop the train in the trees Arthur stood ready for battle, Pridwen and the Sword in the Stone in his hands. To the right of him was Merlynna, her arms raised and ready to cast, a broomstick strapped to her back and Fury on her shoulder. And on his other side was Little Johnny, the Shoes of Swiftness tied tightly around his ankles and his staff pointing in the direction of the approaching gloom.


    With a quiver, Arthur looked around at all the others who were there to fight with him. Children stood perched in the trees with bows at the ready. Phoenixes, pixies and other winged animals nestled like gargoyles, ready to take flight. Below, ground dwelling creatures and the ghosts of Robin Hood''s good fellows stood side by side waiting to charge and all the water creatures waded in the lake like waves ready to envelope.


    From within the train, where more children peered out the windows with bows, Esme emerged and walked over.


    ''We''re all ready,'' she said to Arthur. ''They''re yours to command.''


    Arthur looked at her sternly. ''I think you''re more capable than I am.''


    ''Are you sure?''


    ''Very much.''


    ''If you say so,'' Esme replied before taking a deep breath.


    ''Where''s your weapon?'' Merlynna had noticed Esme didn''t have one. ''Were there no bows left for you?''


    Esme shook her head.


    ''Take my sword,'' said Arthur.


    Shaking her head again, Esme replied, ''It is better in your hands. You are the only one who can wield its strength.''


    ''Then take my yo-yo again,'' came Merlynna. ''You can keep it too. From now on it''s yours.'' The young witch reached inside her pocket but grabbed something that was not her toy. ''Hmmm. What''s this?'' She then pulled out a folded piece of parchment and unfurled it.


    ''That''s Amzin''s prophecy,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''I completely forgot that I had it. And whoa . . . . look . . . there are more words written down. How strange.''


    Arthur and Little Johnny huddled over to get a peek.


    ''You''re right,'' said Arthur, shocked.


    ''What does it say?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''After the three of us are mentioned,'' said Melynna, ''it goes on to name everyone, every creature here with us right now. And it says together, we will defeat the Shadow.''


    Despite what lay ahead for them and though they were quite puzzled by the mysterious amendment to the prophecy, Arthur, Little Johnny, Merlynna and Esme smiled.


    Arthur then took the parchment and asked, ''But how is this possible? How did it change?''


    ''The forest and its magic I''m sure.'' Merlynna took back the parchment and put it back inside her pocket before taking out her yo-yo and handing over.


    ''Thank you,'' replied Esme as the sound of the redcaps scuttling towards the train in the tree grew to laughter. She then turned with a look of absolute confidence and yelled for all to hear. ''HERE WE GO! WAIT FOR MY COMMAND!''


    Suddenly, Arthur could see branches and leaves flutter through the trees up ahead. Then, as if a horde of zombies were after them, he saw a wall of redcaps.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ''WAIT FOR MY COMMAND!'' Esme yelled again as the looks on the Children of the Forest and the Wild Children all around turned more dark and scared.


    Arthur watched, waiting for the redcaps to get closer. And the second he saw several disappear into gnome holes, he tightened his grip on the Sword in the Stone. It was time.


    ''RELEASE THE TRAPS!'' Esme screamed above the heinous squawking.


    With a loud blatter, logs, balls of mud and nets swung and dropped from the trees, quickly ensnaring, plastering and pummeling.


    ''The defense is working!'' Arthur shouted. And before long, the number of redcaps dwindled to a few, sending many children to howl in triumph, but the fight was far from over.


    ''WEREWOLVES!''


    Just like that, they were charged at again with hundreds of the monstrous pawed beasts appearing from the undergrowth and bounding over the defeated redcaps.


    ''WAIT FOR IT!'' Esme shrieked, and the moment the werewolves were within reach, she bellowed, ''LET LOOSE!''


    All around Robin''s bows twanged, their arrows morphing into tangled ropes, swarming bees and rocketing apples. Through the air they soared before descending, plunging towards their targets. As they neared, however, another danger appeared.


    Arthur thrust his neck at the warning and saw a growing cloud of toothy, snapping winged critters racing over the trees.


    ''What are those?'' Little Johnny burst out.


    ''Sprites,'' Merlynna answered instantly. ''They''re like mosquitoes but a hundred times larger and their bites even more so. Back at the Home for Enchanted Girls I had a run-in with a few of them.''


    ''ATTACK FROM THE AIR!'' Esme yelled, and bows changed their marks.


    Merlynna was quick to join in and began sending spells and hexes flashing towards the blackened menace.


    Meanwhile down below, the werewolves had halted their attack. The bees from the bows had swarmed them all. And as they snapped their fangs and swatted their paws at the tiny heroes, more and more of the flying insects came. Then all at once, the wolfmen yelped, flung their tails between their legs and fled until all was relatively quiet on the forest floor.


    Now back to the sprites, Arthur had swung the Sword in the Stone over his head. Despite the bees'' success with the werewolves, they had no effect on the winged imps. There were just too many. And the tangled ropes and apples were as futile. Merlynna''s hexes were working, but they were not enough.


    ''FLYING ALLIES, DO YOUR WORST!'' Esme screeched.


    Immediately, phoenixes, pixies and the lot sprang from their roosts and took to the air. And with a hiss and snarl, Fury joined in.


    Though wanting to protest for him to stay with her, Merlynna let him go and continued sending hex after hex.


    Arthur looked on as the charge met the sprites, with many of the evil blights dropping like flies, but many more got past the line and descended on the train in the trees.


    ''DEFEND YOURSELVES!'' bellowed Esme.


    At this, Arthur swung the Sword in the Stone, Little Johnny spun his staff and Merlynna began sending protective charms to all she could see.


    In seconds, sprites were being struck from the air but it was soon becoming too much. Thankfully, however, all the water creatures were there to help now.


    With a rush, jets of water zipped up through the trees, blasting the sprites as if they were being shot by the world''s most powerful water pistols, and Nessie began chomping the air like a great whale eating krill.


    Slashing the Sword in the Stone and taking out dozens of sprites, Arthur yelled, ''Keep at it They''re almost gone.''


    It was Little Johnny who took out the last but then came a rumble before trees began to fall and crash.


    ''OGRES!''


    ''THEY''RE COMING FROM BEHIND! THE SIDES TOO!''


    ''WE''RE SURROUNDED.''


    Arthur whipped around to see as such. And it wasn''t just ogres but other gigantic beasts.


    ''Are those Yetis?'' squeaked Little Johnny, staring down at the bigfoots.


    ''They are,'' replied Merlynna, as the unicorns, the ghosts, the gnomes and the other ground dwellers charged the threat.


    Then all went dark as if the day had been turned to night.


    Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna peered up and saw an even worse sight.


    ''DRAGONS!''


    Suddenly, one of the scaly beasts dived down, tossing aside griffins and phoenixes, who soared to meet it.


    ''Everyone! Hide!,'' Arthur yelled, sending Little Johnny, Merlynna, Esme and many others into the train.


    He, however, did not follow. And as he glared at the dragon, he raised the Sword in the Stone higher and prepared for impact. The monster swept down with an ear-splitting cry and as blade struck scales, a dazzling shockwave burst out.


    The dragon dropped from the air in a flash, smashed through the trees and crashed into the ogres below.


    Arthur raised the Sword in the Stone once again as another dragon descended towards him, the monster''s nostrils belching smoke. And knowing what was to follow, he raised Pridwen as well.


    Flames then spewed, but the shield quelled the heat and sent the fire rocketing back. The dragon was hit and that was all of that beast.


    Little Johnny, Merlynna and Esme were quick to rejoin Arthur as the battle continued to rage. But things started to turn for the worse.


    ''We''re getting overrun,'' yelled Esme. ''The Shadow''s closing in.''

 Chapter Thirty-Six

    ''What do we do?'' yelled Little Johnny.


    ''I don''t know,'' answered Arthur, as he saw all of Robin Wood''s children and creatures drawing back around him, the Shadow too strong and endless. Then taking a swipe at an ogre that had stomped onto the train from a tree and gave out the loudest roar, he had an idea. ''We need to come together. To fight shoulder to shoulder. To concentrate our strength. We need to make a last stand.''


    ''But where?'' Merlynna huffed. ''Not on the train. I don''t think it will be able to take many more ogres.''


    ''She''s right,'' Esme cried.


    Indeed she was. The train had started to sway and shift. More weight and it would crash to the forest floor.


    ''That''s why we need another bastion,'' puffed Arthur.


    ''But there''s no other place for us to go,'' Esme screamed.


    ''Oh, yes there is,'' said Arthur. ''And let''s hope it works.''


    ''What are you talking about?'' Little Johnny screeched before running off to save a young girl from the hands of Yeti and coming back.


    ''Just watch.'' Arthur rushed over to the side of the train car, stared down at the lake and saw many of the ground-dwelling creatures backed up against its shore. Then with a deep breath, he spun around and around and tossed Pridwen down.


    The shield dazzled and whirred as it fell through the air. And the very moment it splashed into the water, masts soared into the air and puffed out their sails.


    ''All aboard,'' Arthur said, as Little Johnny and Merlynna rushed to his side.


    Esme shook away the shock at what she was seeing and pulled out Robin''s horn. She gave it a loud blare before yelling, ''EVERYONE RETREAT TO THE SHIP!''


    As all the children and the creatures of Robin''s Wood did just that, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna did so too. With Esme, the three each grabbed a rope that dangled from above and leapt off the train.


    Together, they swung through the trees, through branches, and all the while fighting off monsters that met them on their way.


    Arthur sliced and swiped the Sword in the Stone at who-knows-how many monsters before landing on the deck of the ship with a thud and a skid. Then as he watched Nessie help unicorns and gnomes get on board, fairies and Sheriff''s Men, who were led by the princess and the Deputy, made their appearance.


    ''ALL BOWS ON THEM!'' bellowed Esme, pointing to the duo, who were now standing on the top most train car.


    And as children sent tangled ropes, bees and apples at them, Arthur, Little Johnny, Merlynna, Esme and the other creatures of Robin''s Wood dealt with all the other beasts who were scrambling everywhere.


    Arthur felt like he was a pirate battling on the open seas as he took out an ogre, a dragon, a werewolf and a minotaur all in a matter of seconds. He heaved and ducked, thrust and clashed.


    Wave after wave of monsters came and all kept at bay, but that was until the fairies and the Sheriff''s Men descended on them, easily getting past the barrage thrown at them.


    With a stomp and whoosh, the Deputy crashed onto the deck and the fairy princess swooped down like a bird of prey.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''GIVE US THE CROWN,'' the Deputy growled.


    ''NOT A CHANCE!'' Arthur shouted back.


    ''SO BE IT!'' the fairy princess hissed before sending spell after spell shooting towards him.


    Without the shield, Arthur was defenseless, but the fairy''s magic was met with another''s. The opposing spells clashed with intensity, imploding until there was nothing left.


    ''YOU''LL HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT!'' shouted Merlynna.


    The fairy princess opened her mouth, stretching it until it was beyond double and exposing her teeth of daggers, and gave out a raging shriek.


    ''YOU REALLY SHOULDN''T DO THAT!'' Melynna continued. ''YOU''LL CATCH SPELLS!''


    And with a jab of her finger, the young witch shot over a bubbling spell. It was so fast, the fairy princess had no time to react. The enchantment zipped into her mouth and fizzed and popped until a loud sneeze sent the winged beast zooming off like a burst balloon.


    Meanwhile, and as Arthur continued to battle, Little Johnny had met the Deputy.


    ''Even with your shoes, you have no chance to defeat me,'' the Deputy snarled at him.


    Sadly, the man was right.


    Little Johnny zipped around him, trying desperately to find a way through, to send him over the side of the ship and into the water, but the man''s blade was always there to greet his staff.


    ''This is too easy,'' the Deputy laughed.


    Little Johnny tried again and again until the man slashed down with a thwack, breaking the staff in two.


    ''HA! Your weapon is no more.'' The Deputy gleamed like his badge. ''You have been defeated.''


    Little Johnny dropped his gaze in sadness but quickly realized something, a smile soon growing from ear to ear. ''Well now I have two staffs.''


    He also had an idea.


    With a wink, Little Johnny took off and began circling the Deputy. Around and around he went, not stopping until the man grew so dizzy that he started to stumble. And as his eyes rolled back into his head, the boy sent him packing over the side of the ship, where Nessie gobbled him up with the biggest of belches.


    ''It looks like you''re the one defeated,'' Little Johnny burst out before joining Arthur and Merlynna, who were about ready to engage a stampede of Sheriff''s Men bounding from the bow.


    Suddenly, the wooden board''s below them began to shake. In fact, the whole ship was shaking. The water too. Then with a boom, sending almost all the water out of the lake with a churning surge, the giant serpent that was the leviathan appeared. And it had grown since the last time the children had seen it, easily clearing Nessie''s height.


    ''What in the conjuror''s tricks?'' swore Merlynna.


    ''How¨Chow¨Chow did that get in?'' stammered Little Johnny.


    ''It must have smashed through the well,'' Arthur yelled.


    Though such a deadly danger the giant serpent was, its tail whipping around like some mad enormous worm on a hook, the water creatures did not hesitate to confront the beast. But sadly, its distraction gave way for more and more of the Shadow to get onto the ship.


    Soon, everywhere became one enormous skirmish. And all Arthur could see as he slashed and chopped were a jumble of fluttering wings, fur, glinting blades, flashing spells and apples that turned to applesauce.


    ''I can''t keep this up,'' Little Johnny wheezed next to Arthur. ''We can''t keep this up. More are coming too.''


    ''But we have to try,'' puffed Merlynna.


    ''Little Johnny''s right,'' said Arthur. So much for the prophecy, he thought. ''It looks like the battle is lost.''


    If that wasn''t bad enough, a swath of forest beyond the train in the trees crashed to the ground as if they were made of dust. And in the destruction''s wake came Morgana and the Sheriff, who sat in their troll-carried carriage.


    ''Not them too,'' howled Little Johnny as Morgana''s unearthly cackle echoed off the sails. ''Now what?''


    ''I need to do something,'' Arthur answered before sending a minotaur into the water.


    ''But what?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''I need to try to lure as many of the Shadow as I can away. Being that I have the crown¨C''


    ''You won''t be able to get out of this,'' snapped Little Johnny.


    ''Unless we fly,'' came Merlynna. She then took the broomstick from her back and mounted it. ''That''s if I can get this thing up.''


    ''Well I''m coming,'' said Little Johnny and climbed on too.


    Arthur nodded. ''What other option do we have?'' And before he jumped on, he took the crown from his backpack and put it on his head, replacing Robin''s cap. He then yelled, ''DO YOU WANT THIS? THEN COME AND GET IT!''


    ''On the count of three,'' shouted Merlynna, ''push up as hard as you can.''


    ''Got it,'' answered Arthur and Little Johnny.


    ''ONE. . . TWO . . .THREE¨C''


    With an unpleasant lurch, the broomstick swayed and shimmied as if it was a jackhammer. But as the three looked down, they saw the deck start to drop below them.


    ''You''re doing it, Merlynna,'' shouted Arthur.

 Chapter Thirty-Seven

    With the crown on his head, Arthur was quick to get the attention that he desired. And as he, Little Johnny and Merlynna swerved, dipped, looped and bobbed around enemy after enemy, the chase was on.


    Through the hairy hands of a Yeti that clung to a mast they sped, around the thrashing horns of a minotaur that fell from the trees they dodged, under the slicing sword of a Sheriff''s Man that swung from a rope they ducked and around a barrage of fairy spells they spun.


    ''Just wow!'' screamed Little Johnny. ''Just wow, Merlynna! That was incredible!''


    ''Yes, all of that was on purpose,'' Merlynna fibbed as she then managed to take the broomstick above the ship''s sails.


    Looking over his shoulder, Arthur gulped at what he saw, but he was pleased. ''We have quite a few on our tail.''


    That was putting it mildly. All the fairies had started after them and all the Sheriff''s Men were clambering in their direction.


    ''Now we just have to get Morgana and the Sheriff''s attention,'' Arthur continued, which was the easiest part.


    Over the train in the trees they soared and over the carriage they zoomed.


    ''UP HERE, YOU COWARDS!'' Little Johnny yelled.


    ''AFTER THE CROWN!'' Morgana replied with a cackle from below before sending up a spell that was batted away by Arthur, who then gazed down and saw the silver arrow rocketing towards them.


    ''DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE!'' the Sheriff growled after it.


    Soon, the trolls and the carriage joined the pursuit, making Arthur quiver in hope.


    Now the Children of the Forest, the Wild Children and all the other creatures of Robin''s Wood will have a fighting chance back at the ship, he thought. But then he noticed that the fairies were gaining on them.


    ''We need to go faster,'' Arthur cried as he hacked at the silver arrow. The Sheriff''s companion had reached them and was trying to shoot them out of the sky.


    ''I don''t think I can make that happen,'' Merlynna replied.


    ''I have an idea,'' Little Johnny burst out. ''Merlynna, keep the broomstick as steady as possible.''


    ''I''ll try.''


    ''What are you going to do?'' asked Arthur, taking another swipe.


    ''To see if the Shoes of Swiftness can give us a boost,'' Little Johnny replied before shockingly getting to his feet and thrusting out his arms for balance.


    More shockingly, he then stepped over Arthur, who was beyond scared at his friend''s acrobatics, and plonked himself down on the twiggy broom head at the back. Little Johnny then thread one of the halves of his staff between the Shoes of Swiftness and started juggling it with his feet. Around and around it went, picking up speed, until all became a smudge.


    He had made a propeller. And its effect was immediate.


    With a vroom, off they zipped.


    ''Well done!'' shrieked Merlynna, though the extra speed had made the broomstick even more hard to control. ''But now what? They''re still chasing us.''


    ''Let''s head to Robin''s Lair,'' replied Arthur. ''Maybe we can hold them off there.''


    ''Aye, aye, captain.''


    Through the forest the broomstick hurtled, it feeling like the children were on a never ending, manic rollercoaster, but Merlynna kept them aloft and on course. The trees swished past as if they were the wind itself until in no time they were at the ravine and back on their feet. And the second Arthur rushed over and placed his hand on the etching on the rock wall, the tunnel to Robin''s Lair opened.


    ''Hurry up, let''s get through,'' Arthur said as the sound of their pursuers thundered behind them.


    And they did just that before rushing across the grassy clearing and to the great oak.


    ''Do you think they''ll get through?'' asked Little Johnny, as they then watched the tunnel close back up.


    ''I''m sure they''ll try,'' replied Arthur.


    He was right.


    Suddenly, a monstrous crash of rocks cracked the air. The trolls had started on the ravine''s wall.


    POUND! CRASH!


    POUND! CRASH!


    POUND! CRASH!


    POUND! CRASH!


    ''PREPARE YOURSELF!'' Arthur screamed over the noise. Being that it was heavy, he then yanked the crown from his head, placed it on the ground beside him and threw on Robin''s cap once again.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Only moments later, the exit to the tunnel exploded with a cloud of dust and out came the children''s shadow led by Morgana and the Sheriff.


    ''Ah,'' the man growled, looking around and nodding, ''so this is the outlaw''s rat-hole. I''ve finally found it. And now I can destroy it along with this forest.''


    ''You won''t be destroying anything,'' Arthur screamed.


    ''Boy, you have no say in the matter. Your back is to the wall. Or to the great oak, I should say. You are done. You have nowhere to go.''


    ''Heed the Sheriff''s words,'' croaked Morgana. She then began twitching forwards, her legs contorting violently under her. ''Now hand over the sword and crown.''


    ''He''s not giving you diddly squat,'' Merlynna yelled back.


    Morgana''s face cracked and flaked with rage. Her mouth opened to scream, but before she could let out a deafening howl, the crown began to vibrate.


    ''It''s happening again,'' Arthur cried out to Little Johnny and Merlynna.


    And the moment the two turned to look down at Arthur''s feet, things began to swirl. Soon, a vortex of grass, fruit from the fruit trees, bees, leaves and bark from the great oak, and other debris circled Robin''s Lair.


    Then like a mirage, and like before, an image of Camelot emerged from the furor. And as Arthur peered through the portal, he noticed dark figures on the other side.


    ''Perfect timing,'' crowed Morgana. ''Now you are surrounded again. The sword and crown. . . NOW!''


    ''Maybe we should try our luck,'' Merlynna breathed, turning from the portal to Arthur and back.


    ''You mean go through?'' asked Arthur.


    ''It could be our only chance.''


    ''But they''ll just follow us.''


    ''Isn''t that the plan anyway.''


    ''And what about Morgana and the Sheriff? Robin''s Wood has trapped them. They''ll just go back to the ship surely. The Children of the Forest and the others'' chance of winning will vanish.''


    ''You''re right.''


    ''You should just go through, Arthur,'' Little Johnny then said. ''Forget about Robin''s Wood. Forget about everything. Your survival is all that matters now.''


    ''I''m not doing that,'' Arthur replied. ''I''m not leaving you two. And my life could be in more danger.'' The dark figures on the other side of the portal had grown in number. ''Look.''


    ''You must,'' said Little Johnny. ''It''s the only option now.''


    ''But what about the prophecy?'' Arthur asked.


    ''Little Johnny''s right,'' said Merlynna. ''And prophecies can be wrong.''


    ''But I can''t,'' Arthur cried. ''I just can''t.''


    Little Johnny suddenly turned angry. ''Do you want the Shadow to win? To take over everything?''


    ''Of course not,'' stammered Arthur.


    ''Then you will do this. And that is final.'' Little Johnny picked up the crown and thrust it into Arthur''s hands. ''Now go.''


    ''I can''t.''


    ''If you don''t, we are not friends anymore.''


    ''Same,'' Merlynna burst out sternly.


    Without waiting for Arthur to respond, Little Johnny turned to Merlynna and said, ''Come on. Let''s give these monsters all that we have.''


    Merlynna nodded. ''Let''s do it.''


    Arthur didn''t know what to do. And as he just stood there, his mind racked with indecision, he watched his two friends bound towards Morgana and the Sheriff. He then took a step in the direction of the portal but quickly stepped away.


    ''I just can''t,'' Arthur said to himself before looking back and seeing Little Johnny and Merlynna throwing themselves at the Shadow. Soon, spells flew, staffs clattered, fists pounded and swords sliced.


    ''RUN, ARTHUR!'' bellowed a now invisible Little Johnny, his voice racing around Robin''s Lair.


    And as she sent hex after hex at the bombardment of spells shooting towards her, Merlynna followed, yelling, ''PLEASE, ARTHUR, GO!''


    Arthur stepped towards the portal again but he just couldn''t continue.


    Suddenly, shrieks pierced the air. Arthur whipped around once more and saw that his friends'' efforts had started to wane. Merlynna was now surrounded by fairies, who seemed to be toying with her like a puppet, and Little Johnny was getting thrown around like a pinball every other second, his body seemingly popping in and out of existence.


    They were getting hurt and Arthur didn''t want to see it anymore. He wanted it all to stop.


    ''I''LL GIVE YOU THE SWORD AND CROWN!'' he then yelled. ''JUST STOP HURTING MY FRIENDS!''


    ''WISE DECISION!'' Morgana cackled back. She and the Sheriff had been inching towards Arthur throughout the entire fight.


    With a snarl, the Sheriff added, ''YOU FIRST!''


    ''DON''T DO IT!'' came Little Johnny.


    But Arthur did. He dropped his head, threw down the Sword in the Stone and tossed off Robin''s cap too.


    At this, the Sheriff burst out a whistle and the fighting died.


    ''PICK THE SWORD BACK UP!'' Little Johnny yelled. He had come to a stop and was now just looking on. So too was Merlynna.


    ''Listen to Little Johnny,'' the young witch added. ''Don''t let them get it. Don''t let them get the crown.''


    Arthur yelled, ''Now, let my friends leave.''


    Morgana and the Sheriff did not utter another word but continued their advance, an evil sparkle flitting in their eyes.


    ''I SAID, LET MY FRIENDS LEAVE!''


    Just then, the silver arrow flashed from behind the Sheriff. Arthur had no time to react, but the very instant it was about to strike him down, a root shot up from the ground and wrapped itself around the glittering bolt.


    Two more roots then pierced the sky, grabbed the sword and Robin''s cap before something incredible happened.


    Robin''s cap began to untwine in its knotty clutches, the red feathers ruffling alive before taking the green thread and darning it into the blade. And when all was finished, the sword shone like nothing Arthur had seen before.


    Then in a flash, the feathers wrapped themselves around the hilt and brought the blade over to Arthur, who took it in his grasp.


    Power surged through the boy until it seemed like he was shining as bright as the weapon. And with a roar of his own, he lunged with a sudden feeling like he was flying.


    If spells or any other attempts at stopping him were cast or made, Arthur didn''t notice. Things raged around him as if he was a fireball, unstoppable. And before Morgana and the Sheriff could even breath a whimper, he thrust the sword into the ground right before them, creating an almighty engulfing pulse that marked all who were not good of heart to the forest.


    Before knowing it, Arthur found himself staring at the gnarled and still faces of Morgana and the Sheriff. They had turned to wood. All of their minions had too.


    ''YOU DID IT!'' Little Johnny and Merlynna''s voices rang out before Arthur was jumped and hugged.


    ''But it''s not over yet,'' Arthur replied, eyeing Camelot. ''More are going to come through and the fighting at the ship could still be going on.''


    The dark figures on the other side of the portal were getting closer, just about to come through.


    Arthur turned back to Little Johnny and Merlynna. ''You two make your way back to the ship and I''ll stay here.''


    Little Johnny and Merlynna didn''t respond. In fact, they hadn''t taken their eyes off of the portal. Then, smiles graced their faces.


    ''What¨Cwhat is it?'' Arthur asked before whipping around and seeing more faces with smiles. The dark figures weren''t the Shadow. ''Bitty? Dolores? Mr Scarlett? Miss Eustace? Great Uncle? Mom? Dad?'' Then without a thought, he raced towards the portal and jumped through, Little Johnny and Merlynna following.


    Seconds later, the three landed with a thud onto the grounds of Camelot and before everyone that had been taken by the Shadow.


    Wanting to jump into their arms, a teary Arthur glared at his parents, the castle behind starting to change, to mend itself, the swirling storm above breaking up and sending rays of sun beaming down. But he quickly wiped away his joy and yelled, ''EVERYONE, ROBIN''S WOOD NEEDS YOU. . . .''

 Chapter Thirty-Eight

    Sitting in his backyard, Arthur stared up at the dark sky and its twinkling stars. It was a wonderful night and he was waiting for it to get even better.


    ''They should have been here by now,'' Arthur said to himself before a gust of wind suddenly blew past him.


    Any other time, he would have thought it strange as the air was completely still with not even a fluttering leaf, but he knew what had caused the flurry. Or who had caused it more precisely.


    Arthur clambered to his feet and called out happily, ''Little Johnny, I know that was you.''


    In a flash, and a giggle and another gust of wind, the boy with the gnarly coat appeared, the Shoes of Swiftness on his feet and his mended staff strapped to his back.


    With smiles, the two shook hands and embraced.


    ''Good journey?'' Arthur asked.


    ''Fast,'' Little Johnny replied, ''but I almost got taken out by a cow in a field. Just didn''t see it. Maybe nighttime isn''t the best time to come visit you.''


    ''Or maybe you could be more careful. You know, go a bit slower.''


    Little Johnny hacked up a roar of laughter. ''Never going to happen. Where''s the fun in that?''


    Shaking his head, Arthur asked, ''So how''s Robin''s Wood?''


    ''It''s been great and everything''s back to normal,'' Little Johnny answered. ''There have been no more sightings of monsters. The good of heart are once again the only ones who may find the forest.''


    ''Phew. That''s really good to hear.''


    ''Well, it''s not all back to normal. We decided to keep the lake below the train in the trees.''


    ''Have you now?''


    ''Well, it wasn''t us who decided. It was Nessie. We couldn''t persuade her to leave.''


    Arthur chuckled before nodding and saying in realization, ''So it''s definite then. You''re going to stay with the Children of the Forest. Make Robin''s Wood your home.''


    Little Johnny beamed. ''I sure am. And I''ve never been this happy before in my life.''


    ''I''m glad to hear that.''


    ''How are Morgana and the Sheriff?''


    ''Still as wooden as ever.''


    Arthur breathed a sigh of relief.


    ''And they''ve started to sprout leaves,'' Little Johnny continued. ''Next year they may even produce flowers and fruit.''The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Arthur scrunched up his face. ''Yuck. I''m sure they''d taste horrible.''


    ''No question about that¨C''


    A shriek had cracked the air. The boys peered up and saw a familiar and welcomed silhouette thrashing around like a fly to a moony lightbulb. It was heading their way.


    ''It looks like she still hasn''t improved,'' said Little Johnny.


    ''I heard that!'' Merlynna''s voice came back before the young witch landed with a stumble on the grass right in front of the boys. She then dismounted her broom and rushed over to give them a hug.


    ''It''s so good to see you two,'' Merlynna blurted out.


    ''And you,'' Arthur and Little Johnny replied together.


    ''Good ride?'' Little Johnny then added with a smirk.


    ''As it so happened. . . yes,'' Merlynna said before mumbling, ''apart from the airplane incident.''


    ''What was that?''


    ''Nothing. I said nothing.''


    ''Fury didn''t come with you?'' Arthur was looking up for the winged cat.


    ''Don''t get me started with that devilish creature,'' said Merlynna. ''I tried getting him to come but he''s back to his ignoring ways. It''s also a lot tougher to find him now that he has more space to wander around and hide. Camelot is huge.'' She then looked at Arthur more warmly. ''I know I''ve said this thousands of times but thank you for giving me and all the other enchanted girls another home.''


    Arthur smiled. ''Don''t mention it.''


    ''Speaking of that and having more space, Mrs Good said that she''ll be inviting more orphaned young witches who need a place to stay.''


    ''That''s brilliant.''


    ''It sure is.''


    Arthur couldn''t have been more happy as he was right then, right there. His friends were happy, the Shadow was defeated and he had his mother and father back.


    ''Where are they, by the way?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''Who?''


    ''Your parents?''


    ''How did you¨C''


    Merlynna turned sheepish. ''I may have accidentally put myself under a telepathic charm which I can''t undo.''


    Arthur and Little Johnny opened their mouths in shock.


    ''So,'' Merlynna continued, ''where are your parents? I would love to meet them properly. I didn''t really have much time the last time I saw them.''


    ''Sadly they''re away on another dig,'' Arthur replied.


    ''They''re still doing that after everything,'' said Little Johnny. ''After knowing who you come from. Who they came from.''


    ''Yup,'' said Arthur. ''Archaeology is in their blood. They''ll never stop doing it. Which I admire very much. I mean, they were a bit hesitant to leave.''


    ''So what are they off searching for this time?'' asked Merlynna.


    ''The Ring of Eluned the Fortunate,'' said Arthur. ''Some mysterious billionaire wrote them a letter hinting that they may know its location.''


    ''What''s the Ring of Eluned the Fortunate?''


    ''A legendary ring that''s said to give the person who wears it the power of invincibility.''


    ''You''re kidding me,'' said Little Johnny. He and Merlynna''s eyes were as wide as plates.


    ''I''m not,'' said Arthur.


    ''Well if they find it, let''s hope it doesn''t get into the wrong hands.''


    ''Mr Scarlett and a few of the other Merry Knights are going with them to make sure that doesn''t happen.''


    ''Phew. Glad to hear.''


    Just then a deafening clatter reverberated out of Arthur''s house, sending Little Johnny grabbing his staff and Merlynna whipping out a wand.


    ''What was that?'' Arthur''s friends said together, scared but ready for action.


    ''It''s all right, you two,'' Arthur replied. ''That''s just my Great Uncle. He''s probably fallen over again.''


    With relief, Little Johnny lowered his staff and Merlynna lowered her wand, which was quick to get the boys'' attention.


    ''A new magical toy?'' Arthur asked.


    ''I found it in Camelot. I think it belonged to some old wizard.''


    ''Is it safe?'' asked Little Johnny.


    ''I haven''t really tested it,'' said Merlynna, ''so I don''t know.''


    ''That''s not really what I want to hear.''


    Arthur chuckled. ''Come on, let''s go inside. And when my great uncle gets back to his feet, which could take anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours, we can help him make us some Pancake Stew.''


    Shoulder to shoulder, the three friends walked inside.


    The End.