The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  Jack held his breath and sat very still. As the crown touched his head he realised the enormity of everything that had happened to him. He looked up at the sky. The darkness had completely gone. A new day and a new era were about to begin. It wouldn’t be long until the sun rose over the horizon. Coragwenelan turned and smiled at him. Jack smiled back. He looked over at Nora and Camelin. What a journey this had been! He was determined to do everything within his power to fulfil the promises he’d just made.

  Gwillam took a step back, bowed to both Jack and the Queen and then turned to the expectant crowd. He opened his arms wide and made the proclamation they’d all been waiting to hear.

  ‘Hail, Jack Brenin, King of Annwn. Long live the King!’

  There was a tumultuous roar from the whole of Annwn.

  ‘Long live the King!’ they chanted, over and over again.

  Coragwenelan stood and offered Jack her hand. Together they made their way to the edge of the room. The crowd parted to let them pass. The Blessed Council followed and, in turn, the guests filed out of the room. Jack knew all his friends were in the procession. He presumed that once the room was empty the crowd outside would follow. Cheering people lined the streets of the Citadel as they made their way to the area where the feast was to take place.

  When they eventually arrived, Jack could see a long row of tables had been piled high with all the foods he and Camelin had thought of, and many more besides. One whole table was covered in a sea of cupcakes and in the middle stood a magnificent cake. Blankets had been spread on the ground and the most enormous barbecue Jack had ever seen stood on a paved area beyond the feasting ground. The Queen lifted the silver dragon-shaped whistle to her lips and gently blew it. The impressive sight of Ember in flight, with the newly risen sun glinting on her red scales, made Jack’s heart leap. Every time he saw her he marvelled. She really was magnificent. It looked as if she’d had another manicure, for her nails shone and sparkled. As she flew overhead she dipped her head, circled and then blew a long narrow flame over the barbecue pit. The coals ignited and it wasn’t long before the delicious smell of sausages wafted on the breeze.

  The Queen led Jack to a table that had been positioned on a raised platform. It was draped in a cloth that reached the floor and the front had been decorated with long garlands.

  ‘This is the royal dais,’ she told him. ‘We use it at official gatherings. It means we can see everyone and, of course, they can see us.’

  Even though it was early in the morning, it felt like a beautiful summer’s afternoon. On Earth it would probably be a dreary November morning.

  ‘Does it ever snow in Annwn?’ Jack asked the Queen.

  She laughed.

  ‘Never. It’s always summer here and now everything has been restored we can all look forward to peace again. We must take our seats so our guests can join us.’

  Jack took his place next to the Queen. He watched the people file into the feasting ground. Nora, Gwillam and the Blessed Council climbed the small steps at the back of the dais and took their seats at the table. Camelin, Winver and Hesta flew over to join them. Jack looked around for Orin. She was with Motley and the rest of the Night Guard, who were all sitting at a special table that had been laid for them. In between each rat sat a Fairy, and next to Orin he could see the little Wood Elf, Arin.

  It was only when Peabody came into view that Jack remembered his surprise appearance at the coronation. Jack’s mouth fell open when another, identical Bogie appeared. Was he seeing double? Had Pyecroft realised the error of his ways and been transformed? Jack knew that Camelin had seen them too.

  ‘What’s going on?’ he croaked loudly so everyone at his end of the table could hear.

  Nora shot him one of her looks.

  ‘He’s a guest of honour, for without him Jack would not be sitting here now.’

  Jack leant over and whispered to Nora.

  ‘I don’t understand. I thought the Bogie was in league with Velindur?’

  Camelin was still grumbling loudly to anyone who’d listen.

  ‘He’s nothing but a double-crossing, sneaky thief and he knows it. I hope he’s not coming up here.’

  It soon became obvious that the Bogie was heading in their direction. He climbed the steps and took the only spare seat on the dais. Camelin groaned.

  ‘He can’t sit there, he’s a thief.’

  Nora lightly rapped her wand on Camelin’s beak.

  ‘Things aren’t always what they appear to be. That isn’t a Bogie, and in a few moments he’ll reveal his true identity.’

  ‘What do you mean he’s not a Bogie? It’s obvious he is.’

  Nora nodded to where the other Bogie sat.

  ‘That’s Peabody, and if you go round to the farmyard you’ll find Pyecroft. There’s nothing of the Bogie left in him now, he’s totally unrepentant and I’m afraid he’s destined to spend the rest of his days in the pigsty.’

  Jack looked intently from one Bogie to the other. He couldn’t tell them apart. There was a loud popping sound from the end of the table. A black squirrel, wearing a pair of spectacles and a beautiful emblazoned tabard appeared.

  ‘Dorysk!’ exclaimed Jack.

  ‘Theodore Sniffler, at your service. I can’t transform into anything as big as a Bogie without help and I never know how long Nora’s transformation spell’s going to last.’

  Coragwenelan picked up a small box that lay on the table. She opened it and took out a blue ribbon, from which a golden medal dangled.

  ‘For your services as our envoy and for the dangerous mission you agreed to undertake for us, I present you with this medal as a token of our eternal gratitude.’

  Everyone on the dais clapped politely as the Dorysk scampered across the table to accept his reward.

  ‘I still don’t understand,’ grumbled Camelin. ‘Did the Dorysk steal my dustbin? If so, I’d like to know why.’

  Jack didn’t understand what was going on either.

  ‘I think I owe you all an explanation,’ said Nora. ‘We needed to know what Velindur was planning. So, when the disappearances from Newton Gill Forest began, I asked Peabody if he would impersonate his brother and try to gain the confidence of Velindur. If he’d succeeded we’d have had inside information. Alas, Peabody didn’t have the courage to be anywhere near Velindur. The Dorysk volunteered to take his place. Unfortunately he needed some help with the transformation and, as he says, it sometimes doesn’t wear off quickly enough. We arranged with Chief Knuckle that on the first foggy day I would take Peabody with me to Silver Hill and together we’d collect Pyecroft. There had to be a fog or Velindur might have been able to see through the veil from Elidon into Earth. If he’d seen me with both Bogies our plans would have come to naught. It was essential that Velindur believed that he once more had a Bogie in his service and one who was willing to do his bidding. Before I left I transformed the Dorysk into Peabody. I brought both the real Bogies into Annwn, where they’ve been ever since. It was essential we kept this information secret to minimise the risk of the truth reaching Velindur. In order to keep you all safe I had to know exactly what he was planning.’

  Camelin humphed.

  ‘So the Bogie that Raggs followed into Newton Gill Forest was really the Dorysk?’

  ‘It was,’ agreed Nora. ‘I also let it be known that I’d transformed the lost treasure into an object and hidden it somewhere inside Ewell House. The Dorysk was pretending to steal things from the house to gain Velindur’s trust. Of course, nothing he took turned out to be the torc and he never took anything of any value.’

  ‘Except my dustbin… my dustbin meant a lot to me.’

  The Dorysk bowed low to Camelin.

  ‘The starlings told me there was a dustbin in your attic full of empty sweet wrappers. I didn’t think it would be missed and I had no idea a rubbish bin could have such sentimental value for anyone. I hope you can forgive me. I was only doing my job as a master spy. I didn’t mean to cause you any distress.’


  Nora nudged Camelin.

  ‘All right, you’re forgiven, but just keep out of my loft in future.’

  The Dorysk bowed again. When he sat down, Nora continued speaking.

  ‘As soon as the trouble started in the tomb, the Dorysk escaped and came to find me. I expect you thought it was Peabody being cowardly. If he hadn’t come to get me we wouldn’t have known there was a problem. We owe a great deal to him.’

  Jack could see Camelin was still unhappy but there was nothing he could do about it without making Nora cross.

  The appearance of a plate of barbecued sausages made Camelin’s eyes light up. Once he’d eaten a few he looked a lot happier.

  In all the excitement Jack had forgotten about Raggs. He looked over to where the rats and Fair Folk were sitting. To his relief Raggs had joined the Night Guard and looked happy enough. He whispered to Coragwenelan.

  ‘I see Raggs is safe. What happened? The last time I saw him he was being stuffed into the Draygull’s pocket.’

  ‘After that it appears the Draygull brought Raggs out of the tomb and handed him over to Nora, but it’s too long a story to tell just now. We’ll talk about it later. For now, sit back and enjoy the feast. I believe the entertainment is about to start.’

  The crowd cheered as four Dragonettes flew fast and low over the tables.

  ‘One of them’s Timmery,’ Hesta informed Jack, ‘I’ve been watching them practising.’

  ‘He’s the smallest one,’ said Winver, ‘the one that doesn’t breathe fire.’

  Jack sat back and enjoyed the display. Charkle, Norris and Snook created rings of fire as Timmery wove his way in and out of them. They performed amazing flying stunts and Jack could see even Camelin was impressed. When they’d finished the whole crowd rose, everyone on the dais stood and all clapped loudly and cheered. It really was a magnificent display.

  The jugglers and acrobats performed next and when the feasting was nearly over, the storytellers took their turn. The only one on Jack’s table who was still eating was Camelin.

  ‘Don’t you think you’ve had enough?’ said Nora.

  ‘I’ve only had five sausages,’ he said.

  ‘Eleven,’ croaked Saige, as she hopped out from behind a large jug.

  ‘I thought she was at home,’ he grumbled.

  ‘Well you thought wrong,’ replied Nora. ‘It’s very useful having an oracular frog around, especially when someone can’t count properly.’

  ‘I think it’s time to go back to the palace,’ said the Queen as she arose.

  The crowd fell silent and Coragwenelan looked expectantly at Jack. He realised she was waiting for him to stand and address the people. He rose slowly and took a deep breath. He thanked everyone for all they’d done and for being there at his coronation. The Queen nodded her approval and also addressed the crowd.

  ‘We’ve had a long day, and it is time we retired, but please feel free to stay as long as you want and continue celebrating.’

  ‘Does that mean I can stay as long as I like too?’ Camelin whispered to Nora.

  ‘It does,’ she agreed, ‘but remember, Saige will be staying too and I’ll be having a full report of everything that happens in the morning, so make sure you behave yourself.’

  Jack smiled. It was reassuring to know that some things would never change.

  There was a great cheer as Jack and Coragwenelan left the dais. The Blessed Council followed and, when Jack looked back, Nora was behind them too. They walked in silence back to the throne room, where the Blessed Council bowed and took their leave. Gwillam said goodnight too. Once they’d left the throne room and the outer door was closed, the Queen raised her arms. Jack knew she was about to separate. As she began to spin around, the familiar forms of Gwen, Cora and Elan appeared.

  ‘That’s better,’ said Elan, as she turned to Nora. ‘If you go with Gwen and Cora you’ll find a bed has been made up for you in our apartment. I’ll show Jack to his new rooms and then we’ll send someone to go and find Camelin.’

  ‘Rooms!’

  ‘As King you can’t be expected to sleep in Gwillam’s roundhouse. We have a suite ready for you in the turret. From there you’ll be able to see the whole of Annwn.’

  Jack followed Elan through one of the side doors. They walked along the corridors of the palace and climbed a spiral staircase. At the top was an arched door.

  ‘Go on,’ said Elan, ‘open it.’

  Jack turned the large doorknob and pushed it gently. Moonlight streamed in through the circular glass walls. He rushed over to the seats that curved in front of the windows. Elan had not been wrong. He could see the whole of Annwn, from the tips of the mountains to the Crannog on the lake.

  ‘Wow! What an amazing room.’

  ‘Happy birthday! I’m glad you like it. I knew you would. You can see the rest later.’

  Jack looked at the bed. There was only one.

  ‘What about Camelin? He’s been sleeping at the bottom of my bed for the last week, although it wasn’t supposed to be a permanent arrangement.’

  ‘The door next to your wardrobe leads to an adjoining room. Camelin’s bed is in there. He’s got his own window through which he can come and go as he pleases.’

  ‘I know he’ll love that. Thanks, Elan.’

  ‘There’s a stand for your crown on the dressing table and your robes have been hung inside the wardrobe. Tomorrow, after breakfast, we have some official business to attend to but once that’s done, we can all go and have some fun.’

  When Elan had gone, Jack took off his belt and opened the pouch that Gwillam had given him. He took out his wand and smiled. It wasn’t that long ago since he’d held it in his hand for the first time. He aimed it at the adjoining door.

  ‘Foro!’ he commanded.

  A raven flap appeared, exactly like the one at Ewell House. Jack flopped onto the bed. This had been the best day of his life. Not everyone gets to be crowned King on their twelfth birthday.

  THE OAK LORD

  When Jack woke the next morning he yawned deeply and then listened for any sounds of movement in the palace. The sudden banging of the raven flap made him jump. He groaned when Camelin hopped onto the bed and started tugging at his sheet.

  ‘Come on, Jack. It’s time to get up. You need to come and see what we’ve got for breakfast.’

  Jack tugged the sheet back and rolled over. Camelin hopped up and perched on his shoulder.

  ‘Just because you’re King doesn’t mean you get to have a lie-in and besides, we’ve got a meeting to go to and you really don’t want to miss breakfast.’

  ‘Are you coming to the meeting too?’

  ‘I’ve been asked… and Nora.’

  ‘I’ll get up when someone calls me.’

  ‘JACK!’ Camelin croaked.

  ‘All right. Anyway, what’s the hurry?’

  ‘I’ve been down to the kitchen and breakfast’s ready. We’ve got visitors too.’

  Jack sighed and sat up. Camelin tumbled off his shoulder onto the soft mattress. He bounced up and down and half-fluttered his wings.

  ‘My bed’s just the same. I’m going to get some springs in my mattress when we get back… I’ll see you in the banqueting room.’

  When Camelin had gone, Jack realised he had no idea where the banqueting room was and hadn’t asked for directions. He didn’t know where the kitchen was either. Still, he was sure someone would show him the way if he got lost.

  He was almost ready to go when he heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, Nora stepped in.

  ‘Good, you’re up. We can go down for breakfast.’

  She led Jack along a corridor and then down a spiral staircase, into what looked like a ballroom. Their footsteps echoed as they crossed the empty room. Once they’d reached the far side, Nora opened a door. A round of applause greeted Jack when he entered. Apart from the grand surroundings, he could have been in the kitchen at Ewell House. All his friends were seated at, or on, the table. The rats and Dragonettes were at
one end, with the Dorysk, Timmery and Camelin at the other.

  Once Jack and Nora were seated, Coragwenelan rang a bell and another door swung open. Three of the household staff entered carrying large silver platters. Two were covered in cupcakes, while the third held Jack’s coronation cake. He’d not been able to examine it closely at the feast but he could see now how exquisitely it had been made. It was a topsy-turvy cake. The bottom layer stood on a tree trunk surrounded by a woodland scene. The whole cake had been made into a Fairy house, complete with a door, windows and a tiny chimney on the top.

  ‘Do you like it?’ asked Nora.

  ‘It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It looks too good to eat.’

  ‘Nothing looks too good to eat,’ said Camelin. ‘What are you waiting for? Hurry up and cut it. We don’t get to have cake for breakfast every day.’

  ‘This is the only day you’ll be allowed to have it,’ Nora told him.

  After breakfast, the Queen led the way to the Council Chamber. The palace was vast and their footsteps echoed as they walked along the corridor. When they entered the room, the Blessed Council had already assembled around the semicircular table. Two large, intricately carved chairs had been placed opposite the Council, with benches to the sides. Coragwenelan crossed to one of the throne-like chairs and indicated for Jack to sit next to her. Nora took Camelin to the side where Gwillam stood. The Queen slightly raised her right hand and the room became silent.

  ‘Please be seated. We have official business to attend to this morning. Eleanor and Camelin have been invited to join us.’

  The Queen paused. Jack glanced over at Nora. He wondered if she’d already told Gwillam and Elan about his immortality. He suddenly felt guilty when he remembered there was something he still hadn’t told everyone. He knew he was going to have to explain to the Queen and Blessed Council that he’d already asked Alindyne to be his Oak Lord, but what could he tell them? He wasn’t sure if Alindyne had accepted or not. Should he speak now? The decision was made for him when Coragwenelan began speaking again.

  ‘The Blessed Council have remained faithful to the people of Annwn in my absence. They have waited patiently for this day. It is time they introduced themselves to you.’