The Oak Lord

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘But it’s hungry work being a raven and I need to refuel. We’re going to the far side of the mountains today.’

  ‘I’m afraid you’re not,’ Nora told him.

  Jack could see Camelin was about to complain and thought he’d better explain.

  ‘We’re going home today.’

  ‘No! I’ve still got places to go and things to see.’

  Nora let out a loud sigh.

  ‘Jack’s got to go back to school and there’s something he wants to do before he returns to Brenin House.’

  ‘Like what?’ Camelin grumbled.

  ‘I want to bring Newton Gill Forest back to life.’

  Camelin spluttered and sprayed food everywhere.

  ‘The whole forest!’

  ‘The whole forest.’

  ‘But it’s dead wood, nothing’s grown in there for years.’

  ‘I need to try. Besides, it’s all arranged. Once we’re home, the Oak Lord’s going to help me. Together we’re going to attempt to restore life to the trees.’

  Camelin humphed.

  ‘Those trees won’t just sprout leaves, you know.’

  ‘Jack knows that,’ said Nora.

  Jack looked at Camelin and tried to explain.

  ‘I have to do something now. Allana will be stronger by the spring and the Oak Lord will be there all the time to look after everything until the forest is fully restored.’

  Elan passed Jack a plate of buttered crumpets.

  ‘We’ll be there to help in any way we can. Many will be grateful if Newton Gill Forest flourishes again.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack as he reached for the jam. ‘I want to help the Gnarles. If the trees are restored the Dryads can return and they’ll have company again. There’ll be a forest in Elidon again too. If the rowan trees grow they’ll drive away the Hags and ensure Judd has protection. He’ll never be bothered by any of them again. It will be a safe and beautiful place for the Fairies to visit too.’

  Nora looked at Jack.

  ‘We said you’d make a great king. Some would have abused the power you have, but already you are taking your role as King of the Forest seriously. I knew from the start you were the one we’d been waiting for. It makes all the years Elan and I spent caring for the Hamadryads worthwhile. It was always our dearest wish to ensure the forests were protected again. Now each has a Hamadryad, a king to rule over them and an Oak Lord to protect them…’

  ‘… and our fair land once more has a worthy king,’ added Elan.

  ‘Oh please,’ interrupted Camelin, ‘it’s breakfast time. Can’t we just eat?’

  When everything was packed, they made their way to the lakeside. Gwillam was waiting for them on the far shore and accompanied them as far as the hill that stood before the Western Portal. There hadn’t been any ceremony as they left the palace and Gwillam seemed to be most concerned about when they’d be coming back.

  ‘You only have to step through the portal,’ he told Jack. ‘You know you can come and go as you please now you’re King.’

  ‘I thought we’d try to come back most weekends,’ said Nora.

  Jack whooped for joy. He knew they’d planned to be back for Yule in December, but he hadn’t really wanted to wait that long. He couldn’t think of anything better than to be able to just step through the portal, spend a few days in Annwn and then return home to find he’d only been gone a few minutes.

  Gwillam said his goodbyes and left them to climb the hill. Jack and Elan carried the cauldron between them and Camelin rode on Nora’s shoulder. The Night Guard had already gone on ahead. Timmery had decided to stay with the Dragonettes for a while, which didn’t please Camelin. The Dorysk, and Fairies from the Meadow Mound, had all been invited to stay a while longer too. Inside the cauldron sat Raggs, Saige and Orin, each on a velvet cushion, gifts from the Queen. It wasn’t long before they were standing outside the Western Portal. Jack turned around for one last look at the blue sky and green landscape that was bathed in sunshine.

  ‘Are we ready?’ asked Nora.

  ‘Ready,’ they all replied.

  Elan looked at Jack.

  ‘Would you like to open the portal?’

  Jack pointed his finger at the arched doorway. He willed it to open. Within seconds a low rumbling sound could be heard as the two halves of the door began to part. They swung open easily and the now-familiar glowing green light swirled before them.

  ‘Time to go home,’ said Nora.

  It had been almost dawn when Jack had entered the Mound. Through the trees he could see the sun had already risen. Nora pointed her wand at Glasruhen Gate. The intricately carved arched doorway completely disappeared. Between the two sentinel oaks was an empty space.

  ‘There’s no need for me to move the portal any more. It will be perfectly safe inside the standing stone circle.’

  Camelin swooped down onto one of the branches.

  ‘When are you doing your stuff in Newton Gill?’

  ‘As soon as I can.’

  ‘I’ll see you later, then. I’ve got things to do and places to go.’

  Before Nora could say anything, he was airborne.

  Elan and Jack lowered the cauldron.

  ‘Nora and I can manage this from here,’ Elan told him. ‘Do you want to go over to Newton Gill Forest now? We can come and join you after we’ve got the cauldron back to Ewell House.’

  ‘I think this is something the Oak Lord and I have to do on our own, if you don’t mind.’

  Nora looked intently at Jack.

  ‘Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t succeed. You’ve set yourself an immense task.’

  ‘I have to try. It’s going to take too long to plant a whole forest full of new trees and wait for them to grow. I’m sure with the help of the Oak Lord, and my green magic, we can do something to rescue the trees that are already there. I made the hazel tree live. That shouldn’t have been possible but it happened.’

  Nora nodded her approval.

  Jack turned to the right and made his way to the far side of the hedge that surrounded the standing stones. He no longer needed Cory to open it for him. He raised his hand and the bush parted. Once he was through, it sealed itself again. It was only a short walk to the edge of Newton Gill. The forest looked even more desolate now it was almost winter. Jack made his way along the path. The whole forest was silent, its former inhabitants now safe in Steaple Lacy Wood. Even though it was morning, there was hardly any light. The gloom deepened and, with each step he took, the dampness of the forest floor soaked his trainers. The further he walked into the heart of the forest, the deeper the shadows around him became. He could see the twisted and misshapen noses of the Gnarles as he passed each tree. He didn’t want to wake them and raise their hopes by having to explain why he was there. The old Gnori and Peabody’s front door eventually came into sight. Jack’s heart leapt when he saw how tall the new Hamadryad had grown, but next to the Gnori she still looked quite small.

  ‘Allana,’ he whispered.

  The oak shook her branches and seemed to turn in his direction. Jack knew it was time. He stood very still, closed his eyes and spoke the Oak Lord’s name.

  ‘Alindyne Brenin, I am in need of your help.’

  Jack heard the rustling of leaves. He looked over at Allana but she wasn’t moving. He felt a change in the temperature as a warm breeze brushed past him. The leaf-covered body of a tall man began to form. Soon the Oak Lord appeared. Jack watched as Alindyne inhaled deeply and let out a long, slow breath. He bent over and scooped up a handful of the rich earth before letting it fall slowly through his fingers. When he turned around he bowed to Jack.

  ‘My Liege, this is a sight I never thought to see again. It is good to have the sky above my head, the earth beneath my feet and to see one of the Mother Oak’s children.’

  Jack could see Alindyne’s eyes twinkle as he gazed at Allana, but his expression changed when he looked beyond her at the forest.

  ‘I see we have much to do if we
are to restore this forest to its former glory but with our combined gifts, I’m sure we can find a way to bring new life to every tree.’

  Jack thought back to when he’d sat in the chair at Steaple Lacy. He’d been told the Oak Lord would need to summon the power of all four elements in order to perform green magic. From the depths of his memory, words began to form in his mind. They weren’t quite the same as the ones they’d used to give protection to Steaple Lacy Wood. Jack listened to the words again before he spoke.

  Earth, Fire, Water, Air,

  Send your power everywhere.

  Air, Water, Fire, Earth,

  To each tree bestow rebirth.

  Jack wasn’t sure what was going to happen but when he looked up at Alindyne, he could see that tendrils of ivy had begun to sprout from each of his fingertips. The Oak Lord held out his arms and pointed them towards the base of the trees. The ivy grew rapidly and wrapped itself around each trunk. It travelled fast among the Gnarles and outwards to the other trees of the forest. Jack eventually lost sight of the creeping vine, but he knew it would reach every tree in the forest before it stopped. Already the trees looked more alive with their green mantle of leaves.

  The Oak Lord chanted the words Jack had spoken:

  Earth, Fire, Water,

  Air, Send your power everywhere.

  Air, Water, Fire, Earth,

  To each tree bestow rebirth.

  The ivy stems dropped from his fingers. He raised his hands and cupped them around his mouth. He breathed out slowly as he turned a full circle. His green breath spread through the trees and clung to the bare branches. Many times he turned until he finally dropped his hands and spoke.

  ‘My part is done. I have given each tree a lifeline. Until their leaves grow, the ivy will connect them to each other. I have hung the breath of life, the spirit of the green, around each tree. It is up to you now to transfer the gift Arrana gave you into each one of them. Pick up the tendrils and use the green magic within you to make the forest grow again.’

  Jack bent over and gathered the ends of the vine together. Once they were firmly in his grip, he concentrated hard. He visualised the bare branches and willed buds to appear. He imagined each one opening and the leaves bursting forth. In his mind he formed the foliage into a canopy and visualised the whole forest. He opened his eyes expecting to see the image he’d just formed. He was disappointed when he saw that nothing had changed. Instead of leafy trees, the green mist from the Oak Lord’s breath still clung to the bare branches.

  ‘What went wrong? Why hasn’t anything changed?’

  ‘Hold your golden acorn, for within it lies Arrana’s power.’

  Jack clasped the acorn with his right hand and held the ivy tendrils in his left. He inhaled slowly and spoke the spell for the third time.

  Earth, Fire, Water, Air,

  Send your power everywhere.

  Air, Water, Fire, Earth,

  To each tree bestow rebirth.

  There was a blinding flash. The green mist glowed brightly for an instant before disappearing into each tree. When only the bare branches remained, Jack felt the tendrils jolt in his hand. A spark travelled down each one. It darted and danced, in and around and through the forest. Eventually the tingling in his hand stopped. The Oak Lord took the tendrils from Jack. He bent over, scooped a hole in the soft earth and planted them.

  ‘We have done all we can. I will protect the Hamadryad and ensure she continues to grow. We will have to wait until the spring to see if our work here has been successful.’

  Jack didn’t feel elated or satisfied. He’d hoped to have felt a sense of achievement and to have seen some sign that they’d been successful. Apart from the ivy, there wasn’t much to show for all the effort they’d put in. It was going to be a long wait until the spring. He turned to Alindyne.

  ‘Thank you for your help. I’m not sure what we’ve accomplished but we’ve done our best. It is good to know you’ll be watching over the young Hamadryads. If I need you I will call, but how can you contact me?’

  ‘If there is aught you need to know I will send word through the trees of Glasruhen. Rest assured that I will be watching closely for signs of our success.’

  The Oak Lord bowed low to Jack and then he was gone. A sudden creak from one of the trees made Jack spin round. Camelin was perched on one of the Gnori’s low branches.

  ‘It’s a bit of a mess in here. There’s ivy all over the place.’

  ‘The Oak Lord put it there. It’s to help restore the forest but I don’t know if it will work.’

  ‘Course it will. You’re the King of the Forest and King of Annwn. Nora sent me to tell you breakfast’s ready whenever you are. Of course, if His Majesty isn’t hungry, there’ll be more for me!’

  ‘I’m ready, there’s nothing else I can do here.’

  ‘Great, I’ll race you back.’

  Before Jack could answer, Camelin was gone. It was an unfair race; one Jack couldn’t possibly win. He decided not to rush. He wanted to remember and savour every moment of the last few days, now he’d finally got some time to himself.

  EPILOGUE

  Jack looked at the book Nora and Elan had given him for his birthday. He was supposed to be using it to chronicle his life but since he’d been back from his coronation, he hadn’t had much time to write anything. The new term meant he’d been busy with his schoolwork. He’d spent time rehearsing with the choir for the Christmas concert and kept Grandad company at night, playing cards by the fire.

  The only writing he’d done was to Elan. She’d gone back to Annwn for a while and he’d written to her every night before he’d gone to sleep. She kept him informed of anything he might need to know, which was very little at the moment.

  Camelin, Timmery and the Dragonettes had spent a lot of time in Annwn and Jack had only seen them at the weekends. The short days and long winter nights meant he hadn’t been out after he’d come home from school. He felt as if he were hibernating and he longed for the spring. He missed flying with Camelin most of all. His time on Earth seemed dreary in comparison to the time he spent in Annwn. He’d been through the portal many times now and after each visit, he’d come back refreshed and determined to begin the account of his life but, as yet, he’d not written a word. There were other things he needed to record too. There’d been a meeting with Chief Knuckle, visits to Elidon and the finding of a new home for Peabody in Steaple Lacy Wood.

  Now it was nearly the end of term. His dad would be back soon. It had been a great birthday present to find out he was coming home for good, but it would be an even better Christmas present when he finally arrived.

  Jack looked at two envelopes he’d propped up on his dressing table. The smaller one was an invitation to Techno’s Christmas party, which he was looking forward to. The larger one contained four tickets to the school concert. He hoped his dad was going to be home in time to join Nora, Elan and Grandad, who’d all said they’d be there to listen to him sing.

  Jack sighed. The news he’d really longed for hadn’t arrived yet. Since his meeting with Alindyne in Newton Gill Forest, he’d not heard anything from the Oak Lord at all. Jack had been tempted a few times to call him, but there didn’t seem much point as it was winter and nothing seemed to be happening in the woods.

  Jack ran his fingers over the soft blue leather of his book. He traced each golden letter of his name before picking up his pen and opening the front cover. He’d already made up his mind to begin his journal from when he’d arrived in Glasruhen. Nora had promised him another book once this one was full. He hadn’t told her he’d not begun writing yet, and the longer he left it, the harder it got. A loud tap on the window made him jump. Orin bounded onto the windowsill.

  ‘It’s Camelin,’ she told him, ‘and he’s got something in his beak.’

  Jack shivered as he opened the window. Camelin hopped in and dropped a parchment scroll on the bed.

  ‘You took your time. It’s cold out there. You wouldn’t happen to have a
spare snack up here, would you? I’ve flown all the way from Annwn with your invitation.’

  ‘Invitation?’

  ‘It’s from the Queen! We’ve all got one and I know what it says because I’ve already read mine. You’ve been asked to attend the Yuletide celebrations. We’re all going. You too, Orin, you’ve been included on Motley’s invite.’

  Jack picked up the scroll. It had been tied with a golden ribbon and the seal of Annwn had been pressed into it. His name had been written in runes above it.

  He broke the seal, slipped off the ribbon, unrolled the parchment and then read the runes aloud:

  The Queen requests your company on the eve of the Winter Solstice, in the Banqueting Hall at the Glass Palace, to celebrate the beginning of Yule.

  ‘That’s just before Christmas,’ Camelin informed him.

  Jack rolled up the scroll and slipped the ribbon back on. That was something else he’d got to look forward to.

  Camelin hopped over to the open book.

  ‘Have you made a start yet?’

  ‘I was just about to begin when you tapped on the window.’

  ‘Well, I’ve got places to go, so if you let me out you can get on with it. You’ve got a lot to write, you know, and don’t forget to mention who helped you every step of the way. You know, Jack, from the first time I saw you, I knew you were the one… It was obvious, right from the start.’

  Camelin hopped onto the windowsill.

  ‘Oh! I nearly forgot. I flew through Newton Gill tonight on my way here and you’ll never guess what. There’s buds on the trees.’

  Jack whooped for joy. If there were buds, then the leaves would surely follow in the spring. He let Camelin out and decided he’d go over to Newton Gill in the morning and see for himself. If it were true, he’d summon the Oak Lord. It would certainly be something to celebrate.

  Jack sat down again in front of the open book, picked up the pen and, in his best handwriting, wrote…

  A NOTE FROM CAMELIN

  Jack has been writing the account of his life in the book Nora and Elan gave him. He really ought to put it in a safe place and not where I, or anyone else, might accidentally read it.