The Golden Acorn

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘Not a word when we get back,’ warned Camelin. ‘If they think we’ve eaten we won’t be allowed any lunch and it’s a roast today with apple pie for afters.’

  ‘Not a word,’ Jack promised.

  ‘Come on, time to go. We’ve got someone to see.’

  Camelin took off and Jack followed. He circled around the top of the church tower before landing on a parapet which ran around the bottom of the belfry. Once he’d landed and looked around Jack gasped; the view was amazing. He could see the whole area. Glasruhen Hill loomed high above them. He could see the Forest where he’d met Arrana and Newton Gill further along. Below was Ewell House. It wasn’t hard for Jack to understand why Peabody had climbed the bell tower to spy on him.

  ‘Won’t they be worried about us. We’ve been gone a long time now?’

  ‘That’s why I’ve brought us up here, so we’ve got an excuse when we get back. We’re visiting!’

  Jack looked around but couldn’t see anyone.

  Camelin threw his head back. ‘Timmery,’ he shouted as loudly as he could.

  There was a movement from the ceiling of the belfry. A sleepy face peered down at them from the far corner. As soon as Timmery realised who’d called he got really excited and flittered down.

  ‘Hello, hello, this is an unexpected pleasure. So good of you to drop in.’

  ‘Just being sociable,’ Camelin said sarcastically. ‘And I’ve got a message for you from Nora.’

  Camelin seemed disappointed that the tiny bat wasn’t annoyed. He didn’t seem to mind being woken up in daylight and looked genuinely pleased to have visitors.

  ‘Does this mean you can fly now Jack Brenin?’ he fussed. ‘You’ll be as good a flyer as Camelin in no time, just you wait and see.’

  Camelin coughed loudly and frowned at Timmery.

  ‘Jack’s going home this afternoon and Nora says you’re to keep a watch over his house tonight. Orin’s going to be with him too… but most importantly, I don’t need you to report anything to me at all unless there’s a really big problem… understand?’

  Timmery nodded vigorously until Camelin was satisfied that he’d understood.

  ‘Well, we mustn’t disturb your sleep. It’s about time we got back.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ piped Timmery. ‘Aren’t you going to stay a bit longer?’

  ‘Nope,’ replied Camelin. ‘Just a flying visit.’

  ‘Oh do come again,’ Timmery fussed. ‘I love visitors, any time, night or day.’

  ‘Well I only have visitors during the day,’ Camelin grumbled, ‘so there’s no need for you to come calling on me in the middle of the night.’

  He took off before Timmery could say anything else.

  ‘Goodbye,’ said Jack politely. ‘Must fly!’

  As Jack flew over the hedge of Ewell House he saw Nora on the patio with her arms folded looking crossly at Camelin. He could hear her telling him off. He landed on the grass and hopped over to them.

  ‘You were supposed to have stayed in the grounds. What would you have done if you’d had a problem?’

  ‘I only took Jack to see Timmery and to give him your message. I wouldn’t have taken him if he wasn’t flying so well,’ Camelin said with as much innocence as he could muster. ‘And it’s such a great view from the top of the belfry, I thought it would help Jack have a better understanding of where everything is.’

  ‘I don’t suppose any harm’s been done, but next time you must tell me when you intend to go out. We were very worried. It’s only Jack’s first time out and I can’t believe you woke Timmery up in the middle of the day. You were supposed to give him my message after supper.’

  Camelin winked at Jack as he hung his head down as far as it would go.

  ‘Timmery was very pleased to see us,’ added Jack. ‘He didn’t seem to mind being woken up.’

  ‘I’m very sorry,’ said Camelin. ‘I won’t do it again.’

  He gave Nora his pathetic, forlorn look and she forgave him.

  ‘Your Grandad’s calling round for you after dinner on his way home from the Cricket Club. I invited him to eat with us but he said he was having a pub lunch with some friends from the Gardening Club.

  Jack and Camelin waddled over to the herborium. Jack lay on the floor once he’d transformed back. His arms and legs ached very badly, worse than they’d done before.

  ‘Take this with you,’ Nora said as she put a brown jar on the table. ‘Rub that on your arms and legs tonight before you go to bed. It’s for aching muscles.’

  ‘Thanks. It was worth the pain. Being able to fly is the best thing in the whole world.’

  The rest of the day went quickly. It was a hot afternoon and the animals settled down to sleep. Elan, Nora and Jack got their wands out after lunch and went into the garden. Nora wanted to make Grub look more like a tree and turned his clothes into bark. Elan made his hair into branches and Jack added the leaves.

  ‘That’s better,’ Nora said as she stood back to make sure Grub’s face couldn’t be seen. ‘The sooner we hear from Chief Knuckle the better. It took nearly twenty minutes to feed him this morning.’

  ‘When do you think he’ll get the acorn back?’ asked Jack.

  ‘It depends where Peabody is,’ replied Nora. ‘With any luck he’ll still be hiding out in the Gnori at Newton Gill. If he is we’ll have it back in no time.’

  ‘Are you ready for tomorrow?’ Elan asked Jack as they watched Nora repair the picnic table.

  ‘Tomorrow?’

  ‘School! It’s your first day, isn’t it?’

  ‘It is,’ sighed Jack, ‘I don’t want to go. I wish you were coming with me.’

  ‘I don’t think I’d fit in. I can learn what I need to know from Nora’s library.’

  ‘I’m worried about those boys I saw on the field last week.’

  ‘I’ll come and meet you if you want. Nora’s already asked your Grandad if you can come round and do your homework here every night after school. She just didn’t tell him what kind of homework you’d be doing!’

  Jack and Elan laughed.

  ‘The day won’t go quick enough. Now I can fly I just can’t wait to do it again.’

  ‘Do you want me to meet you?’

  Jack didn’t know what to say. It would be good to walk home with someone but that someone was a girl and if the boys saw him they’d probably torment him about it. Then he thought of a solution.

  ‘If you don’t mind I’m going to see if Grandad will meet me, just for the first few days. You could come along with him if you wanted.’

  ‘That’s a great idea,’ Elan agreed.

  The thought of school was a bit more bearable now Jack knew he’d be back at Ewell House every night.

  ‘I might have other homework to do as well and I’m going to have to do it before I go home.’

  ‘It’s not a problem. Nora and I can help you if you get stuck and we’ll make sure Camelin doesn’t disturb you until you’ve finished.’

  ‘Thanks,’ replied Jack. He couldn’t believe he’d only been at Grandad’s for just over a week. So much had happened in that time.

  Before Grandad arrived Jack went up to see Camelin and collect Orin.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow night then.’

  ‘Naw,’ Camelin laughed. ‘Why wait that long? I’ll be round later tonight. When I see your bedroom light go on I’ll tap on your window.’

  ‘Brilliant!’ We’ll be able to carry on with your lessons. Grandad won’t hear us because he has the television on loud and the lounge is at the other side of the house.’

  ‘Can’t have you flying better than I can read, can we?’

  Camelin chuckled so loudly he woke Orin.

  There was a loud knock on the front door. ‘Time to go,’ said Jack wistfully.

  ‘See you later, and don’t forget I’ll be hungry. It’s hard work reading.’

  It was Jack’s turn to laugh. Orin jumped onto Jack’s hand and made herself at home in his pocket. Jack collected his backpack
from the spare room and went down to meet Grandad. He found everyone in the kitchen.

  ‘Just been getting my things,’ he explained.

  ‘Nora says you’ve all had a good weekend.’

  ‘The best,’ replied Jack. ‘Thanks for an amazing time.’

  ‘You can come over next weekend and stay again if you like,’ Nora said. ‘I know Elan will be glad of the company and I’m sure you’ve got things already planned Sam.’

  Grandad nodded.

  ‘It’s a busy time, what with the gardening and cricket, but I don’t want him to be a nuisance or be in the way.’

  ‘If Jack wants to come he’ll be more than welcome,’ said Nora and gave Jack a wink that Grandad didn’t see.

  ‘Bye,’ called Elan from the gate as she waved to them. ‘See you tomorrow night.’

  Jack smiled as they walked back along the lane. He was happy. It had been a long time since he’d felt like this. He hadn’t wanted to come and live with Grandad but, now he was here, he couldn’t think of anywhere on earth he’d rather be. His life had been changed forever. He was a raven boy like Camelin now and could fly. He looked towards Glasruhen Forest and wondered if Arrana was alright. He knew she’d be kept informed about his flying lessons. She’d also know it wasn’t his fault the golden acorn was missing. He’d have to ask Nora if he could fly over with Camelin into Glasruhen Forest at the weekend to see her. Flying really was going to have lots of benefits. He hoped his muscles would get used to it soon; he still ached. Camelin had told him they had a lot of things to practice before they’d be ready to go through the window in time but Jack didn’t care. He couldn’t wait to fly again.

  BAD NEWS

  Jack’s first day at school went quicker and better than he’d expected. He’d worried about what his new classmates would be like and if he’d fit in, but it hadn’t been as bad as he’d thought. None of the boys he’d met on the playing field were in his class and all the teachers had been friendly. At the end of the afternoon Grandad and Elan were waiting for him by the back gate which led into the lane.

  ‘Good day?’ Grandad asked.

  ‘It was OK. I’ve put my name down for the choir auditions. They’re doing a concert at the end of term.’

  ‘Good for you,’ said Grandad and patted Jack on the back. ‘Got a lot of homework tonight?’

  ‘I’ve got things I have to do,’ Jack replied. He didn’t want to lie to Grandad but he couldn’t tell him about the flying lessons.

  ‘Nora said Jack can use her library for his homework,’ said Elan.

  ‘That’s really kind. I’ve only got a few books and most of them are about gardening,’ Grandad replied.

  ‘See you later then,’ Jack said as they reached Grandad’s gate.

  ‘Dinner’s at six. Don’t be late.’

  ‘I won’t,’ Jack promised.

  ‘Were you OK today?’ Elan asked when they were alone.

  ‘It was fine apart from my aching muscles and not being able to concentrate too well.’

  Jack looked around.

  ‘Where’s Camelin?’

  ‘Keeping watch,’ laughed Elan, ‘just in case you had any trouble. He said he wanted to be ready for those boys if they showed up and started anything.’

  Camelin must have heard his name. He appeared above them and spiralled into a nosedive. He pulled out at the last moment with a backwards flip.

  ‘Wow!’ exclaimed Jack.

  ‘Don’t encourage him!’ laughed Elan. ‘He’ll get bigheaded.’

  Camelin swooped round and landed carefully on Jack’s shoulder.

  ‘Ready for your lesson?’ he croaked, then whispered in Jack’s ear, ‘See you later for mine.’

  Jack only had two things he needed to find out for homework and Elan knew exactly where to look in Nora’s library. It wasn’t long before he was able to transform. He worked on landing and taking off and managed to fly in and out of Camelin’s loft. The time went too quickly and Jack had to hurry down to the gap in the hedge and run all the way back to Grandad’s.

  Later when Jack was in his room, Camelin tapped on the window. He had a piece of paper in his beak. Jack thought it was a letter from Nora until he saw the drawings. There was a circle filled with smaller circles, a raspberry, an ice cream and a lot of long lines which Jack recognised as noodles.

  ‘Can you put the letters on?’ Camelin asked. ‘It’s for Orin.’

  Jack looked again at the pictures and realised the first had to be an oatcake. He wrote O R I N in big capital letters and pegged it onto her cage.

  ‘Not bad,’ he said. ‘I’m sure she’ll love it.’

  ‘Of course she won’t know the letters but she’ll be able to read my pictures,’ croaked Camelin, obviously pleased with himself.

  By Thursday night Jack had settled into his new routine. The school wasn’t the same as he’d been used to but he liked his teacher and no one had bothered him. Elan came to meet him at the gate and they’d talk about the things he’d done during the day. As soon as he arrived at Ewell House he went to the library and did his homework, then concentrated on flying. After dark Camelin would arrive for his lesson and once he’d gone Jack played with Orin until she snuggled down on his bed. It was then he’d get out his Book of Shadows and ask as many questions as he could. He learnt more about Hamadryads, the High Druid and the sacred groves. He found out about the four main festivals which used to take place on top of Glasruhen Hill. He’d tried discussing what he’d read with Camelin but the raven wasn’t interested, so instead he told Orin.

  On the Thursday night he made a discovery which worried him. It was something he needed to speak to Elan about and it couldn’t wait until tomorrow. He opened his book at the first page and wrote her name at the top. He glanced at the clock; it was getting late. He hoped she hadn’t gone to bed. He hesitated. It was hard to begin to write what he wanted to say.

  The book says that to open the window in time everything must be equal. It says that those performing the ritual must have the same powers. Is this right?

  Jack watched the words fade into the page. He paced up and down the room. This was going to be a big problem. Nora had said she was the last Druid on Earth. Without someone with the same powers they’d never be able to perform the ritual. What would they do? Where could they find another Druid to help them? He tapped his wand in his hand impatiently.

  ‘Look!’ Orin squeaked. ‘You’ve got some writing.’

  Jack quickly read Elan’s answer.

  Yes, that’s right.

  He felt even more anxious,

  Who will help her?

  The reply wasn’t what Jack expected.

  I will.

  We’ll talk about it tomorrow.

  Jack was going to have to wait. He tried asking the book more questions about the ritual but wasn’t able to get any more answers. Eventually the book snapped shut and refused to open again. There was nothing else he could do but go to bed and wait until after school to find out more from Elan. He didn’t sleep well.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Elan as they walked towards Ewell House.

  ‘I don’t understand how you’re going to help Nora. You’ve got to have exactly the same powers; how can that be?’

  ‘Some things aren’t as they appear.’

  ‘That doesn’t answer the question.’

  Elan sighed deeply.

  ‘There are still some things we haven’t told you.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Well, you know I can shape shift…’

  ‘Into a ferret.’

  ‘…not just into a ferret. I’m like Nora.’

  Jack’s mouth fell open. He stopped walking and stared at Elan.

  ‘You mean you’re not a girl?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘What are you? I thought you were my friend. I thought Nora was your aunt.’

  ‘I am your friend but Nora isn’t my aunt.’

  ‘Are you a Druid?’

  ‘No, I’m a nymph.’


  ‘Not like Jennet?’

  ‘No, I’m one of the Fair Folk of Annwn.’

  ‘Did you shape shift into a girl on purpose to trick me?’

  ‘Oh Jack, no, I wouldn’t do such a thing. When the cauldron plates went missing I got trapped here with Nora. There was a group of us waiting to make the last journey into Annwn but, as you know, we couldn’t go. While we waited for someone to help us Nora chose to be old and I chose to be young.’

  Jack shook his head in disbelief. This meant Elan had to be the same age as Nora.

  ‘So what do you look like?’

  ‘When you find the cauldron plates and we reopen the Western Portal into Annwn you’ll be able to see me as I really am, but not until then.’

  Jack didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t even considered that Elan was anything other than she appeared. He thought she’d learned how to do things with her wand from Nora, just as he had.

  ‘Will I ever see you again if we succeed?’

  ‘I have to return to Annwn to renew my strength. Like Nora and Arrana I won’t survive forever on Earth, but it doesn’t mean I won’t see you again.’

  Jack swallowed hard. His eyes watered as he fought back the tears. Saying goodbye to Nora, Elan and Camelin wasn’t something he’d be able to do easily. They’d probably soon forget about him once they went through the portal. No matter what Elan said he might never see them again. He swallowed hard and straightened his back. He’d promised to help and he would. He’d been having fun and had forgotten it was a matter of life and death for Nora and Arrana and now, it seemed, for Elan too. They were his friends and he wouldn’t let them down.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Elan asked as she put her hand on Jack’s arm.

  ‘I am now,’ he replied and managed to smile. ‘It was just a bit of a shock.’

  ‘That’s why we didn’t tell you everything at once. We didn’t want you to be frightened and run away.’

  ‘I probably would have done. I’m good at running.’