Chapter 7

Chapter Seven IN WHICH Jared Is Finally Pleased to Have a Twin Mallory leapt forward, brandishing her rapier. Simon held his net in awkward imitation. The unicorn shook its head, mane flying as it galloped noiselessly into the depths of the forest. "Oh ho!" said the leaf-horned elf. "Now we see the true character of humans!" "Let my brother go!" Mallory yelled. Jared suddenly had an idea. "Jared, help!" Jared called, hoping that Simon and Mallory would get the hint.

Simon just looked at him in confusion. "Jared," said Jared, "you have to help me." Then Simon smiled at him, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "Simon, are you okay?" "I'm fine, Jared." Jared pulled his leg against the grip of the roots with all his might. "But I can't move." "We'll come back with the Guide, Simon," Simon said, "and then they'll have to let you go." "No," said Jared. "If you come back, they might keep us all hostage. Make them promise!" "Our word is our bond," sniffed the green-eyed elf. "You didn't give us your word," Mallory said, looking at her brothers with growing alarm. "Promise that Jared and Mallory can leave the grove safely and that if they return, they will not be held against their will," said Jared. Mallory looked ready to protest, but she remained silent. The elves looked at the siblings with some hesitation. Finally Lorengorm nodded. "Let it be

so. Jared and Mallory may go from this grove. They will not be held here against their will now or later. Should they not bring the Guide, we will keep their brother, Simon, for all time. He will remain with us, ageless, beneath the hill, for a hundred times a hundred years—and should he ever leave, one step on the ground will bring all the missing years on to him at once." The real Simon shivered and took a step closer to Mallory. "Go swiftly," said the elf. Mallory looked searchingly at Jared. The tip of her rapier had dipped, but she was still holding it in front of her and she made no move to leave the grove. Jared tried to smile encouragingly, but he was scared and he knew it showed on his face.

They turned and looked back at him.

Shaking her head, Mallory followed Simon. After a few paces they turned and looked back at him, then started climbing the steep hill. In a few minutes they were obscured by leaves. Jared spoke. "You have to let me go," he said. "And why is that?" asked the leaf-horned elf. "You have heard our promise. We will not release you until your brother and sister have brought us the Guide." Jared shook his head. "You said you wouldn't release Simon. I'm Jared." "What?" demanded Lorengorm. The leaf-horned elf took a step toward Jared, his hands curled like claws. Jared swallowed hard. "Your word is your bond. You have to let me go." "Prove yourself, child," said the green-eyed elf. Her lips pressed in a thin line. "Here." Jared shrugged off his backpack into his trembling hands. There, along the top, three

letters were monogrammed into the red canvas: JEG. "See. Jared Evan Grace." "Go," said the leaf-horned elf, speaking the word as though it were a curse. "Much may your freedom please you if we come upon you or your false-hearted siblings again." With that, the roots untwined from Jared's legs. He ran from the grove as fast as he could. He did not look back.