09 The Wonderful Room

9 The Wonderful Room The songs of early-morning birds filled the woods. Jack opened his eyes and sighed. They were back in Frog Creek. He could breathe again. His eyes didn't sting anymore. He was wearing his own clothes, even his sneakers. “ I wonder what happened to everyone?” Annie asked anxiously. “ Andrew, Peter, and their aunt, and Betty and Fred, and all the other people. ”

Jack pulled out their research book. He turned to the last chapter. He read aloud: After the earthquake fires were put out, people from all over the world sent help to San Francisco. The brave citizens of the city never gave up hope. Many even wore badges that said, “ Let's rebuild at once. " In less than ten years, San Francisco was once again one of the loveliest cities in the United States. “ Oh, good, ” breathed Annie. “ Hey, do you have our sign?” Jack reached again into his pack. He pulled out the sign from Peter and Andrew. He placed it on the floor, next to the list from the Civil War, the letter from the Revolutionary War, and the slate from the pioneer schoolhouse.

“ We have all four writings now, " he said. “ So what happens next?" said Annie. Suddenly, there was a roar. A bright light flashed through the tree house. Jack covered his face. When he peeked over the tops of his fingers, he saw Morgan le Fay. “ Morgan! " Jack and Annie cried joyfully. They both hugged her. Morgan hugged them back. “ We found the four special writings for your library! " said Jack. Annie picked up the list and the letter. Jack picked up the slate and the sign. “ Here they are! " he said. They started to give everything to Morgan. But she held up her hand. “ Do not give them to me, " she said. “ Someone else needs them more. ”

Suddenly, a blinding light flashed through the tree house again. There came a great roar, then silence. When Jack and Annie opened their eyes, they were no longer in the magic tree house. They were standing in a huge, shadowy room. The room smelled wonderful-like leather, books, and a wood-burning fire. Flames crackled in a huge stone hearth. Along the walls were rows and rows of tall bookcases filled with books. “ Welcome to my library, " Morgan said softly. “ Wow, ” whispered Jack. “ Someone here is waiting to meet you, " said Morgan. “ I told him that two special messenger's would soon arrive. “ Where is he?" asked Annie.

Morgan pointed to a man dressed in dark blue in a corner of the library. He sat in a chair, His head was bowed. His hair was black streaked with silver. “ He looks tired, ” Annie whispered. “ Yes, he and his knights have been defeated, " Morgan said quietly. “ He has given up all hope for his kingdom. ” “ How can we help him?" asked Annie. Morgan looked down at the special writings that Jack and Annie held. “ Would it help if we showed him these?” Jack asked. Morgan smiled. “ Come on, let's show him! " said Annie. They crossed the room and knelt before the tired-looking man. “ Excuse me, " Annie said

The man looked up. He had sad gray eyes. “ We're Morgan's messengers. We've come to help, " said Jack.