The Lost Treasure of Annwn (21 page)

‘That was some feast,' Camelin said to Jack, as they made their way to the room they shared in Gwillam's house. ‘Why have you got to go back to the palace later?'

‘Elan said it was just a formality. I've got to prove that I am who I say I am.'

‘That's stupid, of course you're you, who else would you be?'

‘An impostor.'

‘Why would anyone try to be you?'

‘I suppose if I'm to be crowned king they want to make sure I'm worthy.'

‘'Course you're worthy; you're the best, Jack. If they let me come too I could tell them that.'

‘I'm sorry. It's something I've got to do on my own.'

‘I thought we were friends; you're always off doing things without me these days. I liked it better when it was just us two.'

‘You don't stop being friends with someone just because you're not with them.'

‘It's not the same when you're not there. It's fun when we're together.'

‘Once the buggy race is over we'll have the rest of the summer to do things before I go back to school.'

Camelin hopped around Jack and started his shuffle dance then stopped abruptly.

‘Ouch! I think I need to lie down, that was one big meal, even for a hungry raven.'

Jack opened the door to their room. Someone had laid clothes out for him on his bed. A long tunic, leggings, a sash and a cape, were neatly folded on the sheet.

‘I'll get changed while you sleep your dinner off.'

By the time Jack was dressed, Camelin was laid on his back with his feet in the air snoring loudly. Jack closed the door quietly and made his way back to the kitchen.

‘Are you ready?' asked Nora, as she turned Jack around and inspected him. ‘You'll do. Now, just be yourself, do what's asked of you, and don't look so frightened.'

‘I'm not frightened.'

‘Try to smile then.'

Jack smiled weakly. His stomach was churning and although he felt honoured he still wondered if they'd got the right person. How could he be king? He wasn't a man, he didn't have much experience of the world and he wasn't big or strong. His thoughts were interrupted by Gwillam's arrival.

‘It's time Jack. We need to be going, we don't want to be late for the Council Meeting.'

As Jack stood up Nora passed him his wand and invitation. Gwillam also passed him something.

‘It goes on your belt. You can use the pouch for the invitation and you'll find your wand fits into the loops at the side.'

Jack let Nora put the pouch on him. When everything was safely stowed away he checked the chain around his neck to make sure he'd not forgotten his acorn. That was one thing he wouldn't have to verify, his acorn had been a gift from the Queen, made by the master goldsmith of Annwn. He took a deep breath and followed Gwillam out of the kitchen and into the darkness beyond.

 

‘Wait here,' Gwillam told Jack as they approached a bench outside the council chamber. ‘Someone will call for you soon. When they do, enter. The Blessed Council will be waiting to greet you.'

Jack sat on the hard wooden bench. He was in a corridor that was lit by rush lights. As the lights flickered he tried to see if there was anyone on the other side of the circular window beyond where he sat. After what seemed like an eternity the door opened again. A tall Druid banged his staff three times and announced loudly, ‘Jack Brenin.'

Jack stood and walked into the dimly lit chamber. All the curtains had been drawn. This was to be a private meeting. Gwillam stood up. He didn't speak until the Druid who had admitted Jack was seated.

‘We have invited you here, Jack Brenin, to verify your right to the kingship of Annwn. All rise for the Queen.'

There was a scraping of chairs as the other twelve members of the Blessed Council stood. Jack turned around so he was facing the door through which Coragwenelan would emerge. He'd been in the room beyond before, as a prisoner. His mind flashed back to the events of his trial. If Velindur knew he was standing here before the council as their prospective future king, he would be furious. The door at the far end of the room swung open soundlessly and out stepped Coragwenelan. Not only was she wearing her pearl encrusted crown but she also carried a silver staff. The long blue mantle, draped over her shoulders, trailed behind her as she slowly walked to her throne.

‘I bid you welcome,' she said, as she sat.

Gwillam walked to Jack's side and bowed.

‘Your Majesty, before you stands Jack Brenin, the one we believe to be the true heir to throne of Annwn. The one who is worthy to sit by your side and rule this fair land.'

Gwillam gave Jack a nudge in the back. He stepped forward and bowed.

‘And what says the Book of Law?' asked the Queen.

From the corner of his eye, Jack could see one of the members of the Blessed Council walk to a lectern, upon which lay an ancient book. He used two hands to open the cover then carefully turned the pages to the place he needed. He coughed twice before reading aloud in a great booming voice that filled the chamber.

‘One day, the heir to the throne of Annwn will stand before the Queen and Blessed Council. He shall have all the qualities of kingship, be compassionate and just, courageous and strong, and a friend to all, a true Brenin. He will be charged with a quest, to prove beyond doubt his worthiness to rule over this Fair Land and its people.'

Coragwenelan nodded her thanks to the Druid. She turned and smiled encouragingly at Jack.

‘Who verifies this boy's ancestry?' asked Gwillam.

‘I do,' replied the Queen. ‘There is one who lives on Earth at Ewell House. She has lived next to the old king's ancestral home from the beginning and watched each generation come and go. This boy, who stands before you, is the true heir of the king who was never crowned. The heir of the one who lies in The Mound, whose reign was measured only by the length of each feast, and no more. He who was unable to be crowned, and who never had the opportunity to recover the torc of kingship before mortality overtook him. I swear to you all, this boy is his direct descendant.'

Gwillam nodded to the smallest Druid standing at the far end of the curved table. He sat, picked up a quill pen and wrote onto a piece of parchment. Gwillam turned and addressed the rest of the council.

‘Please be seated, it is time for Jack Brenin to verify his identity.'

Jack swallowed hard. He suddenly felt very small and insignificant. Nora had told him to show the council his wand and his acorn. He pulled his wand from the side of the pouch and offered it to Gwillam, who examined it, before passing it to the first Druid at the table. Jack watched as each Druid examined his wand. Finally, Gwillam passed it back to him.

‘Are we agreed this wand came from a Hamadryad Oak?' asked Gwillam.

‘Aye,' the members of the council replied.

‘Are we agreed this wand could only have been given to Jack Brenin by Arrana, last of the great oaks on Earth?'

‘Aye,' the council agreed again.

‘And are we agreed, if the wand answers to the boy's call, he is the true owner of the wand?'

There was a resounding aye from every Druid in the room. Gwillam smiled and turned to Jack.

‘You must show the Queen and the Blessed Council your power by summoning the Stone of Destiny.'

Jack's mind went blank. Had he been told about this? He didn't think so. How would he summon the stone? He knew it was one of the four treasures of Annwn and opened the Eastern Portal but he'd no idea where it was kept or how he could bring it to the council chamber. He took his wand in his right hand. Immediately it became smooth. Jack looked at the Druids; all had leant forward to get a better look. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He visualised the stone. He drew its shape in his mind and thought about its smoothness and its greeny-blue colouring. Without speaking he opened his left hand and extended his flat palm towards Gwillam. He raised his wand and willed the Stone of Destiny to appear. He willed and willed with all his might. He felt a sudden weight in his palm. He opened his eyes a fraction and there, in his outstretched hand sat the stone.

‘This is proof,' shouted Gwillam so he could be heard above the noise the council members were making. ‘Now call Lloyd the Goldsmith.'

The Druid who had admitted Jack to the chamber went to the door. When Lloyd entered, the council members stopped talking.

‘You have been summoned here for two reasons. The first is to verify the workmanship of a golden acorn in the possession of this boy who stands before us,' announced Gwillam.

Jack slipped the chain from his neck and offered his golden acorn to Lloyd.

‘This is my workmanship; this is the acorn Coragwenelan commissioned me to make for Jack Brenin.'

‘Thank you,' replied Gwillam. ‘Have you your drawing book and pen?'

‘I have.'

‘Are you ready to draw what we are about to see?'

‘I am.'

Gwillam turned and bowed to the Queen then addressed Jack.

‘You must hold the Stone of Destiny in both hands. Clear your mind and it will show us all what is to be.'

Jack returned his wand to the loops on the side of his pouch and cupped his right and left hands together so the stone sat inside both his palms. He tried to clear his thoughts. At first, Jack didn't think anything was happening and then the lights in the room began to flicker. One by one the flames reduced to almost nothing. Without warning, a greeny-blue light erupted from the stone. It rose to the ceiling in a column of swirling colours before turning into a shimmering dome that filled the top half of the chamber. A picture began to form. Jack could see Coragwenelan sitting on a silver throne. On her head was a crown Jack had never seen before of silver flowers and leaves. Next to her was an empty golden throne. She stood and extended her arm.

Jack realised that everyone else in the room could see the images too. They gasped as an arm, from beyond the light, reached forward and took the Queen's hand. The Blessed Council rose from their chairs as Jack, wearing a golden crown, came into view. Without looking, Jack could hear Lloyd the Goldsmith furiously sketching the oak leaf and acorn crown.

‘Hold the stone still,' Gwillam commanded. ‘Do you have the details of the crown now Lloyd?'

‘I do,' replied the goldsmith.

‘You may cover the stone now.'

Jack put his right hand over the top of the stone. The image on the ceiling instantly disappeared and the lights glowed brighter again.

Coragwenelan stood.

‘You have done well, Jack Brenin. There is no doubt as to your claim to the throne of Annwn. Are we all agreed?'

A unanimous aye filled the chamber. Jack felt his cheeks reddening.

‘You will make the crown,' the Queen told Lloyd. ‘In time for Samhain.'

‘Yes, Your Majesty,' replied Lloyd as he bowed so low that his head almost touched the floor.

‘Tomorrow night at the First Fruits Festival, before all the people of Annwn, you will be given your quest. Until then I bid you farewell.'

Jack bowed again as the Queen left the room. As he stood up, he looked at the beautiful heavy stone in his hand. There was an image inside it. He froze in horror as he realised he'd seen it before. There in the centre of the stone was Velindur with his arm raised in a gesture of defiance. In his hand was a book.

‘Gwillam, look,' whispered Jack.