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.