'Home is just over this,' said Esme.

Arthur had heard the raging torrent long before he saw it. And as he looked down from atop the rocky wall of the treacherous river below, he wondered how they were going to get across. He couldn't see any bridge or felled tree spanning the gap that they could use. There was nothing.

'Are we supposed to jump over or something?' asked Little Johnny, and before Esme could respond or before anyone could stop him, he took a running jump and leapt over the gap with ease. Then, and as everyone gasped in shock, he just smiled and waved.

'Whoa,' Esme burst out. 'I can't believe it. I can't believe he just did that. Nobody has ever done that before. Children have tried but failed. Even me. And I consider myself quite nimble and athletic.'

'So how are we supposed to get across?' Merlynna asked.

Esme gave her a wink before retreating over to a tree that had a tiny knot. Then after a very theatrical twirl of her finger, she pressed it.

Suddenly, creaks and groans echoed amongst the children. And before Arthur knew it, dozens of stairs made of branches descended up and down the river, pivoting out from between the trees on the other side. Down they went until all the bottom steps landed with a thud, one of them only a few feet from Arthur and Merlynna.

'Incredible,' Merlynna said.

'You can say that again,' said Arthur. 'Did you build these yourselves?'

Esme gleamed. 'We sure did.' She then grabbed Arthur and Merlynna's hands and led them up the stairs. And as all the other Children of the Forest mirrored their ascent, the three climbed and climbed until they were up high on the other side.

When they reached the top step, Little Johnny decided to make his appearance, popping out right in front and scaring them half to death.

'If I still had my mag–,' an angry Merlynna started but stopped herself.

'Sorry about that,' Little Johnny said.

Now with a grin, Esme took off and onto a maze of walkways winding through the trees.

Following behind, Arthur asked, 'Did you build all this too?'

'Yep,' Esme replied before leading the three through the labyrinth until they came to an even more impressive sight.

Perched on branches and spiraling all over was a steam engine train of green and gold, and which was surrounded by bridges, slides, ladders and rope swings.

'Welcome to the home of the Children of the Forest,' announced Esme, gesturing with her arms and hands at the wonder.

Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna were speechless. Well, not for long.

'How–how–how did a train get up in the trees?' Little Johnny burst out, his mouth agape.

'I couldn't tell you,' replied Esme. 'It was already here when we found it.'

'Well, it's beautiful,' Merlynna added.

'Come on, let's get you something to eat and drink,' said Esme. 'You can have a rest too and we can talk some more.'

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Across another walkway they went until they came to a train car that was wrapped with flowering creepers. And inside was bunk bed after bunk bed stacked to the very top. The next train car was the same, with a few children snoring away, and so too was the one after that and the one after that.

Eventually, they came to a train car that was filled with tables set with wooden bowls and cups.

'This is where we eat,' said Esme. 'Please, make yourselves at home and I'll get you some food.'

While she scuttled away through the door at the opposite end, Arthur, Little Johnny and Merlynna sat down.

'Quite the set up they have here, don't they?' said Little Johnny.

'Yes, rather impressive,' Arthur replied. 'Don't you think, Merlynna?'

Merlynna didn't answer. She was staring out of the closest window, hoping to see a ball of black fur darting through the trees.

'Where are you, Fury?' she mumbled to herself.

Soon after, Esme returned and was holding a plate stacked with pancakes, which sent Arthur as glum as Merlynna. They reminded him of his great uncle and the old man's attempts at making him the fare.

'Now, I was going to tell you something before,' said Esme as she set the plate down and sat down herself. 'Ah, yes, something about King Arthur, which you had asked about right, Little Johnny?'

'That's right,' Little Johnny replied.

'By the way, Arthur,' Esme added, 'I'm guessing it's just coincidence that you have the same first name as the legendary king.' Then seeing Arthur turn slightly red, she said, 'You don't have to respond to that. It's none of my business. Anyway, as I was about to say, there have been many legendary inhabitants that once called Robin's Wood home and some that still call it home. Like I said before, this forest is a place to be forgotten, a place to hide, a place to be safe. Many of the mythical have flocked to it to find a peace they'd never get elsewhere. This forest is a refuge.'

'So there were–are inhabitants related to King Arthur in this forest then?' said Arthur.

'Have you ever heard of Jack the Ogre Slayer?' asked Esme.

'Does he live in the forest?' Arthur was shocked.

'He died here a long time ago.'

'Wait, who's Jack the Ogre Slayer?' asked Merlynna.

'He was a boy who helped King Arthur rid his kingdom of horrible ogres,' Arthur replied.

'I remember reading that story when I was younger,' said Little Johnny. 'Didn't he have those magical shoes?'

'That's right,' said Esme, nodding. 'The Shoes of Swiftness. As the name suggests, they gave Jack incredible speed. There is a rumor in the forest that the shoes are still here. If they are, they're more than likely located in his old home.'

'Those shoes would be something. Has anyone tried to find them?'

'Jack's old home is located in a very dangerous place.'

'Oh. How dangerous?'

'In the clouds.'

'Well then, that is dangerous. Yikes.'

'Are there any other inhabitants related to King Arthur here?' Arthur asked.

Esme nodded with a smile before saying, 'You'll know her too. And she still lives.'

'Who?'

'The Lady of the Lake.'

Arthur and Little Johnny were outright shocked but it was Merlynna who was even more so.

'Nimue the Enchantress!' she snapped. 'A magical one.'

'That's correct,' said Esme. 'A friend of King Arthur, and who helped him throughout his life, she was the one who took him to the Isle of Avalon when he died.'

'Where can I find her?' Merlynna's tone was almost demanding. She wanted to see if the Lady of the Lake could help her get her magic back.

'I couldn't tell you. There are many lakes in this forest and she travels between them all.'

'Could you take me to these lakes?'

'If that's what you want but there is no guarantee we'll find her.'

'I must try.'

Esme nodded and nodded. 'Okay, I'll take you.'

'Thank you so much. I owe you.'

'There's no need to owe me anything. It will be my pleasure.'

'We'll come too,' said Arthur and Little Johnny agreed.

'But first,' said Esme, pulling out her horn and plonking it down on the table, 'we should eat and rest a bit because we are in for a lot of walking.'

Though Merlynna didn't want to wait, she nodded in acceptance.

'That's quite the old-looking horn?' said Little Johnny as Esme was quick to dig into some pancakes.

The length of a wooden spoon and as straight, the horn was stained with age.

'I found it deep in a cave here in the forest,' Esme mumbled, her mouth full.

'It sure gives quite the blast,' said Arthur.

'Do you want to give it a try?' asked Esme.

'Umm.'

'Go on.' Esme picked the horn back up and thrust it into Arthur's hands.

At this, and making everyone shriek in surprise, the horn began to grow and curl as if one of Amzin's, and its stain vanished, giving way to a blinding white.

'Whoa!' bellowed Esme. 'How–how–how did you do that?'

'Any chance this horn could have belonged to Robin Hood?' asked Arthur.

'I guess that's possible.'

'Maybe it's time to tell her who you are, Arthur,' said Merlynna. 'Who we are?'

'That's probably a good idea,' Arthur replied.