Quest for the Keys

by Scholastic

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter 1: A Walk in the Garden

  Chapter 2: Elvendale

  Chapter 3: A Way Back Home

  Chapter 4: The Map

  Chapter 5: Onto the Sea

  Chapter 6: Sparkle Rock

  Chapter 7: The Lava Field

  Chapter 8: Up in the Air

  Chapter 9: The Castle

  Chapter 10: The Portal

  Copyright

  “Grandma wanted you to have this, Emily.” Mrs. Jones sat down beside her daughter on the sofa. She opened her hand to reveal a large pendant hanging on a silver chain.

  Emily Jones stared at the dark blue medallion and felt like there was a giant hole growing in her heart. Taking the necklace would mean that her grandmother was actually gone.

  Though she knew it was impossible, Emily kept imagining that Grandmother was going to walk into the living room at any second, tall and strong, and ask if Emily wanted to go on an adventure.

  The heavy pendant swung from the chain in her mother’s hand. Emily reached out toward it, then hesitated.

  “Go on. Wear it,” her father urged. “That way, she’ll always be close.”

  Emily nodded. “Okay.”

  When her mother slipped the chain around her neck, the medallion felt cool and comforting. Emily touched it gently, then hugged her mom tight. Tears pressed against the back of her eyes even though she’d cried so much already.

  “I miss her, too, honey.” Mrs. Jones gave Emily a soft kiss on the forehead. “Your father and I have a few things to arrange. Would you like to spend some time in the garden?”

  “Yes,” Emily said. She had always felt closest to Grandmother in her garden. That was where they went on those “adventures,” walking together for hours.

  “Just a short walk today, okay?” her father said. “It’ll start getting dark soon, and we’re going to make dinner as soon as Mom and I finish with this.”

  “I won’t go very far,” Emily promised. The garden was huge and seemed to go on forever. Emily knew, even in all her visits, she’d never explored it all.

  She started down the familiar trail, winding her way through flowers and trees. The heaviness around her heart lifted a little, and Emily wrapped her fingers tightly around her grandmother’s medallion, and thought back to her childhood …

  Emily was very young when she’d first noticed Grandmother’s blue medallion. They were walking the garden path and Emily asked, “Where’d you get that? It’s pretty.”

  Grandmother smiled, replying softly, “I’ve had it for a long, long time.” She let her hands fall to her waist and turned Emily’s attention to a nearby flower.

  Grandmother would often point out plants, or sometimes small caves and animal burrows. Emily’s parents were scientists, and they’d taught her the scientific name of many plants, but Grandmother had nicknames for everything, and stories about them. Of course, they were made up, but Grandmother made them seem so real. She told tales about plants that magical squirrels used for hats, tall trees where giants hid, and thorny bushes that elves crushed for medicine. Emily adored every story.

  Her favorite flowers were the snapdragons (official name: Antirrhinum). She remembered the first time Grandmother showed her one.

  “See how it looks like the face of a dragon?” Grandmother had asked. “If you gently pinch the sides of the flower, like this, the dragon’s mouth opens wide!” Emily was surprised by how the blossom had almost looked like it came alive—like it really was a dragon’s jaw.

  Grandmother continued, “Dragons get mean when they are hungry, so be sure to feed them treats and keep their tummies full! I hear they like cookies.” She smiled down at Emily. Emily wasn’t sure if Grandmother was serious or not, but she responded, “I like cookies, too!”

  Emily blinked in the afternoon sunlight and stepped over a broken tree branch. Suddenly, an owl zipped past, landing in a small tree nearby. Emily squinted at it. Grandmother had loved owls, and called the birds “hearts” because of the shape of their faces.

  “Snowy owls don’t have gold coloring on their chests,” she told herself. Still, the bird’s strange markings looked golden to her—almost like it was wearing jewelry. Even weirder, Emily was sure she’d seen this owl before …

  One morning, after cutting through a thick, shadowed part of the garden, Emily swore she saw her grandmother up ahead talking to a small owl with a bright golden mark below its neck. Grandmother leaned close and whispered quietly, then cupped her ear as if to listen to a reply.

  When the owl fluttered away, Emily didn’t hesitate. She asked, “What did it say?”

  Grandmother didn’t answer right away, but clutched her medallion to her chest. Finally, she said, “Never forget, Emily, the heart knows the way.”

  That was a long time ago. She remembered excitedly telling her parents about it, but they had assured her that what she’d seen was impossible. Owls didn’t talk to people. And Grandmother couldn’t talk to owls. They had a hundred scientific reasons why it was unlikely that the bird Emily had seen was even an owl at all. Owls were nocturnal. They didn’t like this climate. Plus, white owls didn’t have strange golden markings.

  But now, Emily was one hundred percent certain—this owl was real! It lifted its wings and floated on a breeze. The white feathers seemed to sparkle. This was crazy!

  “I’m going to follow you,” Emily declared. “That’s what Grandmother would have done.” Filled with confidence, she left the path and walked deeper into the overgrown garden as the owl soared ahead.

  Emily noticed that the medallion around her neck had begun to feel warm, and when she looked down, it seemed to glow. As she neared a large oak tree in the center of the garden, the pendant lit up completely! It transformed into the deepest, most brilliant blue Emily had ever seen—the color of the afternoon sky on a clear summer day. It glittered and twinkled.

  And then, a swirling, shimmering mist formed at the base of the oak tree. It completely covered the trunk behind it. A round blue opening seemed to form in the center of the swirl.

  As Emily watched, the owl flew straight into the mist, through the opening—and disappeared.

  “Whoa …” Stunned, she took a step back. What was she seeing? Was it just a patch of strange fog? Where had the owl gone?

  Emily looked down at the glowing medallion, and then back toward her grandmother’s house. The rest of the garden seemed perfectly normal—quiet and serene. Should she go back home?

  The mist continued to swirl at the base of the oak tree. Emily closed her eyes. The heart knows the way. She took a step forward, and then another …

  “Wow!” Emily wasn’t sure that what she was seeing was real. Before she knew it, she seemed to have gone through the oak tree … and now she was in another place entirely! The colors surrounding her were amazing. Red flowers looked redder. Green moss was greener. The blue sky was bluer. Emily blinked hard to make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. They weren’t. Grandmother would’ve loved to see this!

  She took a good look around, and found she was in a forest of tall trees that stretched on as far as she could see.

  This was definitely not her grandmother’s garden! There were a lot of plants that Emily couldn’t recognize. The sun was high in the sky, as if it were day and not evening. Nothing looked even a little familiar.

  This was incredible.

  This was impossible!

  How could she have ended up in an entirely different forest?

  “I have to show Mom and Dad!” she exclaimed.

  But when she turned back toward the oak tree, the trunk was solid. There was no passageway.

  “Oh no!”

  Emily tried hard not to panic. She l
ooked down at her grandmother’s medallion. It was dull blue and cold, just like when her mother had given it to her.

  “Stay calm,” she told herself. “There has to be another way back to the house.” She took a few steps backward as she searched for a path.

  “AAAH!” she screamed when she bumped into something.

  “AAAH!” a red-haired girl screamed back as they leapt away from each other. “Who are you?!”

  Emily moved a safe distance away. She didn’t know if she should stay or run away. She crossed her arms protectively over her chest and looked over at the girl. Emily had never seen anyone like her before. This girl had oddly pointed ears, fiery hair, and an unusual dress. The fabric sparkled like golden flames.

  The girl appeared just as wary of Emily and was studying her intently.

  Emily looked around the area in case she needed to escape. “I … I’m Emily Jones. Who are you? And where am I?”

  “Whoa. One question at a time, Emily Jones,” the girl said. She seemed to have decided Emily was safe. Her eyes flashed brightly. “There’s no need to be afraid! I’m Azari, a fire elf, and you’re in Elvendale.”

  Emily paused, staring hard at the girl. “A fire elf?” She was very confused. “What is that?”

  “Hmmm …” Azari said with a silvery laugh. She walked in a big circle around Emily, studying her like a science project. “Curious,” she muttered. “Very interesting …”

  Emily held her breath as Azari got right in her face … and poked her in the nose.

  “Hey!” cried Emily, cupping her nose with her hand. “That hurt.”

  Azari giggled. Her laughter sounded like tinkling bells. “I’ve heard stories about creatures like you,” Azari said. “I just didn’t believe they were true!” She pursed her lips and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “So I’m gonna guess you’re not-an-elf.” She reached forward and pushed back Emily’s long brown braid to get a better view of the side of her head. “I mean, those ears—wow!”

  Emily quickly pulled her braid back. “What about your ears!” she exclaimed. “They’re pointy, like something out of a comic book!”

  “What’s a comic book?” Azari asked, wrinkling her forehead. “Is that a good thing?”

  “Um … yes.” Emily gave a small nod. “It’s a very good thing.”

  “Oh, how exciting! Wait till I tell the others!” Azari clapped. “I’m a comic book!”

  Emily smiled and was about to explain, but decided it was just too complicated.

  Azari looped her arm around Emily’s shoulder. “I like you, Little Ears Emily. Welcome to Elvendale!” She started to lead her down a narrow path in the trees. “Come on. Let’s go!”

  “But, I—wait!” Emily’s throat felt tight.

  Azari stopped. “What’s wrong?”

  Emily glanced back toward the tree. “I can’t go with you. I need to get home.”

  “Home? Where’s that?” Azari asked.

  “I somehow came through that tree.” Emily sighed. “I was in my grandmother’s garden, and suddenly this swirling doorway opened …” Emily realized what had happened. “I guess it was a portal,” she said, “and I went through it.”

  “A portal?” Azari asked.

  “A passageway,” Emily explained. “Like a tunnel to another place or time.”

  “A tunnel in the tree!” Azari dashed past Emily and pressed on the tree trunk. “How does it open?”

  “I don’t know,” Emily admitted with a frown. “I wish I did.”

  “Stand back,” Azari told Emily. The elf quickly cleared a circle of dirt and started a small fire on the ground. Her hands began to glow red, and then she used them to scoop up a ball of fire and throw it at the tree.

  “What—?” Emily gasped.

  “Open!” Azari commanded the tree. She threw another ball of flame. “Portal to the other world, open now!” The bark of the tree didn’t change or move. Azari added, “Please!” but the portal stayed closed.

  With a heavy moan, Emily said softly, “I’m lost.”

  “Lost …” Azari echoed. She sat silently for a beat, then jumped up. “Well, then, I know exactly what to do!” She took Emily’s hand in hers. “We’ll go see Farran!”

  “Who’s Farran?”

  Azari didn’t answer. The fire elf kept a tight grip on Emily’s hand and moved fast. Emily had to jog to keep from tripping over thick tree roots as they hurried deeper into Elvendale—and farther away from the tree in the center of Grandmother’s garden. Would she be stuck in Elvendale forever?

  “Who’s Farran?” Emily asked again, out of breath, as they burst through a large cluster of trees onto a lush, flowering meadow.

  There was a boy in a green outfit kneeling in the wild flowers right in front of them, but Azari didn’t see him until it was too late. She hit him hard and stumbled, knocking all three of them over to the ground.

  The boy leaned up on one arm, pushed a long strand of dark hair off his forehead, and grinned at Emily with twinkling green eyes. “You found me. I’m Farran.”

  “Oh,” Emily said, surprised and embarrassed, as they stood up and brushed themselves off. It was an awkward way to meet the guy who might be able to help.

  “Sorry about that,” Azari said, picking a flower bloom out of his hair.

  “That’s okay. You’re just bringing me closer to the earth I love!” Farran said with a smile. He picked up a few acorns off the ground and wiggled his fingers over them. The acorns quivered, then sprouted. “One day, Azari, you’re going to startle me so bad, I’ll step on these guys,” he said.

  “You and your acorn friends!” Azari laughed, then introduced Emily by saying, “Farran, meet Emily Jones. She is not-an-elf.” To prove it, she reached forward and pulled back Emily’s hair so Farran could see her ears.

  “Nice to meet—” He cut himself off when he got a good look at them. “Weird! Can I touch them? I’ve never seen anything like—”

  Emily quickly pulled away, brushing her hair forward. As if she was the one with the weird ears!

  “Sorry,” Farran said with a deep chuckle. Emily thought it was a friendly laugh.

  “No time for chitchat. We’re in a hurry!” Azari explained about the portal in the tree. “Little Ears Emily needs our help.”

  “Ah,” Farran said thoughtfully. “I see.” He said to Emily, “You’ve come to the right place. I am an earth elf, and an expert at returning lost things to their homes.” He started to tell her a story. “One time, there was a yellow-bellied bird who couldn’t find her nest in a thick forest of trees, and I—”

  “Farran!” Azari interrupted. “Emily’s tree portal just closed.”

  “Right!” He rushed off, calling over his shoulder, “I’m going to need a few things.”

  Emily could hear Farran listing off the things he was gathering. “Shovel, pick, axe, spade, gloves …” They were all gardening tools.

  While he was busy, Emily took a look around the meadow. She was surrounded by flowers in a rainbow of colors. She recognized a few from Grandmother’s garden: lilies, roses, snapdragons … But there were also flowers she’d never seen before, like ones with big yellow-orange blooms that drooped heavily, and strange square blossoms the color of ripe purple grapes. She saw a chipmunk scurry through the grass, and was certain she’d find some unfamiliar creatures if she had time to explore.

  A wave of sadness swept over Emily, and she reached for her blue pendant. Grandmother would have loved it here. Emily wished they could have shared this adventure together.

  “All right!” Farran said as he reappeared, carrying a large, clanking knapsack. “Let’s see that tree of yours. I’ll just use a little earth-elf magic, and …” He paused and turned toward Azari. “Well, I’ve actually never opened a portal before. Maybe we should call Aira, too, since she—”

  “Way ahead of you, Farran!” Azari said, “I already tweeted.”

  “Tweeted?” Emily asked.

  “You know, sending a message with a bird?” Azar
i replied. “Here’s Aira now!” An elf with wild, long, flowing lavender hair—and matching dress—flew into the meadow, flapping a wide set of wings. As she landed, a gust of wind fluttered all the flowers in the meadow.

  Now that this elf was closer, Emily could see that her wings were actually some kind of mechanical contraption strapped to her back. Interesting.

  As Farran greeted Aira, Emily saw him blush.

  “Hey!” Aira said, giving him a quick hug. “Pluma gave me Azari’s message.” She pointed to a small bird that was flying away. Then, she turned to Emily. “I can’t wait to meet this not-an-elf!” She reached out and brushed back Emily’s hair so fast, Emily didn’t have time to resist. It felt like wind had pushed her braid back. “Cute round ears!” Aira exclaimed.

  Emily gave up trying to cover them, instead taking the compliment. “Uh, thanks,” she said.

  “I’m Aira. I’ve come to help. Azari told me you have a big problem.”

  “Are you a wind elf?” Emily guessed.

  “Exactly!” Aira smiled, taking off her wings and laying them nearby. “I hear you are trying to get home. Where’s home?”

  Emily wasn’t sure how to answer. “I guess home is … earth … but I’m not an earth elf like Farran.”

  “Do you live underwater? Or in the sky?” Aira had a lot of questions. She pulled out a small notebook to record Emily’s answers. “Oh, do you have dragons?”

  “We definitely do not have dragons! Uh, do you?” When Aira nodded absently, Emily, shocked, started to look around for one. Then Azari announced, “Enough questions. Let’s get going!”

  It seemed to Emily that Azari was always in a hurry.

  Farran was the opposite. He carefully hefted his sack over his shoulder. “Okay. I think I have everything I need to figure out this portal.” He started walking toward the forest, but after a few steps realized Aira and Azari weren’t following. “Come on,” Farran said. “This way!”

  “Yeah, but no,” Azari told him. “Aira and I agree. We are going to look for another way to get Emily home.”