Maybe Lena could be tempted to leave the water if
Kendra explained the dire situation! Then Kendra wouldn't have to face the situation alone! It certainly beat having no plan. New purpose entered Kendra's stride.
Before long Kendra reached the tall hedge. She knew that the hedge ringed the pond, and if she followed it she would eventually reach an opening with a path. When she and Seth had first visited the pond, he had found a low opening where they had managed to crawl under the hedge.
She kept an eye out for such an aperture, since it would certainly save some time.
She did not travel too far along the thick hedge before258 she noticed a pronounced indentation. When she investigatedmore closely, she found it was impassable-the foliage was too dense. The next indentation she noticed was less obvious, but when she crouched she found it went all the way through.
She wriggled through the hedge on her belly, wondering what other animals or creatures used this cramped entrance.
At the far side she stood and surveyed the pond. A whitewashed boardwalk connected a dozen wooden pavilions around the dark water. Face tilting toward the sky, Kendra noticed there were no stars, and no moon either. It was overcast.
Still, enough light was apparently filtering through the clouds to illuminate the night, for although the clearing was gloomy, she could make out the contours of the lawn and the latticework of the gazebos and the foliage on the island in the middle of the pond.
Kendra crossed the lawn to the nearest gazebo.
Somebody certainly took pride in caring for this area. The grass was always tidy, and the paint on the woodwork was never peeling. Maybe it was the result of a spell.
Projecting from the boardwalk below one of the pavilions was a little pier attached to a floating boathouse. The last time Kendra had seen Lena was at the end of that pier, so it seemed as good a place as any to call for her.
Kendra noticed no evidence of life in the clearing. At times she had seen satyrs and other creatures, but tonight all was silent. The tenebrous water of the pond was still and impenetrable. Kendra tried to walk quietly, out of reverence for the silence. The tranquil night was ominous. Somewhere259 below the inscrutable surface of the pond waited Kendra'sold friend. With the right plea, hopefully Lena would renounce life as a naiad and come to her aid. Lena had decided to leave the pond once-she could do it again.
Walking along the pier, Kendra kept away from the edges. She knew the naiads would enjoy nothing more than to pull her in and drown her. Kendra gazed at the island.
Again a sense of foreboding filled her. Returning to the island would be a mistake. The feeling was so tangible that she wondered if it had something to do with being fairykind.
Perhaps she could sense what the Fairy Queen considered permissible. Or maybe she was just scared.
Stopping just short of the end of the pier, Kendra licked her lips. She felt hesitant to speak and desecrate the silence.
But she needed help, and could not afford to waste time.
Lena, it's Kendra, I need to talk.
The words seemed to die the instant they left her lips.
They did not carry or reverberate. The dark pond remained inscrutable. Lena, this is an emergency, please come speak to me, she tried in a louder voice.
Again, she felt she had spoken for her own ears alone.
There was no hint of response from her shadowy surroundings.
Why is she back again? a voice said from off to her right. The sound came up out of the water, the words soft but undistorted.
Who said that? Kendra asked.
'She's here to show off, what else? another voice answered from directly below the pier. Mortals get so proud260 when they know our language, as if speaking it weren't theeasiest and most natural ability.
I'll allow that it beats her clumsy honking, a third voice giggled. Barking like a seal.
Several voices giggled from under the obscure water. I
need to speak with Lena, Kendra pleaded.
She needs to find a new hobby, the first voice said.
Maybe she should take up swimming, the third voice suggested. Laughter rippled all around her.
You don't have to talk like I'm not here, Kendra said.
I can hear every word just fine.
She's an eavesdropper, the voice under the pier said.
She should come closer to the water so we can hear her better, said a new voice near the end of the pier.
I'm just fine where I am, Kendra said.
Just fine, she says, said another new voice. A big clumsy scarecrow glued to the ground, plodding around on stilts. The comment initiated the longest bout of tittering yet.
Better than being trapped in an aquarium, Kendra said.
The pond became silent. She is not very polite, the voice under the pier finally said.
A new voice chimed in. What do you expect? Her feet are probably sore. Kendra rolled her eyes at the giggles that followed. She suspected the naiads would gladly trade insults all night.
Fablehaven is in danger, Kendra said. The Society of the Evening Star has taken my Grandma and Grandpa262 prisoner. My brother Seth has been killed. I need to talk toLena.
I'm here, Kendra, said a familiar voice. It was slightly more light and musical, slightly less warm, but it was definitely
Lena.
Hush, Lena, said the voice under the pier.
I'll speak if I choose, Lena said.
What do you care of mortal politics? one of the earlier voices chided. They come and go. Have you forgotten what mortals do best? They die. It's the one talent they have in common.
Kendra, come close to the water, Lena said. Her voice was nearer. Kendra could vaguely see her face beneath the surface of the pond to the left of the pier. Her nose was nearly breaking the surface.
Not too close, Kendra said, squatting well out of reach.
Why are you here, Kendra?
I need your help. The preserve is at the brink of falling again.
I know you think that matters, Lena said.
It does matter, Kendra said.
It seems to matter for a moment. Just like a lifetime.
Don't you care about Grandma and Grandpa? They could die!
They will die. You'll all die. And at the time it will seem like it matters.
It does matter! Kendra said. What do you mean, nothing matters? What about Patton? Did he matter?
There came no answer. Lena's face broke the surface of the water, gazing up at Kendra with liquid eyes. Even in the weak light, Kendra could see that Lena looked much younger. Her skin was smoother and more evenly colored.
Her hair had only a few strands of gray. The water around
Lena sloshed and churned and she vanished.
Hey, Kendra said. Leave her alone.
She's through talking with you, said the voice under the pier. You are not welcome here.
You pulled her away! Kendra accused. You jealous little airheads. Waterheads. What do you do, brainwash her?