Winter of the Ice Wizard

back to us.”
    The wizard looked at his sister. She nodded. The wizard held out Merlin’s Staff of Strength. “Use this to bring them back,” he said. “Hold it tightly and call out for them.” He gave the staff to Annie.
    Annie could barely lift it by herself. “Hold it with me, Jack,” she said.
    Jack stepped forward and grabbed the magic staff. The smooth, golden wood felt warm and vibrant in his hands.
    As they gripped the staff together, Annie threw back her head and called out: “Merlin and Morgan, come back!”
    A long burst of blue light shot out of the end of the staff—and flashed toward the two white wolves.
    Suddenly wolf eyes changed into human eyes! Wolf noses changed into human noses! Wolf mouths changed into human mouths! Wolf ears into human ears! Wolf paws into human hands and feet! Wolf fur into long red cloaks!
    The two white wolves were gone, and a man and a woman stood in their places.

“M erlin! Morgan!” shouted Annie.
    Teddy and Kathleen cried out in amazement.
    Annie rushed to Morgan and hugged her.
    Jack was filled with giddy relief. “Hi!” he said. “Hi!”
    â€œWelcome back, sir!” Teddy said to Merlin.
    â€œThank you,” said Merlin. He looked at Jack and Annie. “And thank you for turning us back into ourselves.”
    â€œWe didn’t know you and Morgan were the wolves!” Annie said.
    â€œWe were following you so we could help you,” said Morgan.
    â€œThe wizard told us that if you caught up with us, you would eat us!” said Jack.
    â€œReally?” said Morgan.
    They all looked at the Ice Wizard. Standing with his sister, he stared guiltily at Morgan and Merlin.
    â€œI feared that if they got close to you, they might discover who you were,” he said. “But I will do no more harm, I promise—for I can see clearly now.” The wizard looked back at his sister, and his blue eyes shined with joy.
    â€œYou can see because you have your heart back,” said Morgan. “It was not only your eye that was missing—it was also your heart. We see with our hearts as well as our eyes.”
    â€œAnd now perhaps you can find the wisdom you were seeking from the Norns,” said Merlin, “for wisdom is knowledge learned with the heart as well as the head.”
    The Ice Wizard nodded. “Please find it in
your
hearts to forgive me,” he said. “Use my sleigh to take you safely home.”
    â€œYes, indeed, we must leave now,” said Morgan. “We have been gone from Camelot too long.”
    â€œThe next time you come to Camelot, my friend, you must come as a guest,” said Merlin, “not as a thief in the night.”
    â€œAnd you must bring your sister also,” Morgan said to the wizard.
    â€œIndeed I will,” the wizard said.
    Merlin looked at Jack, Annie, Teddy, and Kathleen. “Is everyone ready to leave now?” he asked.
    â€œYes, sir,” they all answered together.
    Merlin looked at the Staff of Strength in Jack’s hands.
    â€œOh! Sorry, I almost forgot,” said Jack. He handed the heavy staff to Merlin.
    As soon as Merlin held the Staff of Strength, he seemed more powerful. “Let us be off!” he said briskly.
    Merlin and Morgan led the way out of the throne room, their red cloaks billowing behind them. Teddy and Kathleen followed, and Jack and Annie hurried after them.
    Just before they left the room, Jack and Annie glanced back at the Ice Wizard and his swan sister. They were deep in conversation again.
    â€œThey haven’t seen each other for years,” said Annie. “They must have a lot to talk about.”
    â€œYeah,” said Jack. He couldn’t imagine not seeing Annie for years. “Come on, let’s go.” He took her hand and pulled her out of the throne room, through the front hall, and into the cold dawn.
    Jack and Annie followed their four Camelot friends to the wizard’s sleigh. Everyone climbed in.
    Annie sat at the rudder. Jack stood at the front. He pulled out the wind-string and untied a knot. The sleigh rocked forward. He untiedanother, and the sleigh started moving very slowly.
    The sleigh was heavier than before, so Jack quickly untied two more knots. The sleigh bolted across the snow.
    â€œStand fast!” said Teddy.
    As the sleigh swished through the dawn, Annie turned to Morgan and Merlin. “I have a question,” she said. “Can