Jack laughs in amazement and disbelief at their daring escape. While he simply pictured the dragons retreating, Annie envisioned fighting the dragons with flaming swords. He compliments his little sister’s imagination. A “shriek of fury” from inside the cave prompts the children to hasten down the hill (84). Annie carries the silver cup carefully to avoid spilling the precious water. When they reach the thicket, Jack takes out Sir Percival’s compass and finds east so they can go back the way they came. He goes first so he can clear a path through the tangled branches for his sister. On the other side of the thicket, they see the glade where the winged people whirl around in their endless dance. Although Jack longs to return to the circle, he knows that he would not escape the dance’s power a third time.

Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Percival look a little healthier after their rest. Although they’re still tired, they’re able to walk and buckle on their swords. Annie shows the knights the cup full of the Water of Memory and Imagination. Sir Lancelot wants to help the children return to Camelot, but he doesn’t know where he and his fellow knights left their horses.