The mermaids bring Alex and Conner as close to the pit via water as they can, and the twins walk the rest of the way. Despite how amazing the Land of Stories is, they are anxious to get home and not be in danger anymore. Though, they resolve to learn as much about the place from their grandmother as they can.

The pit is huge and filled to the brim with mostly dead plants. Beneath, the thorny vines move around “like thousands of snakes” and make the twins uneasy (349). They put on the necklaces, and the moving vines shy away as they climb down into the pit. They find the dagger, which is made of coral and sea glass, and start to climb back up. A vine knocks Conner’s necklace away, making both necklaces useless, and vines shoot toward the twins. The vines wrap themselves around the twins just as they reach the top and drag them back. Froggy arrives and pulls them out. He’s been searching for them for days. The Fairy Godmother is looking for them. Froggy promised to bring them to her, and in exchange, she would return him to his true form. Even though they have all the items for the spell, the twins can’t let him down and agree to help.