Lucy Jupiter and the Forest of Secrets, Part III – The Conclusion
If you missed Part I, you can read it here. If you missed part II, read it here. We now continue with the exciting conclusion of “Lucy Jupiter and the Forest of Secrets.”
Lucy Jupiter and the Forest of Secrets, Part III – The Conclusion
Chapter 13: A New Beginning
The forest healed.
The Hollow Tree bloomed again.
Sporock, freed from the curse, wept. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Lucy forgave him.
At school, Lucy was still quiet. But she smiled more. She walked taller. She became more friendly with her classmates.
And every afternoon, after she finished her homework, she and Millie returned to the forest—not as saviors, not as protectors, but as guardian friends.
Because the land of the Miglets would always need its guardians.
And Lucy Jupiter was ready.
Chapter 14: The Miglet Council
The Miglet village was abuzz. Lanterns flickered in the trees, casting golden light on the mossy paths. Lucy stood before the Miglet Council—the Seven Elders with attired in robes woven from spider silk and leaves.
Elder Brindle stepped forward. “Lucy Jupiter, you’ve saved us twice. But the forest still trembles.”
Lucy bowed. “I’ll do whatever I can, Elder Brindle.”
Brindle nodded. “There is one more threat. The Blackroot.”
Millie growled. “I thought that was a myth.”
“It’s real,” Brindle said. “A tree corrupted by Puglim long ago. It feeds on fear. And it’s beginning to awaken.”
Lucy felt a chill. “Where is it?”
“In the Hollow Marsh.”
Chapter 15: Into the Marsh
The Hollow Marsh was a place of fog and silence. Lucy and Millie stepped carefully, the ground squelching beneath their boots.
“Stay close,” Millie whispered.
Shapes moved in the mist—twisted creatures with bark-like skin and glowing eyes. They were remnants of Rotham, half-formed and lost.
Lucy raised her hand. “We’re not here to fight.”
One creature stepped forward. “Then why come?”
“To stop the Blackroot,” Lucy said.
The creature paused. “It sleeps beneath the water near the whirlpool. It dreams. And its dreams poison the forest.”
Suddenly, the ground cracked. A massive root burst forth, dragging Lucy down.
Millie barked, leaping after her.
Chapter 16: The Dream Trap
Lucy awoke in darkness.
She was in a dream—but it was not her own. The Blackroot’s mind was a maze of gnarled, sad, twisted memories and false hopes.
She saw herself—older, powerful, feared.
“You could be this,” a voice whispered. “All you have to do is join me.”
“No,” Lucy said. “Power without love is weakness.”
The dream shifted. She saw Millie, trapped, fading.
“Let her go!” Lucy shouted.
The voice laughed. “She’s part of you. When you lose her, you lose yourself.”
Lucy closed her eyes. “I choose truth and love!”
Light burst from her chest. The dream shattered like cold glass.
She awoke in the marsh, Millie right beside her.
“You did it,” Millie said. You won!
Chapter 17: The Final Bloom
The Blackroot rose from the marsh—a towering tree of thorns and shadow.
Lucy stood firm and shouted, “You don’t belong here.”
The Blackroot roared, sending waves of terror through the forest.
Miglets arrived, fearing the unknown and chanting ancient songs. The Forgotten stood behind them, silent and strong.
Lucy raised her hands. “Forest, hear me!”
The Heartroot pulsed in the distance. Vines surged. Flowers bloomed.
The Blackroot shrieked, its bark cracking and liquifying into a rancid-smelling tarlike substance.
Millie transformed, her silver light blinding.
Together, Lucy and Millie combined the power of love and truth and struck.
The Blackroot fell.
Chapter 18: The Secret Revealed
After the battle, Elder Brindle took Lucy aside.
“There’s something you must know,” he said. “You’re not just a guardian. You’re part Miglet.”
Lucy blinked. “What?”
“Your mother was one of us. She gave up her powers to live among humans. But you inherited them.”
Lucy felt tears. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“To protect you,” Brindle said. “But now, you must choose—stay in the human world, or join us fully.”
Lucy looked at Millie. “Can I do both?”
Brindle smiled. “Perhaps. If your heart is strong enough.”
Chapter 19: The Girl Who Walked Between Worlds
Lucy returned to school the next day. She was still quiet. Still unnoticed.
But she carried a secret—a glowing stone from the Heartroot, hidden in her backpack.
After school, she and Millie walked into the forest.
Miglets greeted her with laughter and song.
She was their guardian. Their flame.
And though the world didn’t know her name, the forest did.
Lucy Jupiter, the girl who walked between worlds, walked in the light of truth and love.
The End
I loved it! Such a good story teaching right and wrong. I think this would be a good children’s book.
I asked once whether you were/are a writer.
Enjoyed your story.
Not an easy road to follow
Perhaps a written story for the little one. I.e. published in soft cover
Cheers, Anne.
Great story! I enjoyed it very much.
You spin a wonderful tale and I hope you do it again. Your essays are great AND you seem to have a future spinning teaching stories for young & old if you wish.