Wet Magic · Chapter
The End explained
The children bid farewell to Merland and the Under Folk, drink from the cup of forgetfulness, and return to the human world.
What happens
The children bid farewell to Merland and the Under Folk, drink from the cup of forgetfulness, and return to the human world. Reuben is reunited with his long-lost parents (the King and Queen of the Under Folk). The children forget their underwater adventures but remember Reuben. Later, Reuben visits them with his parents. The chapter also includes a banquet where Ulfin reveals his true form and becomes engaged to Princess Freia.
Themes in this chapter
Memory and Forgetfulness
The cup of forgetfulness causes the children to forget their underwater adventures, but they remember Reuben. The King and Queen of the Under Folk also drink a charm to forget and regain memories of their other life.
Family and Loyalty
Reuben is reunited with his long-lost parents; the Queen of the Under Folk wishes to adopt Reuben; the children return home to their father and mother.
Class and Identity
Ulfin, initially seen as an Under Folk commoner, reveals his true handsome form and becomes engaged to Princess Freia, crossing social boundaries.
Characters to notice
- Francis
Holds a ginger beer bottle upon returning to earth; wishes Aunt Enid had let him bring the aquarium.
- Mavis
Suggests it's time to go home; runs to call Ulfin back to the banquet; remarks on Reuben's luck.
- Bernard
Agrees with Mavis about Reuben's luck.
- Cathay
Sits on the Queen's lap and is fed delicacies; after the charm, she snuggles closer to the Queen and calls out to Mavis.
- Reuben
Drinks from the cup of forgetfulness, removes his disguise, and reunites with his long-lost parents; later visits the children with his parents.
- Ulfin
Returns the pearly coat and scaly tail; reveals his true handsome form; becomes engaged to Princess Freia.
- Princess Freia
Looks sad and puzzled; asks her father to call Ulfin back; agrees to marry Ulfin after he unmasks.
- Maia
Obligingly makes room for Ulfin at the banquet; expresses surprise at the Under Folk's true appearance.
Key passages
“Swallow this charm,” he said, “in equal shares—then rise to the surface of the lake and say the charm which I perceive the Earth children have taught you as we came along. The rest will be easy and beautiful. We shall never forget you, and your hearts will remember us, though your minds must forget. Farewell.”
The Mer King instructs the King and Queen of the Under Folk to share a charm, rise to the lake's surface, and speak the charm the children taught them, assuring them that while their minds will forget, their hearts will remember.
The Mer King gives final instructions before the return to earth.
“I think Reuben’s jolly lucky, don’t you?” said Mavis. “Yes,” said Bernard. “So do I,” said Cathay.”
Mavis, Bernard, and Cathay agree that Reuben is very fortunate.
The children comment on Reuben's good fortune after his reunion with his parents.