It all began with a stone from St. David’s, a large volume in Ancient Welsh from Aberystwyth University, and Peter and Sarah, who have been wanting me to tell their story for at least the last thirty years. My two shadow children had been with me ever since I began writing stories at school. They came into being properly during the family holidays in Wales.
Pembrokeshire, the Prescelly Mountains in particular, is a very strange place, with ancient monuments strewn around every few yards. One can well imagine that Elves or, in Welsh, Ellyllon, the Family of Beauty, are never far away. I always wanted to meet them and Peter and Sarah, through the power of the miraculous stone are able to do so.
The stories are rooted in a strong family background. We first meet the children with their Aunt Myfanwy (Aunt Myf) who usually has them for the summer holidays, while the children’s archaeologist parents teach at University summer schools. Peter and Sarah are taken to visit St. David’s and it is there that Peter discovers a strange looking stone, it is the Stone of Gardar. Little does he realise that it is a long lost treasure of the Elves of Arx Emain, a stone of great power and a portal to other dimensions. It is then that the adventures really begin!
The first book of this trilogy concerns the continuing battle for Power between Gwyn-ap-Nudd, King of Arx Emain and Lord of the Elves, and Arddu, the Dark One. The ancient Stone of Gardar could be an aid to either side. Its discovery by Peter is a vital element of the struggle.
When the war between the Elves and their adversaries is over, Peter and Sarah’s Mother and Father, Dr. and Mrs. Jones, are brought to Wales. They meet Anir who is a long lost relation of Peter and Sarah’s Mother and their Aunt Myf. He is the Guardian of the lands around Arx Emain (the magical realm of Gwyn-ap-Nudd). He accompanies Peter and Sarah on many of their adventures in his capacity as envoy between humankind and the world of magic.
During the course of the trilogy, the whole Jones family enlarges and evolves and strengthens its bonds. As archaeologists, Mother and Father Jones are frequently busy on ‘digs’ around the world, often in Classical Lands. Peter and Sarah often travel with them, enabling them to discover the ties between history, magic and mythology. Whenever ancient monsters are disturbed, they know they can rely on the Elves and their friends to help them out. As the miraculous Stone of Gardar makes time travel possible, the children meet many heroes from ancient times.
In book two, we are introduced to Merlin and King Arthur, inhabitants of Roman Britain! Peter and Sarah are called out of their own time to try and help King Arthur win a war against the Western Roman Empire, aided by the ring of concealment, The Ring of Gyges.
Book three opens as Sarah and Peter travel to Greece with mother and father. Dr. Jones is working on a ‘dig’ at Mycene. Peter and Sarah have fun at a beach resort with their cousins Emma and Amy.
Father Jones discovers the tomb of a warrior and much treasure including The Shield of Agamemnon. However, the ‘dig’ awakens Agamemnon, Cassandra and Demeter. Disasterously, Demeter follows the treasure back to Wales when the family returns home. It takes all the wit and power of Merlin, the Elves and their miraculous stone to defeat her.
I am afraid Merlin had to make a return appearance because Peter and Sarah think he is so nice and they have got to like him! He also insists on re-appearing in some of the other stories.
Whatever does happen in the following books, the Jones family will find it interesting, exciting and exhilarating, and I am sure that my young readers will again find it gripping, entertaining and enjoyable!