Gertrude Crownfield

“ Looking upon the monster’s huge form, his terrible claws, his fiercely lashing tail, Flying Soot knew that the Great Black Dragon had good cause to boast.
“I leave the matter entirely to you,” said he. “There is one thing more, however, that you must promise me. You must on no account harm, or even touch the fairy Veil of which I have told you. Least of all must you attempt to take it for yourself. I assure you that it is of no value to any but the Prince or the Earth Fairy. For others it will work no charm.” ”

“ Giant raised his Cloak high in air, and set it spinning about his head like an enormous revolving cloud. Larger it grew, flying faster and faster the while, and at every turn its stifling folds settled closer about the captive Prince.
The hoarse laughter of the Giant roared in his ears like thunder. Half choked, the Prince beat back the Cloak from his face, and struggled violently to escape. But round and round spun the Cloak as the Giant whirled his powerful arm, and Prince Radiance only exhausted himself against its tightening clasp, in vain. ”

“ So crafty a messenger was Flying Soot that he obtained them unseen, and without difficulty, and soon returned to where the Earth Fairy was concealed. He laid the bundle in her outstretched hand.
Trembling with anxiety, the Earth Fairy opened the case, and ran her fingers over the wands to test their power. The Green Wand shot forth emerald fire from its tip as she took it from among the rest. It was as full of magic as on that far-off day when with it she had so cruelly enchanted the baby Princess. ”

“ Flying Soot, who had arrived some time before, had told his story to the Wizard and had easily gained his consent to assist the Earth Fairy. So when the Earth Fairy with her companions reached the entrance to the Cave she found the Imps waiting there to conduct her to the Wizard. The Princess was first to enter, and so brilliant was the light of her pure flame that the lanterns of the Imps were quite dimmed by it. The Imps themselves stared at her in the utmost astonishment. Never before had they seen a light so gloriously beautiful. ”

“ The Queen lay back among her satin pillows, quite without life. Grief at that what had happened to her beloved child had broken her heart.
The Earth Fairy and her wands were nowhere to be seen, for as soon as the Queen had cried out, she had made haste to escape by another door that led to a distant part of the palace.
Grey Smoke was filled with horror at what she saw. At first she was unable to move, or even to think. But she recovered herself quickly. Something must be done. ”

“ But not all fairies in this land are good and happy. Beyond the glow of the roses and the lilies, beyond all sight of the glimmering trees, there lies another part of the country where live the evil fairies of that land. Here are great Plains of Ash, and huge Caverns of Soot, and stretches of gloom where comes and goes the Shadow Witch. Here Imps of Darkness lurk, here Dragons crouch, and Wizards dwell. ”

“ Queen in my absence—it is Grey Smoke who says these things about me. How do you know that it is not Grey Smoke herself who has done this deed? What more likely than, having done it, she should try to throw the blame upon another?”
“Do not dare to accuse my good Grey Smoke. There is none whom I trust more than I do her,” retorted the King angrily. “Had we but chosen her as the Queen’s attendant, this grief would not have come upon us. Nothing that you can say will ever make me believe that you are not guilty. But we are wasting time. You have been brought to break the spell.” ”

“ The Ash Goblin beholding, danced for joy, for he had seen Flying Soot vanish into the Chimney not long since, and believed that now his time of punishment was come.
Flying Soot had indeed reached the great Chimney where the Wind dwelt, and was even now awaiting the coming of the Earth Fairy and those that she should bring with her. The Chimney was wide and dark, with great rough boundaries, and the Wind’s voice was so strong and boisterous that it could be heard from the Chimney Mouth to the Chimney Top. ”

“ I have been to see the Wise One, and he has told me that only the Veil of Disenchantment that lies hidden in his magic chest can break the spell that rests upon the Princess.”
[48] The King sprang to his feet eagerly. “There is, then, some magic thing that can break this enchantment?” he cried. “Let us go at once and fetch it.”
“That is impossible,” replied Grey Smoke. “Only the prince who will one day come—he who is fated to win the Princess as his bride, can see this Veil. Only in his hands is it potent to restore her.”
King Red Flame shook his head in doubt. ”

“ One evening as they were moving together in the garden, watching the red and yellow light that came and went among the fire-lilies that bordered the winding paths, the King asked her tenderly, “My child, have you not yet seen a prince whom you can love?”
White Flame laughed softly. “No, [55] there is no one. Why do you ask, dear father?”
King Red Flame sighed. “Because it is only a prince who loves you, and whom you can love in return, who can free you from the spell.” ”

“ He entered, and stood a moment, to see if any would come to stop his progress; but all was still in the garden, and not a living creature was anywhere in sight. He chose the path of greatest [60] beauty, but had not gone far upon it when he became aware of a voice singing in the distance, a voice that drew nearer and more near, until the air around him was filled with its exquisite music. Entranced, rooted to the spot, Prince Radiance listened. Never had he heard so wondrous a voice. It was as though it drew his very heart from his breast to follow it. ”

“ Though the form of the Princess had indeed vanished from the cradle, the Earth Fairy did not notice that a tender white flame was hovering above the place where the child had lain, for there was one thing that the wicked fairy, with all her knowledge of magic did not know: that is, that no Fire Fairy can ever be made entirely invisible. Though its form may vanish, its spirit is always seen as a fine flame. ”

“ Seldom does a stranger cross through my land; more seldom have I a chance to look upon the magic of others. All the tricks of my brother, the Wizard of the Cave, I know by heart. I am tired of watching him play them day after day. Why [177] should I not lure you from your path if it gives me an hour of pleasure?”
“Surely you are the friend of the Earth Fairy,” exclaimed the Prince, “and you have led me here to steal my fairy Veil if you can, but be assured you will never obtain it in spite of all your craft.” ”

“ Only those with eyes accustomed to the grey stretches can see the Ash Goblin himself. Very small he is, and grey of face and eyes and hair. Grey, too, are his garments, soft and grey as the ashes that surround him.
So he moves about, concealed from the view of all but his friends. Not less [153] eager than the rest of the Evil Fairies is he to join in any mischief, but because he is so small and weak, his help is less often sought than is that of the more powerful fairies of the land.
Flying Soot had no intention of asking him to join in the affairs of the Earth Fairy. ”

“ The Earth Fairy, in her impatience to show the hapless Queen how she had revenged herself, had turned her back upon the cradle as soon as her spell was fully wrought, and was not aware of the presence of the tiny flame. ”

“ Princess White Flame, so pale that she could scarcely be discerned, quivered and flickered where the Wind had rudely thrown her. Too weak to cry out, she only sighed faintly, and sank still lower upon the ashes.
She knew not that by her entrance into the Borderland the cruel spell had been broken by which the Earth Fairy had so long compelled her to flee from Prince Radiance. She only knew that she felt helpless, and almost without [214] life. And indeed the Princess was now in great danger, for away from the Fire, no Fire Fairy can live for long. ”

“ As he laid his hand upon the hilt it was as if the Sword answered to his touch, and leapt from its scabbard, a flashing flame of blue, that shed a dazzling light on all around it.
“It is the Sword of Flames,” the Wise One told him, “a powerful weapon—potent in your hands alone. It will serve you well. See that you do not lose it. See that you do not use it until its day comes.”
Prince Radiance looked at him in [74] wonder. “How shall I know the day?” asked he.
“When the day comes you will need none to tell you,” was the answer. “And now take the Pouch—the third and last gift.” ”

“ There was deep silence in the room, except for the suppressed whispering of a little group of Fire Fairies gathered about the door. One by one other fairies that belonged to the palace came to join them, and among the rest came Grey Smoke, old and wise, she who had nursed Queen Glow as a child.
[10] As soon as Grey Smoke saw the Earth Fairy, she said, “She has rested too long on the Hearth. She has rested too long in the heat. Never again can she return to her own life. There is only one thing left for us to do. We must change her into a Fire Fairy. ”