Gertrude Crownfield

“ No one who comes to the Elf of the Borderland for help in any good deed comes in vain. Thinking of this, hope [32] rose in the breast of Creeping Shadow. Sure that he would not fail her, she determined to appeal to him at once.
Like an arrow she sped out of the Cave and swept down the cliff-side and across the Plain in noiseless haste. The Ash Goblin met her, and would have detained her to ask her business, but she escaped him without reply. In trembling fear of the Wind, who might swoop down upon her, she approached the Chimney Mouth, but she had the good fortune to pass by it in safety. ”

“ The Ash Goblin made fast the door, and as he did so he turned his crafty head to her and inquired her errand. She told him all.
“Well may you come to me,” he assured her. “I have long desired to revenge myself upon your impudent mistress. Often she has made sport of me with her tricking shadows. Often she has even dared to make my own form flicker and dance before me—not as it is—indeed, but twisted and misshapen to please her own mischievous fancy.” His eyes glinted with malice, and Black Shadow was well pleased to find him so willing to give his help. ”

“ Far hid from him are you, my sister,” he triumphed, “so deep within this Cave, and behind such walls as he can never penetrate, whatever be his magic. The secret that unlocks your dungeon lies with me only, and with those to whom I choose to entrust it. The spell that holds it fast is the all-potent spell of the Wizard of the Cave.” ”

“ Creeping Shadow besought him, when she had told him all, “What can be done to deliver my dear mistress? There is none so wise and kind as yourself. Advise me, I beg of you.” With eyes fastened eagerly upon his face she awaited his answer.
“There is but one thing to do,” returned the Elf instantly. “You must obtain the assistance of some noble Prince—one [34] who, by the power of his good magic, can overcome the Wizard, and set her free.”
“Alas!” sighed Creeping Shadow, “Where might such a prince be found? You know as well as I that all in this land are evil and use evil enchantments.” ”

“ If in my own Land of Shadows I can cause to spring up a better magic than it has known heretofore, it will be well. But if that hope proves vain, I shall forsake my home, and go to that land of brightness and good magic from whence this prince came, and there learn nobler ways and find a truer home.”
At these words of his sister, the Wizard burst forth in such furious rage that his Imps, hearing, shrank back close to the wall of the cavern, trembling with fright. “Miserable creature,” he shouted. ”

“ A low murmur of pity ran from one to the other of the kind-hearted fire fairies, from the King himself, to the humblest fairy gathered there.
Princess White Flame laid a consoling hand upon Creeping Shadow’s shoulder. “Wait but a moment,” she told her. “The Wise One has great knowledge, great wisdom. No magic is hid from him. Somewhere there must be one who can bring succor to your mistress. ”

“ No less anxiously did Creeping Shadow listen to hear the fate of her dear mistress.
“Nay, Your Majesty,” replied the Wise One, with great earnestness, “deeply as the Prince is indebted to the Shadow Witch, brave though he is and potent as is his Sword of Flames against [49] the Wizard, it is not given to him to deliver her.”
Hearing his words, tears rushed to the eyes of Creeping Shadow. “Alas! alas! My poor mistress!” she sobbed. “If this be true, what is to become of her in the dense darkness where she lies captive with all her magic power gone?” ”

“ THE SHADOW WITCH
[1] PROLOGUE Come, sit with me beside the broad hearthstone and gaze into the depths of the fire when it burns low, for not among the leaping flames alone are there to be seen marvelous things.
Deep hidden from your eyes at first, but plainly visible as you look closer, are countless forms of brightness and of beauty. You will find them among the shining coals that glimmer in scarlet and gold before you when the embers [2] lie clear and warm upon the hearth. You will behold them among the shadows that flit across the embers with delicate grace and changeful hues. ”

“ When Black Shadow saw that she had learned all that her companion had to tell, she laid her hand upon her arm. “Come,” said she. “We must tell the others. They, no less than ourselves, have grieved over the absence of our dearly loved mistress.”
Creeping Shadow was but too eager to do so, and they set out at once. They had gone but a little way when they came upon all the rest of the Shadows, still sitting beneath the trees, talking sadly among themselves with hushed voices. ”

“ The voice of the Wind is loud when he laughs in glee, but it is louder a thousandfold [97] when he howls with rage, and when he sweeps down from his high seat in the Chimney and rushes out into the lands beyond, whistling or shrieking as he goes, he drives all before him, whether they will or no.
Today the Wind rested in his home, on the great rough bench which was his favorite seat, and Black Shadow had but to ask of the Breezes who loitered about the Chimney Mouth whether she might go into the Wind’s presence, to have her request granted immediately. ”

“ From the perils that he must meet he will soon turn back, if indeed he live to do so.”
Undismayed, undiscouraged, the Shadow Witch bent her dark eyes upon him. “What matter that he is a stranger?” she cried confidently. “They who come from that bright land count themselves no strangers to the weak and the defenceless. They have, too, their own noble magic, before which ours is powerless. In a moment when you think not it will be upon you, and its spell will overcome you. This prince is my friend! I know it well! The hour of my deliverance is at hand!”
Loud rang the laughter of the Wizard. ”

“ She reached the Plain of Ash and stood for a moment to scan it far and wide. Only the grey expanse, dotted with low hills and mounds of ash lay before her. Not a living creature moved upon its surface.
Sure then that mischief had indeed befallen the Shadow Witch, she sped away across the Plain, and with an anxiously beating heart arrived at the entrance to the Cave of Darkness. She plunged into it. In the long corridor that led to the Cave Hall, she met, from time to time, Imps coming and going upon their master’s business, and she hoped that they might give her some news of her mistress. ”

“ Beneath the Cloak of Ash, the Shadow Witch raised her grey sleeves and waved them toward Curling Smoke. Prince Ember, watching to see what she was about to do, saw a creature, as if in answer to the giant’s cry, take shape from among the smoke wreaths that lay along the ground and begin to creep, half hidden by them, toward the giant. ”

“ Its grim walls rose high on all sides, close hung with their swaying curtains of soot. The glistening fragments [127] of charcoal that covered its floor, lay like a thick carpet beneath the feet.
In the centre of the vast room stood the Wizard, quite alone. Forbidding enough in himself, clad as he was in long black robes, over which his dingy beard fell from his grim face almost to his feet, he seemed yet more so because of the huge black urns that were ranged about him in a circle. ”

“ Curling Smoke waits but the word to engage himself against any who come from the Land of Fire. The Ash Goblin needs no urging against my sister. Too often she has made sport of him, until he has not known which way to turn for anger. And as to the Wind in the Chimney, merely to speak to him is to gain his consent to swoop down at once upon any adventurer [90] into our lands. Seek these friends of mine, Black Shadow, and bid them lie in wait for this bold prince. ”

“ CHAPTER XV With what happiness Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch resumed their journey! All the way before them seemed a way of brightness, though it led across a Plain as grey and desolate as it had been before; but they knew that no perils lay in wait for them, and that every step led them safely on. ”

“ That hope, of which she had boasted, and which had so nearly faded from her heart, sprang again to fulness of life. She threw up her arms in uncontrollable rejoicing, and her voice rang sweet and high and clear as she exclaimed: “Ah, he has come at last, the good Prince Radiance! He has not failed me! Think not that your guards can stay him. Think not that your evil friends are able to destroy him. He has conquered them once—he will conquer again. Already you yourself have felt his mystic power. ”

“ It will be long before you trick me again, for, lest you should try to give me some fresh proof of your cleverness, I have prepared for you the darkness of this prison chamber. In it no Shadow can have power, can work magic. ”

“ Creeping Shadow hastened to obey, and presently returned accompanied by [9] a dwarfed creature, black as the blackest soot and clad in raiment as dusky as himself. It was the Chief Imp, a trusted messenger of the Wizard.
The Shadow Witch especially disliked him. He was at times impertinent when he came on her brother’s errands, therefore she held herself haughtily and folded her robes closer about her when he drew near.
But the Chief Imp bore himself humbly today and his disagreeable face wore an air of deep distress. He bowed himself to the earth, and waited permission to speak. ”

“ The Wizard smiled contemptuously at her words, and added taunt to taunt. “It tells you, perchance, of that Prince, then, who lingers near the Cave Mouth, seeking entrance, in the belief, no doubt, that he can succeed in snatching you from this prison, and from my power. But let him not deceive himself. My guards are many and watchful—my friends without are strong and clever. He will never be able to escape all of these, try how he may.”
The Shadow Witch started violently at such unexpected words. ”

“ Here, too, were Imps, one beside each spark lantern, but in the centre of the room the Shadow Witch saw that which caused her to turn pale with misgiving, [17] for the Wizard of the Cave was there—not weak or ill, as she had been led to believe, but recovered and standing in the fulness of his strength.
Beholding him thus, she knew that he intended mischief against her; knew, also, that for her safety she must show no sign of fear. “After all,” she thought, “my own magic will protect me. Never has it been less potent than his. ”

“ The dark eyes of the Shadow Witch rested coldly upon his face, but she vouchsafed him no reply.
[71] “Here, it is true, you have no special opportunity to do further mischief,” continued the Wizard, “and that is a hardship for you, to be sure. But you have plenty of time for repentance, which you need far more. As for your Land of Shadows, word has come to me that your servant, Black Shadow, holds sway in your absence. Nay, more, that she rejoices in her power, and is none too eager for your return.” ”