The Lost Queen Returns
On the same evening that Trot and her companions were arriving at the
Emerald City, Cheeriobed and his councilors sat talking in the great
blue throne room of the palace. All day the King had watched for the
coming of Ozma and the return of Philador, and as the hours dragged on
he had become more and more restless and uneasy. Shortly after lunch,
as he was pacing anxiously up and down one of the garden paths, he was
amazed to see Orpah hobbling rapidly toward him.
It was nearly twenty years since the keeper of the King's sea horses
had been carried off by Quiberon, and Cheeriobed had never expected to
see his faithful servitor again. Rubbing his eyes to make sure he was
not dreaming, the astounded monarch rushed forward to greet the old
mer-man. After a hearty embrace, which wet His Majesty considerably,
Orpah having stepped directly out of the water, they sat down on a
sapphire bench and the King begged Orpah to tell him at once all that
had happened.
Brushing over his long weary imprisonment in Cave City, Orpah
hurried on to the coming of Trot and her strange friends. His lively
description of their encounter with the Cave Men, the way they had
outwitted and trapped Quiberon in the narrow passageway, filled
Cheeriobed with wonder and relief. And when the mer-man went on to tell
him of the explosion of the blue ray that had carried them across the
bottom of the lake to the mainland, Cheeriobed smiled for the first
time since Quiberon had threatened his kingdom.
"Now," declared the good King, slapping his knee happily, "we have
nothing to worry us. Quiberon is a prisoner, the mortal child has
escaped injury and Akbad has saved my son and persuaded Ozma to come
here, save the kingdom, and restore the Queen."
Here he stopped to tell Orpah how the Court Soothsayer had picked the
golden pear and flown with Philador to the capital, invoking Ozma's aid
and carrying the mortal maid to Quiberon's cavern.
"I expect Ozma any moment now," puffed Cheeriobed, shading his eyes
and looking out over the lake. At these words, Akbad, who was hiding
behind the King's bench, covered his ears and slunk miserably away. How
could he ever explain the failure of Ozma to appear, or account for the
strange disappearance of the little Prince? Again and again he tried to
fly away from the Ozure Isles, but the golden wings refused to carry
him beyond the edge of the beach and when in despair he cast himself
into the water, they kept him afloat, so that even drowning was denied
the cowardly fellow. Dragging his wings disconsolately behind him, he
trailed about the palace, or perched forlornly in the tree tops, and
when, in the late evening, Cheeriobed summoned all of his advisors to
the throne room, the Soothsayer came slowly and unwillingly to the
conference. Orpah, with his tail in a bucket of salt water, sat on the
King's right and Toddledy, thumbing anxiously over an old book of maps,
sat on the King's left. Umtillio, nearby, strummed idly on a golden
harp and Akbad, after a longing glance at the chair set out for him,
flew up on the chandelier where he would have plenty of place for his
wings and where he could sit down with some comfort. Ranged 'round the
conference table were the officers of the Guard and members of the
King's household, and they all listened attentively as Cheeriobed began
his address.
"To-morrow is the day Quiberon has threatened to destroy us," began
His Majesty gravely, "and as he may escape it were best to devise some
means of defense."
They all nodded approvingly at these words but said nothing. "Has
anyone a suggestion to make?" asked Cheeriobed, folding his hands on
his stomach and looking inquiringly over his spectacles.
"I suggest that we all go to bed," yawned the Captain of the Guard.
"Then we'll be rested and ready for a battle, if a battle there is to
be!"
"Why bother to plan when Quiberon is stuck fast in the cavern?" asked
Akbad impatiently.
"That's so," mused Toddledy. "At least not before Ozma arrives. When
did Her Highness say she would come?" he asked, squinting up at the
Court Soothsayer.
"Just as soon as the Wizard of Oz returns from the blue forest,"
answered Akbad sulkily.
"When Trot and her friends reach the Emerald City, they will persuade
her to come right away," put in Orpah, "and they promised to come back
with her. You will be astonished at the stone man," finished Orpah
solemnly.
At Orpah's casual remark, Akbad could not restrain a groan. However
would he explain to the little ruler of all Oz his own foolish and
deceitful conduct? Dropping heavily from the chandelier he bade the
company good-night and made for the door, his wings flapping and
dragging behind him. As he put out his hand to turn the knob, the door
flew violently open and Jewlia burst into the room.
"A boat!" panted the little girl, throwing her apron over her head, "a
boat is coming 'round Opal Point."
"It is Ozma!" exclaimed His Majesty, thumping the table with both
fists. "Where are my spectacles, hand me my crown, spread the red rug
and call out the Guard of Honor!"
Without waiting for any of these commands to be carried out, Cheeriobed
plunged from the palace through the gardens and down to the shore of
Lake Orizon. Orpah reached the beach almost as soon as His Majesty,
followed closely by Toddledy and all the King's retainers. A little
murmur of disappointment went up from the crowd as they stared in the
direction indicated by Jewlia. A boat was rounding the point, but only
a fisherman's dory. Opposite the man at the oars sat a closely wrapped
figure and, as the boat came nearer, this figure arose, cast off the
cloak and, standing erect, extended both arms.
"Why!" panted Jewlia, beginning to jump up and down, "it's the
Queen--Queen Orin, herself!"
"The Queen! Long live the Queen!" roared the Ozure Islanders, wading
out into the water in their surprise and excitement. Standing up in the
shabby row-boat, as lovely and radiant as on the day Mombi had stolen
her away, was the Queen of the Ozure Isles. Her jeweled crown glittered
and flashed in the star light, her long fair hair tumbled in a bright
shower of ringlets to her gold girdled waist. Her soft blue dress,
studded with sapphires and pearls, floated out like a filmy blue cloud
in the evening wind. Never had she appeared so young and beautiful.
Head over tail, Orpah dove into the lake and began swimming out to the
boat and only the strong arms of the Guardsmen kept Cheeriobed from
diving after him.
"Orin! Orin!" cried the King in a tremulous voice, "where have you
been?" Almost ready to jump out of the boat herself, the Queen raised
her voice to answer, when a long tongue of flame shot across the sky
and with a thunderous roar, Quiberon rushed around the point and hurled
himself at the tiny boat. So sudden and unexpected was the appearance
of the monster, the Ozure Islanders fell back in dismay.
"Save her! Save her!" groaned the King, struggling to free himself
from the Guards, but no one made a move. Akbad, stiff with fright and
terror, saw the great body of Quiberon poised over the small craft, and
in that moment some of the spirit and courage that had distinguished
him in his youth returned. With a hoarse scream, the Soothsayer hurled
himself into the air and, flying straight for Quiberon, snatched the
Queen from the very jaws of death. The magic wings, which up to this
time had refused to carry him beyond the islands, this time, because he
now had no thought of himself, obeyed his command. Circling high over
the head of the enraged sea monster, Akbad headed for the sapphire
castle. With shouts and cheers the Ozure Islanders followed and,
dashing into the castle after the Soothsayer, barred the doors and
slammed down the windows. Before either the King or Queen had time to
thank Akbad, the gigantic body of Quiberon crashed through the garden
and hurled itself over the castle wall.
"We are lost!" wailed the King, as the castle began to rock and tremble
from the repeated blows of the furious monster. "Nothing can save us
now."
Cowering in the throne room, the King and his little band of followers
waited for the blow that would crush the castle and destroy them
utterly. But, strangely enough, the noise and confusion and thuds upon
the wall grew less and finally stopped altogether. "He's backing away
for a last try," groaned Toddledy, burying his head in his hands.
"Never mind," sighed the Queen, throwing her arms 'round Cheeriobed's
neck. "At least we shall perish together." At the Queen's words
there was a tremendous whack on the roof. A blue sapphire sky-light
splintered to bits and a great head was thrust through the opening.
[Illustration: QUEEN ORIN RETURNS]