In a certain country there once lived a Tsar named Elidarovich, with
his wife, Militissa Ibrahimovna, who had three sons. The eldest son
was named Aksof Tsarevich, the second Hut Tsarevich, and the youngest,
Lyubim Tsarevich; and they grew, not from day to day, but from hour to
hour. And when the eldest son was twenty years of age, he begged leave
of his parents to travel in other countries, and seek a beautiful
princess for his wife. So his parents at last consented, gave him
their blessing, and dismissed him to the four quarters of the earth.
Not long after this, Hut Tsarevich in like manner begged permission of
his parents to travel; and Tsar Elidar and the Tsarina gave their
consent with the greatest pleasure. And so Hut Tsarevich went out into
the world too, and they wandered about a long while, until at length
nothing more was heard or seen of them, and they were given up for
dead.
As the Tsar and the Tsarina were troubled and wept for their lost
sons, came the youngest son, Lyubim Tsarevich, and likewise entreated
them to let him go forth to seek his brothers. But his parents said to
him: "Son, you are too young and cannot undertake so long a journey;
and how can we part with you, our only child left to us? We are
already in years, and to whom should we leave our crown?" But Lyubim
Tsarevich would not be denied; he remained firm to his purpose, and
said: "It is needful for me to travel and see the world; for if ever I
am called to rule over the country, I must learn to do so with
justice."
When the Tsar Elidar and Tsarina Militissa heard these words from
their son, they were overjoyed, and gave him their consent to travel;
but only for a short time, and making him promise to have no
companions, nor expose himself to any great dangers. Upon taking
leave, Lyubim bethought him how to provide himself with a knightly
steed and a suit of armour; and as he went musing thus to the city, an
old woman met him, who said: "Why are you so sad, my dear Lyubim
Tsarevich?" But he did not give her an answer, and passed by the old
woman without saying a word. But then he bethought him that old folk
are wiser than young ones, turned round, and going up to the old
woman, accosted her. And Lyubim Tsarevich said to her: "At the first
meeting, mother, I disdained to tell you why I was sad, but it came
into my mind that old folk must know more than young ones." "There it
is, Lyubim Tsarevich," said the old woman, "you can't easily get away
from old folk. Say, why are you sad? Tell the old wife." And Lyubim
Tsarevich said to her: "I have no good horse and no armour, yet I must
travel far and wide in search of my brothers." Then the old woman
said: "What think you? There is a horse and a suit of armour in your
father's forbidden meadow,[A] behind twelve gates, and this horse is
fastened by twelve chains. On that meadow is also a broadsword and a
fine suit of armour."
[A] The "royal forbidden meadows" were those belonging
to the Sovereign, the use of which was strictly
forbidden to his subjects. When an enemy came into the
country they first pitched their camp in these fields,
as a declaration of hostilities.
When Lyubim Tsarevich had heard this, and thanked the old woman, he
went straightway, overjoyed, to the forbidden meadow. On reaching the
place where the horse was, he stopped, and bethought him, "How shall I
break through the twelve gates?" At last he made the attempt, and
presently broke down one gate; then the steed perceived by his scent
the presence of the brave youth, and with a great effort burst his
chains; and then Lyubim Tsarevich broke through three more gates, and
the steed trampled down the rest. Then Lyubim Tsarevich surveyed the
steed and the armour; and put on the armour, but left the steed in the
meadow; after which he went to his home, found his parents, and with
great joy told them all that had befallen him, and how an old woman
had helped him, and begged their blessing on his travels. So his
parents gave him their blessing, and, mounting his good steed, he set
forth on his journey. And he went his way, and travelled until he came
at length to a place where three roads met; in the centre stood a
column, with three inscriptions, which ran as follows: "He who turns
to the right will have plenty to eat, but his steed will starve; he
who goes straight forward will hunger himself, but his steed will have
food enough; and whoever takes the left road will be slain by the
Winged Wolf."
When Lyubim Tsarevich read this, he pondered over it, and resolved to
go no other road but to choose the left, and either be slain himself,
or destroy the Winged Wolf, and free all those who might be travelling
that way. So he journeyed on until he came to the open plains, where
he pitched his tent to rest, when on a sudden he perceived in the west
the Winged Wolf come flying toward him. Instantly upstarted Lyubim
Tsarevich, put on his armour, and leaped upon his steed. And Lyubim
rode at the Wolf, which beat him so hard with his wings that he nearly
fell from his horse; nevertheless, Lyubim kept his seat, flew into a
violent rage, and with his battle-sword struck the Winged Wolf a blow
that felled him to the ground, and injured his right wing so that he
could no longer fly.
[Illustration: INSTANTLY UPSTARTED LYUBIM TSAREVICH, PUT ON HIS
ARMOUR, AND LEAPT UPON HIS STEED.]
When the Wolf came to himself he said to Lyubim Tsarevich, in a human
voice: "Do not kill me! I will be useful to you and serve you as your
trusty servant." Then Lyubim Tsarevich replied: "Know you where my
brothers are?" And the Wolf answered: "They have long ago been slain;
but we will bring them to life again when we have won the beautiful
Princess." "How shall we do that?" said Lyubim Tsarevich. "Hark ye,"
replied the Wolf; "leave your steed here, and----."
"How! What shall I do without my horse?" cried Lyubim.
"Only hear me out," said the Wolf; "I will change myself into a horse,
and carry you; but this steed of yours is not fit for the task we have
to do; in the city where the Princess lives, there are strings from
the walls to all the bells in the city; and we must leap over all
these without touching the smallest, otherwise we shall be taken."
Lyubim Tsarevich saw at once that the Wolf spoke wisely, so he
consented, and exclaimed, "On then!"
Away they went, until they came to the white stone wall of the city;
and when Lyubim Tsarevich looked on it he grew frightened. "How is it
possible to leap over this high white stone wall?" said he to the
Wolf. But the Wolf replied: "It is not hard for me to jump over this;
but afterwards fresh obstacles will arise, from your falling in love;
then you must bathe in the water of life, and take some for your
brothers, and also some of the water of death."
Thereupon they leaped safely over the city wall, without touching a
stone. Lyubim Tsarevich stopped at the palace and went to the court of
the beautiful Princess. And as he entered the first apartment he found
a number of chamber women all fast asleep, but the Princess was not
there; he found her not. Then went Lyubim Tsarevich into the second
room, where he found a number of beautiful ladies-in-waiting, all fast
asleep, but the Princess was still not there. Then Lyubim went into
the third apartment, and there he saw the Princess herself, sleeping;
and his heart was on fire with her beauty, and he fell so deeply in
love that he could not tear himself away from her presence. But at
last, fearing he might be seized if he remained too long, he went into
the garden to fetch some of the waters of life and of death. Then he
bathed in the water of life, and taking with him bladders-full of both
waters, he returned to his Wolf. And as he was sitting on his
Wolf-steed, the Wolf said to him: "You have become very heavy. We
cannot leap back over the wall, but shall strike against it and wake
everyone up. Nevertheless you shall kill them; and when they are all
slain, be sure to seize on a white horse. I will then help you to
fight; and as soon as we reach our tent, take your own steed, and I
will mount the white horse. And when we have slain all the warriors,
the Princess herself will come to meet you and offer to be your wife,
professing a violent love for you."
Thereupon they attempted to leap over the high city wall; but they
touched the strings, and instantly the bells rang an alarm through all
the city, and the drums beat. Then every one jumped up and ran out of
the court with their weapons, whilst some opened the gate that no
misfortune might befall the Princess. Presently the Princess herself
awoke; and, perceiving that a youth had been in the apartment, she
gave an alarm, which soon brought all the courtiers around her. There
was speedily gathered a crowd of famous and valiant knights, and she
said to them: "Now ye brave warriors, go forth and fetch hither this
youth and bring me his head; so shall his boldness be punished!"
And the valiant knights promised her: "We will not rest until we have
slain him, and brought his head to you, even if he were in the midst
of an army." So the Princess dismissed them, and went up into her
balcony, and gazed after her army and after the stranger who had dared
to intrude into the privacy of her court, and caress her in her sleep.
When the alarm was given, Lyubim Tsarevich had already ridden a great
distance on his Wolf-steed, and was half-way to his tent before he
could be overtaken. As soon as he saw them approach, he wheeled about
and grew furious at beholding such an array of Knights in the field.
Then they fell upon him; but Lyubim Tsarevich laid about him valiantly
with his sword, and slew many, whilst his horse trod down still more
under his hoofs, and it ended in their slaying nearly all the little
knightlets. And Lyubim Tsarevich saw one single knight mounted upon a
white steed, with a head like a beer-barrel, who rode at him; but
Lyubim Tsarevich slew him also, leaped on the white horse, and left
the Wolf to rest. When they had rested they betook themselves to their
tent.
When the beautiful Princess saw Lyubim Tsarevich overcome singly such
a large host, she collected a still larger army and sent them forth
against him, whilst she went back again to her balcony.
But Lyubim Tsarevich came to his tent, and there the Wolf transformed
himself into a valiant knight, such as no one could imagine except in
a fairy-tale. And presently the army of the beautiful Tsarevna was
seen approaching--a countless host; whereupon Lyubim Tsarevich mounted
his white steed, accompanied by his companion the Wolf, and awaited
their attack; and when the army of the beautiful Tsarevna was near,
Lyubim, taking the right wing, ordered the Wolf to attack the left,
and they made ready for the charge. Then on a sudden they fell upon
the warriors of the Tsarevna with a fierce onset, mowing them down
like grass, until only two persons remained on the field, the Wolf and
Lyubim Tsarevich. And after this dreadful fight was ended the brave
Wolf said to Lyubim: "See, yonder comes the beautiful Tsarevna
herself, and she will ask you to take her to wife; there is nothing
more to fear from her; I have expiated my crimes through my bravery;
dismiss me now, and let me return to my own kingdom." So Lyubim
Tsarevich thanked him for his service and counsel and bade him
farewell.
The Wolf thereupon vanished; and when Lyubim Tsarevich saw the
beautiful Princess coming toward him, he rejoiced, and, going to meet
her, he took her by her white hands, kissing her honey-sweet mouth,
pressed her to his stormy heart, and said: "Did I not love you, my
dearest fair Tsarevna, I should not have remained here; but you have
seen that my love was stronger than your armies." Then the fair
Tsarevna replied: "Ah! thou valiant knight. Thou hast overcome all my
powers, and my strong and famous knights, on whom my hopes relied; and
my city is now desolate. I will leave it and go with you; henceforth
you shall be my protector."
"Joyfully do I take you for my wife," replied Lyubim Tsarevich, "and I
will guard and protect you and your kingdom faithfully." Conversing
thus they entered the tent, and sat down to rest and feast.
Early the next morning they mounted their horses and set out on their
journey to the kingdom of Elidar; and on the way Lyubim Tsarevich
said: "Ah! thou fair Princess, I had two elder brothers, who left our
home before I did, in hopes of winning your hand; in these wilds they
have been murdered, and where their remains lie I do not know; but I
have brought with me the waters of life and death, and will seek and
restore them to life; they cannot be far distant from our road; do you
therefore ride on to the pillar with the inscriptions, and wait for
me. I shall soon rejoin you."
So saying, Lyubim Tsarevich parted from his fair Princess, and went
forth to seek his brothers' remains. He found them at last among some
trees; and after sprinkling them with the water of death, they grew
together; then he sprinkled them with the water of life, and his two
brothers became alive, and stood up on their feet. Then Aksof and Hut
Tsarevich exclaimed: "Ah! brother! how long have we been sleeping
here?" And Lyubim Tsarevich said: "Ay, indeed, and you might have
still slept on for ever, had it not been for me." Then he related to
them all his adventures--how he had conquered the Wolf, and won the
beautiful Princess, and had brought them the waters of life and death.
Thereupon they repaired to the tent, where the fair Tsarevna was
waiting for them; and they all rejoiced and feasted together.
When they had retired to rest, Aksof Tsarevich said to his brother Hut
Tsarevich: "How shall we go to our father Elidar and our mother
Militissa, and what shall we say to them? Our youngest brother can
boast that he won the beautiful Princess and awakened us from death.
Is it not disgraceful for us to live with him? Had we not better kill
him at once?" So they agreed, and took the battle-sword and cut Lyubim
Tsarevich to pieces, and cast his remains to the winds. Then they
threatened the Princess with the same fate if she betrayed the secret
to anyone; and, drawing lots, the waters of life and death fell to
Hut, and the beautiful Princess to Aksof Tsarevich.
So they journeyed on to their father's kingdom; and when they reached
the forbidden meadows, and had pitched their tents, the Tsar Elidar
sent messengers to demand who had encamped there. Then Hut replied:
"Aksof and Hut Tsarevich are come, with a beautiful Princess; and tell
our father, the Tsar, that we have brought with us the waters of life
and death."
The messenger immediately returned to the Court and told this to the
Tsar, who inquired whether all his three sons were come; but the
messenger replied: "Only the two eldest, your Majesty; the youngest is
not with them." The Tsar, nevertheless, rejoiced greatly, and hastened
to tell the Tsarina, his wife, of the return of their two eldest sons.
Then Tsar Elidar and Tsarina Militissa arose and went to meet their
sons in the way, and unarmed them, and embraced them tenderly. And
when they returned to the palace a great banquet was made, and they
feasted seven days and seven nights. At the end of this time they
began to think of the wedding, and to make preparations, and invite
the guests, boyars, and brave warriors and knights.
Now, the Winged Wolf, who knew that they had slain their brother,
Lyubim Tsarevich, ran and fetched the waters of life and death,
collected all the remains of Lyubim, and sprinkled them with the water
of death; thereupon the bones grew together, and no sooner had he
sprinkled them with the water of life than the brave youth stood up,
as if nothing had happened to him, and said: "Ah, what a time I have
slept!" Then the Wolf answered: "Ay, you would have slept on for ever
had I not come to awaken you"; and he related to Lyubim all that his
brothers had done; and, changing himself into a horse, he said:
"Hasten after them--you will be sure to overtake them; to-morrow your
brother Aksof Tsarevich is to marry the Princess."
So Lyubim instantly set out, and the Wolf-steed galloped over hill and
dale, until they arrived at the city of the Tsar, where Lyubim
dismounted. Then he walked through the market, and bought a gusli; and
stationed himself in a spot which the Princess would pass. And, as she
was being conducted to the church, Lyubim Tsarevich began to sing the
events of his youth, accompanying himself on the gusli; and when the
beautiful Princess drew nigh, he sang of his brothers, and how cruelly
they had slain him and deceived their father. Then the Princess
stopped her carriage, and ordered her attendants to call to her the
stranger with the gusli, and to ask his name and who he was. But
without answering a word, Lyubim went straight to the Princess; and
when she saw him, she was overjoyed, and, seating him in her carriage,
they drove off to his parents.
When the Tsar Elidar and his wife Militissa, beheld their son Lyubim,
they were unspeakably glad; and the beautiful Princess said: "Lyubim
Tsarevich it was, and not Aksof, who gained my hand, and it was he,
too, who obtained the waters of life and death." Then Lyubim related
all his adventures; and the Tsar and Tsarina, after summoning their
sons, Aksof and Hut, asked them why they had acted so unnaturally; but
they denied the charge. Thereat the Tsar waxed wroth, and commanded
that they should be shot at the gate of the city. Lyubim Tsarevich
married the beautiful Princess, and they lived in perfect harmony for
many years; and so this story has an end.