In King Red Flame’s garden it was brilliant noonday. The trees waved
their branches to a cloudless sky, the flowers lifted their beauteous
heads in a clear and golden light. Through the blossoming shrubs, the
towers and walls of the Palace of Burning Coals glistened in fullest
splendor. Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch approaching, beheld them
shining as if in welcome. The band of Shadows caught their breath in
wonder at the glorious sight.
Within the palace sat King Red Flame on his jeweled throne, listening
to his daughter, the Princess, as she sang the songs he loved. Prince
Radiance, close beside her, listened also. He could never tire of that
exquisite voice, which, from the first hour that he had heard it, had
enchanted his ear, and enchained his heart. The Fire Fairies, busy in
palace and garden, paused now and then to catch the floating strains,
for their Princess was unspeakably dear to them, and her singing stirred
them always to deep delight. Rushing Flame, the King’s messenger, poised
alertly at the palace gate in readiness to leap forth on any errand for
his master, strained his ear, that he, too, might miss no note of her
song.
Suddenly, from below the palace windows, the sound of many feet was
heard, and the air was rent by shouts of welcome.
The Princess broke off her song. With one accord the royal company
started to their feet, certain that naught but the return of Prince
Ember could cause so great a tumult. At that very instant the scarlet
figure of Rushing Flame appeared before them, proclaiming, “Your Majesty
the King, Prince Ember has returned.”
While he was yet speaking, Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch entered the
palace hall. Close after them glided the band of Shadows, and
accompanying them came the Wise One, kind old Grey Smoke and a multitude
of Fire Fairies, who had come quickly together from everywhere, eager to
have a part in greeting the unknown guests, and to hear the adventures
of the brave young Prince.
With a lover’s pride, Prince Ember led his beloved to the King. Never
had the Shadow Witch looked more beautiful. Her ebon hair fell like a
rich cloak over her grey robes; her cheek was mantled by a crimson
flush; her dark eyes gleamed with a soft radiance.
King Red Flame, won by the first glimpse of this lovely stranger, forgot
his state and went to meet her. Without waiting for his nephew to make
her known, he drew her to himself in cordial greeting. “Welcome fair
Princess of the Shadows,” he said, “and welcome, also, to your train.”
Then to his nephew he turned in deep affection. “Welcome, dear Ember,
thrice welcome. Long have we waited and anxiously hoped for your safe
return.”
“Welcome, welcome,” cried Prince Radiance heartily, coming to clasp
hands with the Prince and his companion in his turn. Right glad was he
to see his good friends once more.
The gentle Princess White Flame, thinking of what she must have endured,
took the Shadow Witch to her arms and kissed her as a sister might.
Then did the King demand to know the story of their adventures, and a
deep hush fell over the assemblage while Prince Ember related
everything, from first to last, that had befallen them. Of all who
listened with deep interest and earnest sympathy, only Prince Radiance
and Princess White Flame, who themselves had once journeyed in that
far-off land and had met its perils, could fully understand how great
the task of Prince Ember had been.
The Wise One, hearing how his own gifts and his advice concerning the
Elf of the Borderland had been the means of bringing them safely through
all the dangers that had threatened them, smiled and nodded his head
approvingly, as was his wont.
When, in conclusion, Prince Ember made known that he had won the love of
the Shadow Witch, and that she had consented to become his Princess,
King Red Flame was greatly pleased that the Prince had found so fair a
mate and gave command that the wedding should take place forthwith.
In haste, then, the wedding feast was prepared. Dame Grey Smoke herself
saw to it that it lacked no splendor that fairy hands or fairy skill
could devise. The Wise One gave sage advice and from his treasure chest
brought gifts, ancient and rare. The Fire Fairies vied with one
another in their loving task of making all things ready, and among them
moved the Shadows, their faces reflecting the joy of their mistress,
their hearts filled with wonder and delight at the beauty and goodness
of this new fairyland into which they had come to dwell. The Fire
Fairies showed them every kindness, so that they might feel at home in a
country where all things were strange to them.
So, in the Palace of Burning Coals, Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch
were married, and King Red Flame himself gave the bride away.
When the wedding feast with its splendors was ended, the Prince led his
bride home to his Palace of Good Cheer.
[Illustration: The Prince led his bride home to his Palace of Good
Cheer.]
His own fairies stood to welcome them. On the high golden gate that
overarched the entrance to his dominions three great marriage torches
were set, that lifted their quenchless flames upward with pure and
golden light.
As Prince Ember advanced with the Shadow Witch through that bright gate,
she became transformed, for all grey forsook her trailing robes forever
and left them robes of glory, robes of rose and amethyst and richest
scarlet in their changing hues. The garments of her attendant Shadows
changed, also, and became a soft reflection of the fuller loveliness of
her own.
They came on through the shining avenue, amid the welcoming shouts of
the Ember Fairies and reached the Palace of Good Cheer. From every
turret flaming banners floated, from every window ruddy light beamed
out.
At its wide open door Prince Ember bent and kissed his bride tenderly.
“Enter, dear Shadow Witch,” he whispered low. “Enter, and crown my life
with the priceless treasure of your love.”
Her face alight with happiness, she passed in with him. She had come at
last, with her beloved Prince, to the fairyland of good magic—to the
land of her heart’s desire.
[Illustration]
_Uniform with this Volume_
PRINCESS
WHITE-FLAME
By
GERTRUDE CROWNFIELD
Illustrated by
ANNE MERRIMAN PECK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
[Illustration]
[Transcriber’s Note: The ad has been moved from the beginning of the
book to the end. The table below lists all corrections applied to the
original text.
p. 009: [normalized] the Chief Imp bore himself humbly to-day -> today
p. 049: [added closing quotes] with all her magic power gone?”
p. 106: [added period] Beware, therefore, of the Ash Goblin.
p. 175: sank down helpess -> helpless
p. 176: the Prince advanced rapidy -> rapidly
p. 229: Go with we, there to be my bride -> me
p. 237: [normalized] that beauteous fairy-land -> fairyland
p. 243: [normalized] it was brilliant noon-day -> noonday
p. 248: to become his Princess. King -> Princess, King
p. 253: “Enter, dear Shadow Witch,” he whisered low. -> whispered ]