The Moon Princess: A Fairy Tale

“Once upon a time there lived in the heart of a great forest, something like this we are passing through, a young Prince with his two elder brothers. They lived in a splendid palace, and were fond of hunting and shooting; but they were also frequently at war with their neighbors, so that fighting of some sort always seemed to be going on. This youngest was named Oswald; though he always accompanied his brothers to war, and was the very bravest of all the knights, he thought it was useless to fight about everything. Life would be much happier if people were kind and peace-loving; and unless there were a serious question to fight about, he did not believe in fighting at all. He much preferred to roam the forest, studying the sky and the trees, or the lovely waters of the clear blue lakes. He would spend hours thus, musing on the wonderful works of Nature, and wondering where she kept her marvellous paint-box.

“Now, Prince Oswald was very good-looking. He was tall and slender as the young saplings about him, but he was powerful and strong of limb, too; and when his brothers told him to choose a wife among the pretty maidens of the land, almost any of the princesses would have been glad to be chosen. But Prince Oswald was in no hurry to choose; he did not fall in love very easily, and he thought he would just wait until the right princess came along.

“One day, when lying on the shore of a beautiful body of water, he noticed that the sky was suddenly tinged with red. He rubbed his eyes with amazement, but the red hue tinged every object that he looked upon; the treetops, the lake, and the deer that glided along the edge of the forest had a delicate crimson splendor. In the midst of this fairy spectacle he heard a musical voice sigh, and turning around saw a radiantly beautiful woman standing near him. Her countenance was lovely, and her glorious brown eyes were sparkling with light. She smiled as she looked upon him, and for a minute her teeth gleamed white as little pearls between her red lips. Her splendid golden hair hung in soft masses below her waist, and the wind was blowing it softly about. Her garments were loose and flowing, and variegated in color, shading from the tenderest pink to the deepest crimson. The wonderful dyes of her dress seemed to float away from her in rosy clouds, and blend in the air until the rich rose-color around glowed and deepened to a magnificent red.

“As Oswald stood gazing upon this gorgeous maiden, she addressed him in a low and charming voice: ‘O, dreamer of the woods, am I not worth seeking? Why do you waste your life in idleness here? Look for me in the land that lies westward, beyond the setting of the sun. There may be many obstacles in your path, but, overcoming them, you will find your bride awaiting you. Am I not worth the winning?’

“For answer, Oswald sprang forward to clasp her in his arms, but at that instant the red light glowed more brightly about her, flaring to a brilliant flame; and thus standing in its midst, she disappeared in a sea of fire, leaving the sky and water a dull, heavy gray.

“Prince Oswald returned to the palace deeply wrapped in thought, and indeed he could think of nothing but the beautiful maiden he had seen. The next morning he determined he would seek and find her, because until he did he felt he could never be happy again. After making preparations to go, and bidding his brothers good-bye, he started alone to seek the Land of the Setting Sun. First he found the spot by the lake where, the evening before, he had watched the glorious beauty of the strange maiden, and he sat down in silence. Again the sky took on its delicate rose, deepening until the ruby splendor of the clouds piled themselves into gold and crimson palaces. From one of these palaces Oswald felt confident his beautiful lady would emerge, and tremblingly he sat expectant. Suddenly the same peculiar sigh met his ears, and turning to greet the lovely stranger, he saw to his disappointment only a glittering sword. The blade was, of course, of shining steel, but the handle was formed of one magnificent ruby. The radiance from this superb jewelled handle was magnificent. It gleamed and sparkled in flaming red, until the whole western world glowed with the bright reflection.

“Oswald realized with a beating heart that it was a message from the mysterious lady, and he lifted the sword to his side. Then feeling brave enough to meet any dangers because she had sent him the sword, he started on his travels to the Land of the Setting Sun. Over hills and prairies, but always toward the west, Prince Oswald travelled. He rested by night only, and at early dawn was off again. On the third night he saw a bright light ahead, and on approaching it found it to be a beautiful princess. She was dressed in a gown of spun silver, and on her forehead there shone one magnificent star. She greeted him kindly, and told him she was the Evening Star, and would light him through the dark forest. He thanked her gratefully, and accompanied her in among the dark and gloomy trees. She glided ahead, and the light from the beautiful star crown showed him the way, even in the darkest places. Evening Star told him she recognized him in the distance by the ruby-hilted sword he wore. ‘You seek the Princess Sunset,’ she continued, ‘do you not?’

“‘Yes,’ replied Oswald, ‘and I shall never rest until I find her.’

“‘Alas!’ said Evening Star, ‘though I sincerely wish you success, I must tell you that many difficulties will beset you, for of all the young men who have passed this way in quest of the golden-haired Princess not one has ever returned. The obstacles that have beset them have proven too great, and they have never yet been able to rescue her.

“‘She is wonderfully beautiful, though, and I am not surprised that you seek her. Once I met her face to face, and I could never forget what a vision of beauty she was. It was a charming evening, and I had risen over the purple hills a little earlier than usual. Tall and majestic the Princess stood upon the hilltop, clothed in her marvellous dress of crimson. Her great brown eyes looked questioningly into mine, and her splendid hair floated back from her lovely face in a sort of golden mist, while the breeze blew her long, trailing robes across the sky. Her exquisite form stood plainly outlined thus for several minutes, and the crimson colors from her garments tinged the heavens from a delicate pink to a brilliant ruby-red. Then suddenly stretching forth her arms toward me, she greeted me with a tender smile of welcome, and vanished. Never shall I forget her charm. She was the daughter of a great king and lived in a splendid palace, but she was as gentle and tender-hearted as a child. Her great delight was to roam the woods, gathering flowers and weaving them into a gorgeously colored robe. The brighter the flower the better she loved it. Red, yellow, blue, all were gathered and woven together, until the dress was a miracle of beauty and brightness. Her gown was so brilliant, that when she wore it the very skies reflected the colors, and she would stand upon the hilltop and let the flowing skirts trail out in long, loose lines across the heavens. This was her delight.

“‘People came from far and wide to see the Sunset Princess in her flower dress, for when she wore it she was marvellously beautiful. Among them once came a wicked magician, and the moment his eyes fell upon her he determined to marry her. So, to gain his end, he killed her father and her brothers, and destroyed all her people. Then he stole her, and hid her in his western palace; and there he has kept her a prisoner ever since. But she declares she will never, never marry such a cruel monster, even if she should never escape, and he cannot marry her without her consent.

“‘Now, the poor Princess has the power to appear in a dream to any one she wishes to come and deliver her from the wicked old magician’s power. But this is her only privilege. She can never stir from his palace (except in dreams) unless by his especial invitation. Once every day he invites her to come forth. At the sunset hour he calls her, and with her maidens she walks out upon a spacious balcony. But she is a brave princess, and she courageously wears her crimson flower dress, and gives him only scornful looks.

“‘The magician occasionally invites her out on the balcony for a cruel purpose—to show her the fate of each brave knight who tries to rescue her. Sometimes the gallant youth is already dead. Sometimes the wicked magician changes him into some four-footed creature before her eyes, making him wander upon the earth afterward as an animal. Alas! dear Prince,’ continued Evening Star, sadly, ‘I dread to see you go upon this dangerous expedition.’

“‘Do not fear for me,’ answered Oswald, bravely. ‘At last, I have learned where the beautiful Princess of my dreams is imprisoned. No matter what the dangers are, I will find her and rescue her.’

“Indeed, he was so rejoiced at the news brought by Evening Star that he slept with a light heart that night, and at early dawn started again toward the Setting Sun. Every evening the sky was tinged with the lovely red, but he had no other sign from the Princess.

“One night he stopped at a castle where he met the beautiful daughter of a wealthy and powerful duke. After a handsome banquet and ball given in his honor, where the young countess paid him the highest honors, the duke approached him, and offered to give him her hand in marriage if he would remain and help to govern the people.

“Now, Oswald was very grateful for all this kindness, but his heart was too full of the Sunset Princess to think of any other maiden. So, after thanking the duke courteously, he declined the honor. The young countess tossed her pretty head in disdain when she heard he loved another, and told him he was a fool for his pains, and that he would never rescue the Sunset Princess.

“But Oswald was not discouraged by her words, and continued his journey.

“That night he approached another forest, so dark and gloomy that he could not see his hand before him. But he remembered the red light that shone from his ruby-handled sword, and when he held it up he saw the path quite plainly before him. He heard dreadful squeaking noises all about him; groans and sudden cries and many dangers beset him.

“Presently a hideous giant arose. He was tall, and had green eyes, which he rolled awfully, and he gnashed his long white teeth as Oswald came along.

“‘You cannot enter my country,’ he growled loudly, and for a moment Oswald felt he didn’t want to enter it, because he saw (by the red light of his sword) a man being bitten to death by two horrid snakes. One snake was blue and one was white.

“But Prince Oswald was brave as could be, and he could not see the man being killed, without helping him; so he dashed forward, and in one instant had killed both snakes with his shining blade, and rescued the man.

“But just as he thought he had won a victory, a great swirling current of water appeared at his feet, and he leaped back only in time to escape a blow from the tail of a great black dragon. Now he knew the forest was bewitched; but he continued his journey, and all day long he fought for his life. Sometimes it was with wild beasts, and sometimes with the magician in person; but Oswald never let go his sword for one minute, and the great magic of its blade protected him. At last the cool shadows of evening began to fall, and the goblins became less and less troublesome.

“Then suddenly he perceived in his path a beautiful maiden. She seemed almost a phantom, for floating around and about her was a ghostly mist. But for all that, she was wondrously fair, with an unearthly sort of beauty. Her eyes shone like stars out of her snowy draperies, and her voice had a far-away sound, like the tinkle of silver bells.

“‘O Prince of the Wonderful Sword,’ she said, ‘you have done me a great favor. I am the White Lady of the Mist, and my golden shuttle was stolen by the wicked old magician who stole the Sunset Princess. I could do nothing without it, for all my power lies in its magic. In fighting and overcoming the magician’s imps in the forest to-day you have restored it to me; his snares can never more affect me. So, now, I will prove that my power is restored, and that I am free again, by serving you. I will blind these wicked enemies of yours, so that they will seek you in vain, and I will conduct you safe this night through the Forest of Terrors.’

“So saying, she began weaving with the shuttle, and a wondrous weaving it was, for long streamers of mist floated like a white veil over the forest. Little by little the ghostly vapor covered everything. Faster and faster she wove, singing softly as she did so a curious kind of rhyme:—

“Gradually great clouds of white formed everywhere. Their gauzy vapor thickened as they rolled away and enclosed the whole forest. Nothing could be seen but the wonderful little Lady of the Mist, and she stood shining and gleaming like silver in the centre of the ghostly shroud. At last, when all was snowy white, she stopped singing, and bade the knight follow her. Always through the thick veil he could see her shining bright and clear, and thus she conducted him through the dark forest. But the magician’s imps could not see a thing, and though Oswald heard them fighting and snarling, they did not trouble him again.

“At break of day, on the edge of a beautiful lake, she left him; but he was in full view of the magician’s elegant palace. The Lady of the Mist bade him remain in hiding until the sunset hour, and when the Princess came out to view his dead body (or the wicked magician’s skill in changing him into some animal), he must hold his gleaming sword in front of him, and boldly advance to her side. The White Lady of the Mist promised to aid him at the critical moment, and she would give him a sign to advance and rescue the Princess: it would be a veil of mist descending the mountain. He must not rush forward until the mist appeared, however, as she could not help him while the sun shone.

“The Prince promised faithfully to follow her instructions, though it was hard to wait all day. He walked around the lake, keeping well in the bushes, and finally hiding himself beneath the Princess’s balcony.

“The magician’s palace was truly magnificent, for it was built all of solid black ebony. It was very gloomy and terrible to look upon, but also very costly, Oswald could see. The great arches of ebony that upheld the balcony were inlaid with glittering gold and diamonds, so that the palace sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. But a black palace was an unusual sight, and one felt at a glance that it was the abode of a magician. The floor of the balcony was inlaid with a border of splendid white pearls, and precious rugs lay on the floor. Costly jewels were scattered carelessly about in quantities, for the magician felt if he lost anything his magic could easily restore it. Enticing fruit gardens grew down to the borders of the lake, and handsome trees spread out their cool green branches. The place was so lovely it seemed a shame that such a wicked old magician should own it.

“Toward evening, when the sun was low, the magician came out and angrily called for the Princess. It was plain to see he was in a very bad humor. He had heard of the golden shuttle being restored to the White Lady of the Mist, and he was fearful of her power against him. He did not know, however, that Oswald was the knight who had been successful in restoring it, for he had given such strict instructions to his imps of the forest, that he felt sure Oswald had not escaped death.

“Prince Oswald’s heart beat very fast as he saw the palace door open. When the lovely Princess, pale but proud and noble in her bearing, stepped forth, he could hardly restrain himself from falling at her feet. He was bewitched by her beauty, for she was far lovelier than he had supposed. But he dared not venture forth without the signal from the White Lady of the Mist. Presently, as he waited impatiently, he saw creeping down the mountain-side the thin white veil. It rolled out in clouds, for the White Lady realized she had a great work to do. The old magician, however, did not see the mist, because his face was turned the other way. He could not understand why his imps did not hurry across the lake with Prince Oswald, as they had done with the other knights. They should suffer for this delay on the morrow, he growled.

“But Prince Oswald understood the delay. The little imps had not caught him; and he also knew by the thickly forming mist it was time to act. Grasping his shining sword firmly in his right hand, in one swift bound he reached the Princess’s side. He caught her hand in his, and she clung to him in pure joy and delight. At that moment the magician turned and saw them standing together. With a loud cry of rage he sprang toward them, but it was too late.

“At this minute great clouds of mist rolled over them and completely covered their forms. Everything was shrouded in ghostly white, and volumes of vapor continued to roll down the mountain-sides. Faster and faster came the heavy veil, completely blinding the magician. But Oswald picked the Princess lightly up in his arms, and holding his gleaming ruby sword before him as a lantern, ran easily through the fog. He reached the lake and found it as clear as crystal, and saw no sign of the mist except behind them. Evening Star shone brightly in the heavens to light them across the dimpling waters, and she had placed a lovely canoe in the green bushes for them. All this time the White Lady of the Mist was hanging her curtains behind the lovers, while her golden shuttle was weaving them so thick, that even the magician’s sharp eyes could not penetrate their folds.

“Prince Oswald and his Princess now saw clearly, and Evening Star directed their footsteps. When far from the wicked magician, and safe, they sat down to rest. Oswald told the Princess how much he loved her, and begged her to marry him; she in gentle tones thanked him for what he had done, and gladly consented.

“Just then Evening Star approached, and begged them to rest in her beautiful country. Gorgeous palaces awaited them, and a splendid people wanted to be governed, she said. ‘And,’ she added, ‘if you consent, each night I will come and visit you, for I love the Sunset Princess as a sister, and my greatest happiness will be to watch yours.’

“Then the Sunset Princess, who also loved Evening Star, begged Oswald to consent. They lived ever afterward in that charming country on the banks of a great and lovely lake. The waters of the lake were so clear that the pebbles many feet below glistened like fire-opals. There they lived in great happiness; and as the years went by Oswald loved his beautiful wife more, for she was charming to see.

“Each evening, as the sun went down, Oswald and his lovely family (for there were many little children) met on the shores of the lake, and the Princess always wore her bright flower dress. Even now, if you will but watch for their coming, you will see them yourself. First comes the Princess, proud and graceful as on that first evening when Oswald discovered her. Prince Oswald is close beside, and the children troop down in brilliant flower dresses like their mother’s. The red sandstone cliffs on the high banks of the lake are the first to catch the glow of the children’s garments. Suddenly the dull sandstone reflects a brilliant light, gleaming out like burning fire. The glowing cliffs tinge with magic colors the soft fleecy clouds above, and one by one these colors deepen. Purple, gray, pink, gold, and crimson lights blend together, in glorious confusion. The calm surface of the water reflects the brightly colored heavens, and gradually the whole western world is aflame.

“Thus each evening, in this glorious field of color, Oswald and his family watch the sky, and await the nightly visit of the splendid Evening Star.”

CHAPTER X
HOW THE MOON PRINCESS WAS TAKEN CAPTIVE BY THE BLACK DWARF

As the guide finished his story of the Sunset Princess, Ethelda noticed they had passed through the forest, and it was with a little thrill of terror she saw the black dwarf and his companions a short distance ahead.

After thanking their kind messenger for his guidance and the delightful stories he had told them, Prince Dorion and his party joined the dwarf. He seemed more hideous than ever, but his manner was perfectly respectful as he greeted his guests, and he hardly looked at the Princess. Two days of travel followed,—days during which new beauties of the earth were revealed; and because of her interest in these beauties the lovely Moon Princess almost forgot her sad forebodings. She did not see the black dwarf during that time, and the horror of his presence almost passed. He kept out of her sight, and remaining in front with his imps, led the way.

Gold and silver had been scattered as they travelled, and for each piece that fell there formed later a splendid mine. The precious metal, melting and filtering through the earth in slender veins, reached finally the heart of the deepest mountains. There it spread and grew, until to-day the earth is full of its treasures in gold and silver mines.

One day, Ethelda, light-hearted and happy, had loitered behind for a moment, to gather some tiny green ferns creeping between the rocks. She was stooping to pluck one, when suddenly she felt herself rudely seized. Looking up, she saw it was the black dwarf who had her within his grasp. She tried to get away, but his grip was like iron on her delicate arm. She could not move, and realizing her utter helplessness, she screamed aloud. Her agonizing call reached her husband, but too late for him to aid her. For the black dwarf stamped violently upon the ground, which opened wide, and with her in his arms he sank into the opening, which immediately closed over them. Then Ethelda fainted.

When she recovered, she found she was in a large vaulted chamber, in a big cave. The light was very poor, but she could see the ugly black dwarf watching her steadily. For a moment she thought she would die of fright, and then she remembered that, as a Moon maiden, she had the power to protect herself from harm. In that instant her courage returned and strengthened her. Softly she repeated the words of the charm she had learned in the nursery of the Moon palace, and had sung at her mother’s knee. In a low, musical voice she chanted:—

As she sang, a beautiful halo formed gradually about her, such as you sometimes see about the moon, and in the centre of this great shining space Ethelda stood alone.

When she moved, her white and silver dress flashed in long sparkling rays, like the moonlight on the water. The black man covered his eyes to shield them at first from the blinding light, for it was like the sudden flashing of midday into the darkest night, and the cave became very bright. He looked on surprised, not understanding Ethelda’s words, and on finding what she had done he was completely astounded. He stepped forward quickly to snatch her from the glowing circle, but found he could not reach her side. Then he became furious and called his imps, who swarmed to his assistance; but when they approached the maiden, a barrier of iron seemed to stand before them. They could not break it down at all, nor could they penetrate the beaming circle. Ethelda was safe from any harm except imprisonment.

The dwarf soon abandoned all thought of reaching her, and in truth he never really meant to harm her, but had stolen her to marry her. So he determined to try kindness to win her love, and though he kept her a prisoner, he was not otherwise unkind. In many ways he tried to please her.

For years he had been fitting up a wonderful cave, hoping some day to induce a lovely maiden to accept and marry him. But he was so ugly and repulsive that all the Earth maidens shunned him. Still he had gone on decorating the cave, determined to steal a wife if necessary.

He had gone to the Earth festival with the intention of finding a wife there, but when his eyes fell on the Princess Ethelda he forgot all the other maidens. He thought her gloriously beautiful, and determined to steal her, although she was already married. Therefore, he made up his mind that the Moon Princess should love him and forget her husband. On that account he tried to be kind. Every morning he sent her a beautiful gift, and then soon after paid her a visit and asked her to marry him. Each day her reply was the same,—that she loved her husband and hated him, but if he would restore her to her husband, and show her her home in the starry skies, she would forgive his stealing her. At these words the dwarf would go into a great rage and leave the room, but every day he would return, hoping she had changed her mind.

At last he conceived a great idea by which he thought he could win her. Day and night he worked over it, and one morning, when it was completed, he invited her in to see a room he had fitted especially for her to occupy. He thought she would be so pleased at what he had done for her that she could no longer refuse him.

When he opened the door and bade her enter, she was amazed and delighted in spite of herself. Round and beautiful in shape was the room. Great stalactites and stalagmites hung from the ceiling and grew from the floors,—all a mass of shining light, for they were of purest white crystal, and shone like the sun. The room was richly furnished, and every comfort seemed there; but all of this was not what she saw to admire. It was a darker room beyond that absorbed and enchanted her. Her eyes beheld what she thought at first was her own beautiful home again. Quickly she passed into it. Blue as the heavens she had left was the lofty ceiling she gazed into. She stared with fresh wonder at the bejewelled stars, and with beating heart watched their brilliant rays. She expected every moment to see the Moon sail past in silver glory. But the radiant splendor of her mother’s Moon palace was absent, and then Ethelda recognized with a great pang that it was not really the sky she saw at all.

The countless clusters of stars overheard had been gathered only with untold labor. The dwarf had stationed his numerous slaves to watch the heavens all the night, and when a shooting star fell they seized and brought it straight to him. Gradually, therefore, toiling and working in this way, they built the famous Star Chamber in the great black cave for the Moon Princess.

Ethelda’s disappointment was very keen when she learned the truth. Still she loved the Star Chamber better than any other spot in her prison, and she visited it often.

CHAPTER XI
HOW THE SUN PRINCE RESCUED THE MOON PRINCESS

In the meanwhile Prince Dorion, distracted with grief, was trying in every way to dig down deep enough to rescue his beloved bride. But the stones would not yield. He had seen his darling disappear in the hands of the hideous black dwarf, and he often came to that place to mourn. Night after night he visited it, hoping a miracle would restore Ethelda to him there. But all day he searched the world for her.

The Earth, mortified by this outrage to her hospitality, tried to help him. Her granddaughters, the mermaids, had sought information from every part of the globe, but as yet without success. The Moon Princess had disappeared from the face of the Earth completely. The year passed, and sorrowful and sick at heart the Sun Prince bade his companions adieu. He determined to abide upon the Earth until he found Ethelda. What was his amazement, therefore, when the knights and maidens refused to leave him. They would wait with him, they said. The loss of his bride had bound them more closely together. The Sun’s rays looked down appealingly and the Moon ladder glittered temptingly, but they bravely turned their eyes away. They built a beautiful city near the Ocean, where they could see the Moon ladder more plainly, but they had lost the right to climb its shining steps, for the twelve months had expired.

Prince Dorion searched every day for his bride. He consulted a wise witch living alone in a deep forest, but she shook her head sadly, and always replied in these curious words:—

Never a word more would she utter, and the poor Prince would puzzle himself about how he could reach the Princess. But he continued his search. He would often go to the spot where his beloved had disappeared. A stately tree, as slender as the Princess, had sprung up there. Its waving green branches swayed gently, and stretched out with delicate, tender leaves. Its trunk wore the white and silver dress of the Moon maiden, and stood like a ghost to mark the place.

The Earth people ever after called it the Silver Birch. At its foot a beautiful little spring had bubbled up, and its crystal-clear waters had formed a tiny stream that gurgled over the rocks, seeking to reach the sea. In its shining depths he sometimes saw the Moon’s ladder, and he fancied the clear blue eyes of Ethelda looked out wistfully at him. But it was only the blue patches of sky overhead.

One night, sad and depressed, he sat beside the Ocean. The great throbbing sea seemed to soothe him a little. While he sat there thinking of Ethelda, and almost despairing, a mermaid floated shoreward. Resting her beautiful arms on the white gleaming sand, she spoke to him.

“O, Prince of the Sun,” she began, “I have news for you—news of your lost bride.”

“News of my beloved Ethelda?” cried the Prince, joyously.

“Yes,” answered the mermaid, “your Ethelda is safe and unharmed. I have seen her.”

“You have seen her?” cried the Prince. “O favored mermaid, take me to her at once.”

“Mighty Prince,” replied she, “I have come to show you the way. Do you remember the bubbling stream you have often sat beside? It was formed from Ethelda’s tears. Those crystal drops arose even through the rocks to comfort you; but deeper down ran the stream, cutting into the Earth until it formed a dark and gloomy river to lead you back to her. I found this stream and followed it—straight from the crystal spring into a dark and gloomy cave. There Ethelda lives and waits for you.”

A moment more and Prince Dorion was swimming beside the little mermaid. They swam along the coast until a dark line showed them where the river joined the ocean. And after many a turn and twist in the black river, they reached Ethelda’s cave.

The Moon Princess sat within the vaulted Star Chamber alone. What a radiant creature she was! Her silver halo surrounded her, and she was chanting in a musical voice the pretty words which had caused it to form. The Sun Prince’s eyes dwelt lovingly upon her, but he was amazed to see overhead the stars shining in the clear blue vault of heaven.

“Ethelda,” he cried softly; and his heart leaped with love at the sight of his bride, and bounding forward he reached her side. In another moment she lay in his arms, sobbing and laughing for joy.

“Beloved, you are unhurt?” he questioned anxiously.

“Yes,” she answered, growing calmer. “I am unharmed; and in a way he was not unkind. But he wished me to marry him, and so kept me in this gloomy cave, hoping I would consent.

“See, beloved, even the stars above us he stole to comfort me and win my love. Every shooting star that fell from the heavens was brought here and placed in that high ceiling. They shine so brightly there that the blackness of the ceiling seems almost blue, and sometimes I almost believe I am gazing into the skies. But, beloved, nothing comforted me in your absence. I have sat weeping here, forming this river of tears to bring you to me.”

Prince Dorion pressed her tenderly to his breast at these words, and whispered: “Dry your tears now, sweetheart, you will not need them longer, for I shall take you for ever away from this hideous prison.”

Silently he carried her to the mermaid’s side, and softly they slipped away.

But before Ethelda left, feeling herself safe again within her husband’s arms, she slipped out of the Moon’s halo and left it in the famous Star Chamber of the black cave. There it stays for every one to see, lighting the room with its silver rays in company with the glorious stars which the black dwarf stole and placed there.

Back again into the golden sunshine Ethelda came, and once more the beautiful Moon shone down caressingly upon her. Freed from the black dwarf’s spell, and with her loved companions, she soon recovered from her long imprisonment, and was lovelier and more joyous than ever. She had almost forgotten those trying days and the black dwarf’s cruelty, but the Earth Queen had not.

Her Majesty summoned the dwarf and all his wicked followers to court for trial, and he did not dare to disobey her summons. Ethelda and the Sun Prince were invited to hear his sentence; and an awful punishment it was that was put upon him. He was condemned to live always in the dark cave where he had kept Ethelda prisoner. With his followers he would never again be allowed to see the Sun or the Moon; never again could he behold the face of the Earth.

The Moon Princess shuddered as she heard the dreadful sentence, for to her darkness was the worst of punishments. She turned to the Earth Queen and said impulsively: “Oh, your Majesty, be not so cruel! Sentence them to anything rather than eternal darkness.”

So the Earth Queen, listening to the tender pleadings of the gentle Moon maiden, relented; but still the dwarf’s crime must not be dealt with lightly. She consented, however, to allow the culprits to see the Sun and the Moon, but they were destined to become the slaves of the mermaids, and live always in the water. Then, fearing they might forget they were put into the water to expiate their crime (for the mermaids were kind-hearted and good), she changed them into fishes, and marked every one with the shining colors of the Sun and Moon. Even now, if you notice carefully the pretty fish swimming in the sparkling water, you will see the fiery red color of the sun blending with the delicate silver tints of the moon. These markings of gold and silver they must carry for ever as evidence of their slavery, and in punishment of their wicked deed. In other respects they are not unhappy.

Ethelda and the Sun Prince dwelt always after upon the Earth, but they loved it, as you know. The Moon Mother, looking down and seeing their joy, and how contented they were, gradually became reconciled to their remaining. As a proof of her forgiveness and friendliness to them and their descendants, she has left the Moon ladder down. She has never taken it away since the night the bridal party walked down its shimmering silver stairs. Every night, between the mystic hours of dusk and the rosy dawn, somewhere in the heavens, that splendid white palace is shining, and its bright ladder is stretching down in a flood of glory.

Since then, maybe (who knows?) other Moon maidens have walked down those jewelled steps to a honeymoon on the Earth.

THE END.

Transcriber’s Notes

• Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.
• Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard (or amusing) spellings and dialect unchanged.
• In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)