第17章

’Iwanttogototheemperorwhoisourover—lord，andIhavenoonetoadviseme。Whichofallthewhite—headedboyardsshallI

chooseascounsellor？’

’Ifyouhaveme，youneednooneelse:IwillserveyouasI

servedyourfather，ifyouwillonlylistentowhatIsay。’

’Iwilllistentoeverything。Canyoustartinthreedays？’

’Thismoment，ifyoulike，’saidthehorse。

Thepreparationsoftheemperor’syoungestdaughterweremuchfewerandsimplerthanthoseofhersisters。Theyonlyconsistedofsomeboy’sclothes，asmallquantityoflinenandfood，andalittlemoneyincaseofnecessity。Thenshebadefarewelltoherfather，androdeaway。

Aday’sjourneyfromthepalace，shereachedthecopperbridge，butbeforetheycameinsightofit，thehorse，whowasamagician，hadwarnedherofthemeansherfatherwouldtaketoprovehercourage。

Stillinspiteofhiswarningshetrembledalloverwhenahugewolf，asthinasifhehadfastedforamonth，withclawslikesaws，andmouthaswideasanoven，boundedhowlingtowardsher。

Foramomentherheartfailedher，butthenext，touchingthehorselightlywithherspur，shedrewherswordfromitssheath，readytoseparatethewolf’sheadfromitsbodyatasingleblow。

Thebeastsawthesword，andshrankback，whichwasthebestthingitcoulddo，asnowthegirl’sbloodwasup，andthelightofbattleinhereyes。Thenwithoutlookinground，sherodeacrossthebridge。

Theemperor，proudofthisfirstvictory，tookashortcut，andwaitedforherattheendofanotherday’sjourney，closetoariver，overwhichhethrewabridgeofsilver。Andthistimehetooktheshapeofalion。

Butthehorseguessedthisnewdangerandtoldtheprincesshowtoescapeit。Butitisonethingtoreceiveadvicewhenwefeelsafeandcomfortable，andquiteanothertobeabletocarryitoutwhensomeawfulperilisthreateningus。Andifthewolfhadmadethegirlquakewithterror，itseemedlikealambbesidethisdreadfullion。

Atthesoundofhisroartheverytreesquiveredandhisclawsweresolargethateveryoneofthemlookedlikeacutlass。

Thebreathoftheprincesscameandwent，andherfeetrattledinthestirrups。Suddenlytheremembranceflashedacrossherofthewolfwhomshehadputtoflight，andwavinghersword，sherushedsoviolentlyonthelionthathehadbarelytimetospringononeside，soastoavoidtheblow。Then，likeaflash，shecrossedthisbridgealso。

Nowduringherwholelife，theprincesshadbeensocarefullybroughtup，thatshehadneverleftthegardensofthepalace，sothatthesightofthehillsandvalleysandtinklingstreams，andthesongofthelarksandblackbirds，madeheralmostbesideherselfwithwonderanddelight。Shelongedtogetdownandbatheherfaceintheclearpools，andpickthebrilliantflowers，butthehorsesaid’No，’andquickenedhispace，neitherturningtotherightortheleft。

’Warriors，’hetoldher，’onlyrestwhentheyhavewonthevictory。Youhavestillanotherbattletofight，anditisthehardestofall。’

Thistimeitwasneitherawolfnoralionthatwaswaitingforherattheendofthethirdday’sjourney，butadragonwithtwelveheads，andagoldenbridgebehindit。

Theprincessrodeupwithoutseeinganythingtofrightenher，whenasuddenpuffofsmokeandflamefrombeneathherfeet，causedhertolookdown，andtherewasthehorriblecreaturetwistedandwrithing，itstwelveheadsrearedupasiftoseizeherbetweenthem。

Thebridlefellfromherhand:andtheswordwhichshehadjustgraspedslidbackintoitssheath，butthehorsebadeherfearnothing，andwithamightyeffortshesatuprightandspurredstraightonthedragon。

Thefightlastedanhourandthedragonpressedherhard。Butintheend，byawell—directedsideblow，shecutoffoneoftheheads，andwitharoarthatseemedtorendtheheavensintwo，thedragonfellbackontheground，androseasamanbeforeher。

Althoughthehorsehadinformedtheprincessthedragonwasreallyherownfather，thegirlhadhardlybelievedhim，andstaredinamazementatthetransformation。Butheflunghisarmsroundherandpressedhertohisheartsaying，’NowIseethatyouareasbraveasthebravest，andaswiseasthewisest。Youhavechosentherighthorse，forwithouthishelpyouwouldhavereturnedwithabentheadanddowncasteyes。Youhavefilledmewiththehopethatyoumaycarryoutthetaskyouhaveundertaken，butbecarefultoforgetnoneofmycounsels，andabovealltolistentothoseofyourhorse。’

Whenhehaddonespeaking，theprincesskneltdowntoreceivehisblessing，andtheywenttheirdifferentways。

Theprincessrodeonandon，tillatlastshecametothemountainswhichholduptheroofoftheworld。ThereshemettwoGeniiwhohadbeenfightingfiercelyfortwoyears，withoutonehavinggottheleastadvantageovertheother。Seeingwhattheytooktobeayoungmanseekingadventures，oneofthecombatantscalledout，’Fet—Fruners！delivermefrommyenemy，andIwillgiveyouthehornthatcanbeheardthedistanceofathreedays’

journey;’whiletheothercried，’Fet—Fruners！helpmetoconquerthispaganthief，andyoushallhavemyhorse，Sunlight。’

Beforeanswering，theprincessconsultedherownhorseastowhichoffersheshouldaccept，andheadvisedhertosidewiththegeniuswhowasmasterofSunlight，hisownyoungerbrother，andstillmoreactivethanhimself。

Sothegirlatonceattackedtheothergenius，andsoonclovehisskull;thentheonewhowasleftvictorbeggedhertocomebackwithhimtohishouseandhewouldhandheroverSunlight，ashehadpromised。

Themotherofthegeniuswasrejoicedtoseehersonreturnsafeandsound，andpreparedherbestroomfortheprincess，who，aftersomuchfatigue，neededrestbadly。Butthegirldeclaredthatshemustfirstmakeherhorsecomfortableinhisstable;butthiswasreallyonlyanexcuse，asshewantedtoaskhisadviceonseveralmatters。

Buttheoldwomanhadsuspectedfromtheveryfirstthattheboywhohadcometotherescueofhersonwasagirlindisguise，andtoldthegeniusthatshewasexactlythewifeheneeded。Thegeniusscoffed，andinquiredwhatfemalehandcouldeverwieldasabrelikethat;but，inspiteofhissneers，hismotherpersisted，andasaproofofwhatshesaid，laidatnightoneachoftheirpillowsahandfulofmagicflowers，thatfadeatthetouchofman，butremaineternallyfreshinthefingersofawoman。

Itwasverycleverofher，butunluckilythehorsehadwarnedtheprincesswhattoexpect，andwhenthehousewassilent，shestoleverysoftlytothegenius’sroom，andexchangedhisfadedflowersforthosesheheld。Thenshecreptbacktoherownbedandfellfastasleep。

Atbreakofday，theoldwomanrantoseeherson，andfound，assheknewshewould，abunchofdeadflowersinhishand。Shenextpassedontothebedsideoftheprincess，whostilllayasleepgraspingthewitheredflowers。Butshedidnotbelieveanythemorethatherguestwasaman，andsoshetoldherson。

Sotheyputtheirheadstogetherandlaidanothertrapforher。

Afterbreakfastthegeniusgavehisarmtohisguest，andaskedhertocomewithhimintothegarden。Forsometimetheywalkedaboutlookingattheflowers，thegeniusallthewhilepressinghertopickanyshefancied。Buttheprincess，suspectingatrap，inquiredroughlywhytheywerewastingtheprecioushoursinthegarden，when，asmen，theyshouldbeinthestableslookingaftertheirhorses。Thenthegeniustoldhismotherthatshewasquitewrong，andhisdelivererwascertainlyaman。Buttheoldwomanwasnotconvincedforallthat。

Shewouldtryoncemoreshesaid，andhersonmustleadhisvisitorintothearmoury，wherehungeverykindofweaponusedallovertheworld——someplainandbare，othersornamentedwithpreciousstones——andbeghertomakechoiceofoneofthem。Theprincesslookedatthemclosely，andfelttheedgesandpointsoftheirblades，thenshehungatherbeltanoldswordwithacurvedblade，thatwouldhavedonecredittoanancientwarrior。

AfterthissheinformedthegeniusthatshewouldstartearlynextdayandtakeSunlightwithher。

Andtherewasnothingforthemothertodobuttosubmit，thoughshestillstucktoherownopinion。

TheprincessmountedSunlight，andtouchedhimwithherspur，whentheoldhorse，whowasgallopingatherside，suddenlysaid:

’Uptothistime，mistress，youhaveobeyedmycounselsandallhasgonewell。Listentomeoncemore，anddowhatItellyou。

Iamold，and——nowthatthereissomeonetotakemyplace，Iwillconfessit——Iamafraidthatmystrengthisnotequaltothetaskthatliesbeforeme。Givemeleave，therefore，toreturnhome，anddoyoucontinueyourjourneyunderthecareofmybrother。

Putyourfaithinhimasyouputitinme，andyouwillneverrepent。WisdomhascomeearlytoSunlight。’

’Yes，myoldcomrade，youhaveservedmewell;anditisonlythroughyourhelpthatuptonowIhavebeenvictorious。SogrievedthoughIamtosayfarewell，Iwillobeyyouyetoncemore，andwilllistentoyourbrotherasIwouldtoyourself。

Only，Imusthaveaproofthathelovesmeaswellasyoudo。’

’HowshouldInotloveyou？’answeredSunlight;’howshouldInotbeproudtoserveawarriorsuchasyou？Trustme，mistress，andyoushallneverregrettheabsenceofmybrother。Iknowtherewillbedifficultiesinourpath，butwewillfacethemtogether。’

Then，withtearsinhereyes，theprincesstookleaveofheroldhorse，whogallopedbacktoherfather。

Shehadriddenonlyafewmilesfurther，whenshesawagoldencurllyingontheroadbeforeher。Checkingherhorse，sheaskedwhetheritwouldbebettertotakeitorletitlie。

’Ifyoutakeit，’saidSunlight，’youwillrepent，andifyoudon’t，youwillrepenttoo:sotakeit。’Onthisthegirldismounted，andpickingupthecurl，wounditroundherneckforsafety。

Theypassedbyhills，theypassedbymountains，theypassedthroughvalleys，leavingbehindthemthickforests，andfieldscoveredwithflowers;andatlengththeyreachedthecourtoftheover—lord。

Hewassittingonhisthrone，surroundedbythesonsoftheotheremperors，whoservedhimaspages。Theseyouthscameforwardtogreettheirnewcompanion，andwonderedwhytheyfeltsoattractedtowardshim。

However，therewasnotimefortalkingandconcealingherfright。

Theprincesswasledstraightuptothethrone，andexplained，inalowvoice，thereasonofhercoming。Theemperorreceivedherkindly，anddeclaredhimselffortunateatfindingavassalsobraveandsocharming，andbeggedtheprincesstoremaininattendanceonhisperson。

Shewas，however，verycarefulinherbehaviourtowardstheotherpages，whosewayoflifedidnotpleaseher。Oneday，however，shehadbeenamusingherselfbymakingsweetmeats，whentwooftheyoungprinceslookedintopayheravisit。Sheofferedthemsomeofthefoodwhichwasalreadyonthetable，andtheythoughtitsodeliciousthattheyevenlickedtheirfingerssoasnottoloseamorsel。Ofcoursetheydidnotkeepthenewsoftheirdiscoverytothemselves，buttoldalltheircompanionsthattheyhadjustbeenenjoyingthebestsuppertheyhadhadsincetheywereborn。Andfromthatmomenttheprincesswasleftnopeace，tillshehadpromisedtocookthemalladinner。

Nowithappenedthat，ontheverydayfixed，allthecooksinthepalacebecameintoxicated，andtherewasnoonetomakeupthefire。

Whenthepagesheardofthisshockingstateofthings，theywenttotheircompanionandimploredhertocometotherescue。

Theprincesswasfondofcooking，andwas，besides，verygood—natured;sosheputonanapronandwentdowntothekitchenwithoutdelay。Whenthedinnerwasplacedbeforetheemperorhefounditsonicethatheatemuchmorethanwasgoodforhim。

Thenextmorning，assoonashewoke，hesentforhisheadcook，andtoldhimtosendupthesamedishesasbefore。Thecook，seizedwithfrightatthiscommand，whichheknewhecouldnotfulfil，fellonhisknees，andconfessedthetruth。

Theemperorwassoastonishedthatheforgottoscold，andwhilehewasthinkingoverthematter，someofhispagescameinandsaidthattheirnewcompanionhadbeenheardtoboastthatheknewwhereIlianewastobefound——thecelebratedIlianeofthesongwhichbegins:

’GoldenHairThefieldsaregreen，’

andthattotheircertainknowledgehehadacurlofherhairinhispossession。

Whenheheardthat，theemperordesiredthepagetobebroughtbeforehim，and，assoonastheprincessobeyedhissummons，hesaidtoherabruptly:

’Fet—Fruners，youhavehiddenfrommethefactthatyouknewthegolden—hairedIliane！Whydidyoudothis？forIhavetreatedyoumorekindlythanallmyotherpages。’

Then，aftermakingtheprincessshowhimthegoldencurlwhichsheworeroundherneck，headded:’Listentome;unlessbysomemeansorotheryoubringmetheownerofthislock，Iwillhaveyourheadcutoffintheplacewhereyoustand。Nowgo！’

Invainthepoorgirltriedtoexplainhowthelockofhaircameintoherpossession;theemperorwouldlistentonothing，and，bowinglow，shelefthispresenceandwenttoconsultSunlightwhatshewastodo。

Athisfirstwordsshebrightenedup。’Donotbeafraid，mistress;onlylastnightmybrotherappearedtomeinadreamandtoldmethatageniushadcarriedoffIliane，whosehairyoupickedupontheroad。ButIlianedeclaresthat，beforeshemarrieshercaptor，hemustbringher，asapresent，thewholestudofmareswhichbelongtoher。Thegenius，halfcrazywithlove，thinksofnothingnightanddaybuthowthiscanbedone，andmeanwhilesheisquitesafeintheislandswampsofthesea。

Gobacktotheemperorandaskhimfortwentyshipsfilledwithpreciousmerchandise。Therestyoushallknowby—and—by。’

Onhearingthisadvice，theprincesswentatonceintotheemperor’spresence。

’Mayalonglifebeyours，OSovereignallmighty！’saidshe。’I

havecometotellyouthatIcandoasyoucommandifyouwillgivemetwentyships，andloadthemwiththemostpreciouswaresinyourkingdom。’

’YoushallhaveallthatIpossessifyouwillbringmethegolden—hairedIliane，’saidtheemperor。

Theshipsweresoonready，andtheprincessenteredthelargestandfinest，withSunlightatherside。Thenthesailswerespreadandthevoyagebegan。

Forsevenweeksthewindblewthemstraighttowardsthewest，andearlyonemorningtheycaughtsightoftheislandswampsofthesea。

Theycastanchorinalittlebay，andtheprincessmadehastetodisembarkwithSunlight，but，beforeleavingtheship，shetiedtoherbeltapairoftinygoldslippers，adornedwithpreciousstones。ThenmountingSunlight，sherodeabouttillshecametoseveralpalaces，builtonhinges，sothattheycouldalwaysturntowardsthesun。

Themostsplendidofthesewasguardedbythreeslaves，whosegreedyeyeswerecaughtbytheglisteninggoldoftheslippers。

Theyhasteneduptotheownerofthesetreasures，andinquiredwhohewas。’Amerchant，’repliedtheprincess，’whohadsomehowmissedhisroad，andlosthimselfamongtheislandswampsofthesea。’

Notknowingifitwaspropertoreceivehimornot，theslavesreturnedtotheirmistressandtoldheralltheyhadseen，butnotbeforeshehadcaughtsightofthemerchantfromtheroofofherpalace。Luckilyhergaolerwasaway，alwaystryingtocatchthestudofmares，soforthemomentshewasfreeandalone。

Theslavestoldtheirtalesowellthattheirmistressinsistedongoingdowntotheshoreandseeingthebeautifulslippersforherself。Theywereevenlovelierthansheexpected，andwhenthemerchantbesoughthertocomeonboard，andinspectsomethathethoughtwerefinerstill，hercuriositywastoogreattorefuse，andshewent。

Onceonboardship，shewassobusyturningoverallthepreciousthingsstoredthere，thatsheneverknewthatthesailswerespread，andthattheywereflyingalongwiththewindbehindthem;andwhenshedidknow，sherejoicedinherheart，thoughshepretendedtoweepandlamentatbeingcarriedcaptiveasecondtime。Thustheyarrivedatthecourtoftheemperor。

Theywerejustabouttoland，whenthemotherofthegeniusstoodbeforethem。ShehadlearntthatIlianehadfledfromherprisonincompanywithamerchant，and，ashersonwasabsent，hadcomeherselfinpursuit。Stridingoverthebluewaters，hoppingfromwavetowave，onefootreachingtoheaven，andtheotherplantedinthefoam，shewascloseattheirheels，breathingfireandflame，whentheysteppedonshorefromtheship。OneglancetoldIlianewhothehorribleoldwomanwas，andshewhisperedhastilytohercompanion。Withoutsayingaword，theprincessswungherintoSunlight’ssaddle，andleapingupbehindher，theywereofflikeaflash。

ItwasnottilltheydrewnearthetownthattheprincessstoopedandaskedSunlightwhattheyshoulddo。’Putyourhandintomyleftear，’saidhe，’andtakeoutasharpstone，whichyoumustthrowbehindyou。’

Theprincessdidasshewastold，andahugemountainsprangupbehindthem。Themotherofthegeniusbegantoclimbupit，andthoughtheygallopedquickly，shewasquickerstill。

Theyheardhercoming，faster，faster;andagaintheprincessstoopedtoaskwhatwastobedonenow。’Putyourhandintomyrightear，’saidthehorse，’andthrowthebrushyouwillfindtherebehindyou。’Theprincessdidso，andagreatforestsprangupbehindthem，and，sothickwereitsleaves，thatevenawrencouldnotgetthrough。Buttheoldwomanseizedholdofthebranchesandflungherselflikeamonkeyfromonetotheothers，andalwaysshedrewnearer——always，always——tilltheirhairwassingedbytheflamesofhermouth。

Then，indespair，theprincessagainbentdownandaskediftherewasnothingmoretobedone，andSunlightreplied’Quick，quick，takeoffthebetrothalringonthefingerofIlianeandthrowitbehindyou。’

Thistimetheresprangupagreattowerofstone，smoothasivory，hardassteel，whichreacheduptoheavenitself。Andthemotherofthegeniusgaveahowlofrage，knowingthatshecouldneitherclimbitnorgetthroughit。Butshewasnotbeatenyet，andgatheringherselftogether，shemadeaprodigiousleap，whichlandedheronthetopofthetower，rightinthemiddleofIliane’sringwhichlaythere，andheldhertight。Onlyherclawscouldbeseengraspingthebattlements。

Allthatcouldbedonetheoldwitchdid;butthefirethatpouredfromhermouthneverreachedthefugitives，thoughitlaidwastethecountryahundredmilesroundthetower，liketheflamesofavolcano。Then，withonelastefforttofreeherself，herhandsgaveway，and，fallingdowntothebottomofthetower，shewasbrokeninpieces。

Whentheflyingprincesssawwhathadhappenedsherodebacktothespot，asSunlightcounselledher，andplacedherfingeronthetopofthetower，whichwasgraduallyshrinkingintotheearth。Inaninstantthetowerhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，andinitsplacewasthefingeroftheprincesswitharingroundit。

TheemperorreceivedIlianewithalltherespectthatwasduetoher，andfellinloveatfirstsightbesides。

ButthisdidnotseemtopleaseIliane，whosefacewassadasshewalkedaboutthepalaceorgardens，wonderinghowitwasthat，whileothergirlsdidastheyliked，shewasalwaysinthepowerofsomeonewhomshehated。

SowhentheemperoraskedhertosharehisthroneIlianeanswered:

’NobleSovereign，Imaynotthinkofmarriagetillmystudofhorseshasbeenbroughtme，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。’

Whenheheardthis，theemperoroncemoresentforFet—Fruners，andsaid:

’Fet—Fruners，fetchmeinstantlythestudofmares，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。Ifnot，yourheadshallpaytheforfeit。’

’MightyEmperor，Ikissyourhands！Ihavebutjustreturnedfromdoingyourbidding，and，behold，yousendmeonanothermission，andstakemyheadonitsfulfilment，whenyourcourtisfullofvaliantyoungmen，piningtowintheirspurs。Theysayyouareajustman;thenwhynotentrustthisquesttooneofthem？WhereamItoseekthesemaresthatIamtobringyou？’

’HowdoIknow？Theymaybeanywhereinheavenorearth;but，wherevertheyare，youwillhavetofindthem。’

TheprincessbowedandwenttoconsultSunlight。Helistenedwhileshetoldhertale，andthensaid:

’Fetchquicklyninebuffaloskins;smearthemwellwithtar，andlaythemonmyback。Donotfear;youwillsucceedinthisalso;

but，intheend，theemperor’sdesireswillbehisundoing。’

Thebuffaloskinsweresoongot，andtheprincessstartedoffwithSunlight。Thewaywaslonganddifficult，butatlengththeyreachedtheplacewherethemaresweregrazing。HerethegeniuswhohadcarriedoffIlianewaswanderingabout，tryingtodiscoverhowtocapturethem，allthewhilebelievingthatIlianewassafeinthepalacewherehehadlefther。

Assoonasshecaughtsightofhim，theprincesswentupandtoldhimthatIlianehadescaped，andthathismother，inhereffortstorecaptureher，haddiedofrage。Atthisnewsablindfurytookpossessionofthegenius，andherushedmadlyupontheprincess，whoawaitedhisonslaughtwithperfectcalmness。Ashecameon，withhissabreliftedhighintheair，Sunlightboundedrightoverhishead，sothattheswordfellharmless。Andwheninherturntheprincesspreparedtostrike，thehorsesankuponhisknees，sothatthebladepiercedthegenius’sthigh。

Thefightwassofiercethatitseemedasiftheearthwouldgivewayunderthem，andfortwentymilesroundthebeastsintheforestsfledtotheircavesforshelter。Atlast，whenherstrengthwasalmostgone，thegeniusloweredhisswordforaninstant。Theprincesssawherchance，and，withoneswoopofherarm，severedherenemy’sheadfromhisbody。Stilltremblingfromthelongstruggle，sheturnedaway，andwenttothemeadowwherethestudwerefeeding。

BytheadviceofSunlight，shetookcarenottoletthemseeher，andclimbedathicktree，whereshecouldseeandhearwithoutbeingseenherself。Thenheneighed，andthemarescamegallopingup，eagertoseethenewcomer——allbutonehorse，whodidnotlikestrangers，andthoughttheywereverywellastheywere。AsSunlightstoodhisground，wellpleasedwiththeattentionpaidhim，thissulkycreaturesuddenlyadvancedtothecharge，andbitsoviolentlythathaditnotbeenfortheninebuffaloskinsSunlight’slastmomentwouldhavecome。Whenthefightwasended，thebuffaloskinswereinribbons，andthebeatenanimalwrithingwithpainonthegrass。

Nothingnowremainedtobedonebuttodrivethewholestudtotheemperor’scourt。SotheprincesscamedownfromthetreeandmountedSunlight，whilethestudfollowedmeeklyafter，thewoundedhorsebringinguptherear。Onreachingthepalace，shedrovethemintoayard，andwenttoinformtheemperorofherarrival。

ThenewswastoldatoncetoIliane，whorandowndirectlyandcalledthemtoheronebyone，eachmarebyitsname。Andatthefirstsightofherthewoundedanimalshookitselfquickly，andinamomentitswoundswerehealed，andtherewasnotevenamarkonitsglossyskin。

Bythistimetheemperor，onhearingwhereshewas，joinedherintheyard，andatherrequestorderedthemarestobemilked，sothatbothheandshemightbatheinthemilkandkeepyoungforever。Buttheywouldsuffernoonetocomenearthem，andtheprincesswascommandedtoperformthisservicealso。

Atthis，theheartofthegirlswelledwithinher。Thehardesttaskswerealwaysgiventoher，andlongbeforethetwoyearswereup，shewouldbewornoutanduseless。Butwhilethesethoughtspassedthroughhermind，afearfulrainfell，suchasnomanrememberedbefore，androsetillthemareswerestandinguptotheirkneesinwater。Thenassuddenlyitstopped，and，behold！thewaterwasice，whichheldtheanimalsfirmlyinitsgrasp。Andtheprincess’sheartgrewlightagain，andshesatdowngailytomilkthem，asifshehaddoneiteverymorningofherlife。

TheloveoftheemperorforIlianewaxedgreaterdaybyday，butshepaidnoheedtohim，andalwayshadanexcusereadytoputofftheirmarriage。Atlength，whenshehadcometotheendofeverythingshecouldthinkof，shesaidtohimoneday:’Grantme，Sire，justonerequestmore，andthenIwillreallymarryyou;foryouhavewaitedpatientlythislongtime。’

’Mybeautifuldove，’repliedtheemperor，’bothIandallI

possessareyours，soaskyourwill，andyoushallhaveit。’

’Getme，then，’shesaid，’aflaskoftheholywaterthatiskeptinalittlechurchbeyondtheriverJordan，andIwillbeyourwife。’

ThentheemperororderedFet—FrunerstoridewithoutdelaytotheriverJordan，andtobringback，atwhatevercost，theholywaterforIliane。

’This，mymistress，’saidSunlight，whenshewassaddlinghim，’isthelastandmostdifficultofyourtasks。Butfearnothing，forthehouroftheemperorhasstruck。’

Sotheystarted;andthehorse，whowasnotawizardfornothing，toldtheprincessexactlywhereshewastolookfortheholywater。

’Itstands，’hesaid，’onthealtarofalittlechurch，andisguardedbyatroopofnuns。Theyneversleep，nightorday，buteverynowandthenahermitcomestovisitthem，andfromhimtheylearncertainthingsitisneedfulforthemtoknow。Whenthishappens，onlyoneofthenunsremainsonguardatatime，andifweareluckyenoughtohituponthismoment，wemaygetholdofthevaseatonce;ifnot，weshallhavetowaitthearrivalofthehermit，howeverlongitmaybe;forthereisnoothermeansofobtainingtheholywater。’

TheycameinsightofthechurchbeyondtheJordan，and，totheirgreatjoy，beheldthehermitjustarrivingatthedoor。Theycouldhearhimcallingthenunsaroundhim，andsawthemsettlethemselvesunderatree，withthehermitintheirmidst——allbutone，whoremainedonguard，aswasthecustom。

Thehermithadagreatdealtosay，andthedaywasveryhot，sothenun，tiredofsittingbyherself，laydownrightacrossthethreshold，andfellsoundasleep。

ThenSunlighttoldtheprincesswhatshewastodo，andthegirlsteppedsoftlyoverthesleepingnun，andcreptlikeacatalongthedarkaisle，feelingthewallwithherfingers，lestsheshouldfalloversomethingandruinitallbyanoise。Butshereachedthealtarinsafety，andfoundthevaseofholywaterstandingonit。Thisshethrustintoherdress，andwentbackwiththesamecareasshecame。Withaboundshewasinthesaddle，andseizingthereinsbadeSunlighttakeherhomeasfastashislegscouldcarryhim。

Thesoundoftheflyinghoofsarousedthenun，whounderstoodinstantlythattheprecioustreasurewasstolen，andhershrieksweresoloudandpiercingthatalltherestcameflyingtoseewhatwasthematter。Thehermitfollowedattheirheels，butseeingitwasimpossibletoovertakethethief，hefellonhiskneesandcalledhismostdeadlycursedownonherhead，prayingthatifthethiefwasaman，hemightbecomeawoman;andifshewasawoman，thatshemightbecomeaman。Ineithercasehethoughtthatthepunishmentwouldbesevere。

Butpunishmentsarethingsaboutwhichpeopledonotalwaysagree，andwhentheprincesssuddenlyfeltshewasreallythemanshehadpretendedtobe，shewasdelighted，andifthehermithadonlybeenwithinreachshewouldhavethankedhimfromherheart。

Bythetimeshereachedtheemperor’scourt，Fet—Frunerslookedayoungmanalloverintheeyesofeveryone;andeventhemotherofthegeniuswouldnowhavehadherdoubtssetatrest。Hedrewforththevasefromhistunicandheldituptotheemperor，saying:’MightySovereign，allhail！Ihavefulfilledthistaskalso，andIhopeitisthelastyouhaveforme;letanothernowtakehisturn。’

’Iamcontent，Fet—Fruners，’repliedtheemperor，’andwhenIamdeaditisyouwhowillsituponmythrone;forIhaveyetnosontocomeafterme。Butifoneisgivenme，andmydearestwishisaccomplished，thenyoushallbehisrighthand，andguidehimwithyourcounsels。’

Butthoughtheemperorwassatisfied，Ilianewasnot，andshedeterminedtorevengeherselfontheemperorforthedangerswhichhehadcausedFet—Frunerstorun。Andasforthevaseofholywater，shethoughtthat，incommonpoliteness，hersuitoroughttohavefetchedithimself，whichhecouldhavedonewithoutanyriskatall。

Sosheorderedthegreatbathtobefilledwiththemilkofhermares，andbeggedtheemperortoclothehimselfinwhiterobes，andenterthebathwithher，aninvitationheacceptedwithjoy。

Then，whenbothwerestandingwiththemilkreachingtotheirnecks，shesentforthehorsewhichhadfoughtSunlight，andmadeasecretsigntohim。Thehorseunderstoodwhathewastodo，andfromonenostrilhebreathedfreshairoverIliane，andfromtheother，hesnortedaburningwindwhichshrivelleduptheemperorwherehestood，leavingonlyalittleheapofashes。