She did not stay to reply to their frightened and excited questions, but sped straight to the Cave Hall.

There she found the Wizard sitting upright in his chair, though he looked pale and exhausted. He was surrounded by the Imps who had been imprisoned in the vaulted chamber, and who, when the Shadow Witch had reached her own land and the spell of the Sword of Fire had been lifted, had heard their master's voice calling to them for help. They had come in trembling haste, and found him limp and prostrate on the floor, but with their help, he had at last been enabled to rise slowly and go to his accustomed seat.

"Sir Wizard!" cried Black Shadow, addressing him without ceremony, "the stranger prince has everywhere prevailed! Curling Smoke is scattered!

The Ash Goblin is defeated! The Wind in the Chimney has been put to naught! And now, Prince Ember has departed to the Land of Fire, taking with him your sister to make her his bride. With her went all her servants, the Shadows."

"Let them go," snarled the Wizard, scowling fiercely upon her. "I care not what becomes of them, so that they return no more to trouble me."

"And I," continued Black Shadow, "have come to say that I mean to take your sister's domain for myself, and choose companions to occupy it with me who will obey my commands."

"Do what you will," he retorted impatiently, "so that you, too, go from me, and leave me in peace."

Black Shadow needed no second bidding, but left the Wizard there, with his Imps cl.u.s.tered about him, while she departed in haste to carry out her long cherished plans.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER XVI

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 mult.i.tude 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 a.s.semblage 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 pa.s.sed 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]