The Princess threw her arms around her dear brother and hugged Ned, so great was her delight.
Ned ran over to his little friend, the Gnome, and thanked him again and again for his aid, and was about to lean out of the doorway to also thank the Fairy Queen when the Gnome restrained him.
"Not so fast, Ned, my boy! All is not yet over."
"No, indeed," answered Ned, "we must rescue the giant."
"Aye, there's the rub," replied the Gnome. "How are we ever to get him in the bubble, either as a tree or as a giant?"
At this point the Fairy Queen joined in the conversation, kissing Ned at the same time as he attempted to thank her.
"Let me first change him into his natural form," she said. "Then he can walk across the courtyard and out upon the drawbridge. From there he can easily step off into the bubble, which your majesty can lower to the right height above the water of the moat."
"Good!" said the Gnome. "Go and do your part and I will attend to the bubble."
Just as the bubble cleared it the pine tree became once more the friendly giant, who immediately strode across the courtyard.
Quickly lowering the drawbridge he hastened out upon it.