“Come out quickly,” whispered her deliverer. “Your keepers, blinded with soot, grope hither and thither utterly bewildered. Together we must contrive to shove them into your prison, and lock them up in your place. After that you will be able to go on your way in safety.”
Instantly, the Earth Fairy sprang to his help, and so skillfully did the two evil fairies jostle the keepers against one another and guide them to the prison door, that soon they were lodged in the Earth Fairy’s cell. Then the key was turned upon them, and they were left to grope clumsily about in the darkness, while the Earth Fairy and her companion hurried to the safe shelter of a thicket. There the Earth Fairy told Flying Soot where she had hidden her wands, and bade him haste to bring them to her. When he had departed upon his errand the Earth Fairy huddled low among the bushes to await his coming with what patience she might.
In spite of the years that had passed since the Earth Fairy had hidden her wands, none had discovered the place where they lay. So crafty a messenger was Flying Soot that he obtained them unseen, and without difficulty, and soon returned to where the Earth Fairy was concealed. He laid the bundle in her outstretched hand.
Trembling with anxiety, the Earth Fairy opened the case, and ran her fingers over the wands to test their power. The Green Wand shot forth emerald fire from its tip as she took it from among the rest. It was as full of magic as on that far-off day when with it she had so cruelly enchanted the baby Princess.
With covetous eyes Flying Soot looked upon it. “Ah!” cried he, “that is the wand of my desire. That shall be my well-earned reward.” He stretched his hand to take it from her, but the Earth Fairy waved him back with an imperious gesture.
“Touch not the Green Wand,” she commanded. “To do so is to destroy yourself.” She laid it back in its place and took out in it its stead a small dark wand. This she extended to him saying, “Here is the one which is for you.” With indignant words he would have spurned it, but she checked his complaints abruptly. “It will serve you well, if you but know its secret,” she told him, “See—in this its magic dwells.” With a last envious look at the Green Wand, Flying Soot cast aside his anger, and watched her narrowly while she showed him how to use her gift. Still a little ungraciously he received it, and hid it in his mantle.
The Earth Fairy stopping for no farewell, gathered up her bundle of wands, and hurried to the spot where Flying Soot had told her the Princess awaited the coming of Prince Radiance. There at the foot of the great fire oak she saw her, flushing and paling with glorious light. She was thinking of the wonderful happiness that had come to her, but suddenly she became aware that a stranger was approaching. Looking up she beheld the Earth Fairy.
Quickly the Earth Fairy advanced till she stood before the Princess, and without waiting to be addressed, announced her errand.
“Your Highness,” she said, “I am a messenger from Prince Radiance. He cannot return to you as he had expected; but he has sent me to ask you to let me guide you to where he waits for you.”
Princess White Flame regarded her doubtfully. “You are a stranger to me,” she replied. “How may I know that you are in truth a messenger from the Prince?”