There was no need of any answer, for in that instant he saw her coming down the shining way—his dear lost daughter—lovelier by far than he had ever dreamed she might be. He heard the music of her voice calling to him, sweeter even than he had so fondly remembered it.
Hand in hand with her came Prince Radiance leading her safely to her journey’s end.
King Red Flame opened his arms to her crying in ecstasy, “Ah that I should at last behold you, my White Flame, my own dear child!”
And Princess White Flame ran to him, and nestled at his breast, weeping and laughing all in a breath for pure happiness.
For a little he held her thus in silence; but presently, thirsting to hear of all that had transpired during her long absence from him, he begged the Prince to relate the story of their wanderings.
Briefly the tale was told, and as the King listened intently, the eager fairies clustered close about him meanwhile, that they also might lose no syllable concerning the perils that had been safely passed. The Wise One, hearing, stroked his beard with satisfaction that all had turned out so triumphantly and well.
When the last words had been spoken, King Red Flame led his beloved child to Prince Radiance, and placed her hand in his. “Noble Prince,” he exclaimed, with deep emotion, “take my daughter, with her father’s love and gratitude, for valiantly have you won your bride.”
Then King Red Flame turned to the thronging fairies, and raising his voice so as to be heard by all, he cried, “Hasten, one and all, to the Palace of Burning Coals. Prepare all things for the wedding. Let swift messengers speed to the Kingdom of Light, to bid its ruler to the marriage of his son. And you, my good Grey Smoke, who know so well how to carry out my desires, see to it that never fairy wedding in the Land of Fire has equaled this of my beloved daughter Princess White Flame, and my dear son Prince Radiance.”
Thus, amid tumults of rejoicing, did Princess White Flame and Prince Radiance enter upon their life of never-ending happiness.
