And the fishers told Altair of how Thyrza had saved the ships by striking upon the sea-bell; and Altair remembered the night of which they spoke, and knew that Thyrza had saved him from the reefs.
East and west and north and south, along the shores of the world went Altair in search of the maid. But never a one he found who could tell him aught of her. A long year he sailed, and presently he came to the Kingdom of the Moon.
Now it came to pass that, when he went to the palace to ask tidings of Thyrza, attendants came and led him before the Queen who ruled the land. And she was very young, and clad in a silver gown, a silver crown, and a spreading robe of blue.
Strange to say, a heavy silver veil hid her face from all.
“Sir Captain,” said the Queen, when she had heard the story of Altair, “you are wasting your days in quest of the fisher-maid. She is gone; you will never see her more. Have done with this hopeless seeking, and take service in my realm. Stay, and I shall make you the kingdom’s admiral.”
But gallant and faithful Altair shook his head and answered, “No.” And though the Queen twice and even thrice besought him to stay, he still remained faithful to his quest.
Then laughed the Queen a little merry laugh, and tossed the veil aside. And Altair beheld Thyrza on the throne!
“Dear Altair,” said the Queen, “you shall hear all. My father was the King of this country and I was his only child. It fortuned that one morn we went forth in a ship, and a great storm arose which drove us from our course far out into the sea. Presently the ship struck upon the reefs of the Perilous Isles and went to pieces fast. Of all aboard, I alone was saved.
“My subjects long sought for news of the missing vessel, but in vain. Years passed, and presently a fisherman of the Kingdom of the Moon chanced to land at the Isles and heard from the fishers the story of the wreck. He returned with the tidings, and my people came in a great ship to take me to my land. We hurried away, for a dangerous wind was blowing and the captain was a stranger to the reefs. But even now there is a ship on the sea which carries tidings and gifts to the fishers of the Isles.”
So now the courtiers and the attendants bowed politely and withdrew, and Altair and Thyrza walked together to a great window by the sea. And there the young sailor and the Queen who was a daughter of the sea pledged their faith to one another.