The Fairies can teach birds to do nearly anything, and these beautiful Bronze-wing pigeons were constantly used in much the same way as people use Carrier Pigeons to take messages from place to place.
In this case, instead of wrapping the message round the bird’s-leg, the envelope containing the card was strung like a lady’s purse around the Bronze-wing pigeon’s neck.
When they were all ready, it was a really charming sight to see them rise, and, wheeling in the air, break into four groups, that, with the swiftness of light, sped away North, East, West and South, until they were all lost to view.
When they returned they brought the answers with them; and, as the Prince had expected, the refusals were very few. This was partly due to the fact that with each invitation a letter was forwarded saying that, if it were accepted, a flying-carriage would be sent to bring the acceptors to the wedding and to take them home again. The possibility of enjoying so novel a method of travel was in itself an inducement to accept; though the vast majority were equally anxious to learn something of the Magic Well, or the Fairy City, about both of which they had heard so many thrilling accounts.
The reason why the Prince was able to promise them all the use of flying carriages was because he had had his engineers at work upon quite a number ever since his own was made, and, as the result of many experiments, it had been found possible to make a carriage that would carry three, two in addition to a driver. They were not as [[75]]fast as the single seaters, but they were quite safe, and with Fairies trained to drive them—Magpie teams for daylight travelling, and Owl teams for night-work—there really was no danger whatever!
After all the answers had been received, and the Prince knew exactly how many guests to expect, he himself gave instructions to the Palace Cooks to prepare a gorgeous wedding feast. There was to be no stint of anything, and everything was to be carried out in the finest style known to the Chefs. Fruits and sweetmeats, and dainties and delicacies of every class and kind under the sun were ordered to be got ready for the “great day.” Flowers too! The rarest orchids and the most delicately perfumed blossoms; golden wattle in particular! Music also! The sweetest strains the Fairy Bands knew how to play; soft, engaging airs such as a bride should hear on the most eventful day of her life. In short, everything that could be thought of to please, amuse and gratify the wedding guests, was, by the express orders of the Prince, either at once obtained, or the necessary steps taken to see that it would be ready on the Wedding Day!
And when, at last, the day arrived, the excitement in and around the Fairy City was simply intense.
The day before, in the morning, came the Prince’s Father and Mother, King Eucalyptus and Queen Fici-folia, together with their officers and attendants. It was said that the Prince had been given his good looks by his lovely mother; she whose superb figure and soft red hair were the pride of all the Eucalypts! They came thus early in order to be ready, on behalf of the Prince, to receive and welcome all his guests.
To them were given apartments in the Eastern side of the Palace.
In the afternoon of the same day came King Acacia, Queen Cootamundra, Princess Wattle Blossom and her sisters, and several officers and attendants of their household. They had been asked to come the day before the wedding to enable the Princess to be thoroughly rested and refreshed prior to the ceremony.