They were never seen in the castle again; but often in the wood the princess would come upon them dancing in their fairy rings, or hear them call to her from flowers or clumps of fern, for they did not hide from her as they do from others.
Time went on, and many kings and princes sought the hand of Goldenhair in marriage; but she would have none of them.
At last the old king died, and then suddenly there appeared at the court a tall and noble youth. All wondered at his beauty, but no one but Goldenhair knew that it was the fairy of the wood, who had become a mortal being for her sake.
She loved him and gave him her hand, and they were married; and after that they ruled the kingdom together in great peace and happiness.
[Chapter Twelve]
Home Again
Ellen looked about her. She was still standing in the golden room of the Queerbodies' house. Before her was the Fairy Tale, smiling down into her face with shining eyes. There, too, were the gander and the Queerbody.
"Is that the story?" the Queerbody asked.