Charming could urge no more, but offered an embroidered scarf and his little dog Frisk as tokens of devotion. These were declined, so bowing low, he reluctantly took leave of the Princess. He believed that she had but used this means to [page 344] put him off, and his disappointment was so great that he could not sleep.
In the morning he and Frisk were walking by the riverside when the dog ran to the water's edge, barking furiously. Joining the little animal, he saw that his excitement was caused by a golden carp which came swimming swiftly toward them. In its mouth was a beautiful ring which it laid in Charming's hand.
"You saved my life by the willow-tree," said the carp, "and I now repay you by giving to you the Princess's ring."
Charming lost no time in presenting it to the Princess and claiming his reward.
"What fairy aids you?" asked the Princess.
"Only my wish to serve you," Charming replied.
"Alas!" said the Princess, "I cannot marry until Galifron, the giant, is dead. Because I would not take him for my husband, he persecutes my subjects and lays waste my land."
"Princess, I will bring back the giant's head to you or die in your defense," bravely declared Charming.
The Princess and all the people tried to dissuade him, but he mounted his horse and rode off, accompanied only by his little dog, Frisk. He traveled straight to the giant's castle. All about it were strewn the bones of Galifron's victims. Inside the castle the giant was singing in a terrible voice:
"Little children I love to eat;