“This,” they said, pointing to the Princess, “is the Princess Moonflower, daughter of a rich and powerful sovereign now dead. She has been compelled to fly from her kingdom by her wicked aunt, who has usurped the throne.”
“I am the Fairy of Rivers and Streams,” continued the lady who had first arrived, “and, as she once did a kindness to a subject of mine, I have protected her; and, had she not disregarded a warning I gave her, these late troubles would never have taken place.”
The Princess fell upon her knees and craved the Fairy’s pardon for her folly.
“Rise,” answered she, lifting her, “you have, with the King’s help, overcome your difficulties, and you certainly ought to make him happy.”
The other Fairy then came forward.
“Moonflower,” she said, “I am the Fairy of the Green Woods, and it was I, in the guise of an old hag, whom you so graciously conducted on my way. It was I who gave you the Enchanted Leaf, which you must always keep as an heirloom in your family; and now, I beg of you to marry this brave and devoted monarch, who seeks your hand.”
At these words the Princess embraced the two Fairies, who invited her, with the King and Grimaçon, to go with them to the palace of the King. The released youths and maidens then dispersed to their several homes, and, mounting the chariot of the Fairy of the Green Woods, Moonflower soon reached the palace, followed by the King and the dwarf, who accompanied the other Fairy.
The nuptials of the King of the Crystal Mountains and Princess Moonflower were soon afterwards solemnised, and the two Fairies honoured the festivities with their presence; all those who had been rescued from the Enchanter’s cruelty by the King were invited, and the rejoicings lasted for twenty days, after which his Majesty made war upon the Princess’s aunt, and recovered her kingdom, killing the wicked Blackwig with his own hand.
A terrible fate was in store for the King’s proud and cruel mother. On the day of her son’s marriage she was returning in her chariot from the ceremony, much mortified and incensed by what had just taken place. Noticing, as she drove along, that her coachman had not brought out the team of horses she had ordered, and being already furious, she leaned forward to strike him with the golden sceptre in her hand, and, in so doing, overbalanced herself, and fell under the chariot-wheels, where she was almost crushed to death. She was conveyed to the palace with all speed, but, before she reached her apartments, she expired, muttering vengeance against everyone.
The fate of the dwarf Grimaçon was very different. He was made Prime Minister and was the most honoured person in the King’s dominions. The King and Queen never took any step without first consulting him, and he lived to an advanced age beloved by all, but especially by their Majesties, who went to visit him every day in a magnificent palace which they built for him close by their own.