Once there lived
a King who had no children for many years after his marriage. At length heaven
granted him a daughter of such remarkable beauty that he could think of no name
so appropriate
for her as 'Fairer-than-a-Fairy.'
It never
occurred to the good-natured monarch that such a name was certain to call down
the hatred and jealousy of the fairies in a body on the child, but this was
what happened. No sooner had they heard of this presumptuous name than they
resolved to gain possession of her who bore it, and either to torment her
cruelly, or at least to conceal her from the eyes of all men.
The eldest of their tribe was
entrusted to carry out their revenge. This Fairy was named Lagree; she was so
old that she only had one eye and one tooth left, and even these poor remains
she had to keep all night in a strengthening liquid. She was also so spiteful
that she gladly devoted all her time to carrying out all the mean or ill-natured tricks of the whole body of
fairies.
With her large experience, added
to her native spite, she found butlittle difficulty in carrying off
Fairer-than-a-Fairy. The poor child, who was only seven years old, nearly died
of fear on finding
herself in the power of this
hideous creature. However, when afteran hour's journey underground she found
herself in a splendid palace with lovely gardens, she felt a little reassured,
and was
further cheered when she
discovered that her pet cat and dog had followed her.
The old Fairy
led her to a pretty room which she said should be hers, at the same time giving
her the strictest orders never to let out the fire which was burning brightly
in the grate. She then gave two glass bottles into the Princess's charge,
desiring her to take the greatest care of them, and having enforced her orders
with the most awful threats in case of disobedience, she vanished, leaving the little
girl at liberty to explore the palace and grounds and a good deal relieved at
having only two apparently easy tasks set her.
Several years
passed, during which time the Princess grew accustomed to her lonely life,
obeyed the Fairy's orders, and by degrees forgot all about the court of the
King her father.
One day, whilst
passing near a fountain in the garden, she noticed that the sun's rays fell on
the water in such a manner as to produce a brilliant rainbow. She stood still
to admire it, when, to her great surprise, she heard a voice addressing her
which seemed to come from the centre of its rays. The voice was that of a young
man, and its sweetness of tone and the agreeable things it uttered, led one to infer
that its owner must be equally charming; but this had to be a mere matter of
fancy, for no one was visible.
The beautiful
Rainbow informed Fairer-than-a-Fairy that he was young, the son of a powerful
king, and that the Fairy, Lagree, who owed his parents a grudge, had revenged
herself by depriving him of his natural shape for some years; that she had
imprisoned him in the palace, where he had found his confinement hard to bear
for some time, but now, he owned, he no longer sighed for freedom since he had
seen and learned to love Fairer-than-a-Fairy.
He added many
other tender speeches to this declaration, and the Princess, to whom such
remarks were a new experience, could not help feeling pleased and touched by
his attentions.
The Prince could only appear or
speak under the form of a Rainbow, and it was therefore necessary that the sun
should shine on water so as to enable the rays to form themselves.
Fairer-than-a-Fairy
lost no moment in which she could meet her lover, and they enjoyed many long
and interesting interviews. One day, however, their conversation became so
absorbing and time passed so quickly that the Princess forgot to attend to the
fire, and it went out. Lagree, on her return, soon found out the neglect, and seemed
only too pleased to have the opportunity of showing her spite to her lovely
prisoner. She ordered Fairer-than-a-Fairy to start next day at dawn to ask
Locrinos for fire with which to relight the one she had allowed to go out.
Now this Locrinos was a cruel
monster who devoured everyone he came across, and especially enjoyed a chance
of catching and eating any young girls. Our heroine obeyed with great sweetness, and without having been able to
take leave of her lover she set off to go to Locrinos as to certain death. As
she was crossing a wood a bird sang to her to pick up a shining pebble which
she would find in a fountain close by, and to use it when needed. She took the bird's
advice, and in due time arrived at the house of Locrinos. Luckily she only
found his wife at home, who was much struck by the Princess's youth and beauty
and sweet gentle manners, and still further impressed by the present of the
shining pebble.
She readily let
Fairer-than-a-Fairy have the fire, and in return for the stone she gave her
another, which, she said, might prove useful some day. Then she sent her away
without doing her any harm.
Lagree was as
much surprised as displeased at the happy result of this expedition, and
Fairer-than-a-Fairy waited anxiously for an opportunity of meeting Prince
Rainbow and telling him her adventures. She found, however, that he had already
been told all about them by a Fairy who protected him, and to whom he was related.
The dread of fresh
dangers to his beloved Princess made him devise some more convenient way of meeting
than by the garden fountain, and Fairer-than-a-Fairy carried out his plan daily
with entire success. Every morning she placed a large basin full of water on
her [129] window-sill, and as soon as the sun's rays fell on the water the
Rainbow appeared as clearly as it had ever done in the fountain. By this means
they were able to meet without losing sight of the fire or of the two bottles
in which the old Fairy kept her eye and her tooth at night, and for some time
the lovers enjoyed every hour of sunshine together.
One day Prince
Rainbow appeared in the depths of woe. He had just heard that he was to be
banished from this lovely spot, but he had no idea where he was to go. The poor
young couple were in despair, and only parted with the last ray of sunshine,
and in hopes of meeting next morning. Alas! next day was dark and gloomy and it
was only late in the afternoon that the sun broke through the clouds for a few
minutes.
Fairer-than-a-Fairy eagerly ran to the
window, but in her haste she upset the basin, andspilt all the water with which
she had carefully filled it overnight. No other water was at hand except that
in the two bottles. It was the only chance of seeing her lover before they were
separated, and she did not hesitate to break the bottle and pour their contents
into the basin, when the Rainbow appeared at once. Their farewells were full of
tenderness; the Prince made the
most ardent and sincere protestations,
and promised to neglect nothing which might help to deliver his dear
Fairer-than-a-Fairy from her captivity, and implored her to consent to their
marriage as soon as they should both be free. The Princess, on her side, vowed to
have no other husband, and declared herself willing to brave death itself in
order to rejoin him.
They were not
allowed much time for their adieus; the Rainbow vanished, and the Princess,
resolved to run all risks, started off at once, taking nothing with her but her
dog, her cat, a sprig of myrtle, and the stone which the wife of Locrinos gave
her.
When Lagree
became aware of her prisoner's flight she was furious, and set off at full
speed in pursuit. She overtook her just as the poor girl, overcome by fatigue,
had lain down to rest in a cave which the stone had formed itself into to
shelter her. The little dog who was watching her mistress promptly flew at
Lagree and bit her so severely that she stumbled against a corner of the cave
and broke off her only tooth. Before she had recovered from the pain and rage
this caused her, the Princess had time to escape, and was some way on her road.
Fear gave her strength for some time, but at last she could go no further, and
sank down to rest. As she did so,
the sprig of myrtle she carried
touched the ground, and immediately a green and shady bower sprang up round
her, in which she hoped to sleep in peace.
But Lagree had
not given up her pursuit, and arrived just as Fairer-than-a-Fairy had fallen
fast asleep. This time she made sure of catching her victim, but the cat spied
her out, and, springing from one of the
boughs of the arbour she flew at Lagree's face and tore out her only eye, thus
delivering the Princess for ever from her persecutor.
One might have
thought that all would now be well, but no sooner had Lagree been put to flight
than our heroine was overwhelmed with hunger and thirst. She felt as though she
should certainly expire, and it was with some difficulty that she dragged
herself as far as a pretty little green and white house, which stood at no
great distance. Here she was received by a beautiful lady dressed in green and
white to match the house, which apparently belonged to her, and of which she
seemed the only inhabitant.
She greeted the
fainting Princess most kindly, gave her an excellent supper, and after a long
night's rest in a delightful bed told her that after many troubles she should
finally attain her
desire.
As the green and white lady took
leave of the Princess she gave her a nut, desiring her only to open it in the
most urgent need.
After a long and
tiring journey Fairer-than-a-Fairy was once more received in a house, and by a
lady exactly like the one she had quitted. Here again she received a present
with the same injunctions, but instead
of a nut this lady gave her a golden pomegranate. The mournful Princess had to
continue her weary way, and after many troubles and hardships she again found
rest and shelter in a third house exactly similar to the two others.
These houses
belonged to three sisters, all endowed with fairy gifts, and all so alike in
mind and person that they wished their houses and garments to be equally alike.
Their occupation consisted in helping those in misfortune, and they were as
gentle and benevolent as Lagree had been cruel and spiteful.
The third Fairy
comforted the poor traveller, begged her not to lose heart, and assured her
that her troubles should be rewarded. She accompanied her advice by the gift of
a crystal smelling-bottle, with strict orders only to open it in case of urgent
need. Fairer-than-a-Fairy thanked her warmly, and resumed her way cheered by
pleasant thoughts.
After a time her
road led through a wood, full of soft airs and sweet odours, and before she had
gone a hundred yards she saw a wonderful silver Castle suspended by strong
silver chains to four of the largest trees. It was so perfectly hung that a
gentle breeze rocked it sufficiently to send you pleasantly to sleep.
Fairer-than-a-Fairy
felt a strong desire to enter this Castle, but besides being hung a little
above the ground there seemed to be neither doors nor windows. She had no doubt
(though really I cannot think why) that the moment had come in which to use the
nut which had been given her. She opened it, and out came a diminutive hall
porter at whose belt hung a tiny chain, at the end of which was a golden key
half as long as the smallest pin you ever saw.
The Princess
climbed up one of the silver chains, holding in her hand the little porter who,
in spite of his minute size, opened a secret door with his golden key and let
her in. She entered a magnificent room which appeared to occupy the entire
Castle, and which was lighted by gold and jewelled stars in the ceiling. In the
midst of this room stood a couch, draped with curtains of all the colours of
the rainbow, and suspended by golden cords so that it swayed with the Castle in
a manner which rocked its occupant delightfully to sleep.
On this elegant
couch lay Prince Rainbow, looking more beautiful than ever, and sunk in
profound slumber, in which he had been held ever since his disappearance.
Fairer-than-a-Fairy,
who now saw him for the first time in his real shape, hardly dared to gaze at
him, fearing lest his appearance might not be in keeping with the voice and
language which had won her heart. At the same time she could not help feeling
rather hurt at the apparent indifference with which she was received.
She related all
the dangers and difficulties she had gone through, and though she repeated the
story twenty times in a loud clear voice, the Prince slept on and took no heed.
She then had recourse to the golden pomegranate, and on opening it found that
all the seeds were as many little violins which flew up in the vaulted roof and
at once began playing melodiously.
The Prince was
not completely roused, but he opened his eyes a little and looked all the
handsomer.
Impatient at not
being recognised, Fairer-than-a-Fairy now drew out her third present, and on
opening the crystal scent-bottle a little syren flew out, who silenced the
violins and then sang close to the Prince's ear the story of all his lady love
had suffered in her search for him. She added some gentle reproaches to her
tale, but before she had got far he was wide awake, and transported with joy
threw himself at the Princess's feet. At the same moment the walls of the
room expanded and opened out,
revealing a golden throne covered with jewels. A magnificent Court now began to
assemble, and at the same time several elegant carriages filled with ladies in
magnificent dresses drove up. In
the first and most splendid of these carriages sat Prince Rainbow's mother. She
fondly embraced her son, after which she informed him that his father had been dead
for some years, that the anger of the Fairies was at length appeased, and that
he might return in peace to reign over his people, who were longing for his
presence.
The Court
received the new King with joyful acclamations which would have delighted him
at any other time, but all his thoughts were full of Fairer-than-a-Fairy. He
was just about to present her to his mother and the Court, feeling sure that
her charms would win all hearts, when the three green and white sisters
appeared.
They declared
the secret of Fairer-than-a-Fairy's royal birth, and the Queen taking the two
lovers in her carriage set off with them for the capital of the kingdom.
Here they were
received with tumultuous joy. The wedding was celebrated without delay, and
succeeding years diminished neither the virtues, beauty, nor the mutual
affection of King Rainbow and his Queen, Fairer-than-a-Fairy.
THE END
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any suggestion on my side