’Iwanttogototheemperorwhoisourover—lord，andIhavenoonetoadviseme。Whichofallthewhite—headedboyardsshallI
　　chooseascounsellor？’
　　’Ifyouhaveme，youneednooneelse:IwillserveyouasI
　　servedyourfather，ifyouwillonlylistentowhatIsay。’
　　’Iwilllistentoeverything。Canyoustartinthreedays？’
　　’Thismoment，ifyoulike，’saidthehorse。
　　Thepreparationsoftheemperor’syoungestdaughterweremuchfewerandsimplerthanthoseofhersisters。Theyonlyconsistedofsomeboy’sclothes，asmallquantityoflinenandfood，andalittlemoneyincaseofnecessity。Thenshebadefarewelltoherfather，androdeaway。
　　Aday’sjourneyfromthepalace，shereachedthecopperbridge，butbeforetheycameinsightofit，thehorse，whowasamagician，hadwarnedherofthemeansherfatherwouldtaketoprovehercourage。
　　Stillinspiteofhiswarningshetrembledalloverwhenahugewolf，asthinasifhehadfastedforamonth，withclawslikesaws，andmouthaswideasanoven，boundedhowlingtowardsher。
　　Foramomentherheartfailedher，butthenext，touchingthehorselightlywithherspur，shedrewherswordfromitssheath，readytoseparatethewolf’sheadfromitsbodyatasingleblow。
　　Thebeastsawthesword，andshrankback，whichwasthebestthingitcoulddo，asnowthegirl’sbloodwasup，andthelightofbattleinhereyes。Thenwithoutlookinground，sherodeacrossthebridge。
　　Theemperor，proudofthisfirstvictory，tookashortcut，andwaitedforherattheendofanotherday’sjourney，closetoariver，overwhichhethrewabridgeofsilver。Andthistimehetooktheshapeofalion。
　　Butthehorseguessedthisnewdangerandtoldtheprincesshowtoescapeit。Butitisonethingtoreceiveadvicewhenwefeelsafeandcomfortable，andquiteanothertobeabletocarryitoutwhensomeawfulperilisthreateningus。Andifthewolfhadmadethegirlquakewithterror，itseemedlikealambbesidethisdreadfullion。
　　Atthesoundofhisroartheverytreesquiveredandhisclawsweresolargethateveryoneofthemlookedlikeacutlass。
　　Thebreathoftheprincesscameandwent，andherfeetrattledinthestirrups。Suddenlytheremembranceflashedacrossherofthewolfwhomshehadputtoflight，andwavinghersword，sherushedsoviolentlyonthelionthathehadbarelytimetospringononeside，soastoavoidtheblow。Then，likeaflash，shecrossedthisbridgealso。
　　Nowduringherwholelife，theprincesshadbeensocarefullybroughtup，thatshehadneverleftthegardensofthepalace，sothatthesightofthehillsandvalleysandtinklingstreams，andthesongofthelarksandblackbirds，madeheralmostbesideherselfwithwonderanddelight。Shelongedtogetdownandbatheherfaceintheclearpools，andpickthebrilliantflowers，butthehorsesaid’No，’andquickenedhispace，neitherturningtotherightortheleft。
　　’Warriors，’hetoldher，’onlyrestwhentheyhavewonthevictory。Youhavestillanotherbattletofight，anditisthehardestofall。’
　　Thistimeitwasneitherawolfnoralionthatwaswaitingforherattheendofthethirdday’sjourney，butadragonwithtwelveheads，andagoldenbridgebehindit。
　　Theprincessrodeupwithoutseeinganythingtofrightenher，whenasuddenpuffofsmokeandflamefrombeneathherfeet，causedhertolookdown，andtherewasthehorriblecreaturetwistedandwrithing，itstwelveheadsrearedupasiftoseizeherbetweenthem。
　　Thebridlefellfromherhand:andtheswordwhichshehadjustgraspedslidbackintoitssheath，butthehorsebadeherfearnothing，andwithamightyeffortshesatuprightandspurredstraightonthedragon。
　　Thefightlastedanhourandthedragonpressedherhard。Butintheend，byawell—directedsideblow，shecutoffoneoftheheads，andwitharoarthatseemedtorendtheheavensintwo，thedragonfellbackontheground，androseasamanbeforeher。
　　Althoughthehorsehadinformedtheprincessthedragonwasreallyherownfather，thegirlhadhardlybelievedhim，andstaredinamazementatthetransformation。Butheflunghisarmsroundherandpressedhertohisheartsaying，’NowIseethatyouareasbraveasthebravest，andaswiseasthewisest。Youhavechosentherighthorse，forwithouthishelpyouwouldhavereturnedwithabentheadanddowncasteyes。Youhavefilledmewiththehopethatyoumaycarryoutthetaskyouhaveundertaken，butbecarefultoforgetnoneofmycounsels，andabovealltolistentothoseofyourhorse。’
　　Whenhehaddonespeaking，theprincesskneltdowntoreceivehisblessing，andtheywenttheirdifferentways。
　　Theprincessrodeonandon，tillatlastshecametothemountainswhichholduptheroofoftheworld。ThereshemettwoGeniiwhohadbeenfightingfiercelyfortwoyears，withoutonehavinggottheleastadvantageovertheother。Seeingwhattheytooktobeayoungmanseekingadventures，oneofthecombatantscalledout，’Fet—Fruners！delivermefrommyenemy，andIwillgiveyouthehornthatcanbeheardthedistanceofathreedays’
　　journey;’whiletheothercried，’Fet—Fruners！helpmetoconquerthispaganthief，andyoushallhavemyhorse，Sunlight。’
　　Beforeanswering，theprincessconsultedherownhorseastowhichoffersheshouldaccept，andheadvisedhertosidewiththegeniuswhowasmasterofSunlight，hisownyoungerbrother，andstillmoreactivethanhimself。
　　Sothegirlatonceattackedtheothergenius，andsoonclovehisskull;thentheonewhowasleftvictorbeggedhertocomebackwithhimtohishouseandhewouldhandheroverSunlight，ashehadpromised。
　　Themotherofthegeniuswasrejoicedtoseehersonreturnsafeandsound，andpreparedherbestroomfortheprincess，who，aftersomuchfatigue，neededrestbadly。Butthegirldeclaredthatshemustfirstmakeherhorsecomfortableinhisstable;butthiswasreallyonlyanexcuse，asshewantedtoaskhisadviceonseveralmatters。
　　Buttheoldwomanhadsuspectedfromtheveryfirstthattheboywhohadcometotherescueofhersonwasagirlindisguise，andtoldthegeniusthatshewasexactlythewifeheneeded。Thegeniusscoffed，andinquiredwhatfemalehandcouldeverwieldasabrelikethat;but，inspiteofhissneers，hismotherpersisted，andasaproofofwhatshesaid，laidatnightoneachoftheirpillowsahandfulofmagicflowers，thatfadeatthetouchofman，butremaineternallyfreshinthefingersofawoman。
　　Itwasverycleverofher，butunluckilythehorsehadwarnedtheprincesswhattoexpect，andwhenthehousewassilent，shestoleverysoftlytothegenius’sroom，andexchangedhisfadedflowersforthosesheheld。Thenshecreptbacktoherownbedandfellfastasleep。
　　Atbreakofday，theoldwomanrantoseeherson，andfound，assheknewshewould，abunchofdeadflowersinhishand。Shenextpassedontothebedsideoftheprincess，whostilllayasleepgraspingthewitheredflowers。Butshedidnotbelieveanythemorethatherguestwasaman，andsoshetoldherson。
　　Sotheyputtheirheadstogetherandlaidanothertrapforher。
　　Afterbreakfastthegeniusgavehisarmtohisguest，andaskedhertocomewithhimintothegarden。Forsometimetheywalkedaboutlookingattheflowers，thegeniusallthewhilepressinghertopickanyshefancied。Buttheprincess，suspectingatrap，inquiredroughlywhytheywerewastingtheprecioushoursinthegarden，when，asmen，theyshouldbeinthestableslookingaftertheirhorses。Thenthegeniustoldhismotherthatshewasquitewrong，andhisdelivererwascertainlyaman。Buttheoldwomanwasnotconvincedforallthat。
　　Shewouldtryoncemoreshesaid，andhersonmustleadhisvisitorintothearmoury，wherehungeverykindofweaponusedallovertheworld——someplainandbare，othersornamentedwithpreciousstones——andbeghertomakechoiceofoneofthem。Theprincesslookedatthemclosely，andfelttheedgesandpointsoftheirblades，thenshehungatherbeltanoldswordwithacurvedblade，thatwouldhavedonecredittoanancientwarrior。
　　AfterthissheinformedthegeniusthatshewouldstartearlynextdayandtakeSunlightwithher。
　　Andtherewasnothingforthemothertodobuttosubmit，thoughshestillstucktoherownopinion。
　　TheprincessmountedSunlight，andtouchedhimwithherspur，whentheoldhorse，whowasgallopingatherside，suddenlysaid:
　　’Uptothistime，mistress，youhaveobeyedmycounselsandallhasgonewell。Listentomeoncemore，anddowhatItellyou。
　　Iamold，and——nowthatthereissomeonetotakemyplace，Iwillconfessit——Iamafraidthatmystrengthisnotequaltothetaskthatliesbeforeme。Givemeleave，therefore，toreturnhome，anddoyoucontinueyourjourneyunderthecareofmybrother。
　　Putyourfaithinhimasyouputitinme，andyouwillneverrepent。WisdomhascomeearlytoSunlight。’
　　’Yes，myoldcomrade，youhaveservedmewell;anditisonlythroughyourhelpthatuptonowIhavebeenvictorious。SogrievedthoughIamtosayfarewell，Iwillobeyyouyetoncemore，andwilllistentoyourbrotherasIwouldtoyourself。
　　Only，Imusthaveaproofthathelovesmeaswellasyoudo。’
　　’HowshouldInotloveyou？’answeredSunlight;’howshouldInotbeproudtoserveawarriorsuchasyou？Trustme，mistress，andyoushallneverregrettheabsenceofmybrother。Iknowtherewillbedifficultiesinourpath，butwewillfacethemtogether。’
　　Then，withtearsinhereyes，theprincesstookleaveofheroldhorse，whogallopedbacktoherfather。
　　Shehadriddenonlyafewmilesfurther，whenshesawagoldencurllyingontheroadbeforeher。Checkingherhorse，sheaskedwhetheritwouldbebettertotakeitorletitlie。
　　’Ifyoutakeit，’saidSunlight，’youwillrepent，andifyoudon’t，youwillrepenttoo:sotakeit。’Onthisthegirldismounted，andpickingupthecurl，wounditroundherneckforsafety。
　　Theypassedbyhills，theypassedbymountains，theypassedthroughvalleys，leavingbehindthemthickforests，andfieldscoveredwithflowers;andatlengththeyreachedthecourtoftheover—lord。
　　Hewassittingonhisthrone，surroundedbythesonsoftheotheremperors，whoservedhimaspages。Theseyouthscameforwardtogreettheirnewcompanion，andwonderedwhytheyfeltsoattractedtowardshim。
　　However，therewasnotimefortalkingandconcealingherfright。
　　Theprincesswasledstraightuptothethrone，andexplained，inalowvoice，thereasonofhercoming。Theemperorreceivedherkindly，anddeclaredhimselffortunateatfindingavassalsobraveandsocharming，andbeggedtheprincesstoremaininattendanceonhisperson。
　　Shewas，however，verycarefulinherbehaviourtowardstheotherpages，whosewayoflifedidnotpleaseher。Oneday，however，shehadbeenamusingherselfbymakingsweetmeats，whentwooftheyoungprinceslookedintopayheravisit。Sheofferedthemsomeofthefoodwhichwasalreadyonthetable，andtheythoughtitsodeliciousthattheyevenlickedtheirfingerssoasnottoloseamorsel。Ofcoursetheydidnotkeepthenewsoftheirdiscoverytothemselves，buttoldalltheircompanionsthattheyhadjustbeenenjoyingthebestsuppertheyhadhadsincetheywereborn。Andfromthatmomenttheprincesswasleftnopeace，tillshehadpromisedtocookthemalladinner。
　　Nowithappenedthat，ontheverydayfixed，allthecooksinthepalacebecameintoxicated，andtherewasnoonetomakeupthefire。
　　Whenthepagesheardofthisshockingstateofthings，theywenttotheircompanionandimploredhertocometotherescue。
　　Theprincesswasfondofcooking，andwas，besides，verygood—natured;sosheputonanapronandwentdowntothekitchenwithoutdelay。Whenthedinnerwasplacedbeforetheemperorhefounditsonicethatheatemuchmorethanwasgoodforhim。
　　Thenextmorning，assoonashewoke，hesentforhisheadcook，andtoldhimtosendupthesamedishesasbefore。Thecook，seizedwithfrightatthiscommand，whichheknewhecouldnotfulfil，fellonhisknees，andconfessedthetruth。
　　Theemperorwassoastonishedthatheforgottoscold，andwhilehewasthinkingoverthematter，someofhispagescameinandsaidthattheirnewcompanionhadbeenheardtoboastthatheknewwhereIlianewastobefound——thecelebratedIlianeofthesongwhichbegins:
　　’GoldenHairThefieldsaregreen，’
　　andthattotheircertainknowledgehehadacurlofherhairinhispossession。
　　Whenheheardthat，theemperordesiredthepagetobebroughtbeforehim，and，assoonastheprincessobeyedhissummons，hesaidtoherabruptly:
　　’Fet—Fruners，youhavehiddenfrommethefactthatyouknewthegolden—hairedIliane！Whydidyoudothis？forIhavetreatedyoumorekindlythanallmyotherpages。’
　　Then，aftermakingtheprincessshowhimthegoldencurlwhichsheworeroundherneck，headded:’Listentome;unlessbysomemeansorotheryoubringmetheownerofthislock，Iwillhaveyourheadcutoffintheplacewhereyoustand。Nowgo！’
　　Invainthepoorgirltriedtoexplainhowthelockofhaircameintoherpossession;theemperorwouldlistentonothing，and，bowinglow，shelefthispresenceandwenttoconsultSunlightwhatshewastodo。
　　Athisfirstwordsshebrightenedup。’Donotbeafraid，mistress;onlylastnightmybrotherappearedtomeinadreamandtoldmethatageniushadcarriedoffIliane，whosehairyoupickedupontheroad。ButIlianedeclaresthat，beforeshemarrieshercaptor，hemustbringher，asapresent，thewholestudofmareswhichbelongtoher。Thegenius，halfcrazywithlove，thinksofnothingnightanddaybuthowthiscanbedone，andmeanwhilesheisquitesafeintheislandswampsofthesea。
　　Gobacktotheemperorandaskhimfortwentyshipsfilledwithpreciousmerchandise。Therestyoushallknowby—and—by。’
　　Onhearingthisadvice，theprincesswentatonceintotheemperor’spresence。
　　’Mayalonglifebeyours，OSovereignallmighty！’saidshe。’I
　　havecometotellyouthatIcandoasyoucommandifyouwillgivemetwentyships，andloadthemwiththemostpreciouswaresinyourkingdom。’
　　’YoushallhaveallthatIpossessifyouwillbringmethegolden—hairedIliane，’saidtheemperor。
　　Theshipsweresoonready，andtheprincessenteredthelargestandfinest，withSunlightatherside。Thenthesailswerespreadandthevoyagebegan。
　　Forsevenweeksthewindblewthemstraighttowardsthewest，andearlyonemorningtheycaughtsightoftheislandswampsofthesea。
　　Theycastanchorinalittlebay，andtheprincessmadehastetodisembarkwithSunlight，but，beforeleavingtheship，shetiedtoherbeltapairoftinygoldslippers，adornedwithpreciousstones。ThenmountingSunlight，sherodeabouttillshecametoseveralpalaces，builtonhinges，sothattheycouldalwaysturntowardsthesun。
　　Themostsplendidofthesewasguardedbythreeslaves，whosegreedyeyeswerecaughtbytheglisteninggoldoftheslippers。
　　Theyhasteneduptotheownerofthesetreasures，andinquiredwhohewas。’Amerchant，’repliedtheprincess，’whohadsomehowmissedhisroad，andlosthimselfamongtheislandswampsofthesea。’
　　Notknowingifitwaspropertoreceivehimornot，theslavesreturnedtotheirmistressandtoldheralltheyhadseen，butnotbeforeshehadcaughtsightofthemerchantfromtheroofofherpalace。Luckilyhergaolerwasaway，alwaystryingtocatchthestudofmares，soforthemomentshewasfreeandalone。
　　Theslavestoldtheirtalesowellthattheirmistressinsistedongoingdowntotheshoreandseeingthebeautifulslippersforherself。Theywereevenlovelierthansheexpected，andwhenthemerchantbesoughthertocomeonboard，andinspectsomethathethoughtwerefinerstill，hercuriositywastoogreattorefuse，andshewent。
　　Onceonboardship，shewassobusyturningoverallthepreciousthingsstoredthere，thatsheneverknewthatthesailswerespread，andthattheywereflyingalongwiththewindbehindthem;andwhenshedidknow，sherejoicedinherheart，thoughshepretendedtoweepandlamentatbeingcarriedcaptiveasecondtime。Thustheyarrivedatthecourtoftheemperor。
　　Theywerejustabouttoland，whenthemotherofthegeniusstoodbeforethem。ShehadlearntthatIlianehadfledfromherprisonincompanywithamerchant，and，ashersonwasabsent，hadcomeherselfinpursuit。Stridingoverthebluewaters，hoppingfromwavetowave，onefootreachingtoheaven，andtheotherplantedinthefoam，shewascloseattheirheels，breathingfireandflame，whentheysteppedonshorefromtheship。OneglancetoldIlianewhothehorribleoldwomanwas，andshewhisperedhastilytohercompanion。Withoutsayingaword，theprincessswungherintoSunlight’ssaddle，andleapingupbehindher，theywereofflikeaflash。
　　ItwasnottilltheydrewnearthetownthattheprincessstoopedandaskedSunlightwhattheyshoulddo。’Putyourhandintomyleftear，’saidhe，’andtakeoutasharpstone，whichyoumustthrowbehindyou。’
　　Theprincessdidasshewastold，andahugemountainsprangupbehindthem。Themotherofthegeniusbegantoclimbupit，andthoughtheygallopedquickly，shewasquickerstill。
　　Theyheardhercoming，faster，faster;andagaintheprincessstoopedtoaskwhatwastobedonenow。’Putyourhandintomyrightear，’saidthehorse，’andthrowthebrushyouwillfindtherebehindyou。’Theprincessdidso，andagreatforestsprangupbehindthem，and，sothickwereitsleaves，thatevenawrencouldnotgetthrough。Buttheoldwomanseizedholdofthebranchesandflungherselflikeamonkeyfromonetotheothers，andalwaysshedrewnearer——always，always——tilltheirhairwassingedbytheflamesofhermouth。
　　Then，indespair，theprincessagainbentdownandaskediftherewasnothingmoretobedone，andSunlightreplied’Quick，quick，takeoffthebetrothalringonthefingerofIlianeandthrowitbehindyou。’
　　Thistimetheresprangupagreattowerofstone，smoothasivory，hardassteel，whichreacheduptoheavenitself。Andthemotherofthegeniusgaveahowlofrage，knowingthatshecouldneitherclimbitnorgetthroughit。Butshewasnotbeatenyet，andgatheringherselftogether，shemadeaprodigiousleap，whichlandedheronthetopofthetower，rightinthemiddleofIliane’sringwhichlaythere，andheldhertight。Onlyherclawscouldbeseengraspingthebattlements。
　　Allthatcouldbedonetheoldwitchdid;butthefirethatpouredfromhermouthneverreachedthefugitives，thoughitlaidwastethecountryahundredmilesroundthetower，liketheflamesofavolcano。Then，withonelastefforttofreeherself，herhandsgaveway，and，fallingdowntothebottomofthetower，shewasbrokeninpieces。
　　Whentheflyingprincesssawwhathadhappenedsherodebacktothespot，asSunlightcounselledher，andplacedherfingeronthetopofthetower，whichwasgraduallyshrinkingintotheearth。Inaninstantthetowerhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，andinitsplacewasthefingeroftheprincesswitharingroundit。
　　TheemperorreceivedIlianewithalltherespectthatwasduetoher，andfellinloveatfirstsightbesides。
　　ButthisdidnotseemtopleaseIliane，whosefacewassadasshewalkedaboutthepalaceorgardens，wonderinghowitwasthat，whileothergirlsdidastheyliked，shewasalwaysinthepowerofsomeonewhomshehated。
　　SowhentheemperoraskedhertosharehisthroneIlianeanswered:
　　’NobleSovereign，Imaynotthinkofmarriagetillmystudofhorseshasbeenbroughtme，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。’
　　Whenheheardthis，theemperoroncemoresentforFet—Fruners，andsaid:
　　’Fet—Fruners，fetchmeinstantlythestudofmares，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。Ifnot，yourheadshallpaytheforfeit。’
　　’MightyEmperor，Ikissyourhands！Ihavebutjustreturnedfromdoingyourbidding，and，behold，yousendmeonanothermission，andstakemyheadonitsfulfilment，whenyourcourtisfullofvaliantyoungmen，piningtowintheirspurs。Theysayyouareajustman;thenwhynotentrustthisquesttooneofthem？WhereamItoseekthesemaresthatIamtobringyou？’
　　’HowdoIknow？Theymaybeanywhereinheavenorearth;but，wherevertheyare，youwillhavetofindthem。’
　　TheprincessbowedandwenttoconsultSunlight。Helistenedwhileshetoldhertale，andthensaid:
　　’Fetchquicklyninebuffaloskins;smearthemwellwithtar，andlaythemonmyback。Donotfear;youwillsucceedinthisalso;
　　but，intheend，theemperor’sdesireswillbehisundoing。’
　　Thebuffaloskinsweresoongot，andtheprincessstartedoffwithSunlight。Thewaywaslonganddifficult，butatlengththeyreachedtheplacewherethemaresweregrazing。HerethegeniuswhohadcarriedoffIlianewaswanderingabout，tryingtodiscoverhowtocapturethem，allthewhilebelievingthatIlianewassafeinthepalacewherehehadlefther。
　　Assoonasshecaughtsightofhim，theprincesswentupandtoldhimthatIlianehadescaped，andthathismother，inhereffortstorecaptureher，haddiedofrage。Atthisnewsablindfurytookpossessionofthegenius，andherushedmadlyupontheprincess，whoawaitedhisonslaughtwithperfectcalmness。Ashecameon，withhissabreliftedhighintheair，Sunlightboundedrightoverhishead，sothattheswordfellharmless。Andwheninherturntheprincesspreparedtostrike，thehorsesankuponhisknees，sothatthebladepiercedthegenius’sthigh。
　　Thefightwassofiercethatitseemedasiftheearthwouldgivewayunderthem，andfortwentymilesroundthebeastsintheforestsfledtotheircavesforshelter。Atlast，whenherstrengthwasalmostgone，thegeniusloweredhisswordforaninstant。Theprincesssawherchance，and，withoneswoopofherarm，severedherenemy’sheadfromhisbody。Stilltremblingfromthelongstruggle，sheturnedaway，andwenttothemeadowwherethestudwerefeeding。
　　BytheadviceofSunlight，shetookcarenottoletthemseeher，andclimbedathicktree，whereshecouldseeandhearwithoutbeingseenherself。Thenheneighed，andthemarescamegallopingup，eagertoseethenewcomer——allbutonehorse，whodidnotlikestrangers，andthoughttheywereverywellastheywere。AsSunlightstoodhisground，wellpleasedwiththeattentionpaidhim，thissulkycreaturesuddenlyadvancedtothecharge，andbitsoviolentlythathaditnotbeenfortheninebuffaloskinsSunlight’slastmomentwouldhavecome。Whenthefightwasended，thebuffaloskinswereinribbons，andthebeatenanimalwrithingwithpainonthegrass。
　　Nothingnowremainedtobedonebuttodrivethewholestudtotheemperor’scourt。SotheprincesscamedownfromthetreeandmountedSunlight，whilethestudfollowedmeeklyafter，thewoundedhorsebringinguptherear。Onreachingthepalace，shedrovethemintoayard，andwenttoinformtheemperorofherarrival。
　　ThenewswastoldatoncetoIliane，whorandowndirectlyandcalledthemtoheronebyone，eachmarebyitsname。Andatthefirstsightofherthewoundedanimalshookitselfquickly，andinamomentitswoundswerehealed，andtherewasnotevenamarkonitsglossyskin。
　　Bythistimetheemperor，onhearingwhereshewas，joinedherintheyard，andatherrequestorderedthemarestobemilked，sothatbothheandshemightbatheinthemilkandkeepyoungforever。Buttheywouldsuffernoonetocomenearthem，andtheprincesswascommandedtoperformthisservicealso。
　　Atthis，theheartofthegirlswelledwithinher。Thehardesttaskswerealwaysgiventoher，andlongbeforethetwoyearswereup，shewouldbewornoutanduseless。Butwhilethesethoughtspassedthroughhermind，afearfulrainfell，suchasnomanrememberedbefore，androsetillthemareswerestandinguptotheirkneesinwater。Thenassuddenlyitstopped，and，behold！thewaterwasice，whichheldtheanimalsfirmlyinitsgrasp。Andtheprincess’sheartgrewlightagain，andshesatdowngailytomilkthem，asifshehaddoneiteverymorningofherlife。
　　TheloveoftheemperorforIlianewaxedgreaterdaybyday，butshepaidnoheedtohim，andalwayshadanexcusereadytoputofftheirmarriage。Atlength，whenshehadcometotheendofeverythingshecouldthinkof，shesaidtohimoneday:’Grantme，Sire，justonerequestmore，andthenIwillreallymarryyou;foryouhavewaitedpatientlythislongtime。’
　　’Mybeautifuldove，’repliedtheemperor，’bothIandallI
　　possessareyours，soaskyourwill，andyoushallhaveit。’
　　’Getme，then，’shesaid，’aflaskoftheholywaterthatiskeptinalittlechurchbeyondtheriverJordan，andIwillbeyourwife。’
　　ThentheemperororderedFet—FrunerstoridewithoutdelaytotheriverJordan，andtobringback，atwhatevercost，theholywaterforIliane。
　　’This，mymistress，’saidSunlight，whenshewassaddlinghim，’isthelastandmostdifficultofyourtasks。Butfearnothing，forthehouroftheemperorhasstruck。’
　　Sotheystarted;andthehorse，whowasnotawizardfornothing，toldtheprincessexactlywhereshewastolookfortheholywater。
　　’Itstands，’hesaid，’onthealtarofalittlechurch，andisguardedbyatroopofnuns。Theyneversleep，nightorday，buteverynowandthenahermitcomestovisitthem，andfromhimtheylearncertainthingsitisneedfulforthemtoknow。Whenthishappens，onlyoneofthenunsremainsonguardatatime，andifweareluckyenoughtohituponthismoment，wemaygetholdofthevaseatonce;ifnot，weshallhavetowaitthearrivalofthehermit，howeverlongitmaybe;forthereisnoothermeansofobtainingtheholywater。’
　　TheycameinsightofthechurchbeyondtheJordan，and，totheirgreatjoy，beheldthehermitjustarrivingatthedoor。Theycouldhearhimcallingthenunsaroundhim，andsawthemsettlethemselvesunderatree，withthehermitintheirmidst——allbutone，whoremainedonguard，aswasthecustom。
　　Thehermithadagreatdealtosay，andthedaywasveryhot，sothenun，tiredofsittingbyherself，laydownrightacrossthethreshold，andfellsoundasleep。
　　ThenSunlighttoldtheprincesswhatshewastodo，andthegirlsteppedsoftlyoverthesleepingnun，andcreptlikeacatalongthedarkaisle，feelingthewallwithherfingers，lestsheshouldfalloversomethingandruinitallbyanoise。Butshereachedthealtarinsafety，andfoundthevaseofholywaterstandingonit。Thisshethrustintoherdress，andwentbackwiththesamecareasshecame。Withaboundshewasinthesaddle，andseizingthereinsbadeSunlighttakeherhomeasfastashislegscouldcarryhim。
　　Thesoundoftheflyinghoofsarousedthenun，whounderstoodinstantlythattheprecioustreasurewasstolen，andhershrieksweresoloudandpiercingthatalltherestcameflyingtoseewhatwasthematter。Thehermitfollowedattheirheels，butseeingitwasimpossibletoovertakethethief，hefellonhiskneesandcalledhismostdeadlycursedownonherhead，prayingthatifthethiefwasaman，hemightbecomeawoman;andifshewasawoman，thatshemightbecomeaman。Ineithercasehethoughtthatthepunishmentwouldbesevere。
　　Butpunishmentsarethingsaboutwhichpeopledonotalwaysagree，andwhentheprincesssuddenlyfeltshewasreallythemanshehadpretendedtobe，shewasdelighted，andifthehermithadonlybeenwithinreachshewouldhavethankedhimfromherheart。
　　Bythetimeshereachedtheemperor’scourt，Fet—Frunerslookedayoungmanalloverintheeyesofeveryone;andeventhemotherofthegeniuswouldnowhavehadherdoubtssetatrest。Hedrewforththevasefromhistunicandheldituptotheemperor，saying:’MightySovereign，allhail！Ihavefulfilledthistaskalso，andIhopeitisthelastyouhaveforme;letanothernowtakehisturn。’
　　’Iamcontent，Fet—Fruners，’repliedtheemperor，’andwhenIamdeaditisyouwhowillsituponmythrone;forIhaveyetnosontocomeafterme。Butifoneisgivenme，andmydearestwishisaccomplished，thenyoushallbehisrighthand，andguidehimwithyourcounsels。’
　　Butthoughtheemperorwassatisfied，Ilianewasnot，andshedeterminedtorevengeherselfontheemperorforthedangerswhichhehadcausedFet—Frunerstorun。Andasforthevaseofholywater，shethoughtthat，incommonpoliteness，hersuitoroughttohavefetchedithimself，whichhecouldhavedonewithoutanyriskatall。
　　Sosheorderedthegreatbathtobefilledwiththemilkofhermares，andbeggedtheemperortoclothehimselfinwhiterobes，andenterthebathwithher，aninvitationheacceptedwithjoy。
　　Then，whenbothwerestandingwiththemilkreachingtotheirnecks，shesentforthehorsewhichhadfoughtSunlight，andmadeasecretsigntohim。Thehorseunderstoodwhathewastodo，andfromonenostrilhebreathedfreshairoverIliane，andfromtheother，hesnortedaburningwindwhichshrivelleduptheemperorwherehestood，leavingonlyalittleheapofashes。