Part 13 (2/2)

At that moment Creeping Shadow saw her and gave a loud cry that rang through the s.p.a.ces and reached even to the palace halls. She rushed to throw herself at the feet of her mistress, to clasp her knees in an ecstasy of thankfulness and rejoicing. ”Mistress, dear mistress!” she exclaimed, ”At last, at last, you are here!”

And now from the palace doors and from everywhere, the Shadows came gliding swiftly, to burst into exclamations of joy when they saw, in their turn, who it was that had come.

Among them came the traitor, Black Shadow, hastening to learn whether what she had believed to be impossible, had, in spite of her treachery, been brought to pa.s.s. She saw Prince Ember and her mistress surrounded by the welcoming Shadows, saw that her plots had been in vain.

She would have turned at once to flee to the Wizard, to make known to him what had happened, had she not been arrested by the voice of her mistress speaking strange words, words such as she had never thought to hear.

”I have come to show you that I am set free,” said the Shadow Witch, ”have come, also, to bid you, my loyal servants, farewell.”

A murmur of astonishment went up from the listening Shadows. What could such words mean?

The Shadow Witch continued. ”I have found light and joy and true happiness by the side of this good Prince, and I can no longer pa.s.s my days in this grey land of mine with its grey magic.” She would have spoken further, but a burst of sorrow interrupted her. With one accord her servants swayed mournfully, and with sobs and cries, cast themselves at her feet.

She looked upon them with love and compa.s.sion. What could she do for them, these faithful friends and servants, whom she must leave if she followed her dear Prince? Go she must, but what could she say to comfort them? A thrill of pain went through her heart, tempering her exceeding joy in her new-found happiness.

Prince Ember came to her help. ”The light and gladness of the Land of Fire is forbidden to none who are true and faithful,” he proclaimed.

”Let all, then, who love their mistress, follow her to her new home, if it is their wish.”

At these words, so comfort-bringing, the Shadow Witch turned upon her Prince a glance of tenderest grat.i.tude. The Shadows, hearing them, were lifted at once from deep grief to boundless rejoicing. They rose to their feet, their grey robes all a-flutter. ”Ah, generous Prince,” they cried, ”we follow, follow-happy indeed to be her faithful servants still.”

All but Black Shadow. She alone had given no cry of grief, she alone had shown no sign of joy. She had prostrated herself with the rest at the feet of the Shadow Witch, and had bowed her head, but merely to conceal the anger which she felt at the sight of her mistress safe returned. No sound pa.s.sed her lips now. She was glad to hear of the coming departure, but that gladness, also, she would restrain. Until her mistress had gone, she would keep her own counsel, hide her own purposes, so that she might fulfil them in her own time and in her own way.

She had not long to wait, for Prince Ember's voice, clear and gracious, rose once more. ”Let us not tarry. My bright kingdom awaits its Prince, who has been long absent. Its good fairies will rejoice to welcome not him alone, but his bride and her devoted followers.”

So saying he took the hand of the Shadow Witch, and together they left the Garden of Shadows, and set out for the Land of Fire. Behind them trooped the Shadows, eager to behold for themselves that beauteous fairyland which was henceforth to be their home. But Black Shadow was not among them. As soon as Prince Ember had ceased to speak, she had slipped quietly away.

The Shadow Witch had noticed her absence and presently, turning to see what had become of her, saw a dark figure hurrying toward the Wizard's Cave. It was Black Shadow. A smile of understanding dawned upon the face of the Shadow Witch. She said no word, but she guessed the treacherous part that her servant had already played, and what she now meant to do.

”Let her go her way,” she thought. ”She can harm us no more.”

Meanwhile Prince Ember was thinking of his great debt to the Elf. It was in his mind to stop at his dwelling, as they pa.s.sed through the Borderland, and thank him for the service which the Cloak of Ash had rendered. But he had no need, for the Elf, espying the travelers from afar, came to meet them. He gave them warm greeting and listened intently while Prince Ember told him all that had befallen them and whither they now were bound.

”Alas, for your marvelous Cloak!” the Prince said regretfully in closing. ”When the Wind tore it from me he resolved it to ashes and scattered it far and wide.”

The Elf smiled. ”That does not surprise me. You know that I told you something of what might come to pa.s.s. Forget not, however, that the secret of its weaving still dwells with the elves of the Borderland, who will never refuse to provide another if need arises.”

He stretched his pudgy hand to the Shadow Witch, who caught it gratefully in both her own. ”Ah, good and kind friend!” she cried, ”What do I not owe to your faithful friends.h.i.+p!”

”As to that,” responded the Elf heartily, looking into her lovely face, ”I am already well rewarded by seeing you restored to liberty, and in knowing of the happiness which is to be yours.”

Then their farewells were spoken, and the Elf stood watching them till they vanished from his sight.

In the meantime, Black Shadow had reached the Cave of Darkness, and there she found the Imps still at the entrance. They had awakened and were now rubbing their eyes confusedly and whispering to each other their fears concerning what might have happened while they had slept.

”Little need have you now to guard this Cave mouth,” Black Shadow flung at them as she pa.s.sed. ”The Prince, whose entrance it was your duty to prevent, has long since come and gone, taking with him the Shadow Witch.”

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