Part 11 (2/2)
The wicked Ironheart hath at last departed your land And the Westland people await your return with all joy.”
She heard his voice from the dungeon beneath and listened eagerly for his reply.
”Oh, Yvonne,” cried Prince G.o.dfrey, ”your voice is sad when it should be glad. For even now my chains have fallen from me and I am hastening to the door of my prison unhindered.” The mill sank into the ground, and Yvonne trembled with joy as she saw Prince G.o.dfrey coming toward her. He pa.s.sed her without a glance and then returned to ask eagerly:
”Old crone, hast seen aught of a beautiful princess who sang from this spot not a moment since?”
Yvonne, seeing that he knew her not, pointed silently down a path, and away sped G.o.dfrey. Then away sped Yvonne down another path and ran until she found a hollow tree. There she crept in and laid her down to sleep.
”Though G.o.dfrey search the whole night, he can never find me here,” said Yvonne to herself. ”Then in the morning I shall go to the farmer's wife and herd cows once again. None will be there to mock my ugly features, and since my beloved prince is freed at last, I am content.” But though she spoke so to herself, it would seem otherwise, for Yvonne wept bitterly until at last she fell fast asleep.
Meanwhile Prince G.o.dfrey shouted her name and searched the forest in vain. At last he sat to rest and a voice beside him spoke.
”You seek Yvonne, the Beggar Princess,” said the voice. ”I can take you to her if you so wish.”
”But I see no one!” cried G.o.dfrey in amazement. ”Who is it that knows my secret thoughts thus?”
”I am the Spirit with which Yvonne set out to rid your land of the tyrant Ironheart, and with which she gave her beauty that you might be freed of your prison. The old crone whom you pa.s.sed in this forest was none other than Yvonne.” Then the Spirit recounted the tale of the trials and sufferings that Yvonne had borne. G.o.dfrey listened with dismay.
”And now,” concluded the Spirit, ”fearing that you would feel bound to wed her in spite of her changed face and hideous features, Yvonne has hidden herself in the hollow of a tree not far from this spot. Shall I lead you thither, G.o.dfrey, or will you journey to the Westland Kingdom alone?”
”Ah, Spirit!” cried G.o.dfrey sadly, ”I would have died within my dungeon rather than gain my freedom at such price. However, what is done is done, and no regret or vain repining may undo it. So lead me quickly, Spirit, that I may tell Yvonne how I do honor and love her for her n.o.ble heart and courage.”
Now the Spirit was pleased that G.o.dfrey should speak so. Then, because it was a good spirit, and had no wish to see folk sad or unhappy, it resolved that these two mortals had suffered trials sufficient. So while the Spirit guided G.o.dfrey through the shadowy aisles of dusky cedars, it caused the earth to tremble mightily three times. Great crashes like those of thunder accompanied each tremor; Yvonne fled frightened from her hiding place and found herself face to face with G.o.dfrey. At the sight of his beloved one, G.o.dfrey knew no fears and cried out in delight and joy.
”Oh, Yvonne! The Spirit did but try me,” he exclaimed. ”Thou art thrice as lovely as the dawn itself which now appears in yonder sky!”
But Yvonne would not heed his words, and covered her face with her hands. Weeping and lamenting, she begged him to leave her. ”Pray do not mock me, G.o.dfrey,” she cried, ”I cannot bear that you should see my face. Indeed I am become the ugliest woman in all the world. Let me go, as you love me. But for my fright at the violent trembling of the earth I had remained safe hidden until you had departed for the Westland Kingdom.”
”Then but for the violent trembling of the earth, I had lost you forever!” cried G.o.dfrey. ”So I bless the one who sent the earthquake.”
”Then you bless me and I am free at last to fly to paradise,” said the Spirit. ”I caused the earth to tremble. I wished the tyrant Ironheart to c.u.mber it no more. At the first tremor, in the forest of oak and pine, the ground opened wide in a great chasm. At the second tremor, the forest as well as the palace of King Ironheart were swallowed up in this great chasm. At the third tremor, the chasm closed itself and there now is nothing in that spot but a hot arid desert plain where the wind blows the sands about in clouds the whole day long.”
”Then King Ironheart is no more?” asked Prince G.o.dfrey.
”King Ironheart and all his wicked followers lie deep beneath this arid desert plain of which I tell,” declared the Spirit. ”And now, Yvonne, to set your mind at rest gaze into the pool at your feet.”
Yvonne gazed downward and there beheld an image, so beautiful that she turned to see the fair maiden whom she fancied had peeped over her shoulder. The image of G.o.dfrey smiling beside her a.s.sured her at last that it was her own face she saw, and Yvonne's joy knew no bounds.
”Oh, Spirit!” she cried. ”You have done many kind things for me, but this gift of beauty thou hast given me surpa.s.ses all! I am the happiest woman alive, for now I know I am worthy to be G.o.dfrey's queen.”
”I did but give you what was yours, Yvonne,” returned the Spirit, ”and now farewell, for soon the sun will rise and I am off to paradise.”
”But, Spirit, will you not come with us to the Westland Kingdom?” begged Yvonne. ”What shall we do without you to help us with our trials? Pray stay.”
”Nay, Yvonne,” replied the Spirit. ”Continue in the way you have begun; remember always, courage and a good heart can work miracles and there will be no need of me. Farewell!”
”Farewell, farewell, Spirit!” called G.o.dfrey and Yvonne together. Then as the sun rose from the clouds they heard an answering echo of farewell. So singing for joy, hand in hand, Prince G.o.dfrey and Yvonne the Beggar Princess followed the sun on his journey to the Westland Kingdom, where they lived forever after, and where to this very day 'tis said by some that their descendants reign.
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