“Nay, nay, Your Majesty! Do not venture!” begged Grey Smoke anxiously. “Trust to what the Wise One has told me. As yet no power can restore the Princess. Do not destroy the magic of this wand in a useless attempt. Rather use it to bestow the gift that will win the heart of the prince who is to save her.”
“You are right,” agreed the King sadly. “The risk is too great. It shall be as you say.”
Taking the Wand of Good Enchantment, he rose, and stood looking down into the cradle of the little Princess. Waving it to and fro above the tiny flame, he said tenderly, “My daughter, by the magic of this wand, I bestow upon you a voice of such marvelous sweetness that all who hear it shall be drawn to you, and it shall in the end win for you the love of that prince who alone can save you.”
The words were no sooner uttered than forth from the flame came a gentle sound of exquisite music, stirring the heart.
Hearing it, tears of joy rose to the eyes of King Red Flame. His mother’s wand, left to him for his hour of need, had not failed him.
Day followed day, weeks and years slipped by, and the tiny dancing flame that was the spirit of the baby Princess grew larger and more brilliant year by year. The Fire Fairies called her Princess White Flame, and regarded her with the greatest respect and love, but pity and sympathy were always mingled with that respect.
The story of the magic Veil was known, and many princes had heard the voice of the Princess, and had seen her passing as a fine white flame. Many would gladly have won her as a bride; many had sought the Wise One--many had peered into his ancient chest, but none had been able to grasp, or even to see the wondrous Veil that alone could restore the Princess to her fairy form.
King Red Flame loved his daughter dearly, and was never so happy as when she fluttered gently from place to place with him, or hovered in the air by his side when he sat at rest; yet always he longed to see her face--to have her visible presence.
One evening as they were moving together in the garden, watching the red and yellow light that came and went among the fire-lilies that bordered the winding paths, the King asked her tenderly, “My child, have you not yet seen a prince whom you can love?”