The Earth Fairy locked the door quickly, and made haste to open the bundle of wands. She took out the one that she knew to be the most potent, and carried it to the bedside of the Queen. It was serpent-shaped and slender, and as the Earth Fairy waved it above the Queen long green tongues of flame darted from its tip.
“Sleep,” whispered the Earth Fairy. “Sleep till I bid you waken.” At these words the Queen sank into an even deeper slumber than before.
Then the Earth Fairy turned to the defenseless Princess. With one sweep of the glimmering wand, she bound the cradle within a magic circle, so that she might weave a spell that no power could break.
But at the very moment that the first word of her charm fell from her lips there came a sudden knock at the door. The Earth Fairy was startled. She thrust the wand behind her, stole swiftly to the door, and laid her ear to the keyhole.
“Who is there?” she demanded in a low voice.
“It is I--Grey Smoke,” was the answer. “I bear a message to the Queen.”
“Queen Glow has given orders that she is not to be disturbed,” returned the Earth Fairy. “She sleeps, and I can awaken her for no one.”
Satisfied with the answer that she had received, Grey Smoke took her departure, and the wicked Earth Fairy returned to the cradle of the Princess. She had no more than drawn a second time her circle of enchantment, had but once waved her wand above the little Princess, than there came another, and a louder knock.
Furious that her spell should again be interrupted, the Earth Fairy threw down her wand, and hurried to the door. “Who is it now who comes to disturb the Queen?” she demanded sharply. “Has not everyone been told that her Majesty wishes to sleep?”
“It is I--Spark--the page,” was the reply. “My business is important. A golden necklace has just arrived for Her Highness the Princess, with orders to deliver it to the Queen at once.”
“Her Majesty is not to be disturbed for any purpose,” retorted the Earth Fairy. “Go away at once, and put it in a place of safety till she awakens.”
The page was not satisfied. “Since the Queen cannot be disturbed,” replied he, “you must yourself take it, and keep it until she awakens. Open the door, and I will give it to you.”