with force.
"Go, lest I summon my servants to bind you fast, and place you in a
prison as drear and lonely as hers."

Creeping Shadow saw that there was no hope, that nothing would move his
hard heart to mercy. Moreover, his threat overwhelmed her with terror,
for if she herself were imprisoned, there would be none to bring help to
her mistress, since none but herself knew that she was in the Cave of
Darkness.

She rose to her feet, and with bowed head passed from the Cave Hall
without another word. Her heart was very heavy, for at first she could
think of no one to whom she could turn for assistance. The Shadows,
without their mistress, were powerless against the Wizard. All others in
the land were not only as wicked as he, as she well knew, but every one
of them, Curling Smoke, the Giant of the Seven Hills of Ash, the Dragon
of the Gloomy Vale, and the Ash Goblin, would be instantly ready to join
with him against his sister. From the Wind in the Chimney, also, nothing
but ill usage could be expected.

The more she pondered, the deeper grew her despair, and every moment
lost was precious. She wrung her hands in her distress.

Then, suddenly she remembered one who was not evil--one who would surely
befriend the Shadow Witch. It was the Elf--the good Elf, who dwells in
the Borderland that stretches beyond the Plain of Ash and away toward
the Kingdom of Earth. Very old and wise is the Elf. He knows the ways of
the Evil Fairies who dwell in the countries that lie away from the heart
of the Fire; knows much of their dark magic and mischievous
enchantments. He knows something, also, of the good Fire Fairies and
their bright spells. Safe in his home amid the ash of the Borderland, he
sees the Wind in the Chimney swoop down upon the Borderland and even out
across the broad Hearthstone in his boldness, but he knows no fear of
him. He sees the giant, Curling Smoke, rise stealthily from his lurking
places, sees him grow vaster, and vaster, until, when he chooses he
darkens all the sky, but of him, also, he is unafraid. The Ash Goblin
creeps forth from his low dwelling, prying into the affairs of others
and seeking what mischief he may do, but the Elf goes his way
undisturbed, knowing himself secure against him.

No one who comes to the Elf of the Borderland for help in any good deed
comes in vain. Thinking of this, hope rose in the breast of Creeping
Shadow. Sure that he would not fail her, she determined to appeal to him