So confidently did the Elf speak that Creeping Shadow took heart once
more. She rose quickly from her seat. "If you will but tell me where to
find him, I will go and appeal to him at once," she declared.

"You must seek him in King Red Flame's dominions, in the Palace of
Burning Coals," the Elf instructed her. "There he dwells with his bride,
the lovely Princess White Flame, whom he delivered from the enchantment
of the wicked Earth Fairy. Whether or no he is able to come himself to
the rescue of your mistress, remains to be discovered, but this much is
certain: he will see to it that she is not left a prisoner in the hands
of her brother the Wizard. And now, come. I will conduct you to the
boundaries of the Land of Fire. Once you enter its dominions you will
find many friends, for its fairies are kind and gentle and will do
everything in their power to guide you in safety to your journey's end."

Cheered and consoled by his words, Creeping Shadow set out in his
company, and when at length she thanked the good Elf and bade him
farewell on the borders of the Land of Fire, she was able to go forward
alone with hope and confidence.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III

In the Land of the Fire Fairies great happiness reigned. Only a little
while before Prince Radiance had brought the lovely Princess White Flame
safely home to her father, after many perilous and strange adventures,
and King Red Flame had rewarded the noble Prince with his daughter's
hand. In the King's marvelous palace, the Palace of Burning Coals, their
fairy wedding had been celebrated with outbursts of joy and exultation.

In the very heart of the King's dominions stood the palace, perfect in
beauty, from its dazzling foundations to its topmost flaming turret.
Brightness unquenchable shone from its walls, warmth and the spirit of
friendliness streamed from its windows and wide-flung golden doors.
Beyond it, in the garden of the Princess, the exquisite flame-roses and
stately fire-lilies unfolded to a richer, fuller beauty. The huge
fire-oak, under which Prince Radiance had first beheld the enchanted
Princess as a fine white flame, rustled its ruddy leaves and glowed more
intensely from root to crown, almost as though it knew and rejoiced in
the part which it had played in the fortunes of this happy wedded pair.

Throughout the whole kingdom a gentle music filled the warm air and
charmed the