’Iwanttogototheemperorwhoisourover—lord，andIhavenoonetoadviseme。Whichofallthewhite—headedboyardsshallI
chooseascounsellor？’
’Ifyouhaveme，youneednooneelse:IwillserveyouasI
servedyourfather，ifyouwillonlylistentowhatIsay。’
’Iwilllistentoeverything。Canyoustartinthreedays？’
’Thismoment，ifyoulike，’saidthehorse。
Thepreparationsoftheemperor’syoungestdaughterweremuchfewerandsimplerthanthoseofhersisters。Theyonlyconsistedofsomeboy’sclothes，asmallquantityoflinenandfood，andalittlemoneyincaseofnecessity。Thenshebadefarewelltoherfather，androdeaway。
Aday’sjourneyfromthepalace，shereachedthecopperbridge，butbeforetheycameinsightofit，thehorse，whowasamagician，hadwarnedherofthemeansherfatherwouldtaketoprovehercourage。
Stillinspiteofhiswarningshetrembledalloverwhenahugewolf，asthinasifhehadfastedforamonth，withclawslikesaws，andmouthaswideasanoven，boundedhowlingtowardsher。
Foramomentherheartfailedher，butthenext，touchingthehorselightlywithherspur，shedrewherswordfromitssheath，readytoseparatethewolf’sheadfromitsbodyatasingleblow。
Thebeastsawthesword，andshrankback，whichwasthebestthingitcoulddo，asnowthegirl’sbloodwasup，andthelightofbattleinhereyes。Thenwithoutlookinground，sherodeacrossthebridge。
Theemperor，proudofthisfirstvictory，tookashortcut，andwaitedforherattheendofanotherday’sjourney，closetoariver，overwhichhethrewabridgeofsilver。Andthistimehetooktheshapeofalion。
Butthehorseguessedthisnewdangerandtoldtheprincesshowtoescapeit。Butitisonethingtoreceiveadvicewhenwefeelsafeandcomfortable，andquiteanothertobeabletocarryitoutwhensomeawfulperilisthreateningus。Andifthewolfhadmadethegirlquakewithterror，itseemedlikealambbesidethisdreadfullion。
Atthesoundofhisroartheverytreesquiveredandhisclawsweresolargethateveryoneofthemlookedlikeacutlass。
Thebreathoftheprincesscameandwent，andherfeetrattledinthestirrups。Suddenlytheremembranceflashedacrossherofthewolfwhomshehadputtoflight，andwavinghersword，sherushedsoviolentlyonthelionthathehadbarelytimetospringononeside，soastoavoidtheblow。Then，likeaflash，shecrossedthisbridgealso。
Nowduringherwholelife，theprincesshadbeensocarefullybroughtup，thatshehadneverleftthegardensofthepalace，sothatthesightofthehillsandvalleysandtinklingstreams，andthesongofthelarksandblackbirds，madeheralmostbesideherselfwithwonderanddelight。Shelongedtogetdownandbatheherfaceintheclearpools，andpickthebrilliantflowers，butthehorsesaid’No，’andquickenedhispace，neitherturningtotherightortheleft。
’Warriors，’hetoldher，’onlyrestwhentheyhavewonthevictory。Youhavestillanotherbattletofight，anditisthehardestofall。’
Thistimeitwasneitherawolfnoralionthatwaswaitingforherattheendofthethirdday’sjourney，butadragonwithtwelveheads，andagoldenbridgebehindit。
Theprincessrodeupwithoutseeinganythingtofrightenher，whenasuddenpuffofsmokeandflamefrombeneathherfeet，causedhertolookdown，andtherewasthehorriblecreaturetwistedandwrithing，itstwelveheadsrearedupasiftoseizeherbetweenthem。
Thebridlefellfromherhand:andtheswordwhichshehadjustgraspedslidbackintoitssheath，butthehorsebadeherfearnothing，andwithamightyeffortshesatuprightandspurredstraightonthedragon。
Thefightlastedanhourandthedragonpressedherhard。Butintheend，byawell—directedsideblow，shecutoffoneoftheheads，andwitharoarthatseemedtorendtheheavensintwo，thedragonfellbackontheground，androseasamanbeforeher。
Althoughthehorsehadinformedtheprincessthedragonwasreallyherownfather，thegirlhadhardlybelievedhim，andstaredinamazementatthetransformation。Butheflunghisarmsroundherandpressedhertohisheartsaying，’NowIseethatyouareasbraveasthebravest，andaswiseasthewisest。Youhavechosentherighthorse，forwithouthishelpyouwouldhavereturnedwithabentheadanddowncasteyes。Youhavefilledmewiththehopethatyoumaycarryoutthetaskyouhaveundertaken，butbecarefultoforgetnoneofmycounsels，andabovealltolistentothoseofyourhorse。’
Whenhehaddonespeaking，theprincesskneltdowntoreceivehisblessing，andtheywenttheirdifferentways。
Theprincessrodeonandon，tillatlastshecametothemountainswhichholduptheroofoftheworld。ThereshemettwoGeniiwhohadbeenfightingfiercelyfortwoyears，withoutonehavinggottheleastadvantageovertheother。Seeingwhattheytooktobeayoungmanseekingadventures，oneofthecombatantscalledout，’Fet—Fruners！delivermefrommyenemy，andIwillgiveyouthehornthatcanbeheardthedistanceofathreedays’
journey;’whiletheothercried，’Fet—Fruners！helpmetoconquerthispaganthief，andyoushallhavemyhorse，Sunlight。’
Beforeanswering，theprincessconsultedherownhorseastowhichoffersheshouldaccept，andheadvisedhertosidewiththegeniuswhowasmasterofSunlight，hisownyoungerbrother，andstillmoreactivethanhimself。
Sothegirlatonceattackedtheothergenius，andsoonclovehisskull;thentheonewhowasleftvictorbeggedhertocomebackwithhimtohishouseandhewouldhandheroverSunlight，ashehadpromised。
Themotherofthegeniuswasrejoicedtoseehersonreturnsafeandsound，andpreparedherbestroomfortheprincess，who，aftersomuchfatigue，neededrestbadly。Butthegirldeclaredthatshemustfirstmakeherhorsecomfortableinhisstable;butthiswasreallyonlyanexcuse，asshewantedtoaskhisadviceonseveralmatters。
Buttheoldwomanhadsuspectedfromtheveryfirstthattheboywhohadcometotherescueofhersonwasagirlindisguise，andtoldthegeniusthatshewasexactlythewifeheneeded。Thegeniusscoffed，andinquiredwhatfemalehandcouldeverwieldasabrelikethat;but，inspiteofhissneers，hismotherpersisted，andasaproofofwhatshesaid，laidatnightoneachoftheirpillowsahandfulofmagicflowers，thatfadeatthetouchofman，butremaineternallyfreshinthefingersofawoman。
Itwasverycleverofher，butunluckilythehorsehadwarnedtheprincesswhattoexpect，andwhenthehousewassilent，shestoleverysoftlytothegenius’sroom，andexchangedhisfadedflowersforthosesheheld。Thenshecreptbacktoherownbedandfellfastasleep。
Atbreakofday，theoldwomanrantoseeherson，andfound，assheknewshewould，abunchofdeadflowersinhishand。Shenextpassedontothebedsideoftheprincess，whostilllayasleepgraspingthewitheredflowers。Butshedidnotbelieveanythemorethatherguestwasaman，andsoshetoldherson。
Sotheyputtheirheadstogetherandlaidanothertrapforher。
Afterbreakfastthegeniusgavehisarmtohisguest，andaskedhertocomewithhimintothegarden。Forsometimetheywalkedaboutlookingattheflowers，thegeniusallthewhilepressinghertopickanyshefancied。Buttheprincess，suspectingatrap，inquiredroughlywhytheywerewastingtheprecioushoursinthegarden，when，asmen，theyshouldbeinthestableslookingaftertheirhorses。Thenthegeniustoldhismotherthatshewasquitewrong，andhisdelivererwascertainlyaman。Buttheoldwomanwasnotconvincedforallthat。
Shewouldtryoncemoreshesaid，andhersonmustleadhisvisitorintothearmoury，wherehungeverykindofweaponusedallovertheworld——someplainandbare，othersornamentedwithpreciousstones——andbeghertomakechoiceofoneofthem。Theprincesslookedatthemclosely，andfelttheedgesandpointsoftheirblades，thenshehungatherbeltanoldswordwithacurvedblade，thatwouldhavedonecredittoanancientwarrior。
AfterthissheinformedthegeniusthatshewouldstartearlynextdayandtakeSunlightwithher。
Andtherewasnothingforthemothertodobuttosubmit，thoughshestillstucktoherownopinion。
TheprincessmountedSunlight，andtouchedhimwithherspur，whentheoldhorse，whowasgallopingatherside，suddenlysaid:
’Uptothistime，mistress，youhaveobeyedmycounselsandallhasgonewell。Listentomeoncemore，anddowhatItellyou。
Iamold，and——nowthatthereissomeonetotakemyplace，Iwillconfessit——Iamafraidthatmystrengthisnotequaltothetaskthatliesbeforeme。Givemeleave，therefore，toreturnhome，anddoyoucontinueyourjourneyunderthecareofmybrother。
Putyourfaithinhimasyouputitinme，andyouwillneverrepent。WisdomhascomeearlytoSunlight。’
’Yes，myoldcomrade，youhaveservedmewell;anditisonlythroughyourhelpthatuptonowIhavebeenvictorious。SogrievedthoughIamtosayfarewell，Iwillobeyyouyetoncemore，andwilllistentoyourbrotherasIwouldtoyourself。
Only，Imusthaveaproofthathelovesmeaswellasyoudo。’
’HowshouldInotloveyou？’answeredSunlight;’howshouldInotbeproudtoserveawarriorsuchasyou？Trustme，mistress，andyoushallneverregrettheabsenceofmybrother。Iknowtherewillbedifficultiesinourpath，butwewillfacethemtogether。’
Then，withtearsinhereyes，theprincesstookleaveofheroldhorse，whogallopedbacktoherfather。
Shehadriddenonlyafewmilesfurther，whenshesawagoldencurllyingontheroadbeforeher。Checkingherhorse，sheaskedwhetheritwouldbebettertotakeitorletitlie。
’Ifyoutakeit，’saidSunlight，’youwillrepent，andifyoudon’t，youwillrepenttoo:sotakeit。’Onthisthegirldismounted，andpickingupthecurl，wounditroundherneckforsafety。
Theypassedbyhills，theypassedbymountains，theypassedthroughvalleys，leavingbehindthemthickforests，andfieldscoveredwithflowers;andatlengththeyreachedthecourtoftheover—lord。
Hewassittingonhisthrone，surroundedbythesonsoftheotheremperors，whoservedhimaspages。Theseyouthscameforwardtogreettheirnewcompanion，andwonderedwhytheyfeltsoattractedtowardshim。
However，therewasnotimefortalkingandconcealingherfright。
Theprincesswasledstraightuptothethrone，andexplained，inalowvoice，thereasonofhercoming。Theemperorreceivedherkindly，anddeclaredhimselffortunateatfindingavassalsobraveandsocharming，andbeggedtheprincesstoremaininattendanceonhisperson。
Shewas，however，verycarefulinherbehaviourtowardstheotherpages，whosewayoflifedidnotpleaseher。Oneday，however，shehadbeenamusingherselfbymakingsweetmeats，whentwooftheyoungprinceslookedintopayheravisit。Sheofferedthemsomeofthefoodwhichwasalreadyonthetable，andtheythoughtitsodeliciousthattheyevenlickedtheirfingerssoasnottoloseamorsel。Ofcoursetheydidnotkeepthenewsoftheirdiscoverytothemselves，buttoldalltheircompanionsthattheyhadjustbeenenjoyingthebestsuppertheyhadhadsincetheywereborn。Andfromthatmomenttheprincesswasleftnopeace，tillshehadpromisedtocookthemalladinner。
Nowithappenedthat，ontheverydayfixed，allthecooksinthepalacebecameintoxicated，andtherewasnoonetomakeupthefire。
Whenthepagesheardofthisshockingstateofthings，theywenttotheircompanionandimploredhertocometotherescue。
Theprincesswasfondofcooking，andwas，besides，verygood—natured;sosheputonanapronandwentdowntothekitchenwithoutdelay。Whenthedinnerwasplacedbeforetheemperorhefounditsonicethatheatemuchmorethanwasgoodforhim。
Thenextmorning，assoonashewoke，hesentforhisheadcook，andtoldhimtosendupthesamedishesasbefore。Thecook，seizedwithfrightatthiscommand，whichheknewhecouldnotfulfil，fellonhisknees，andconfessedthetruth。
Theemperorwassoastonishedthatheforgottoscold，andwhilehewasthinkingoverthematter，someofhispagescameinandsaidthattheirnewcompanionhadbeenheardtoboastthatheknewwhereIlianewastobefound——thecelebratedIlianeofthesongwhichbegins:
’GoldenHairThefieldsaregreen，’
andthattotheircertainknowledgehehadacurlofherhairinhispossession。
Whenheheardthat，theemperordesiredthepagetobebroughtbeforehim，and，assoonastheprincessobeyedhissummons，hesaidtoherabruptly:
’Fet—Fruners，youhavehiddenfrommethefactthatyouknewthegolden—hairedIliane！Whydidyoudothis？forIhavetreatedyoumorekindlythanallmyotherpages。’
Then，aftermakingtheprincessshowhimthegoldencurlwhichsheworeroundherneck，headded:’Listentome;unlessbysomemeansorotheryoubringmetheownerofthislock，Iwillhaveyourheadcutoffintheplacewhereyoustand。Nowgo！’
Invainthepoorgirltriedtoexplainhowthelockofhaircameintoherpossession;theemperorwouldlistentonothing，and，bowinglow，shelefthispresenceandwenttoconsultSunlightwhatshewastodo。
Athisfirstwordsshebrightenedup。’Donotbeafraid，mistress;onlylastnightmybrotherappearedtomeinadreamandtoldmethatageniushadcarriedoffIliane，whosehairyoupickedupontheroad。ButIlianedeclaresthat，beforeshemarrieshercaptor，hemustbringher，asapresent，thewholestudofmareswhichbelongtoher。Thegenius，halfcrazywithlove，thinksofnothingnightanddaybuthowthiscanbedone，andmeanwhilesheisquitesafeintheislandswampsofthesea。
Gobacktotheemperorandaskhimfortwentyshipsfilledwithpreciousmerchandise。Therestyoushallknowby—and—by。’
Onhearingthisadvice，theprincesswentatonceintotheemperor’spresence。
’Mayalonglifebeyours，OSovereignallmighty！’saidshe。’I
havecometotellyouthatIcandoasyoucommandifyouwillgivemetwentyships，andloadthemwiththemostpreciouswaresinyourkingdom。’
’YoushallhaveallthatIpossessifyouwillbringmethegolden—hairedIliane，’saidtheemperor。
Theshipsweresoonready，andtheprincessenteredthelargestandfinest，withSunlightatherside。Thenthesailswerespreadandthevoyagebegan。
Forsevenweeksthewindblewthemstraighttowardsthewest，andearlyonemorningtheycaughtsightoftheislandswampsofthesea。
Theycastanchorinalittlebay，andtheprincessmadehastetodisembarkwithSunlight，but，beforeleavingtheship，shetiedtoherbeltapairoftinygoldslippers，adornedwithpreciousstones。ThenmountingSunlight，sherodeabouttillshecametoseveralpalaces，builtonhinges，sothattheycouldalwaysturntowardsthesun。
Themostsplendidofthesewasguardedbythreeslaves，whosegreedyeyeswerecaughtbytheglisteninggoldoftheslippers。
Theyhasteneduptotheownerofthesetreasures，andinquiredwhohewas。’Amerchant，’repliedtheprincess，’whohadsomehowmissedhisroad，andlosthimselfamongtheislandswampsofthesea。’
Notknowingifitwaspropertoreceivehimornot，theslavesreturnedtotheirmistressandtoldheralltheyhadseen，butnotbeforeshehadcaughtsightofthemerchantfromtheroofofherpalace。Luckilyhergaolerwasaway，alwaystryingtocatchthestudofmares，soforthemomentshewasfreeandalone。
Theslavestoldtheirtalesowellthattheirmistressinsistedongoingdowntotheshoreandseeingthebeautifulslippersforherself。Theywereevenlovelierthansheexpected，andwhenthemerchantbesoughthertocomeonboard，andinspectsomethathethoughtwerefinerstill，hercuriositywastoogreattorefuse，andshewent。
Onceonboardship，shewassobusyturningoverallthepreciousthingsstoredthere，thatsheneverknewthatthesailswerespread，andthattheywereflyingalongwiththewindbehindthem;andwhenshedidknow，sherejoicedinherheart，thoughshepretendedtoweepandlamentatbeingcarriedcaptiveasecondtime。Thustheyarrivedatthecourtoftheemperor。
Theywerejustabouttoland，whenthemotherofthegeniusstoodbeforethem。ShehadlearntthatIlianehadfledfromherprisonincompanywithamerchant，and，ashersonwasabsent，hadcomeherselfinpursuit。Stridingoverthebluewaters，hoppingfromwavetowave，onefootreachingtoheaven，andtheotherplantedinthefoam，shewascloseattheirheels，breathingfireandflame，whentheysteppedonshorefromtheship。OneglancetoldIlianewhothehorribleoldwomanwas，andshewhisperedhastilytohercompanion。Withoutsayingaword，theprincessswungherintoSunlight’ssaddle，andleapingupbehindher，theywereofflikeaflash。
ItwasnottilltheydrewnearthetownthattheprincessstoopedandaskedSunlightwhattheyshoulddo。’Putyourhandintomyleftear，’saidhe，’andtakeoutasharpstone，whichyoumustthrowbehindyou。’
Theprincessdidasshewastold，andahugemountainsprangupbehindthem。Themotherofthegeniusbegantoclimbupit，andthoughtheygallopedquickly，shewasquickerstill。
Theyheardhercoming，faster，faster;andagaintheprincessstoopedtoaskwhatwastobedonenow。’Putyourhandintomyrightear，’saidthehorse，’andthrowthebrushyouwillfindtherebehindyou。’Theprincessdidso，andagreatforestsprangupbehindthem，and，sothickwereitsleaves，thatevenawrencouldnotgetthrough。Buttheoldwomanseizedholdofthebranchesandflungherselflikeamonkeyfromonetotheothers，andalwaysshedrewnearer——always，always——tilltheirhairwassingedbytheflamesofhermouth。
Then，indespair，theprincessagainbentdownandaskediftherewasnothingmoretobedone，andSunlightreplied’Quick，quick，takeoffthebetrothalringonthefingerofIlianeandthrowitbehindyou。’
Thistimetheresprangupagreattowerofstone，smoothasivory，hardassteel，whichreacheduptoheavenitself。Andthemotherofthegeniusgaveahowlofrage，knowingthatshecouldneitherclimbitnorgetthroughit。Butshewasnotbeatenyet，andgatheringherselftogether，shemadeaprodigiousleap，whichlandedheronthetopofthetower，rightinthemiddleofIliane’sringwhichlaythere，andheldhertight。Onlyherclawscouldbeseengraspingthebattlements。
Allthatcouldbedonetheoldwitchdid;butthefirethatpouredfromhermouthneverreachedthefugitives，thoughitlaidwastethecountryahundredmilesroundthetower，liketheflamesofavolcano。Then，withonelastefforttofreeherself，herhandsgaveway，and，fallingdowntothebottomofthetower，shewasbrokeninpieces。
Whentheflyingprincesssawwhathadhappenedsherodebacktothespot，asSunlightcounselledher，andplacedherfingeronthetopofthetower，whichwasgraduallyshrinkingintotheearth。Inaninstantthetowerhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，andinitsplacewasthefingeroftheprincesswitharingroundit。
TheemperorreceivedIlianewithalltherespectthatwasduetoher，andfellinloveatfirstsightbesides。
ButthisdidnotseemtopleaseIliane，whosefacewassadasshewalkedaboutthepalaceorgardens，wonderinghowitwasthat，whileothergirlsdidastheyliked，shewasalwaysinthepowerofsomeonewhomshehated。
SowhentheemperoraskedhertosharehisthroneIlianeanswered:
’NobleSovereign，Imaynotthinkofmarriagetillmystudofhorseshasbeenbroughtme，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。’
Whenheheardthis，theemperoroncemoresentforFet—Fruners，andsaid:
’Fet—Fruners，fetchmeinstantlythestudofmares，withtheirtrappingsallcomplete。Ifnot，yourheadshallpaytheforfeit。’
’MightyEmperor，Ikissyourhands！Ihavebutjustreturnedfromdoingyourbidding，and，behold，yousendmeonanothermission，andstakemyheadonitsfulfilment，whenyourcourtisfullofvaliantyoungmen，piningtowintheirspurs。Theysayyouareajustman;thenwhynotentrustthisquesttooneofthem？WhereamItoseekthesemaresthatIamtobringyou？’
’HowdoIknow？Theymaybeanywhereinheavenorearth;but，wherevertheyare，youwillhavetofindthem。’
TheprincessbowedandwenttoconsultSunlight。Helistenedwhileshetoldhertale，andthensaid:
’Fetchquicklyninebuffaloskins;smearthemwellwithtar，andlaythemonmyback。Donotfear;youwillsucceedinthisalso;
but，intheend，theemperor’sdesireswillbehisundoing。’
Thebuffaloskinsweresoongot，andtheprincessstartedoffwithSunlight。Thewaywaslonganddifficult，butatlengththeyreachedtheplacewherethemaresweregrazing。HerethegeniuswhohadcarriedoffIlianewaswanderingabout，tryingtodiscoverhowtocapturethem，allthewhilebelievingthatIlianewassafeinthepalacewherehehadlefther。
Assoonasshecaughtsightofhim，theprincesswentupandtoldhimthatIlianehadescaped，andthathismother，inhereffortstorecaptureher，haddiedofrage。Atthisnewsablindfurytookpossessionofthegenius，andherushedmadlyupontheprincess，whoawaitedhisonslaughtwithperfectcalmness。Ashecameon，withhissabreliftedhighintheair，Sunlightboundedrightoverhishead，sothattheswordfellharmless。Andwheninherturntheprincesspreparedtostrike，thehorsesankuponhisknees，sothatthebladepiercedthegenius’sthigh。
Thefightwassofiercethatitseemedasiftheearthwouldgivewayunderthem，andfortwentymilesroundthebeastsintheforestsfledtotheircavesforshelter。Atlast，whenherstrengthwasalmostgone，thegeniusloweredhisswordforaninstant。Theprincesssawherchance，and，withoneswoopofherarm，severedherenemy’sheadfromhisbody。Stilltremblingfromthelongstruggle，sheturnedaway，andwenttothemeadowwherethestudwerefeeding。
BytheadviceofSunlight，shetookcarenottoletthemseeher，andclimbedathicktree，whereshecouldseeandhearwithoutbeingseenherself。Thenheneighed，andthemarescamegallopingup，eagertoseethenewcomer——allbutonehorse，whodidnotlikestrangers，andthoughttheywereverywellastheywere。AsSunlightstoodhisground，wellpleasedwiththeattentionpaidhim，thissulkycreaturesuddenlyadvancedtothecharge，andbitsoviolentlythathaditnotbeenfortheninebuffaloskinsSunlight’slastmomentwouldhavecome。Whenthefightwasended，thebuffaloskinswereinribbons，andthebeatenanimalwrithingwithpainonthegrass。
Nothingnowremainedtobedonebuttodrivethewholestudtotheemperor’scourt。SotheprincesscamedownfromthetreeandmountedSunlight，whilethestudfollowedmeeklyafter，thewoundedhorsebringinguptherear。Onreachingthepalace，shedrovethemintoayard，andwenttoinformtheemperorofherarrival。
ThenewswastoldatoncetoIliane，whorandowndirectlyandcalledthemtoheronebyone，eachmarebyitsname。Andatthefirstsightofherthewoundedanimalshookitselfquickly，andinamomentitswoundswerehealed，andtherewasnotevenamarkonitsglossyskin。
Bythistimetheemperor，onhearingwhereshewas，joinedherintheyard，andatherrequestorderedthemarestobemilked，sothatbothheandshemightbatheinthemilkandkeepyoungforever。Buttheywouldsuffernoonetocomenearthem，andtheprincesswascommandedtoperformthisservicealso。
Atthis，theheartofthegirlswelledwithinher。Thehardesttaskswerealwaysgiventoher，andlongbeforethetwoyearswereup，shewouldbewornoutanduseless。Butwhilethesethoughtspassedthroughhermind，afearfulrainfell，suchasnomanrememberedbefore，androsetillthemareswerestandinguptotheirkneesinwater。Thenassuddenlyitstopped，and，behold！thewaterwasice，whichheldtheanimalsfirmlyinitsgrasp。Andtheprincess’sheartgrewlightagain，andshesatdowngailytomilkthem，asifshehaddoneiteverymorningofherlife。
TheloveoftheemperorforIlianewaxedgreaterdaybyday，butshepaidnoheedtohim，andalwayshadanexcusereadytoputofftheirmarriage。Atlength，whenshehadcometotheendofeverythingshecouldthinkof，shesaidtohimoneday:’Grantme，Sire，justonerequestmore，andthenIwillreallymarryyou;foryouhavewaitedpatientlythislongtime。’
’Mybeautifuldove，’repliedtheemperor，’bothIandallI
possessareyours，soaskyourwill，andyoushallhaveit。’
’Getme，then，’shesaid，’aflaskoftheholywaterthatiskeptinalittlechurchbeyondtheriverJordan，andIwillbeyourwife。’
ThentheemperororderedFet—FrunerstoridewithoutdelaytotheriverJordan，andtobringback，atwhatevercost，theholywaterforIliane。
’This，mymistress，’saidSunlight，whenshewassaddlinghim，’isthelastandmostdifficultofyourtasks。Butfearnothing，forthehouroftheemperorhasstruck。’
Sotheystarted;andthehorse，whowasnotawizardfornothing，toldtheprincessexactlywhereshewastolookfortheholywater。
’Itstands，’hesaid，’onthealtarofalittlechurch，andisguardedbyatroopofnuns。Theyneversleep，nightorday，buteverynowandthenahermitcomestovisitthem，andfromhimtheylearncertainthingsitisneedfulforthemtoknow。Whenthishappens，onlyoneofthenunsremainsonguardatatime，andifweareluckyenoughtohituponthismoment，wemaygetholdofthevaseatonce;ifnot，weshallhavetowaitthearrivalofthehermit，howeverlongitmaybe;forthereisnoothermeansofobtainingtheholywater。’
TheycameinsightofthechurchbeyondtheJordan，and，totheirgreatjoy，beheldthehermitjustarrivingatthedoor。Theycouldhearhimcallingthenunsaroundhim，andsawthemsettlethemselvesunderatree，withthehermitintheirmidst——allbutone，whoremainedonguard，aswasthecustom。
Thehermithadagreatdealtosay，andthedaywasveryhot，sothenun，tiredofsittingbyherself，laydownrightacrossthethreshold，andfellsoundasleep。
ThenSunlighttoldtheprincesswhatshewastodo，andthegirlsteppedsoftlyoverthesleepingnun，andcreptlikeacatalongthedarkaisle，feelingthewallwithherfingers，lestsheshouldfalloversomethingandruinitallbyanoise。Butshereachedthealtarinsafety，andfoundthevaseofholywaterstandingonit。Thisshethrustintoherdress，andwentbackwiththesamecareasshecame。Withaboundshewasinthesaddle，andseizingthereinsbadeSunlighttakeherhomeasfastashislegscouldcarryhim。
Thesoundoftheflyinghoofsarousedthenun，whounderstoodinstantlythattheprecioustreasurewasstolen，andhershrieksweresoloudandpiercingthatalltherestcameflyingtoseewhatwasthematter。Thehermitfollowedattheirheels，butseeingitwasimpossibletoovertakethethief，hefellonhiskneesandcalledhismostdeadlycursedownonherhead，prayingthatifthethiefwasaman，hemightbecomeawoman;andifshewasawoman，thatshemightbecomeaman。Ineithercasehethoughtthatthepunishmentwouldbesevere。
Butpunishmentsarethingsaboutwhichpeopledonotalwaysagree，andwhentheprincesssuddenlyfeltshewasreallythemanshehadpretendedtobe，shewasdelighted，andifthehermithadonlybeenwithinreachshewouldhavethankedhimfromherheart。
Bythetimeshereachedtheemperor’scourt，Fet—Frunerslookedayoungmanalloverintheeyesofeveryone;andeventhemotherofthegeniuswouldnowhavehadherdoubtssetatrest。Hedrewforththevasefromhistunicandheldituptotheemperor，saying:’MightySovereign，allhail！Ihavefulfilledthistaskalso，andIhopeitisthelastyouhaveforme;letanothernowtakehisturn。’
’Iamcontent，Fet—Fruners，’repliedtheemperor，’andwhenIamdeaditisyouwhowillsituponmythrone;forIhaveyetnosontocomeafterme。Butifoneisgivenme，andmydearestwishisaccomplished，thenyoushallbehisrighthand，andguidehimwithyourcounsels。’
Butthoughtheemperorwassatisfied，Ilianewasnot，andshedeterminedtorevengeherselfontheemperorforthedangerswhichhehadcausedFet—Frunerstorun。Andasforthevaseofholywater，shethoughtthat，incommonpoliteness，hersuitoroughttohavefetchedithimself，whichhecouldhavedonewithoutanyriskatall。
Sosheorderedthegreatbathtobefilledwiththemilkofhermares，andbeggedtheemperortoclothehimselfinwhiterobes，andenterthebathwithher，aninvitationheacceptedwithjoy。
Then，whenbothwerestandingwiththemilkreachingtotheirnecks，shesentforthehorsewhichhadfoughtSunlight，andmadeasecretsigntohim。Thehorseunderstoodwhathewastodo，andfromonenostrilhebreathedfreshairoverIliane，andfromtheother，hesnortedaburningwindwhichshrivelleduptheemperorwherehestood，leavingonlyalittleheapofashes。
