Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, she watched her
kindred and her people wind down the mountain-path, too sad to look
back, until they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she wept, but a
sudden breeze drew near, dried her tears, and caressed her hair,
seeming to murmur comfort. In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly West
Wind, come to befriend her; and as she took heart, feeling some
benignant presence, he lifted her in his arms, and carried her on wings
as even as a sea-gull's, over the crest of the fateful mountain and
into a valley below. There he left her, resting on a bank of hospitable
grass, and there the princess fell asleep.
When she awoke, it was near sunset. She looked about her for some sign
of the monster's approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous trial
had been but a dream. Near by she saw a sheltering forest, whose young
trees seemed to beckon as one maid beckons to another; and eager for
the protection of the dryads, she went thither.
The call of running waters drew her farther and farther, till she came
out upon an open place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain
fluttered gladly in the midst of it, and beyond there stretched a white
palace wonderful to see. Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she
drew near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It was all kinglier than
her father's home, and as she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs
stirred about her.
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