The Olive Fairy Book

f years ago these trees formed part of a large forest, full of all sorts of wild animals, and beyond the forest was a fine city, guarded by a castle in which dwelt the Dukes of

a long time after the sto

ed in the midst of their people, and

his stead. Of course everyone expected her to marry again, but she refused all suitors who sought her hand, sayin

ed on a white horse with black and silver trappings, was a lady whom the duchess at once knew to be her friend the Countess of Blanchelande, a young widow like herself, mother of a little boy two years older

a white rose lying on her pillow. Last night I went to bed feeling unusually happy, but this morning when I woke the rose was resting against my

took leave of each other, and silently the doomed lady mounted her horse and rode home again. Then, giving her sleeping boy into

and was a mother to them both. As they got bigger she often took them with her on her jo

h meadows covered with flowers, Youri caught sight of a gr

asked, waving his hand. ‘The

the moon!’ said Abeille, twist

tiful lake. Still, in spite of its beauty, it is dangerous to go near it, for in its

ren did not forget it, and one morning, after they

pered she; ‘let us go up. Perh

the roof, the lake looked bluer and more enchanting than

? I mean to

ard what your mother said. And, besides

ng a man, and learning all sorts of things, if you have to ask me. However, the

unger than himself, she suddenly seemed many years older. She stood with her mocking eyes fix

e will both g

r maidens, the children went out, as usual, to play in the garden. The moment the

om

d Abeille, opening

of course,’ an

ong time off, and quite another to start for such a distant place without anyone knowing

i, who had not forgotten or forgiven the look she had cast on him the day bef

rself on Youri’s neck, and declared that wherever he went she wo

herself among

up all the water, and not a drop was left for her. They walked on a little further, and by good luck found a cherry-tree covered with ripe fruit, and after a rest and a refreshing meal, they were sure that they were strong enough to reach the lake in a few minutes. But soon Abeille began to limp and to say that her foot hurt her, and Youri had to untie the ribbons that

ill eat us,’ sobbed she. But Youri pu

e afraid of! We shall be home again to supper,’ cried he

there of a man, or of one of the great beasts so much feared by Abeille, but only the marks of tiny forked feet on the sand. The little girl at once pu

nd Abeille, leaning her head drowsily against a cushion of soft moss, murmured something in reply, and soon fell asleep. In her dream a crow, bearing the smallest man tha

ake. In the moonlight, the light mist that hung over the surface made it look like fairyland. Then gradually the silver veil seemed to break up, and the sh

Abeille slept on, and did not awake even when a crowd of little men wit

Pic, who seemed older than any of t

d put her into i

who was the kindest of them all, proposed to carry her home to her parents. But th

t first she imagined she was still dreaming; but as the little men did not move, it sud

uri! Where

e at first much puzzled to know what to do; then Tad, climbing on a branch of the willow tree that hung over her, stooped down, and gently stroke

. But, all the same, I will love you if you will onl

er what a mere mortal thought about them; while Tad bade Bog, their messenger, fetch her some milk and honey, and the finest white bread that was made in their ovens under the earth. In less time than Abeille

it. My name is Abeille, and my brother is called Youri. Help me to find him, and tell me which is

the bounds into your country. The best we can do is to make a litter of twigs and cove

arried off alone, she did not know where. But Abeille, when she had recover

ey would never go inside a mountain, if they lived to be a hundred.’ So she curl

y walk very slowly, though they could spring over rocks quicker than any mortal. Suddenly the light that streamed through the branches of the litter began to chan

ity. On his head was a crown of such huge diamonds that you wondered how his small body

child asleep by the lake, and have brought her to you. She says th

tiptoe, so that he could kiss her hand, he told her that they would all take care o

of shoes,’ re

nce; and immediately a lovely pair of silver shoes embroider

ather doubtfully; ‘but do you think they w

he king, ‘but for walking about the smooth paths of

ul slippers and give me a pair of wooden shoes instead, and l

ce trembled —‘let me go back to my mother and Youri, and I wi

uri?’ aske

never guessing that by mentioning the boy she was sealing her own fate. For King Loc had already thought what a good wife she would make him in

tle, ‘think how unhappy my mother will be. She will fancy that w

‘I will send her a dream, so that

miling, ‘how clever you are! But you must send her a dream every nigh

ng Loc prom

ies of new things for her to see. The gnomes were always busy, and knew how to fashion beautiful toys as well or better than the people who lived on the earth; and now and then, wanderin

re before, and was amazed at the splendid things heaped up before her. Gold, jewels, brocades, carpets, lay round the walls, and she walked about examining one glittering object after another, while King Loc mounted a throne of gold and ivory at one end of the hall, and watched her. ‘Choose whatever you wish,’ he said at last. A necklace of most lovely pearl

nothing but precious stones, larger and more dazzling than were worn by

e only sho

as blue as the eyes of Youri.’ And as she spoke a sharp pain ran through the heart of King Loc. For an instant he said nothing, then he lifted hi

ld in honour of the new princess. At the end of that period, the king appeared befor

as you are, for your goodness and kindness to me;

ed bravely to hide it, and even to smile as he said: ‘Then, Abeille, will you promise me one thing? I

turn Abeill

arth grow up much faster than those who live on its surface, and, at thirteen, the girl was already a woman. Besides, King Loc’s words had set her thinking; she spent many hours by herself, and her face w

, where she usually sat alone, she entered the king’s presence, and taking his hand she led

er, answered nothing. All day long Abeille stayed there, watching the light fade, and the sky grow pale. By-and-by the stars came out, but the girl never moved from her place. Suddenly a hand touched her. She looked roun

l it all was! How fresh was the air, and how sweet was the smell of the flowers! She felt as if she should die with joy, but at that moment King L

a vision of you, and she talks to it in her dream, and smiles at it. To-night it will be no vision she sees, but you yourself;

beille could see her mother, beautiful still, but with a face that had grown pale and sad. As she gazed the sadness vanished, and a bright smile came in its stead. Her mother’s arms were

her happy, he soon found out his mistake, for all day long the girl sa

so unhappy?’ said King Loc,

s Abeille away

ould, but it is stronger than I. I am weeping because I shall never see again Youri de Blanchelande, whom I love with all my heart. It is a worse gr

ing Loc dimly guessed at something of both, and he went away to consult an old, old gnome, who lived in the lowest depth of the mo

f these spectacles before he could disco

of the Undines, under the great lake; but he does not like his

he had left the castle of Clarides to go with Abeill

at the hands of the green-haired maidens, till, one day, he flung himself at t

ped down and s

ured gently. ‘Stay here, and yo

well have talked to the winds, for at last the queen grew angry, and ordered

now, the gnomes walk slowly, and the way was long and difficult. Luckily, before he started, he had tak

again,’ he said to Youri; and without waiting to listen t

the palace and inform the Princess Abeille that Youri de Blanchelande, for seven year

the time that he came to live at the castle. Of this old friend, who was nearly beside himself with joy at the

you disappeared yourself? At least, so we guess. Ah! that day has left many a mark on our duchess! Yet she is not without a gleam of hop

ars had brought about in the village, but Youri heard nothing

queen asks

ss then told him that she had sent out men in all directions to look for the children directly they were found to be missing, and that one of them had noticed a troop of little men far away on the mountains, evidently carrying a litter. He was hastening after them, when, at his feet, he beheld a tiny satin

had tied up in the forest, and set forth for the kingdom of the gnomes. At the end of an hour’s hard riding, they came to the cavern which Franc?ur had heard from childhood led into the centre of the earth. Here they dismounted, and entered cautiously,

ked a voice. And

lle des Clarides.’ And at these words the gate slow

rge force of gnomes, whose arrows were falling like hail about him. He raised his shield to ward them off, and as he did so his eyes fell on a little man standing on a rock above the

questio

eliverer? And is it your subjects who

ived with us all these years, for many of them she was quite happy. But the gnomes, of whom you think so little, are a just pe

vast host of gnomes perched on the walls and crowding on the floor of the big hall. Then her eyes met those

her for a moment, with a look of pain on his f

else! And see how I can laugh now, and how

ntly stroking her hair. ‘Come, dry your eyes, and thank King L

head, and a great light came int

’ she whispered. ‘Ah,

marriage took place; but however happy she was, and however busy she might be, never a m

he story of Abeille, by M. An