IX - Of the Tower in the Sea
Then did Fleetstride and Starbright journey swift on foot and wing to a far distant shore, where the land met the boundless sea, for now were they possessed of the knowledge of the orc-king’s secret strength. And they came to the sea, and it was wide and the waters raged, and there was no ship to bear them. So Starbright took hold of Fleetstride, and her eagle cloak bore them high in the air, and for long leagues did they fly hither and thither across the great rolling waves, until at last they espied a gleam upon the edge of sight.
And they flew ever toward that shining place and lo! even as the orc-king had said, there rose from the sea a great mountain of white glass, that shone and dazzled the eye, and its slopes stretched even into the clouds themselves, so that the peak was lost to sight. And the glass was steep-sloped, without flaw or crack, and none had ever climbed it, for it was smooth and permitted no foothold.
Then did Starbright full open her cloak and she flew ever up. But the peak of the glass mountain was high, above even where the circling eagles of the heavens roam, and at the last the cloak failed, and could go no higher, and she was forced to return even to the base of the great mountain, and she despaired.
Then did Fleetstride do a mighty deed. For he took up Starbright in his arms, and set foot upon the sheer glass so smooth, and swift he ran upon its cold slope. And so swift and light was Fleetstride’s step in that hour that ever as soon as foot landed upon the slope, it sprang into the air again, and he did not falter or fall. And long he ran, on the perilously smooth glass and ever further toward the heavens, yet never once did his feet fall so heavy, or remain so long, as to cause him to fall back to the hungry sea below. So it is said that this, of all Fleetstride’s great and bold deeds, this was the greatest deed he ever did, though many great deeds did he do.
So at the last Fleetstride, swiftest of men, came to the top of the mountain with Starbright. And even as the orc-king had said, there was a great tower upon the peak and it was of stone, and there was no door, and the window was high and unreachable. And Fleetstride looked up, and saw no hope of gaining entrance.
Then Starbright took up her cudgel of wood, and thrice she struck the tower with it. And behold! upon the third strike, the wood bloomed and grew, and twisted into many great branches which crept up the tower’s sides, so that the tower was encircled by living wood, and the branches took hold of the tower’s stones and held fast.
So Starbright and Fleetstride climbed, ever up and up, until they reached the tower’s top, and there they entered through the window, and they saw a chest, cunning-wrought of iron and steel. And by the chest, great and fierce, stood a stone-giant, and he took up his club and would have struck the youth and the maiden down even where they stood. But Fleetstride held up his hand in token of peace, and said, “Hold a while thy blow, oh guardian terrible, for we would speak with thee.”
And the giant forestood his blow, and rumbled, “Then speak, small folk, and be swift. For I be charged to watch over this box by a great sorcerer, and I will slay thee ere I fail in my duty.”
Then did Starbright speak, and she laid the power of her ring upon the giant, so that he was compelled to answer true, “Yet, friend giant, we mean not to hinder thy charge. For we will but open the chest, and ever will it remain in your sight. Be such permitted by the command laid upon you?”
And the giant thought, and he answered, “Aye, such be allowed by the command, and I be under no impulse to hinder such a deed.” And he was surprised to answer so, for well did he know the intent of the wicked orc’s order to him. Yet truly, no other bond was laid upon him, than that he was to watch the box.
Then Fleetstride and Starbright entreated the giant to open the chest for them, and the giant was secret greatly delighted. For he was not wicked of heart, and was himself a prisoner of the orc-king’s order, and he perceived that thus would the king’s end be brought about. So the giant took from around his neck a small golden key, and he fitted it to the chest, and it opened, and lo! there lay a finger, and it was living.
So Fleetstride took the finger from the box, and set it before him, and raised Frost-sear, and he struck a blow with dreadful force. And upon the first strike, he cut into the finger, and blood seeped from it. And upon the second, he cut through even to the bone, and it shone ghastly white. And with the third blow, he cleaved the finger in twain, and a great roll of thunder sounded about them, and thus was the orc-king’s power undone.
So then Fleetstride and Starbright spoke with the giant, and he remained in the tower, watching ever vigilant the open and empty box, and they swore solemn oaths that they would send word when the orc-king was undone. And then did they both leap from the tower, and they fell until the eagle-cloak caught them in its wings, and they returned, over the great wide sea, even to the shores of their own land.
X - Of the Orc King’s End
Now so it was that the orc-king’s power was undone, yet Fleetstride and Starbright knew that this was not his end. For the orc-king was mighty in magic and strength, and though the fey wards that protected him were now no more, he lived still, and was a terrible foe.
So it was that Starbright returned to the castle, and came again to the tower where the widow of the captain sat in Starbright’s form. And the widow left and returned to Fleetstride, who set the hat once more on his head, and took again the form of the fair exotic prince. And then he came again to the gates of the castle, and was admitted, and he sat in audience with the orc-king, and asked also that the fair Starbright be in attendance.
Then did Fleetstride speak silver words of cunning with the orc-king, saying that he had travelled now in the orc-king’s lands, and seen for himself the wealth and power of the orc-king, and that Fleetstride marvelled at his greatness. “And,” said Fleetstride, “it seems to me well that my realm should seek alliance with you, oh wise king, for your kingdom is a mighty one, and it would benefit my people to be friendly with yours.”
And the orc-king secret rejoiced at the folly of this noble prince, but he said, “Indeed, such a peace would be desired by myself also, and it does my heart glad to know you think likewise, lord.” But he spoke false, and already did he plot a black treachery so as to bring this new people under his rule.
Then Fleetstride went on, “Indeed, never have I seen a lord with such full mastery over his dominion, yea, even the smallest and least as well as the great and lordly recognise your command, and that be praiseworthy indeed.”
And the orc-king was pleased at the flattery, yet his pleasure was but shortlived. For Starbright, with gentle guile, interrupted Fleetstride, and she said, “Yet not even this king, the greatest of kings, has full rule over his kingdom.”
And Fleetstride laughed and said, “I believe it not.” But Starbright said, “Nay, for the servant woman sent to attend me told me it was not so,” and looking to the orc-king, she said, “For she said there be a forest, yea, even in the heart of the two kingdoms, and there no subject of the orc-king goes, and those who dwell in that forest speak his name not with reverence but with scorn.”
Then did the orc-king blanch, and then a fell mood overcame him and a red flame was in his eyes, and he would have struck the princess down for her insolence, were he alone. But Fleetstride said to the king, “I believe it not, such cannot be true,” and Starbright said, “Verily it be so, is it not?” and laid the power of her ring upon the king, so that he was compelled to answer, “Yea, indeed it be so.”
And Fleetstride shook his head with great sorrow, and said, “Then I see it be other than I had thought, and I would be displeased to make friendship with a lord who has not full dominion over his vassals.” And the orc-king was seized with a terrible fury, but then said Starbright, “Yet how can it be so, my lord, that you will not set foot in this forest and bring its people to heel? For you be protected by cunning spells, and so it must be that your power be greater than that of the demons of the forest.”
And the orc-king was displeased, and knew his lordship had been challenged. Yet also was he proud and brash, and he believed that still was he under the charm of his little finger. So he gave order that Starbright and the prince were to remain as his esteemed guests (though in truth he meant prisoners), and he set forth with great show of might and many soldiers to the forest, to bring it under his rule.
And so did the orc-king enter the eaves of that forest, and once he passed into its circle he was in the power of Mother Applebloom, for her magic was greater than his so long as he was in her wood. And never was the orc-king seen again, nor any of his evil host, and no tale tells what terrible fate befell them under those leafed rooves.
So did a tenday pass, and then came a great host of birds of every kind from the forest, and they bore the pennants and banners of the wicked host, and at their head was a mighty eagle and he carried the king’s fell sword. And they came even to the castle, and then did the people know that the king’s reign was come to an end, and they rejoiced, for he was unloved. And the throne of Starbright was restored to her, and she became queen of that land. Yet also was there the throne of the neighbour land, that which the orc-king had first ruled, and Starbright rendered that throne unto Fleetstride, and thus was the errand of Mother Applebloom fulfilled, and they wed.
And it is said that the reign of King Fleetstride and Queen Starbright was long and merry, and that they governed wisely with justice and mercy, and all loved them. And under their rule birds were honoured and under the protection of the Queen, and the Fair Folk bore rich gifts and did homage to the King. And the widow of the captain was granted nobility, and was paid respect for her suffering and her bravery. And the good giant was freed of his command, and was named a protector of the realm, and he protected the realm much, and ate and drank much more, but he was loved, for he was a kind creature.
And often did the King and Queen make excursion to the forest in the heart of their kingdom, and ever were they met by Mother Applebloom, and sat long together. And though never did she leave her realm, she taught much to the King and Queen, and to any of good heart and wise temper who wished to learn, and the kingdoms prospered and were made bountiful through her knowledge. And though often the King and Queen pressed her to tell them if she had foreseen all that came to pass, never did she answer them, for a little foreknowledge is a dangerous thing. But in her heart she was glad, and she loved them as they loved her.
And so it was that misfortune and evil were turned to joy and goodness, and all who lived in the times of King Fleetstride and Queen Starbright lived ever happily, even to the ends of their days.
~ Here ends the tale of Mother Applebloom ~
