Hearing that well-loved voice the Prince raised his head quickly and saw the Princess, not fleeing from him, but advancing toward him. Instantly he leaped to his feet, with arms outstretched, crying in rapture, “Nay my Princess, what happiness is mine that you have returned to me once more!” He ran to her at full-speed and had well-nigh reached her, when suddenly Princess White Flame was again made sensible of the restraining wand of the Earth Fairy. Cruelly, inexorably, it drew her steadily away from the Prince into the black country at his right. Seeing the distance widening between them the Prince cried aloud with grief and disappointment. Sore as was his own heart, Prince Radiance nevertheless called to her tenderly, hoping to support and comfort her. “Fear not, dearest White Flame,” he exclaimed. “Whither you go, there will I go also, and in the end my love shall conquer every spell.” At his words the courage of the Princess rose again, and with it came hope, even though she shivered as they presently entered that dark valley where the Dragon dwelt. At first it appeared to them quite deserted, for so close the monster lay to the black ground that he looked to be but a part of the vale itself. Thus White Flame passed over him and beyond him without suspecting his presence, and Prince Radiance in his turn had advanced almost to the Dragon’s feet before he saw what lay in wait to bar his way. Aghast at the sudden appearance of this new foe, Prince Radiance fell back a pace to place himself on guard, scarce knowing how to defend himself against an enemy so ferocious. Then up rose the Dragon, black and terrible, a creature to strike terror to one less valiant than the Prince. “Yield you, Sir Prince,” he bellowed hoarsely, raising his bared claw in menace, “Yield to the Master of the Gloomy Vale.” “I yield to none,” retorted Prince Radiance, fearlessly, “for I follow the Princess White Flame, and to her I must pass.” “None passes where the Great Black Dragon bars the way,” roared his enemy, “and none defies him but learns to rue his folly.” He crouched to spring; his hard and glittering eyes were fixed angrily upon the Prince, his tail lashed furiously from side to side. The Prince knew that he must defend himself without delay if he would escape destruction. Quickly he slipped his hand beneath his mantle to his good Grey Pouch, opened it, and drew forth a brimming handful of the fairy ash that lay within. Thus was he armed against his foe.