The King did so, and talked to him long and despondently, but the Wise One enjoined upon him not to give up hope. “There will be difficulties to be met and conquered,” he told him, “and that takes time. But something assures me that the Princess is alive and well. As for Prince Radiance, you may trust him entirely. Take courage; at any time they may return in triumph.” While the Wise One spoke thus to the King, Grey Smoke stood in the high tower of the Palace of Burning Coals and gazed earnestly out across the country, as she did many times each day, in order that she might be the first to catch a glimpse of the Princess when she should return. Grey Smoke was old, but her eyes were still keen. On this day, as she looked, she saw in the distance two travelers approaching hand in hand. One of these travelers appeared to her to be Prince Radiance. She waited a few moments to make sure of it; but soon she could no longer doubt. It was he in very truth. The other, her eyes told her for a certainty, was her beloved young mistress. The heart of old Grey Smoke leaped for joy. As rapidly as her age would permit she descended the steps of the tower, calling out with trembling voice, “The Princess comes! The Princess White Flame comes!” The palace fairies at their tasks heard it. Knowing that Grey Smoke was one who made no mistakes, they seized upon the glad news, and rushed from one end of the palace to the other shouting it: “The Princess comes! The Princess comes!” The garden fairies were not slow to hear it, and they too took up the excited cry, “The Princess White Flame comes! The Princess White Flame comes!” Grey Smoke, anxious to be the first to bring the glad tidings to her master, went in search of him, and after her the fairies one and all came trooping, trooping from everywhere. In this manner they drew near to the little red hut in the shrubbery. King Red Flame heard the tumult and caught the words of their cry. He hurried forth, followed by the Wise One. “Where is the Princess White Flame?” exclaimed the King, “Tell me quickly.” There was no need of any answer, for in that instant he saw her coming down the shining way--his dear lost daughter--lovelier by far than he had ever dreamed she might be. He heard the music of her voice calling to him, sweeter even than he had so fondly remembered it. Hand in hand with her came Prince Radiance leading her safely to her journey’s end. King Red Flame opened his arms to her crying in ecstasy, “Ah that I should at last behold you, my White Flame, my own dear child!” And Princess White Flame ran to him, and nestled at his breast, weeping and laughing all in a breath for pure happiness. For a little he held her thus in silence; but presently, thirsting to hear of all that had transpired during her long absence from him, he begged the Prince to relate the story of their wanderings.