But Lyubim Tsarevich came to his tent, and there the Wolf transformed
himself into a valiant knight, such as no one could imagine except in
a fairy-tale. And presently the army of the beautiful Tsarevna was
seen approaching--a countless host; whereupon Lyubim Tsarevich mounted
his white steed, accompanied by his companion the Wolf, and awaited
their attack; and when the army of the beautiful Tsarevna was near,
Lyubim, taking the right wing, ordered the Wolf to attack the left,
and they made ready for the charge. Then on a sudden they fell upon
the warriors of the Tsarevna with a fierce onset, mowing them down
like grass, until only two persons remained on the field, the Wolf and
Lyubim Tsarevich. And after this dreadful fight was ended the brave
Wolf said to Lyubim: "See, yonder comes the beautiful Tsarevna
herself, and she will ask you to take her to wife; there is nothing
more to fear from her; I have expiated my crimes through my bravery;
dismiss me now, and let me return to my own kingdom." So Lyubim
Tsarevich thanked him for his service and counsel and bade him
farewell.
The Wolf thereupon vanished; and when Lyubim Tsarevich saw the
beautiful Princess coming toward him, he rejoiced, and, going to meet
her, he took her by her white hands, kissing her honey-sweet mouth,
pressed her to his stormy heart, and said: "Did I not love you, my
dearest fair Tsarevna, I should not have remained here; but you have
seen that my love was stronger than your armies." Then the fair
Tsarevna replied: "Ah! thou valiant knight. Thou hast overcome all my
powers, and my strong and famous knights, on whom my hopes relied; and
my city is now desolate. I will leave it and go with you; henceforth
you shall be my protector."
"Joyfully do I take you for my wife," replied Lyubim Tsarevich, "and I
will guard and protect you and your kingdom faithfully." Conversing
thus they entered the tent, and sat down to rest and feast.
Early the next morning they mounted their horses and set out on their
journey to the kingdom of Elidar; and on the way Lyubim Tsarevich
said: "Ah! thou fair Princess, I had two elder brothers, who left our
home before I did, in hopes of winning your hand; in these wilds they
have been murdered, and where their remains lie I do not know; but I
have brought with me the waters of life and death, and will seek and
restore them to life; they cannot be far distant from our road; do you
therefore ride on to the pillar with the inscriptions, and wait for
me. I shall soon rejoin you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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