he crowd she started to
her feet. "Have you brought it? Have you brought it?" she cried eagerly.
"Have you brought me the magic chain?"

"Yes," shouted the dwarfs all together, "we have brought it."

Then they stood still, and Teddy went on up the steps along.

"Where is it?" asked the Queen, and she stretched out her hands.

"It is here," said Teddy. Very slowly he drew it out from under his
cloak, and then suddenly he threw it over her. "And now take it!" he
cried.

It was in vain that the Queen struggled and cried; the more she strove,
the closer the chain drew about her, for it was a magic chain. At last
she stood still, panting. "Who are you?" she asked.

Then Teddy raised his hand, holding it open so that she could see the
ruby. "I am King Fireheart," he cried; "and now take your own real
shape, wicked enchantress that you are."

At these words the black-browed Queen gave a cry that changed, even as
she uttered it, to a croak, and a moment after she was nothing but a
great black raven that spread its wings, and flew away over the heads of
the dwarfs, out of the window and on out of sight.

Then Teddy turned and walked out of the great ice-chamber and down
the hall, followed in silence by the dwarfs. As he went, the spearsmen
started forward to lay hands upon him, but as soon as they saw the
ruby ring they stood, every man stiffened just as he was, some leaning
forward with outstretched arm, some with their spears lifted, some with
their mouths open, but all of them turned to ice.

When Teddy and the dwarfs had reached the mountain road again they
turned and looked back toward the castle.

A warm south wind was blowing, and the aurora borealis had faded away.
Already the castle was beginning to melt; the spires and turrets were
softening and dripping down. There was a warm red light over everything,
like the light of the rising sun.

"And now," cried the dwarfs, "will your Majesty come up to your own
royal castle?"

"Yes," answered Teddy, "I will come."

* * * * * * *

"Quick! quick!" cried the Counterpane Fairy. "It's time to come back."

Teddy was at home once more. There was the flowered furniture, and the
fire burning red upon the hearth. "Tick-tock! tick-tock! tick-tock!"
said the clock.

"I must go," cried the fairy, hastily, "for I heard your little cousin
opening and shutting the side door."

"Oh, wait!" cried Teddy. "Won't you wait and let her see you too?"