Then high above , on shining wings , soared a little form . The sunlight rested softly on the silken hair , and the winds fanned lovingly the bright face , and brought the sweetest odors to cheer her on . Thus went Violet through the clear air , and the earth looked smiling up to her , as , with the bright wreath folded in her arms , she flew among the soft , white clouds . On and on she went , over hill and valley , broad rivers and rustling woods , till the warm sunlight passed away , the winds grew cold , and the air thick with falling snow . Then far below she saw the Frost-King 's home . Pillars of hard , gray ice supported the high , arched roof , hung with crystal icicles . Dreary gardens lay around , filled with withered flowers and bare , drooping trees ; while heavy clouds hung low in the dark sky , and a cold wind murmured sadly through the wintry air . With a beating heart Violet folded her fading wreath more closely to her breast , and with weary wings flew onward to the dreary palace . Here , before the closed doors , stood many forms with dark faces and harsh , discordant voices , who sternly asked the shivering little Fairy why she came to them . Gently she answered , telling them her errand , beseeching them to let her pass ere the cold wind blighted her frail blossoms . Then they flung wide the doors , and she passed in . Walls of ice , carved with strange figures , were around her ; glittering icicles hung from the high roof , and soft , white snow covered the hard floors . On a throne hung with clouds sat the Frost-King ; a crown of crystals bound his white locks , and a dark mantle wrought with delicate frost-work was folded over his cold breast . His stern face could not stay little Violet , and on through the long hall she went , heedless of the snow that gathered on her feet , and the bleak wind that blew around her ; while the King with wondering eyes looked on the golden light that played upon the dark walls as she passed . The flowers , as if they knew their part , unfolded their bright leaves , and poured forth their sweetest perfume , as , kneeling at the throne , the brave little Fairy said , -- `` O King of blight and sorrow , send me not away till I have brought back the light and joy that will make your dark home bright and beautiful again . Let me call back to the desolate gardens the fair forms that are gone , and their soft voices blessing you will bring to your breast a never failing joy . Cast by your icy crown and sceptre , and let the sunlight of love fall softly on your heart . `` Then will the earth bloom again in all its beauty , and your dim eyes will rest only on fair forms , while music shall sound through these dreary halls , and the love of grateful hearts be yours . Have pity on the gentle flower-spirits , and do not doom them to an early death , when they might bloom in fadeless beauty , making us wiser by their gentle teachings , and the earth brighter by their lovely forms . These fair flowers , with the prayers of all Fairy Land , I lay before you ; O send me not away till they are answered . ''
And with tears falling thick and fast upon their tender leaves , Violet laid the wreath at his XXXXX , while the golden light grew ever brighter as it fell upon the little form so humbly kneeling there .
earth face feet leaves odors part roof sky throne wind