The Magic Tree Trunks

Taking the crown from his head, his father had laid it at his son's feet, and then he had left the room.

Hastily the prince awoke his sister Sophie. They agreed the dream meant that their father must be dead and that they must lose no time in obeying his orders and fleeing to safety. So they collected their jewels and a few clothes and left the house.

They hurried on till they arrived at the mountain without once looking back. Then Prince Sigurd glanced round and saw that their stepmother was following them, with an expression on her face which made her uglier than the ugliest old witch could be. He and his sister hurried on more quickly than before till they reached the grove with the red and blue trees, which they recognized instantly. Quickly they jumped into the tree trunks, and felt that at last there they would be safe.

Now at that time there reigned in the faraway country of Greece a king who was very rich and powerful. He had one son, a young prince who was the pride of his father's heart.

The young prince of Greece had heard reports of the Princess Sophie's beauty and many accomplishments, and he determined to seek her out and to ask for her hand in marriage. Of all this the queen, Blauvor, found out by means of her black arts. So when the prince of Greece came near the capital, she put a splendid dress on her own daughter, Lineik, and then went to meet her guest.

She welcomed the Prince of Greece to her palace, and when he asked to see the famous Princess Sophie, admired for her beautify and skills, the queen brought forward her daughter Lineik.

The prince looked at her and was rather disappointed. There seemed to be something missing in the expression on her face.

"Oh, you must not wonder at her pale face and heavy eyes," said the queen hastily, for she saw what was passing in his mind. "She has never gotten over the loss of two fathers - her first father and now, apparently, my husband.