Silently the Queen had listened , but now , rising and placing her hand on little Violet 's head , she said , turning to the throng below : -- `` We in our pride and power have erred , while this , the weakest and lowliest of our subjects , has from the innocence of her own pure heart counselled us more wisely than the noblest of our train . All who will aid our brave little messenger , lift your wands , that we may know who will place their trust in the Power of Love . '' Every fairy wand glistened in the air , as with silvery voices they cried , `` Love and little Violet . '' Then down from the throne , hand in hand , came the Queen and Violet , and till the moon sank did the Fairies toil , to weave a wreath of the fairest flowers . Tenderly they gathered them , with the night-dew fresh upon their leaves , and as they wove chanted sweet spells , and whispered fairy blessings on the bright messengers whom they sent forth to die in a dreary land , that their gentle kindred might bloom unharmed . At length it was done ; and the fair flowers lay glowing in the soft starlight , while beside them stood the Fairies , singing to the music of the wind-harps : -- `` We are sending you , dear flowers , Forth alone to die , Where your gentle sisters may not weep O'er the cold graves where you lie ; But you go to bring them fadeless life In the bright homes where they dwell , And you softly smile that ' t is so , As we sadly sing farewell . O plead with gentle words for us , And whisper tenderly Of generous love to that cold heart , And it will answer ye ; And though you fade in a dreary home , Yet loving hearts will tell Of the joy and peace that you have given : Flowers , dear flowers , farewell ! '' The morning sun looked softly down upon the broad green earth , which like a mighty altar was sending up clouds of perfume from its breast , while flowers danced gayly in the summer wind , and birds sang their morning hymn among the cool green leaves . 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 XXXXX ; a crown of crystals bound his white locks , and a dark mantle wrought with delicate frost-work was folded over his cold breast .
Frost-King Queen farewell heart icicles morning rivers sun wands wind-harps