Soon the cold vapors vanished from her path , and sunshine shone upon her pleasantly ; so she went gayly on , till she came up among the stars , where many new , strange sights were to be seen . With wondering eyes she looked upon the bright worlds that once seemed dim and distant , when she gazed upon them from the sea ; but now they moved around her , some shining with a softly radiant light , some circled with bright , many-colored rings , while others burned with a red , angry glare . Ripple would have gladly stayed to watch them longer , for she fancied low , sweet voices called her , and lovely faces seemed to look upon her as she passed ; but higher up still , nearer to the sun , she saw a far-off light , that glittered like a brilliant crimson star , and seemed to cast a rosy glow along the sky . `` The Fire-Spirits surely must be there , and I must stay no longer here , '' said Ripple . So steadily she floated on , till straight before her lay a broad , bright path , that led up to a golden arch , beyond which she could see shapes flitting to and fro . As she drew near , brighter glowed the sky , hotter and hotter grew the air , till Ripple 's leaf-cloak shrivelled up , and could no longer shield her from the heat ; then she unfolded the white snow-flake , and , gladly wrapping the soft , cool mantle round her , entered through the shining arch . Through the red mist that floated all around her , she could see high walls of changing light , where orange , blue , and violet flames went flickering to and fro , making graceful figures as they danced and glowed ; and underneath these rainbow arches , little Spirits glided , far and near , wearing crowns of fire , beneath which flashed their wild , bright eyes ; and as they spoke , sparks dropped quickly from their lips , and Ripple saw with wonder , through their garments of transparent light , that in each Fairy 's breast there burned a steady flame , that never wavered or went out . As thus she stood , the Spirits gathered round her , and their hot breath would have scorched her , but she drew the snow-cloak closer round her , saying , -- `` Take me to your Queen , that I may tell her why I am here , and ask for what I seek . '' So , through long halls of many-colored fire , they led her to a Spirit fairer than the rest , whose crown of flames waved to and fro like golden plumes , while , underneath her violet robe , the light within her breast glowed bright and strong . `` This is our Queen , '' the Spirits said , bending low before her , as she turned her gleaming eyes upon the stranger they had brought . Then Ripple told how she had wandered round the world in search of them , how the Seasons had most kindly helped her on , by giving Sun-beam , Breeze , Leaf , and Flake ; and how , through many dangers , she had come at last to ask of them the magic flame that could give life to the little child again . When she had told her tale , the spirits whispered earnestly among themselves , while sparks fell thick and fast with every word ; at length the Fire-Queen said aloud , -- `` We can not give the flame you ask , for each of us must take a part of it from our own breasts ; and this we will not do , for the brighter our bosom-fire burns , the lovelier we are . So do not ask us for this thing ; but any other gift we will most gladly give , for we feel kindly towards you , and will serve you if we may . '' But Ripple asked no other boon , and , weeping sadly , begged them not to send her back without the gift she had come so far to gain . `` O dear , warm-hearted Spirits ! give me each a little light from your own breasts , and surely they will glow the brighter for this kindly deed ; and I will thankfully repay it if I can . '' As thus she spoke , the Queen , who had spied out a chain of jewels Ripple wore upon her neck , replied , -- `` If you will give me those bright , sparkling stones , I will bestow on you a part of my own flame ; for we have no such lovely things to wear about our necks , and I desire much to have them . Will you give it me for what I offer , little Spirit ? '' Joyfully Ripple gave her the chain ; but , as soon as it touched her hand , the jewels melted like snow , and fell in bright drops to the ground ; at this the Queen 's eyes flashed , and the Spirits gathered angrily about poor Ripple , who looked sadly at the broken chain , and thought in vain what she could give , to win the thing she longed so earnestly for . `` I have many fairer gems than these , in my home below the sea ; and I will bring all I can gather far and wide , if you will grant my prayer , and give me what I seek , '' she said , turning gently to the fiery Spirits , who were hovering fiercely round her .
`` You must bring us each a jewel that will never vanish from our hands as these have done , '' they said , `` and we will each give of our XXXXX ; and when the child is brought to life , you must bring hither all the jewels you can gather from the depths of the sea , that we may try them here among the flames ; but if they melt away like these , then we shall keep you prisoner , till you give us back the light we lend .
Fire-Spirits Flake Spirits burns fire fro leaf-cloak plumes snow-flake vapors