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 feet , while the golden light grew ever brighter as it fell upon the little form so humbly kneeling there . The King 's stern face grew milder as he gazed on the gentle Fairy , and the flowers seemed to look beseechingly upon him ; while their fragrant voices sounded softly in his ear , telling of their dying sisters , and of the joy it gives to bring happiness to the weak and sorrowing . But he drew the dark mantle closer over his breast and answered coldly , -- `` I can not grant your prayer , little Fairy ; it is my will the flowers should die . Go back to your Queen , and tell her that I can not yield my power to please these foolish flowers . '' Then Violet hung the wreath above the throne , and with weary foot went forth again , out into the cold , dark gardens , and still the golden shadows followed her , and wherever they fell , flowers bloomed and green leaves rustled .
Then came the Frost-Spirits , and beneath their cold wings the flowers died , while the Spirits bore Violet to a low , dark cell , saying as they left her , that their XXXXX was angry that she had dared to stay when he had bid her go .
Frost-King King Queen Violet air flower-spirits frost-work icicles sceptre tender