And now go forth , and begin your task ; my Spirits shall not harm you , and I will wait till it is done before I blight another flower . '' Then out into the gardens went Violet with a heavy heart ; for she had toiled so long , her strength was nearly gone . But the flowers whispered their gratitude , and folded their leaves as if they blessed her ; and when she saw the garden filled with loving friends , who strove to cheer and thank her for her care , courage and strength returned ; and raising up thick clouds of mist , that hid her from the wondering flowers , alone and trustingly she began her work . As time went by , the Frost-King feared the task had been too hard for the Fairy ; sounds were heard behind the walls of mist , bright shadows seen to pass within , but the little voice was never heard . Meanwhile the golden light had faded from the garden , the flowers bowed their heads , and all was dark and cold as when the gentle Fairy came . And to the stern King his home seemed more desolate and sad ; for he missed the warm light , the happy flowers , and , more than all , the gay voice and bright face of little Violet . So he wandered through his dreary palace , wondering how he had been content to live before without sunlight and love . And little Violet was mourned as dead in Fairy-Land , and many tears were shed , for the gentle Fairy was beloved by all , from the Queen down to the humblest flower . Sadly they watched over every bird and blossom which she had loved , and strove to be like her in kindly words and deeds . They wore cypress wreaths , and spoke of her as one whom they should never see again . Thus they dwelt in deepest sorrow , till one day there came to them an unknown messenger , wrapped in a dark mantle , who looked with wondering eyes on the bright palace , and flower-crowned elves , who kindly welcomed him , and brought fresh dew and rosy fruit to refresh the weary stranger . Then he told them that he came from the Frost-King , who begged the Queen and all her subjects to come and see the palace little Violet had built ; for the veil of mist would soon be withdrawn , and as she could not make a fairer home than the ice-castle , the King wished her kindred near to comfort and to bear her home . And while the Elves wept , he told them how patiently she had toiled , how her fadeless love had made the dark cell bright and beautiful . These and many other things he told them ; for little Violet had won the love of many of the Frost-Spirits , and even when they killed the flowers she had toiled so hard to bring to life and beauty , she spoke gentle words to them , and sought to teach them how beautiful is love . Long stayed the messenger , and deeper grew his wonder that the Fairy could have left so fair a home , to toil in the dreary palace of his cruel master , and suffer cold and weariness , to give life and joy to the weak and sorrowing . When the Elves had promised they would come , he bade farewell to happy Fairy-Land , and flew sadly home . At last the time arrived , and out in his barren garden , under a canopy of dark clouds , sat the Frost-King before the misty wall , behind which were heard low , sweet sounds , as of rustling trees and warbling birds . Soon through the air came many-colored troops of Elves . First the Queen , known by the silver lilies on her snowy robe and the bright crown in her hair , beside whom flew a band of Elves in crimson and gold , making sweet music on their flower-trumpets , while all around , with smiling faces and bright eyes , fluttered her loving subjects . On they came , like a flock of brilliant butterflies , their shining wings and many-colored garments sparkling in the dim air ; and soon the leafless trees were gay with living flowers , and their sweet voices filled the gardens with music .
Like his subjects , the King looked on the lovely XXXXX , and no longer wondered that little Violet wept and longed for her home .
Elves Fairy-Land First Frost-King Frost-Spirits King Queen day flower-trumpets left