One had a car of ebony , drawn by white pigeons , another was lying back in her ivory chariot , driving ten black crows , while the rest had chosen rare woods or many-coloured sea-shells , with scarlet and blue macaws , long-tailed peacocks , or green love-birds for horses . These carriages were only used on occasions of state , for when they went to war flying dragons , fiery serpents , lions or leopards , took the place of the beautiful birds . The fairies entered the queen 's chamber followed by little dwarfs who carried their presents and looked much prouder than their mistresses . One by one their burdens were spread upon the ground , and no one had ever seen such lovely things . Everything that a baby could possibly wear or play with was there , and besides , they had other and more precious gifts to give her , which only children who have fairies for godmothers can ever hope to possess . They were all gathered round the heap of pink cushions on which the baby lay asleep , when a shadow seemed to fall between them and the sun , while a cold wind blew through the room . Everybody looked up , and there was the crab-fairy , who had grown as tall as the ceiling in her anger . ` So I am forgotten ! ' cried she , in a voice so loud that the queen trembled as she heard it . ` Who was it soothed you in your trouble ? Who was it led you to the fairies ? Who was it brought you back in safety to your home again ? Yet I -- I -- am overlooked , while these who have done nothing in comparison , are petted and thanked . ' The queen , almost dumb with terror , in vain tried to think of some explanation or apology ; but there was none , and she could only confess her fault and implore forgiveness . The fairies also did their best to soften the wrath of their sister , and knowing that , like many plain people who are not fairies , she was very vain , they entreated her to drop her crab 's disguise , and to become once more the charming person they were accustomed to see . For some time the enraged fairy would listen to nothing ; but at length the flatteries began to take effect . The crab 's shell fell from her , she shrank into her usual size , and lost some of her fierce expression . ` Well , ' she said , ' I will not cause the princess 's death , as I had meant to do , but at the same time she will have to bear the punishment of her mother 's fault , as many other children have done before her . The sentence I pass upon her is , that if she is allowed to see one ray of daylight before her fifteenth birthday she will rue it bitterly , and it may perhaps cost her her life . ' And with these words she vanished by the window through which she came , while the fairies comforted the weeping queen and took counsel how best the princess might be kept safe during her childhood .
At the end of half an hour they had made up their minds what to do , and at the command of the fairies , a beautiful palace sprang up , close to that XXXXX the king and queen , but different from every palace in the world in having no windows , and only a door right under the earth .
So as before besides for of than that upon while