Now the lot had fallen on her ; and as she was just saying this a long fierce head of a cruel sea creature rose out of the waves and snapped at the girl . But the beast had been too greedy and too hurried , so he missed his aim the first time . Before he could rise and bite again the boy had whipped the Terrible Head out of his wallet and held it up . And when the sea beast leaped out once more its eyes fell on the head , and instantly it was turned into a stone . And the stone beast is there on the sea-coast to this day . Then the boy and the girl went to the palace of the King , her father , where everyone was weeping for her death , and they could hardly believe their eyes when they saw her come back well . And the King and Queen made much of the boy , and could not contain themselves for delight when they found he wanted to marry their daughter . So the two were married with the most splendid rejoicings , and when they had passed some time at court they went home in a ship to the boy 's own country . For he could not carry his bride through the air , so he took the Shoes of Swiftness , and the Cap of Darkness , and the Sword of Sharpness up to a lonely place in the hills . There he left them , and there they were found by the man and woman who had met him at home beside the sea , and had helped him to start on his journey . When this had been done the boy and his bride set forth for home , and landed at the harbor of his native land . But whom should he meet in the very street of the town but his own mother , flying for her life from the wicked King , who now wished to kill her because he found that she would never marry him ! For if she had liked the King ill before , she liked him far worse now that he had caused her son to disappear so suddenly . She did not know , of course , where the boy had gone , but thought the King had slain him secretly . So now she was running for her very life , and the wicked King was following her with a sword in his hand . Then , behold ! she ran into her son 's very arms , but he had only time to kiss her and step in front of her , when the King struck at him with his sword . The boy caught the blow on his shield , and cried to the King : `` I swore to bring you the Terrible Head , and see how I keep my oath ! '' Then he drew forth the head from his wallet , and when the King 's eyes fell on it , instantly he was turned into stone , just as he stood there with his sword lifted ! Now all the people rejoiced , because the wicked King should rule them no longer .
And they asked the boy to be their king , but he said no , he must take his mother home XXXXX her father 's house .
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