Dead men 's bones were there also , and long white creatures who had never seen the light , for they mostly dwelt in the clefts of rocks where the sun 's rays could not come . At first our little fish felt as if she were blind also , but by-and-by she began to make out one object after another in the green dimness , and by the time she had swum for a few hours all became clear . ` Here we are at last , ' cried a big fish , going down into a deep valley , for the sea has its mountains and valleys just as much as the land . ` That is the palace of the queen of the fishes , and I think you must confess that the emperor himself has nothing so fine . ' ` It is beautiful indeed , ' gasped the little fish , who was very tired with trying to swim as fast as the rest , and beautiful beyond words the palace was . The walls were made of pale pink coral , worn smooth by the waters , and round the windows were rows of pearls ; the great doors were standing open , and the whole troop floated into the chamber of audience , where the queen , who was half a woman after all , was seated on a throne made of a green and blue shell . ` Who are you , and where do you come from ? ' said she to the little fish , whom the others had pushed in front . And in a low , trembling voice , the visitor told her story . ' I was once a girl too , ' answered the queen , when the fish had ended ; ` and my father was the king of a great country . A husband was found for me , and on my wedding-day my mother placed her crown on my head and told me that as long as I wore it I should likewise be queen . For many months I was as happy as a girl could be , especially when I had a little son to play with . But , one morning , when I was walking in my gardens , there came a giant and snatched the crown from my head . Holding me fast , he told me that he intended to give the crown to his daughter , and to enchant my husband the prince , so that he should not know the difference between us . Since then she has filled my place and been queen in my stead . As for me , I was so miserable that I threw myself into the sea , and my ladies , who loved me , declared that they would die too ; but , instead of dying , some wizard , who pitied my fate , turned us all into fishes , though he allowed me to keep the face and body of a woman . And fished we must remain till someone brings me back my crown again ! ' ' I will bring it back if you tell me what to do ! ' cried the little fish , who would have promised anything that was likely to carry her up to earth again . And the queen answered : ` Yes , I will tell you what to do . '
She sat silent XXXXX a moment , and then went on : ` There is no danger if you will only follow my counsel ; and first you must return to earth , and go up to the top of a high mountain , where the giant has built his castle .
At Since as for from if in on till to