So they put their heads together and laid another trap for her . After breakfast the genius gave his arm to his guest , and asked her to come with him into the garden . For some time they walked about looking at the flowers , the genius all the while pressing her to pick any she fancied . But the princess , suspecting a trap , inquired roughly why they were wasting the precious hours in the garden , when , as men , they should be in the stables looking after their horses . Then the genius told his mother that she was quite wrong , and his deliverer was certainly a man . But the old woman was not convinced for all that . She would try once more she said , and her son must lead his visitor into the armoury , where hung every kind of weapon used all over the world -- some plain and bare , others ornamented with precious stones -- and beg her to make choice of one of them . The princess looked at them closely , and felt the edges and points of their blades , then she hung at her belt an old sword with a curved blade , that would have done credit to an ancient warrior . After this she informed the genius that she would start early next day and take Sunlight with her . And there was nothing for the mother to do but to submit , though she still stuck to her own opinion . The princess mounted Sunlight , and touched him with her spur , when the old horse , who was galloping at her side , suddenly said : ` Up to this time , mistress , you have obeyed my counsels and all has gone well . Listen to me once more , and do what I tell you . I am old , and -- now that there is someone to take my place , I will confess it -- I am afraid that my strength is not equal to the task that lies before me . Give me leave , therefore , to return home , and do you continue your journey under the care of my brother . Put your faith in him as you put it in me , and you will never repent . Wisdom has come early to Sunlight . ' ` Yes , my old comrade , you have served me well ; and it is only through your help that up to now I have been victorious . So grieved though I am to say farewell , I will obey you yet once more , and will listen to your brother as I would to yourself . Only , I must have a proof that he loves me as well as you do . ' ` How should I not love you ? '
answered Sunlight ; ` how should I not be proud to serve a warrior such XXXXX you ?
So as at before for in into though through to