I bring your Majesty reinforcements , ' said he . The king was delighted , and all dread of his enemy at once disappeared . The princesses were there too , and they were very friendly with the prince and begged him to get into their carriage so as to talk to them . But he declined , and remained on horseback , as he did not know at what moment the battle might begin ; and whilst they were all talking together the youngest princess , who was also the loveliest , took off her ring , and her sister tore her handkerchief in two pieces , and they gave these gifts to the prince . Suddenly the enemy came in sight . The king asked whether his army or the prince 's should lead the way ; but the prince set off first and with his hussars he fought so bravely that only two of the enemy were left alive , and these two were only spared to act as messengers . The king was overjoyed and so were his daughters at this brilliant victory . As they drove home they begged the prince to join them , but he would not come , and galloped off with his hussars . When he got near the town he packed his soldiers and his fine horse all carefully into the apple again , and then strolled into the town . On his return to the palace he was well scolded by the housekeeper for staying away so long . Well , the whole matter might have ended there ; but it so happened that the younger princess had fallen in love with the prince , as he had with her . And as he had no jewels with him , he gave her the copper apple and staff . One day , as the princesses were talking with their father , the younger one asked him whether it might not have been their servant who had helped him so much . The king was quite angry at the idea ; but , to satisfy her , he ordered the servant 's room to be searched . And there , to everyone 's surprise , they found the golden ring and the half of the handkerchief . When these were brought to the king he sent for the prince at once and asked if it had been he who had come to their rescue . ` Yes , your Majesty , it was I , ' answered the prince . ` But where did you get your army ? ' ` If you wish to see it , I can show it you outside the city walls . ' And so he did ; but first he asked for the copper apple from the younger princess , and when all the soldiers were drawn up there were such numbers that there was barely room for them .
The king gave him his daughter and kingdom as a reward for his aid , and when he heard XXXXX the prince was himself a king 's son his joy knew no bounds .
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