Doves with gentle eyes cooed among the green leaves , snow-white clouds floated in the sunny shy , and the golden light , brighter than before , shone softly down . Soon through the long aisles came Violet , flowers and green leaves rustling as she passed . On she went to the Frost-King 's throne , bearing two crowns , one of sparkling icicles , the other of pure white lilies , and kneeling before him , said , -- `` My task is done , and , thanks to the Spirits of earth and air , I have made as fair a home as Elfin hands can form . You must now decide . Will you be King of Flower-Land , and own my gentle kindred for your loving friends ? Will you possess unfading peace and joy , and the grateful love of all the green earth 's fragrant children ? Then take this crown of flowers . But if you can find no pleasure here , go back to your own cold home , and dwell in solitude and darkness , where no ray of sunlight or of joy can enter . `` Send forth your Spirits to carry sorrow and desolation over the happy earth , and win for yourself the fear and hatred of those who would so gladly love and reverence you . Then take this glittering crown , hard and cold as your own heart will be , if you will shut out all that is bright and beautiful . Both are before you . Choose . '' The old King looked at the little Fairy , and saw how lovingly the bright shadows gathered round her , as if to shield her from every harm ; the timid birds nestled in her bosom , and the flowers grew fairer as she looked upon them ; while her gentle friends , with tears in their bright eyes , folded their hands beseechingly , and smiled on her . Kind thought came thronging to his mind , and he turned to look at the two palaces . Violet 's , so fair and beautiful , with its rustling trees , calm , sunny skies , and happy birds and flowers , all created by her patient love and care . His own , so cold and dark and dreary , his empty gardens where no flowers could bloom , no green trees dwell , or gay birds sing , all desolate and dim ; -- and while he gazed , his own Spirits , casting off their dark mantles , knelt before him and besought him not to send them forth to blight the things the gentle Fairies loved so much . `` We have served you long and faithfully , '' said they , `` give us now our freedom , that we may learn to be beloved by the sweet flowers we have harmed so long . Grant the little Fairy 's prayer ; and let her go back to her own dear home . She has taught us that Love is mightier than Fear . Choose the Flower crown , and we will be the truest subjects you have ever had . ''
Then , amid a burst of wild , sweet music , the Frost-King placed the Flower crown on his head , and knelt to little Violet ; while far and near , over the broad green earth , sounded the voices of flowers , singing their thanks to the gentle Fairy , and the summer wind was laden with perfumes , which they sent as tokens of their gratitude ; and wherever she went , old trees bent down to fold their slender branches round her , flowers laid their soft faces against her own , and whispered blessings ; even the humble moss bent over the little feet , and kissed them as they XXXXX .
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