"I can enter the gloomy cavern without danger," the owl said. "Give
the flask to me, and I will repay the debt I owe you for having saved
me from the net."
Charming gladly surrendered the flask to the owl, who in a short time
returned it to him filled with the precious water.
The Princess this time consented to marry the King, and after many
preparations she and Charming started for his kingdom. The journey
was made so entertaining for the Princess that she one day said to
Charming:
"Why did I not make you King, and remain in my own country?" Charming
replied that he must have considered his duty to his King, even before
a happiness so great.
The King, with presents of rich jewels and a splendid escort, met them
on the way to the palace. The marriage was celebrated with great
pomp, and Charming stood first in the King's favor. His good fortune,
however, did not continue long, for envious enemies pointed out to the
King that the Princess was never happy unless Charming was near. The
unhappy knight was again put into prison, where he was cruelly chained
and fed on bread and water.
When Goldilocks learned this, she wept and implored the King to set
him free. "But for him I never would have been here," she said.
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