Лучшие сказки загадочной Шотландии. Уровень 1 / The Best Tales of Enchanted Scotland

He stretched out his hand to take some of it. But his companion turned in her saddle and forbade him.

“There is nothing safe for you to eat here,” she said. “I will give you an apple. If you touch anything else you will remain in Fairy-land for ever.”

So poor Thomas did not take anything.

They rode slowly on, until they came to a tiny tree. The tree was covered with red apples. The Fairy Queen took one, and gave it to her companion.

“I can give you this,” she said, “and I do it gladly.

These apples are the Apples of Truth. Your lips will never be able to tell a lie after eating the apple.”

Thomas took the apple, and ate it. For evermore the Grace of Truth rested on his lips. That is why men called him “True Thomas.”

Soon they came to a magnificent Castle on a hillside.

“This is my home,” said the Queen proudly. “There stays my Lord and all the Nobles of his court. My Lord does not like any strangers near me. I ask you to utter no word to anyone who speaks to you.

If anyone asks me who and what you are, I will tell them that you are dumb. So nobody will notice you in the crowd.”

With these words the Lady raised her hunting-horn and blew it. A marvelous change came over her again. Her ugly ash-covered[7 - ash-covered – покрытый пеплом] gown dropped off her. The grey colour in her hair vanished. She appeared once more in her green riding-skirt and mantle. Her face grew young and fair.

A wonderful change passed over Thomas also.

His rough country clothes were transformed into a suit of fine brown cloth. On his feet he wore satin shoes.

Immediately the sound of the horn rang out. The doors of the Castle opened. The King hurried out to meet the Queen. He was with his Knights and Ladies, Minstrels and Page-boys[8 - Page-boys – пажи]. Thomas slid from his horse. Then he passed into the Castle.

Everyone was very glad to see the Queen. The people crowded in the Great Hall. She spoke to them graciously.

She allowed them to kiss her hand. Then she passed, with her husband, to the two thrones. The Royal pair sat down to watch the revels.

Poor Thomas, meanwhile, stood far away at the other end of the Hall. He was fascinated by the extraordinary scene.

All the fine Ladies, and Courtiers, and Knights danced in one part of the Hall. The huntsmen were in another part. They carried in great deer. Then they threw them down in heaps on the floor.