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Wet Magic through them. No, my son—it is not degrading. A true Princess cannot be degraded by anything that is for the good of her subjects and her friends."

So the Mer Princess willingly bit through the strings of the false tails—and everybody put on his or her proper tail again, with great comfort and enjoyment—and they all swam toward the town.

And as they went they heard a great noise of shouting, and saw parties of Under Folk flying as if in fear.

"I must make haste," said the King, "and see to it that our Peace Conference be not too late"—so they hurried on.

And the noise grew louder and louder, and the crowds of flying Under Folk thicker and fleeter, and by and by Ulfin made them stand back under the arch of the Astrologers' Tower to see what it was from which they fled. And there, along the streets of the great city of the Under Folk, came the flash of swords and the swirl of banners and the army of the Mer Folk came along between the great buildings of their foes, and on their helmets was the light of victory, and at their head, proud and splendid, rode the Princess Maia and—Reuben.

"Oh—Reuben, Reuben! Were saved," called Mavis, and would have darted out, but Francis put his hand over her mouth.

"Stop!" he said, "don't you remember we promised not to escape without the Queen's permission? Quick, quick to the Palace, to make peace before our armies can attack it."

"You speak well," said the Mer King. And Ulfin said, "This is no time for ceremony. Quick, quick, I will take you in by the tradesmen's entrance." And, turning their backs on that splendid and victorious procession, they marched to the back entrance of the royal Palace. 166