the greatest impatience, was overjoyed to see his Princess once more, and set off, escorted by his three companion kings, to his father's dominions. But when the poor old King, who had very much aged since his son's departure, saw the three armies coming, he made sure they were an invading force, so he went out to meet them, and said, 'Take all my riches, but leave my poor people in peace, for I am old, and cannot fight. Had my dear brave son Lionheart been with me, it would have been a different affair, but he left us years ago, and no one has heard aught of him since.'
On this, the Prince flung himself on his father's neck, and told him all that had occurred, and how these were his three old friendsthe Knifegrinder, the Blacksmith, and the Carpenter. This greatly delighted the old man; but when he saw the golden haired bride his son had brought home, his joy knew no bounds.
So everybody was pleased, and lived happily ever after.
