Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX A VERY MAGICAL PALACE The magician's palace was set on top of a high hill. The chair did not take long to get there. It flew down and took its place among the long line of carriages that were drawing up one by one at the big front door.

When their turn came the children and the elves jumped off the chair and ran up the steps. They were shown into a great hall and there they shook hands with Magician Greatheart, a tall and handsome enchanter, whose cloak rippled out as he walked, as if it were made of blue water. His eyes were kind and looked right through everyone.

A band was playing merrily in the big hall, and Binky caught hold of Mollie and danced with her. Peter found a small, shy fairy and danced with her too, though she was so light that he couldn't make up his mind if she was real or not!

There were hundreds of fairy folk there of all kinds- gnomes, goblins, brownies, fairies, elves, pixies- but only two children, so Mollie and Peter felt most honoured. Then came the supper. It was so queer. The long, long table was spread with plates and glasses and dishes, but there was no food at all, no, not even a yellow jelly.

The magician took his place at the end of the table. 'Will you each wish for what you like best to eat?' he said in his kind, deep voice. 'Take it in turn, please!'

A brownie next to him said, 'I wish for honey-lemonade and sugar biscuits!' At once a jug of yellow lemonade appeared by him and a plate of delicious sugar biscuits! The fairy next to the brownie wished for chocolate blancmange and a cream ice. They appeared even as she spoke the words! It was such fun to see them come. Mollie and Peter watched in amazement as all the dishes and jugs on the table became full of the most exciting