But a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell ! ' And so saying he wept bitterly . Then the youths rose from the table , went back to the great stone fountain , turned themselves into eagles again , and flew away . Then the old man went away too , returned to the light of day , and went home . Soon after he heard that the Princess was ill , and that the only thing that did her good was having stories told to her . He therefore went to the royal castle , obtained an audience of the Princess , and told her about the strange things he had seen in the underground palace . No sooner had he finished than the Princess asked him whether he could find the way to that palace . ` Yes , ' he answered , ` certainly . ' And now she desired him to guide her thither at once . The old man did so , and when they came to the palace he hid her behind the great picture and advised her to keep quite still , and he placed himself behind the picture also . Presently the eagles came flying in , and changed themselves into young men , and in a moment the Princess recognised her husband amongst them all , and tried to come out of her hiding-place ; but the old man held her back . The youths seated themselves at the table ; and now the Prince said again , while he took up the cup of wine : ' A health to my dearest lady , Long may she live and well ! But a curse on the cruel mother That burnt my golden shell ! ' Then the Princess could restrain herself no longer , but ran forward and threw her arms round her husband . And immediately he knew her again , and said : ` Do you remember how I told you that day that you would betray me ? Now you see that I spoke the truth . But all that bad time is past . Now listen to me : I must still remain enchanted for three months . Will you stay here with me till that time is over ? ' So the Princess stayed with him , and said to the old man , ` Go back to the castle and tell my parents that I am staying here . '
Her parents were very much vexed when the old man came back and told them this , but as soon as the three months of the Prince 's enchantment were over , he ceased to be an eagle and became once more a man , and they returned XXXXX together .
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