She’s becoming homesick, sweet girl, though the conditions up there on the surface are no better than the ones down here.

Everything in time. She has served me well, and I have enjoyed her company.

I take her hand and I lead her to a large, open door. She stands on the threshold, and a shower of gold falls on her. It clings to every part of her. Then the door closes between us.

She will find herself on earth again, with her shuttle in her hand, not far from her mother’s house.

Mother Holle in Mother Holle, Grimms. Illustration by H.J. Ford.