T'was a very warm eve that I traveled alone by moonlight. Better than 10 leagues had been since the last sign of man or beast. The path was overgrown and the wood thick, but a gentle breeze blew down the lane towards Me. Not knowing how far to go, nor what I would find when I got there ... My quest was of unknown adventure.
My trusty steed noticed the sound before I ... ears pricked up and gait stiffened. I pulled back the reigns slightly to assure him I was aware and came to a stop. Turning Myself about in the saddle to lend an ear to the dark path ahead of Me I listened.
A distant cry .. more like a wail greeted Me, and instantly sent a shiver down My spine. There, alone in the road We stood, hearing this pitiful wail. The sound did not draw closer, nor did it withdraw ... I contemplated a moment as to what it could be. Torn between childhood images of wailing banshee's and demons tormenting the souls of helpless maidens I sat and pondered. Urging the horse forward, he resisted a bit by stomping his hoofs obviously disturbed by something. Nonetheless I prodded him onward, determined to seek out this quandary.
Moonlight playing tricks now, dark shadows seemingly come alive on the edge of the path. Keenly aware now of every sound of the forest, the wind rustling the branches, the hoof falls upon the moss covered ground. And am also uncomfortably aware that the usual sounds One hears in the wood are strangely absent. No owl, no squirrel ... not even the buzz of insects. Another shiver, a cold sweat now covering My skin. The warm night air that only moments before was uncomfortable beneath My armor, now is cold.
Again the wail ... louder this time, more urgent ... more tortured. Instantly I put My hand to the hilt of Me sword ... searching the darkness before Me for a sign. Seeing nothing I pull in the reigns. Dismounting, I command the horse to stay. Quietly withdrawing the sword form its sheath, I proceed on foot. Held at the ready before Me, I creep towards the sound.
Moonlight showed what looked to be a clearing ahead, I moved to the darkness at the edge of the lane. Watching and listening again for the telltale moan, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tortured soul. What appeared to be a hut sat off to one side of the lane, surrounded by an old wooden fence. A detail that no Knight would allow to pass without investigation, I cautiously moved out into the moonlit meadow.
No light came from the sackcloth covered windows, no sounds save the occasional rustling of leaves and My footsteps on the dried grasses ... but as I drew closer, an odor did greet Me. Not repulsive in any way, t'was sickly sweet. I was reminded of the baker's shop, the smells that flood Your nose as You first walk in. But I was sure no one could be baking this night ... not here. Curiosity overwhelming better judgment, I moved around front to the door. Sword at the ready, I placed My gauntlet covered hand upon the wood. Gently I pushed inwards, the door creaking slightly as I peered past it.
In an instant I was overcome by feelings of grief, sorrow, revenge, hatred, love. My heart fell and soared at that very moment. What I saw was not the fire breathing half man demon from My childhood, instead I was greeted by the vision of a beautiful young maiden, dressed in a flowing white gown ... hair so fair, as a golden ray of light surrounding her porcelain face.
She was bent over the figure of a fallen Knight laid out upon an old cot. Holding what first appeared to be His hand, she held it to her angelic face and wept. At first, she did not notice My intrusion. Instead she wailed a most pitiful cry. And as she did, she became translucent ... the articles that leaned against the back wall of the hut shown clear through her. The once bloodied hand of the poor Knight became bones a mere skeleton encased in dented rust covered armor.
Terrified yet mystified I stood there, standing half way through the open door. Perhaps a gasp of shock or terror escaped My lungs, for she slowly cast a glance My way.
Her beauty was not lost in her ghostly apparition she reached out a slender hand towards Me. The look on her sweet face seemed to plead to Me. Boldly I stepped forth into the darkness of the room, crossing Myself as I prayed to Jesu Christ to help me understand this vision. Words found Me as I addressed the sorrowful maiden.
"Poor tortured soul, what may I do to help Thee. What misfortune has befallen You and Your Lord that an honest Knight can undo by deeds of honor and chivalry..." My query was not met with words, but in an instant My mind was flooded with visions scenes of the dastardly deed that was the undoing of this fine Knight. The treason that had befell Him, the wasting away she endured at His side whilst she remembered the happy times the two shared, until she herself did give up the ghost. And the visitors over the years who had come but did not offer help. Much sorrow filled My heart as I saw these things. Sorrow for them, for the years of grief, for mankind itself in its capacity to ignore such a thing.
A tear came to Mine eye as I knelt down before Her. Holding My sword out before Me with hilt towards Heaven, I bowed My head and swore an oath on My mortal soul to avenge Them. She then came to Me ... a ghostly hand touched My face, catching My tear, and bade Me to look up at Her. Eyes as deep blue as any spring looked into My soul. T'was only then did She speak to Me. A voice so innocent it rung like the sound of a child's cry....
"Most Noble and kind Knight, I have prayed to God to send One such as You to release Me. To release Me from the curse placed upon Me that most terrible day so many years ago. I was bade to live out My days by My fallen betrothed's side, to relive the horror and pine for that which was not to be. All this, all this She stammered - for I refused to give My maidenhead to the evil one."
Anger rose up inside Me as I heard this, a fire shone in My eyes for such treachery. She bade me to once and for all lay her Knight to rest. To pray over His body as any good Knight deserves. To promise to seek out evil and protect those who are hunted by it. To undo as I had this night the works of the devil. And finally, as She raised Her hand to Her lips.... "To shed a tear for beauty that is not to be" ... kissing the spot where My tear had fallen.
That night I did as She bade Me. She hovered nearby as I laid Her betrothed in His final resting place. She on one side of the grave, and Me on the other, I knelt down and prayed for Jesu to finally give these tortured souls peace. For Him to give Me strength to meet My promise bravely and with Honor.
When I looked up ... She was gone. The faint smell of her jasmine scent lingered a bit, then was carried away on the breeze. All at once, the smells and sounds of the forest returned. The owl, the crickets...all living things that were before gone now returned. I found My horse grazing in the dew covered meadow. Mounting My steed, I looked once more back towards the hut .... but it too was gone. Only the remains of the foundation and a few posts stood to mark the spot of My encounter with the Maiden of the Glen.......
The End
The End