THE DRAGON FROM THE NORTH

(ORIGINAL BOST FAIRY-TALE)

Once upon a time a young dragon seeking adventure, strayed far from the mythical lands of the north where his kind lived; a place of high altitude, a windswept, barren (sterile) region, where the surface was covered most of the year with snow and ice.

Flying over this southern land the adolescent dragon was angry, as well envious, seeing all the rapid flowing rivers that fed the fertile land. The area below was populated with bounty of animals, frolicking birds and amphibians, insects and human population, all happily coexisting in this moderate climate, all nurtured by the warm rays of the sunlight, which also fostered rich array of vegetation and forests. Plain and simple, it was Heaven on Earth!

Why should they be so fortunate, when his kind was barely existing in that harsh, unforgiving environment, often taking refuge from the harsh elements, months at a time, in gargantuan dark caverns. Consequently, the Dragon’s fury mounted with the unfairness of it all; and so, as he flew by, he let out his fiery breath in a stream, inundating (engulfing), devastating and charring the large portions of the land.

The King Frey, crown prince, the royal family, all the courtiers (aristocrats, nobles), scholars, military, ordinary citizens, artisans, farmers and merchants- they all ran in fright to safety, leaving their homes, mansions and castles; following months, they took shelter in caves and in subterranean tunnels, to escape the fiery onslaughts (attacks, assaults), this terrible catastrophe! Though temporarily safe, they mourned the loss of their beautiful lands and yearned for the life they once had (enjoyed). 

The King Frey had only one unmarried, beautiful daughter named Brenda, whom he loved most dearly; she was now of marriageable age and so, listening to his advisers, the desperate Sovereign announced it in an edict, that whoever killed this scourge, bane Dragon, he would be rewarded with marriage to princess Brenda, as well, be granted one third of his kingdom.

PRINCESS BRENDA

There was a myth, an ancient belief in this land, that there once existed a celestial magic ring (lost to an Immortal on his way to Heaven) which had the potency (power) of killing Dragons; therefore, many enterprising brave warriors had gone on expeditions, to discover this treasured item. Unfortunately, to present date, their efforts had all been in vain.

It so happened that there was a fearless young man called Cuyler, a hard working and intelligent handsome youth of about eighteen, who lived alone with his widowed mother, in a humble (abode) dwelling at the (outskirts of) periphery of the kingdom. The King’s edict, meanwhile, had been widely circulated and so even reached the attention of this fair youth when he was on his semi-annual trip to the market at the nearby town to buy some necessary supplies for his mother. About a week later, Cuyler one night had a quite (very) vivid dream, a sure premonition. Upon waking, Cuyler divulged to his mother, the specifics of the dream and she, interpreting it most favorably, encouraged her son to, one day when its feasible, try his luck at attaining (procuring) the ring.

GUYLER

Subsequently, rising at dawn, one cloudless, fine day, Cuyler set out on foot in the direction of his dream. After tree days of relentless travelling, he sought guidance from the eccentric recluse named Endre, who, after receiving a gratuity (the only prized possession of the youth - a beautifully crafted silver amulet his father had passed down to him) told Cuyler that the birds might aid him in his quest. Favoring the youth, Endre quickly made Cuyler a concoction (a bitter brew) and told him to consume it down to the last drop, saying this would enable him to understand the birds’ vernacular (dialect, language). Endre also told the youth that when he obtained the ring, he should bring it strait away to him, for he alone had the knowhow to interpret the inscription carved inside of it.

Cuyler travelled, for many a day, over difficult terrain to reach an area of rising, dense forest that was fortuitously was left untouched by the dreaded Dragon; true enough, he could now understand the birds’ lively chatter. He listened intently, while his feet travelled the narrow ascending paths, snaking through the forest. What is more, Cuyler was elated to hear a falcon’s message- when the falcon having procured himself a meal, was perched on a tree-branch- that there was a fairy-maiden (an elf, pixie) that lived little ways off in a dilapidated hut, who could aid him. Unfortunately, she and the hut were invisible, save for the time of apex (full) moon.

Guyler asked the falcon humbly to please aid him in his quest. The falcon studied this remarkable human for a time, his keen eyesight observing Cuyler’s handsome features; sensing Cuyler’s good heart and noting his noble character, the falcon acquiesced to give him assistance. He told Cuyler that he could find the Pyxie (fairy) at present, by the spring; opportunely for Cuyler, the moon was at its full phase (full moon).

Guyler bowing, gracious thanked the falcon; then at once set out to find the fairy-maiden. The Pyxie was offended, and angry at first, learning that the falcon had betrayed her trust, but after her scrutiny of the boy, noting his rare qualities, decided to forgo attack and instead, invited Guyler to her home. The youth upon his entry to the abode, heard a thin voice from an unknown source, warning him to never give her any blood. He understood at once from no reaction from the fairy, that oddly enough, only he’d heard that caveat (tipoff).  

That evening, the Pyxie by then having transformed into an enchanting beauty, at the conclusion of their plain repast (meal), she quietly asked him to marry her. He was quite taken with her looks, and swayed as he was, taking control of his emotions, he first stated that he would not wish to offend her, then went on to mention briefly his obligation to his widowed mother and politely asked hence, some time for him to consider this. Pursing her lips, in an enticing voice she next informed him that, of course she would offer him the magic's ring he sought as his dowry, but that he would have to give her in return, three drops of his blood. Guyler was elated to learn that she was in fact, in possession of the magic ring, but recalling the friendly warning (upon his entering the premise), he remained reluctant to concede to her wish. Later that night, before settling down to sleep, as means of winning his further confidence, she had also enumerated (divulged) the powers of the magic ring.  

Guyler, constrained to be her guest, stayed there the subsequent three or four days; feeling rather impatient at the conclusion of the fourth night’s repast (meal) however, he confessed to her that he did not quite believe she had the magic ring in her possession. This way cajoled (coaxed, goaded), the fairy at once stood up and going over, fetched the ring from its secret hiding place, then showed it to him. Moreover, when he requested it, she let him try it on. As this was too good a chance to miss, soon as the ring was on his finger, using his wits, he utilized the ring’s powers of invisibility and flight, and made good his escape.

Loosing no time, Guyler directly went to the recluse Endre, who interpreted the inscriptions on the inside of the magic ring and gave him subsequent directions on how best to kill the dragon.

Guyler travelled back to the kingdom’s capital, and it took some doing but, in the end, he secured an audience with the King.  The relentless Dragon, in Guyler’s absence, had done even more damage to the region, and since countless heroes had been turned to ash, the King was in desperate straits. Impressed by the youth’s courage and honest demeanor, The King ordered his royal smiths (metalworkers) of the artillery (weaponry), to construct the precise iron shield and spear Endre had directed Guyler to have.

Armed with these, at daybreak, behind the scorched hills and in an open field, Guyler valiantly (boldly) confronted the fierce dragon.  He meticulously carried Endre’s instructions, changing the ring from finger to finger as needed, while he fought on with the dragon. Eventually Guyler succeeded in severely wounding the dragon, however, when it came down to dealing him the final fatal blow, he could not do it and stayed his hand. His mercy touched the young dragon’s heart, and he promised to leave this region, never to return.  Before his final departure, the dragon first instructed Guyler on what to say to the King upon his return; moreover, as proof of his supposed demise, the young dragon tore loose one of his scales and presented (gave) it to Guyler.

Guyler returned to the palace, and declared to the King, his alleged victory. Everyone believed his account, because of the solid proof and because there’d been no further sightings of the dreaded dragon.

Princess Brenda was among those who’d been overjoyed, seeing how handsome he was; and shortly after in an elaborate ceremony, Guyler was married off to the beautiful princess. Subsequently, Guyler, Princess Brenda and Guyler’s mother, settled happily in their lush residence that had been hastily built for them within the confines (segment, area) of the Palace.

In his happiness, Guyler had entirely forgotten about the fairy-maiden, nor did he expect her to be bold enough to seek vengeance when he resided in his new abode within the confines (limits) of the heavily safeguarded (walled, secured) Palace. Subsequent months Guyler, even participated in the activity of riding and hunting at the Royal Preserve (sanctuary, game reserve), alongside some enterprising, intrepid courtiers (aristocrats and nobles). On one such hunting trip, while galloping way ahead of the group, he fell prey to the fairy-maiden’s attack (as she’d been bent on revenge and retrieving the magic ring):  she, in the form of an eagle, suddenly swooping down from the sky, had pounced on Guyler, digging her talons into his flesh, and then swiftly carting (hauling) him away into the distance.

She chained Prince Guyler in a cave and cruelly left him there to die; afterwards, she went far, far away, never to return. As it was not his fate to perish, he manifested in the dream of the recluse Endre, who’d had been rather fond of this youth.  The recluse Endre, hence, set out at once to seek a private audience with the Princess Brenda.

The king had been downcast (saddened) for some while, as the search for Prince Guyler had been rendered fruitless, as well, because of his beloved daughter’s heartbreak, for she’d been with child when her beloved husband had gone missing. Now the child, king’s grandson, had come into the world without the affections of his father, as Guyler’s whereabouts remained unknown.  Endre injected new hope into princess Brenda’s heart, and she happily dispatched Endre on this mission, laden with many gifts. 

RECLUSE ENDRE

Steadfast Endre guided by the birds, quickly found and rescued Guyler, who’d become very thin by then; so instead of returning him to Palace, he took Guyler to his humble abode and nursed him back to health. Guyler while he convalesced, had plenty of time to reflect on the harm he’d done to the pyxie; therefore, being remorseful, soon as he was fully recovered, he left Endre’s side and bravely sought to find the fairy, to seek absolution (forgiveness).  

Failing in that, Guyler went back to his wife Princess Brenda, son and mother, and all three lived happily ever after. Neither the magic ring, nor the fairy was ever seen again. The young dragon, meanwhile, having learned his lesson well, kept his promise and never ventured south again.

The End