The Forbidden Forest
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Selkirk, Scotland, there lived an Earl who had a daughter named Janet, whom he loved more than anything in the world. Janet had a beautiful, loving, and kind heart, but she was also fearless, brave, and adventurous.
On the edge of the kingdom was Carterhaugh Forest. Janet yearned with all her heart to explore it.
— Father, I can't stay in the palace playing and talking about dresses and makeup all day! You know I hate it! — You also practice archery, karate, and rafting. Why do you feel the need to go into the forest?
— But why can't I go into the forest? It's part of the kingdom, isn't it? — For the thousandth time, Janet! The forest is enchanted! It often happens that the fairies in the forest trick travelers.
— What do you mean 'trick' them, Father? — I don't know at all. I've never been there.
— What if it's just a rumor? I've seen wonderful birds in the trees, and I've even seen deer leaping gracefully through the forest's clearings. If there were evil fairies there, would the animals and birds be so happy? It's a splendid forest! Let me explore it! Please! — For three generations, no one from the kingdom has been there, Janet!
— Because none of those generations knew why not to go there. Please, Father, I want to go there. You know it's an unfounded fear. You won't be able to protect me forever, will you? I've grown up, Father! — Oh! Alright. I'll send a troop of... — Father, I can take care of myself, but I don't want anyone to accompany me. If there's anything dangerous, I'll come back, I promise! — Will you be careful? — I promise! Mwah!
The Adventure Begins
Therefore, the next day Janet set off into the forest. It was wonderful! Colorful birds, giant trees, butterflies, clear springs. Suddenly, the trees around her began to tremble. A creeping plant tried to catch her, but Janet dodged in time.
— Who are you and what are you doing in my forest? — This forest is part of our kingdom. I should be asking you: who are you? — This is your last chance, girl! Leave the forest before I count to three or I won't forgive you! — Perhaps I would have been afraid of you if you had the courage to come out and fight. I don't pay attention to someone who threatens me but stays hidden. — Then let me show you what I can do!
Suddenly, the leaves transformed into small, mischievous elves who tried to attack her with sticks. Janet managed to dodge them all. She picked up a stick, struck two stones together, lit a fire, and threatened the elves that she would set them on fire. They all fled.
One of them caught fire. Janet saw this and jumped. She grabbed the elf and leaped with him into the stream to put out the fire.
— Are you alright? — You saved my life! I attacked you, and you saved my life!
— Listen, I didn't come here to fight. You and the others can stay in the forest if you want, but you must also let us explore it. I just want to spend time here and enjoy the beauty of the forest. That's all! — For that, you'll have to speak with our leader, the elf Tam Lin.
The Meeting with Tam Lin
Suddenly, thunder rumbled. And Tam Lin appeared from among the trees.
— Janet! Is it true? You saved an elf? Thank you! I am the guardian of the forest. Now you must leave. The forest is dangerous. — You are the guardian of the forest? Then you know all its corners. Won't you guide me and show it to me? After all, it's better to show gratitude through actions than words, isn't it? Thank me this way: be my guide!
— I see you are very, very determined. I would love to show you the forest. Come, come with me!
Tam Lin showed Janet the most beautiful and magical parts of the forest. Where the glades were so full of bluebells that they looked like a thick purple carpet. A valley full of golden butterflies, a natural hut where birds sang more beautifully than anything Janet had ever heard before. Oh, the forest was wonderful! And the more you saw, the more there was to see.
Janet began to go there daily, and Tam Lin guided her every time. With time, their friendship grew stronger. Together, they watched the sunrise and sunset. They went on picnics and boated on the water. They laughed and argued.
After a few months, during which they got to know each other better, they began to feel the beautiful agony of love. But Janet always felt that Tam Lin was a little sad, and on this day, his sadness was deeper than ever.
— Tam, what is it, my love? Why are you so sad? — Oh, so you care how I feel? — I love you!
— Is that why you never asked me about myself or my life? About how I came to be the wretched elf, guardian of the queen's forest? — I don't care who you are, Tam Lin, but tell me, what happened? — Ah! But I care who I am. Janet, you cannot love me. We should stop seeing each other. — Why would you say that?
— You should know that I was once human too. — What? — My parents died when I was very young. I don't even remember them. — I'm so sorry. — My grandfather adopted me. After a few years, I came to this forest with some of his friends and their grandchildren. But as soon as I entered the forest, I felt very tired and fell behind.
— I don't know when, I don't know where, but I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in a strange land. The land of the Elf Queen, and I had been transformed into what I am now. She abducted me while I was in a deep sleep. Since then, I don't even know how many centuries have passed. By day, I am the guardian of the forest, and as night falls, I am back in the land of the Elf Queen.
— And I love you too, Janet, but we cannot be together. She won't allow it. What kind of life would that be, Janet? With me an elf and a prisoner of a fairy? — Can the spell not be broken in any way? — There is only one way. A single chance that will appear only once. — Tell me what I need to do!
— Janet, promise me that if it doesn't work, you will forget about me forever! — Tam Lin, you don't decide what I feel! I love you, and I don't care if you are human or elf. I will meet with you, even if we have to see each other like this for the rest of our lives. But yes, if it's possible, I want to free you. Tell me how!
Breaking the Spell
— The next new moon of Samhain is a special one. It comes once every hundred years. All the magical folk here will travel to the underworld. You must come to the crossroads in the forest at midnight and wait for the company of elves. There will be three caravans. Let the first two pass. I will be in the third caravan, on a white steed with a golden diadem on my forehead. You must come to me, pull me down from the steed, and hold me, and no matter what happens, do not let me go. Only then can the spell be broken. — I will do it!
So, on the next evening, Janet went to the crossroads in the forest and waited. Immediately after midnight, she heard the sound of horses' hooves, and the first caravan of elves approached. Janet let it pass. Then, the second caravan came. She let that one pass too, but realized that the animals were running too fast. There was no way she could catch Tam Lin's steed.
So she climbed a tree, onto a strong, slender branch. When the third caravan approached, she looked for Tam Lin. She prepared her jump perfectly, so she pulled Tam Lin from his horse just before it passed the crossroads. The Elf Queen saw everything.
— Tam Lin! How dare you? And you, girl? How could a human love an elf? Get out of here! — Love doesn't care about that. — Very well, then let's see how strong your love is!
Then the Elf Queen used her magic and transformed Tam Lin into a slippery lizard, and Janet almost dropped him, but she managed to hold on. Then, the queen transformed Tam Lin into a terrifying snake that crawled on Janet's body, but she still didn't let him go. Then the queen transformed him into a hot ember. Janet cried out in pain, but still didn't let him go.
— If this is my only chance to free him, I will do whatever it takes to make sure he's free!
Janet cried out in pain. And the moment her tears touched the embers, they stopped burning.
— What's happening? Why aren't they burning? — The tears of true love. Evil stands no chance against them. Queen, you have been defeated! My Janet and her love have won! — How can a human fall in love with an elf?
— Elf Queen, you are welcome in the forest of my kingdom, but
