EVERNA Old King Cole and the Fiddlers Three - A Children Fantasy Story by Alistair Kane

EVERNA Old King Cole - Andry Chang

Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Lore, there lived a merry old king named Cole the First.

His heart was once filled with laughter and joy, but ever since the tragic death of his beloved daughter, a shadow had fallen upon his soul. King Cole became a grumpy and frustrated ruler, his smile fading like a distant memory.

Unbeknownst to King Cole, a wicked witch by the name of Xelga, driven by her malevolent nature, had taken notice of his sorrow.

With a vengeful heart, she cast a curse upon the old king, ensuring that he would never find happiness again. As if that wasn't enough, she also conjured a mysterious illness that threatened to claim his life within a month unless he managed to rekindle the light within his heart.

The kingdom mourned the fading spirit of their beloved ruler, and whispers of the curse spread like wildfire among the townsfolk.

But one day, a group of three wandering minstrels arrived at the grand gates of the castle. They were known as the Fiddlers Three, renowned for their enchanting melodies that could touch even the coldest of hearts.

King Cole, desperate to find a glimmer of joy, summoned the minstrels to his chamber. The room was adorned with heavy drapes and furniture, their deep shades mirroring the king's melancholy. As the Fiddlers Three entered, they carried their fiddles with grace, the rich wooden instruments gleaming in the soft candlelight.

King Cole, his weary eyes fixed upon the fiddlers, spoke with a touch of skepticism. "Can your music bring me solace, Fiddlers Three? Can you lift this curse that has burdened my heart and save me from this mysterious ailment?"

"We can and we'll try, but the result only by Vadis' will," said the lead fiddler.

The lead fiddler, Peter Lynch, a tall man with a jovial smile, stepped forward and gently strummed the strings of his instrument. The haunting notes danced through the air, filling the chamber with a sweet melody that seemed to echo with sorrow and longing. The second fiddler, Aimes Cowell joined in, his fingers gracefully moving across the strings, harmonizing with the first.

As the music swelled, a remarkable transformation began to unfold. King Cole's features softened, his frown replaced by a glimmer of hope. The music of the Fiddlers Three penetrated the deepest recesses of his soul, stirring emotions long forgotten.

Through the power of their music, the fiddlers conjured vivid memories of happier times—joyful dances in the grand ballroom, laughter echoing through the corridors, and the radiant smile of King Cole's beloved daughter.

Tears welled up in the king's eyes as he relived those precious moments, his heart slowly mending.

The third fiddler, Joan Wyles, a beautiful young woman with fiery red hair, stepped forward and sang in a voice that seemed to possess an otherworldly quality. Her words carried a message of hope and renewal, weaving a tale of resilience and the power of love. It was as if her voice had the ability to dispel the darkest of spells.

In that moment, King Cole realized that happiness was not lost forever. It existed within the memories of his daughter and the beauty of the world that still surrounded him. With newfound determination, he vowed to let go of his bitterness and embrace the light that the Fiddlers Three had rekindled within him.

As the final notes of their enchanting melody faded, King Cole rose from his seat, a renewed spark in his eyes. "You have saved me, Fiddlers Three!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with gratitude. "I shall cherish the memories of my daughter and let her light guide me to a brighter future."

The Fiddlers Three bowed humbly before their king, their mission accomplished. The curse that had haunted King Cole's heart had been broken, and the mysterious illness that threatened his life began to fade away.

But their triumph was not to be unchallenged, for the evil witch Xelga, realizing the curse on the king had already been removed as she gazed through her crystal ball, had other plans in store. Consumed by fury and bitterness, she could not bear to witness the king's renewed cheerfulness.

Enraged by the fiddlers' intervention, Xelga vowed to wreak havoc upon the kingdom. She descended upon Marlham Palace, her black cloak billowing in the wind, as she scolded the Fiddlers Three with venomous words.

"You meddling minstrels!" Xelga's voice boomed through the grand halls of the palace. "You dare to thwart my plans? I shall unleash chaos upon this palace and all who dwell within its walls!"

Her words carried a menacing weight, and with a flick of her gnarled finger, Xelga summoned an earthquake spell. The very ground trembled beneath the kingdom, threatening to shatter the foundation of Marlham Palace. Panic spread like wildfire among the inhabitants, as screams and cries filled the air.

But Peter Lynch, the lead fiddler, was not one to be defeated easily. He swiftly grasped his fiddle, his nimble fingers dancing across the strings, producing a melody that resonated with power and determination. The notes he played were like a shield, warding off the destructive force of Xelga's spell.

As Peter's music swelled, the ground ceased its violent trembling. The very air seemed to vibrate with the energy of his performance. Joan and Aimes, the other two fiddlers, joined in with their own harmonious tunes, creating a symphony of hope and resistance.

Their combined efforts disrupted Xelga's dark incantation, and a sense of unease flickered across her twisted features. Realizing the power of the Fiddlers Three, she was left with no choice but to abandon her spell and attempt a different approach.

In a wickedly ironic twist, Peter Lynch turned the tables on Xelga. With a mischievous smile, he encouraged the witch to sing instead of casting her dark magic. Surprised and intrigued by the suggestion, Xelga reluctantly complied. Her voice, though once filled with malice, held a haunting beauty as she sang the very words that had fueled her hatred.

Xelga's voice, now imbued with a tinge of remorse, echoed through the grand halls of Marlham Palace. The bewitching melody she emitted was a testament to the transformative power of music. Slowly but surely, the darkness within her heart began to wane, replaced by a glimmer of redemption.

Recognizing the change within Xelga, King Cole offered her a chance at redemption. "Stay with us, Xelga," he said, his voice brimming with newfound compassion. "Serve as the palace singer, and may your songs be a reminder of the power of forgiveness and second chances."

From that day forward, Xelga's haunting melodies echoed through the palace, serving as a constant reminder of the kingdom's triumph over darkness. And whenever King Cole felt sadness encroach upon his heart, he would think of the Fiddlers Three and the joyous music that had brought him solace.

But more often than not, his thoughts would turn to the delicious feasts that awaited him, for in the realm of his merry old soul, there was no problem that a hearty meal and the company of true friends couldn't solve.

Most importantly, the Loreans witnessed a remarkable transformation in their king, as he ruled with kindness, compassion, and a heart once again filled with merriment.

And so, the tale of King Cole and the Fiddlers Three became legend in the Kingdom of Lore, a testament to the power of music, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl,
And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler he had a fiddle,
And a very fine fiddle had he;
Oh, there's none so rare, as can compare,
With King Cole and his fiddlers three.

 

To be included in the Everna Saga Anthology: The Light Bringers