Thomas the Rhymer

One warm spring day,as Thomas the Rhymer of Ercildoune sat with his goose quill in his hand, he heard such sweet bird song without that he could remain in his tower no longer.

He laid down his quill and, taking up his harp, he left the castle to make his way down to the Eildon Tree, on the banks of the Huntlie Burn.

The young green leaves on the trees fluttered like fans in the soft breeze. The grass was starred with hyacinth, wood anemone, campion, celandine and primrose.

The fragrance of earth and flowers scented the sun-warmed air.

Magic was in the air.
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When he reached the bank of the Huntlie Burn Thomas laid himself down to watch the golden circles of light reflected in the crystal clear water, and to listen to the song of the birds.

Thus it was that, half in dream, he heard the tinkle of bells, coming nearer and yet nearer. At first he thought the sound to be the music of the water, playing amongst the stones and rocks.

But as the sound grew closer he knew it was not the water, and raised his head to see who may be passing by so remote a spot.

Just as Thomas raised his head, there came from beyond the Eildon Tree a lady of such loveliness that Thomas jumped to his feet with wonder in his eye.

The lady rode on a milk white steed, whose mane was braided with a thousand silver bells. Thomas had never seen such a fine velvet mantle as she wore, nor such a fine gown of the grass-green silk.

Pulling off his cap, Thomas bowed low and cried "All Hail, Queen of Heaven!" for he knew hers was no earthly beauty.

"Oh no, Oh no, Thomas" she said. "I am not the Queen of Heaven - I am the Queen of fair Elfland, and I am come to take you there."

So saying, the Faery Queen turned her steed so that Thomas may sit behind her.

As he held her around the waist the ties of the human world fell from him, and the invisible fetters of enchantment bound him more firmly than any chain of iron.

"Now you must serve me for seven years and a day" she said, as she shook the silver bridle and away they galloped faster than the wind.

On and on they rode, for forty days and forty nights, until the beautiful spring world was left far behind them and they came to a land of desolate waste. Here they alighted from the Faery Queen's steed, and she bade Thomas sit beside her. "Rest, and I will show thee three wonders" she said.
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As Thomas sat beside the Faery Queen and gazed across the waste land before them, three ways unfolded before his eyes - seeming as shimmering ribbons twining across the plain.

"There," said the Faery Queen, "Do you see yon narrow way, thick beset with thorns and briars? That is the Way of Righteousness, though few choose to walk such a difficult way."

"And do you see the broad and even way, lined with grass and nodding flowers? That is the Path of Wickedness though some mistake it for the way to Heaven."

But see you not that bonny road that winds across the ferny moor? That is the Way to Fair Elfland, where you and I will go this day."

"But Thomas, you must speak to none but me - for if you speak to the Faery Folk you will never return to your own world again."

Thomas was so enchanted by the Faery Queen that he promised to speak to none but her, and so as night fell once more, they rode on.

The blackness of perpetual night enveloped them, with no moon or stars to guide them and only the sound of the sea far below to accompany them.

At last grey dawn began to break, and then the sun arose to flood the sky with golden glory. Thomas was overjoyed to find himself in a luminous world of shining beauty.

When they came to a garden bright with flowers they stopped beneath an apple tree, heavy with fruit. The Faery Queen plucked an apple from the tree and gave it to Thomas. "Eat this," she said, "and you will have the tongue which cannot lie".

And so, eating the apple, Thomas gained the gift of prophecy.
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Riding further still, they at last came to a fair castle, built high upon a hill. It towered above them, white and shining as if built of crystal and with jewel-coloured silken standards floating from the many turrets.

They entered the Great Hall, where knights in shining armour and ladies in flowing silken gowns were feasting and dancing. Thomas had never heard such joyous music as these minstrels played upon harp, fiddle, pipe and lute.

The feasting and merry-making continued for three days and nights. On the fourth day the Faery Queen came to take Thomas back to the Eildon Tree. But Thomas was reluctant to return to the world of mortals after so few days spent in Elfland.

But the Feary Queen told him that "not three days, but seven long years" had passed. So, mounting once more upon the milk white steed they journeyed back to the Eildon Tree.

When Thomas asked the Faery Queen to give him a token of his visit to Elfland she reminded him of the gift which he had already received - the gift of a tongue which cannot lie.

But as a further token she told him of many strange happenings which still lay in the future, unknown to mortal man. Then, remounting her milk white steed, she said "Remember, the bonds of the Faery Queen are light, but exceeding strong. I will send for you again!"

Then, blowing one note on her silver horn she dissappeared from sight, just as a bubble dissolves in the breeze.
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Thomas returned to the Tower of Ercildoun, his mind filled with the strange visions which he had been given.

Soon he became known as True Thomas, for many and strange were the prophecies which he made, and which came true. His fame spread far and wide, and many more happy years did he spend at the Tower of Ercildoun...

Until one evening when news was brought of a strange white hart and hind that had been seen approaching Ercildoun.

True Thomas grew ashen pale. Without a word he took his harp and stepped out into the moonless night to meet the white hart and hind.

All three vanished into thin air, never to be seen again.
 

The End