The Saga of The Ring
By Lauren Renee Hotchkiss

Coming in March....

Das Reingold H. Frundt - 1900

The Lady of the Lake

(a  re-imagining of Arthurian legend)

©1998 by Lauren Renée Hotchkiss

 

One night in a tavern where I'd stopped to rest my bones

There sat an old man in the corner, small as a wizened gnome

Men were gathered 'round him as he told an ancient tale

 Speaking in a soft voice soft and low

               

Deep within the woods, he said, there stands a crystal gate

Where a lady of great loveliness guards a magic lake

But go not forth in search of her for you will not return

Once you meet the lady of the lake, ah the lady of the lake

 

Since ancient times she's stood there as guardian of that place

And never has such beauty graced a woman's form or face

Though her promise be eternity, thy destiny be death

If you seek the lady of the lake, ah the lady of the lake

 

Those of them who'd gathered 'round began to raise the dare

Who of us be brave enough to seek the lady fair

 But none of them stepped forward, and no man did speak out

 to search he for the lady of the lake

 

I shall seek her out, said I, for I fear no fairy tale

As I spoke each eye fell 'pon me, and every face grew pale

Still no one broke the silence till the old man softly laughed

 Beware ye well the lady of the lake

 

Well I took me down a lantern and I set out on my way

Though the other men walked with me, little did they say

And when we reached the forest they all turned and bade farewell

And alone I went to meet the lady of the lake

 

I crossed into the forest and for hours I did roam

But as time passed I grew weary and longed for warmth and home

But 'twas too late for turning back, I could but go ahead                             

To meet the lady of the lake

 

Suddenly I came upon a shining crystal gate

And beyond a lady beautiful was rising from a lake

I felt my heart begin to melt, as she started to come near

I fell in love with the lady of the lake

 I lost my heart to the lady of the lake

 

Come and take my hand she said and walk with me awhile

Through the shadows of the night and mists of time

 But seek not to possess me or surely you will die   

 For I am the lady of the lake

She led me to a clearing, and she lay me 'pon the ground

And in the dark I heard the rustle of her silken gown

Then she lay down beside me, and I took her in my arms

And I held close the lady of the lake, ah the lady of the lake

 

The woods began to grow still as I looked into her eyes

I saw there much 'twas beautiful and much that terrified

Yet the more that I grew frightened, the more I wanted her

And I swore my love to the lady of the lake

 

Though the night was growing chill still her touch it burned with fire

And when our love was satisfied I suddenly grew tired

I lay my head upon the greensward and quickly fell asleep

 My arms around the lady of the lake

 

And when I woke next morning , I rose from where I lay

 There was thunder on the rising wind, the sky was dark and gray

And as I gazed out toward the water, I saw her on the shore

Preparing to return into the lake

I called out to my lady, wait, please do not go

Yet even as I said the words somehow I did know

Her eyes began to narrow, and soon flowed with silver tears

As I stood and trembled on the shore

 

It cannot be my love, said she, with sadness in her eyes

 Because I love thee too, I warn ye, and I'll show you why

Forever must I here remain and never take a mate

Eternally the lady of the lake

 

Then she spread her hands, and the lake began to clear

 And what I saw within those depths it filled my heart with fear

For there upon the bottom what the waters did reveal

Were the bodies of the ones who'd come before

 

She strode into the water then, as I stood upon the shore

And the words of her last warning rose above the thunder's roar

I beseech ye not to follow, if you value still your life

 Leave me to be the lady of the lake

 

Still I knew I must go with her, sure I would not drown

 Yet as I stepped into the water it began to pull me down

And as the water closed above my head and rushed into my lungs

I heard the sound of crying from the lake

 

 The eternal sobs of the lady of the lake

 

Lady Dering

(from a Kentish legend)

©1988 by Lauren Renée Hotchkiss

 

Once upon a time in a village far away

There lived a maid whose beauty shone like a summer's day

Many were her suitors, till at last a lord laid claim

Soon word spread far and wide, Lady Dering would be her name

 

Grand the lords and ladies who came to the wedding feast

Many was the toast raised to long life and peace

Pleasant were the memories of that day that they were wed

And pleasant too the plans they made for the years that lay ahead

 

Happy were they, man and wife, through Summer and through Fall

And many was the gathering that was held at Dering Hall

The rides across the moorlands, how she enjoyed them all

Ah, Lady Dering

 

But then there came a winter harsh, and with it came a chill

And late one dark and stormy night she fell ill

For many days a fever raged like the storm that blew outside

And as Lord Dering held her close one night, In his arms she died

 

A messenger to London sent, six roses to be found

Five for milady's coffin, one for her funeral gown

The sound of distant hoof beats was heard just at first light

As he returned bearing five red roses and one of white

 

Next day to the churchyard Lady Dering's mourners came

As Father Martin read the service in the pouring rain

Lord Dering stood alone as they filled in the grave

Ah, Lady Dering

 

Distant did the lord become and lonely in his grief

Long the nights and dark of soul in which he found no sleep

Each evening he would wait by the tomb where she'd been lain

Calling on the wind, and Lady Dering was the name

 

But then one night he heard a whisper on the breeze

A sound, a shadow, softly moving through the trees

There for but a moment and as quickly it did go

But as the lord looked in his hand he held now a snow white rose

 

And ever since that night every evening she would come

To meet there her beloved when the last stroke of twelve had rung

And share with him the darkness till the morning brought the sun

Ah, Lady Dering

 

And even to this day when the hour's growing late

There in the little churchyard where her husband would wait

You may see approaching a figure dressed in white

 'tis the Lady Dering who walks again tonight

 

She comes tonight

She comes tonight              

She comes tonight