The Blue Mountains

In the heart of a dense, ancient forest, three soldiers—an adventurous Scotsman named Hamish, a thoughtful Englishman named Edward, and a spirited Irishman named Seamus—found themselves on the run. The trio had served together in the army, but the harsh realities of war led them to desert at the first opportunity. Their shared hope was to find a new life far from the battlefield.

For two days, they wandered through the vast forest, enduring the pangs of hunger and thirst. Every night, they climbed into the tallest trees, seeking refuge from the wild beasts that roamed the woods. On the second morning, from his perch atop a tree, Hamish spotted a grand castle in the distance. Driven by hunger and desperation, he resolved to head towards it without informing his companions. Perhaps the hardships they faced had eroded their camaraderie, leaving each man to fend for himself.

Hamish traveled tirelessly, reaching the castle as night fell. To his dismay, he found the castle doors closed and no signs of life. Just as despair began to overtake him, a window high above opened, and a stunningly beautiful woman appeared.

"Oh, it is Fortune that has sent you to me," Hamish exclaimed.

"Indeed, it is," she replied. "What brings you here in such a state?"

"Necessity," he answered. "I am dying of hunger and thirst."

"Come inside," she said kindly. "There is plenty of food and drink here."

Hamish entered and was led to a large room where numerous men lay asleep. The woman offered him a hearty meal and then showed him to a bed. Exhausted, Hamish fell into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, back in the forest, Edward and Seamus remained unaware of Hamish's fate.

The following morning, Edward climbed the same tree Hamish had used and saw the distant castle. Without a word to Seamus, he set off, encountering the same experiences as Hamish. He, too, was welcomed by the beautiful woman, fed, and shown to a room to sleep.

Seamus, now alone and despondent, stayed in the forest another night. At dawn, he also spotted the castle and set out for it. When he arrived, he too was greeted by the woman, who offered him food and drink in a magnificent room adorned with diamond-studded curtains.

"Who are you?" Seamus asked, his curiosity overcoming his hunger.

"I am an enchanted princess," she revealed. "My father has promised that the man who breaks the spell will inherit a third of his kingdom and marry me. But to break the spell, someone must stay in a small room here from ten o'clock until midnight for three consecutive nights."

"I will do it," Seamus declared bravely.

That night, Seamus entered the designated room. At ten o'clock, strange noises began, followed by hammering and knocking. The door flew open, and unseen forces attacked him until midnight, leaving him barely alive. The princess healed him with a magic potion, but he was hesitant to continue. Encouraged by the princess's plea, he agreed to face the ordeal again.

The second night was even worse, with more attackers, but Seamus endured until dawn. The princess revived him once more, and despite his doubts, he committed to the third night. This time, the attacks were fiercer, and Seamus barely survived. However, his perseverance broke the spell, and the princess was freed.

"I must leave for a while," she told him, "but I will return with a carriage to take you away."

True to her word, the princess left, promising to return. Seamus waited, but a mischievous fair-haired lad tricked him into falling asleep each time she came. The princess, disappointed, left a sword and a message for Seamus before departing for good.

Heartbroken, Seamus wandered the castle, awakening the sleeping men, including his old friends, Hamish and Edward. After giving them gold and silver, he set out on a quest to find the princess. For three years, he traveled through forests and deserts, seeking the Blue Mountains mentioned on the sword.

One day, he encountered an old man who offered to help. The old man consulted a book of the world's history but found no mention of the Blue Mountains. He directed Seamus to his brother, who lived 900 miles away. With the help of a magical whistle, Seamus reached the second old man, who also failed to find the Blue Mountains in his book but sent Seamus to a third brother.

The third old man, master of all birds, summoned them to learn about the Blue Mountains. The last to arrive was a giant eagle, who came from the Blue Mountains. She revealed that the princess was preparing to marry, having given up hope of Seamus's return. Desperate, Seamus bargained with the eagle to carry him to the Blue Mountains.

With a plan in place, Seamus and the old man hunted and prepared food for the eagle's journey. Laden with meat, Seamus mounted the eagle and set off. Near the Blue Mountains, they ran out of food, and Seamus, desperate, threw stones instead. The eagle, realizing the deception, threw him into the sea near the King's palace.

Seamus struggled ashore and learned that the princess was to be married that night. He found refuge in the hen-wife's house, who brought the princess to him. They recognized each other immediately and were joyfully reunited.

The princess explained her predicament, and with Seamus's timely arrival, they thwarted the planned wedding. Seamus and the princess were married in a grand celebration that lasted a year and a day, marking the beginning of their happily ever after.

The tale of Seamus's bravery, perseverance, and the enchanted princess spread far and wide, becoming a legend that inspired generations. The Blue Mountains remained a symbol of hope and magic, reminding everyone that true love and determination could overcome any obstacle.

Read more