![\"well\"](\"http:\/\/www.scotclans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/well.jpg\")
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Once upon a time there was a King who was so ill that he believed he was nearing death, a wise woman was called for, she said the only thing that would cure him was to drink from the Waters of Life.<\/p>\n
Questioning the wise woman the King learned that the Waters of Life could only be found in a well \u00a0within a courtyard of an enchanted castle that lay in the middle of a dark stretch of water.\u00a0 On pressing her further she said that such a place lay in the far off \u00a0‘an chancie hills o the Scottish Borderlands’.<\/p>\n
\u2018It is a sad an barren land scoured by incessant winds that at the same time whisper o aw that yince was there.\u2019\u00a0 She then disappeared before the King could ask any more of her.<\/p>\n
The King immediately sent for his 3 sons.\u00a0 He told each of them that they must fix a flask to their belts and go off to find the Water of Life that only this would save their Father.\u00a0 At a crossroads by a burn they all took off in different directions.\u00a0 The two oldest boys chose a broad easy going path that were strewn with daisy.\u00a0 The youngest took a narrow twisted path that was overgrown with thorny bushes.<\/p>\n
The two older Princes on their pleasant path were soon enjoying their easy journey so much and having a braw time with each other that they forgot all about the ills of their father and the water of life.<\/p>\n
As for the youngest son, he made his way around the brambles and bushes through bogs \u2018like a needle through the coarsest cloot, through bramble bushes, under whin bushes, through bogs an the thickest o woods\u2019.\u00a0 It was a journey that tested him, and he constantly struggled, so much so that he hardly remembered his name let alone know how far he had travelled.\u00a0 Finally he came to a wee cottage with an old man who was sitting by the door as if he were expecting him.\u00a0 \u2018Here now, ye\u2019ve\u00a0 come at last.\u00a0 I thought ye might never get here.\u00a0 Ye have a long way tae go yet afore ye find the Waters o Life, so put yer horse in the stable an then come away an share ma supper.\u2019<\/p>\n
After being well fed the young Prince was offered a warm bed for the night but this offer came with a warning as the old man said, \u2018There is a bed for ye through the wall, but whatever ye dae keep still, dinnae move an dinnae utter a sound nae matter what wee critters get in beside ye tae keep warm.\u2019<\/p>\n
The young lad was so tired he agreed and went straight to bed.\u00a0 He had no sooner got himself all cosy and tucked in when a throng of frogs and snails got in beside him. As they slithered around him in the bed he couldn\u2019t help but tense up and was just about to cry out when he remembered the old man\u2019s warning.\u00a0 That night he barely slept, as the cock crowed all the critters slithered away and there was a knock on the door.
\n\u2018Did ye sleep weel? asked the old man as they sat down for breakfast.\u00a0 The young prince replied that he had had better sleeps but it could have been worst.<\/p>\n
\u2018so it was meant tae be,\u2019 nodded the old man. He then told the young lad that outside there was a new horse for him who would take him to the old man\u2019s older brother who would help him on the next stage of his journey.<\/p>\n
When the young prince mounted the horse the old man handed him a ball of yarn and instructed the prince to throw it between the horses ears and this will make the horse go faster than the wind.\u00a0 The horse started to head north, with a clear road in front of him the prince threw the ball of wool between the horses ears and the horse took off like a hare.\u00a0 After some time and quite a distance covered he could see ‘North Countree’ on the horizon.\u00a0 Soon afterwards they came to a door of a tumble-doon house and neglected garden.\u00a0 Sitting outside the front door was an even older and uglier man than the first.<\/p>\n
\u2018So ye got here at last.\u00a0 I suppose ma younger brother sent ye here?\u2019<\/p>\n
The prince told him he had and was pointed to a stable to put his horse. \u00a0 He was then invited to supper with this ancient man, \u00a0to share his oatmeal scones and brambles with relish.\u00a0 After supper the old man said \u2018There\u2019s a bed upstairs for ye, but whatever ye dae, an matter what critters come tae share yer be dinnae move or make a sound, or yer father will have yin less son aboot him.\u2019<\/p>\n
Completely exhausted, even more tired than the night before the prince went to bed. This time a throng of toads and slow worms joined him and wriggled around the whole night.\u00a0 The lad managed to hold tight and not move or scream out.\u00a0 As the cock crowed twice the critters scattered and there was a knock at the door.\u00a0 As before the old man asked if he has slept well and the boy answered the same.\u00a0 The old man returned the same reply \u2018Aye, that is how it was meant ta be,\u2019 and said there was a new horse outside that would take him to the oldest brother who would help him on his way.<\/p>\n
When the prince mounted this new horse he was given another ball of yarn with the same instructions.\u00a0 So again off they went and left a driech North Countree.\u00a0 Soon the ominous Chancie Hills of the Scottish Borders lay in front of them.\u00a0 In a large patch of waste ground was a ruined house at it\u2019s door sat the oldest and ugliest man the prince had ever seen.<\/p>\n
Just as before he was invited inside, given food and offered a bed for the night with the same warning.\u00a0 The lack of sleep from the previous two night again meant that the lad accepted, but this time no creatures crawled into bed with him and he slept soundly till morning. \u00a0 Until the cock crowed three times.<\/p>\n
\u2018Did ye sleep wee?\u2019\u00a0 The old man asked<\/p>\n
\u2018I have never slept so well.\u2019\u00a0 the prince replied brightly.<\/p>\n
\u2018So it was meant tae be,\u2019 nodded the old man. \u2018Now listen very carefully tae what I have tae say, because if ye make a mistake yer father will have about him yin less son, whilst ye will live lot the rest o yer days in the driech withered lands o the North Countree as a frog, or a snall, a toad or a slow-worm.<\/p>\n
\u2018Take intae yer hand this ball o yarn an throw it atween the lugs o yer horse an then ride that fast that the wind cannie catch sight o ye, till ye come tae the furthest away o the Scottish Borderland hills.\u00a0 There ye will come across the enchanted castle that sits in the midst o a dark sheet o water.<\/p>\n
\u2018Tie yer horse tae a tree, an then when it is time, caw oot that ye want tae be lifted across the water.\u00a0 Three swans will come an cart ye across the water, but watch that ye dinnae slip an faw, because yer father will have yin less son.<\/p>\n
\u2018On reaching the shore ye will have three gates tae go through, each guarded by terrible beasts.\u00a0 They are always sound asleep in the middle o the day atween yin an twae o\u2019clock, so ye must use that time wheel.<\/p>\n
\u2018Heid straight for the castle.\u00a0 Inside ye\u2019ll pass by many grand rooms that could turn the head o a lesser man.\u00a0 Nae matter what ye see in there dinnae tarry, for it is only that short hour that will keep ye safe.\u00a0 Make yer way tae the kitchen an oot intae the garden where ye will come across the well.\u00a0 Fill yer flask with the Waters o Life, an then come back here tae me the same way ye travelled there.\u00a0 But mind this, yer success will affect mair than you an yer father\u2019.
\nAfter thanking this old man for his kindness the prince set off.\u00a0 All morning her rode till they reached the furthest back of the Scottish Borderland Hills.\u00a0 True to his word the castle stood there before him surrounded by dark water.\u00a0 At the water\u2019s edge the prince tied his horse and called out to be carried over the water.<\/p>\n
Three swans came to his side and carried him safely over the water to the castle.\u00a0 It was precisely 1 o\u2019clock when he stepped onto the shore.<\/p>\n
At the first gate were two giants holding spiked clubs, they were sound asleep. The prince passed safely between them.\u00a0 At the second gate were two ferocious lions with teeth as long as daggers, again they were asleep and the prince walked on unharmed.\u00a0 At the third gate there were two dragons sleeping, again the prince past between them.<\/p>\n
The prince then past many grand rooms in the castle, but didn\u2019t give them a second glance, but in the last room was the grandest chamber, in it was a gold four poster bed and lying on the bed was the bonniest girl the prince had ever seen.\u00a0 He could not help but go over to her, as he approached he felt such deep feelings of love for her, feelings he had never felt before.\u00a0 He went closer and kissed her on her cheek.\u00a0 The girl didn\u2019t wake from her sleep, remembering his mission the boy turned to go, but as he did he dropped his frilly handkerchief on the floor, picking it up he placed it on the beautiful girl as a gift. Three crowns were embroidered in it\u2019s corner.\u00a0 The prince then left the room and onto the well.<\/p>\n
At the well he removed the cap from his flask and filled it with water from the well.\u00a0 Then the prince took to his heels and sprinted back past all the grand rooms, sneaking a look at the beautiful sleeping girl.\u00a0 Then scurried through the gates with their sleeping guards.\u00a0 At the waters edge the swans were waiting for him. \u00a0 Across the water they took him, no sooner had he set foot on the other side did he hear the most hideous roar as the monsters all waked from their slumber.\u00a0 The boy leapt onto his horse and rode swiftly back to the old man.\u00a0 At nightfall he arrived at the ruined house.<\/p>\n
\u2018Now it is yer turn tae help me, for I have helped you,\u2019 said the old man. \u2018Take this sword an come with me tae the well at the back o the hoose.\u2019\u00a0 When they got to the well the old man told the prince \u2018Now, ye must cut off ma heid\u2019.<\/p>\n
The prince argued with him but ended up following hi orders and cut the old man\u2019s head off.\u00a0 As the head hit the water at the bottom of the well \u00a0a handsome young man showed up and stood beside the prince.\u00a0 As the prince turned around the old ruined house had transformed into a magnificent house, how it would have once been, the gardens were all flourishing with neat lawns and trimmed hedges.<\/p>\n
The handsome young man thanked the young prince for releasing him from the spell and hoped that he would do the same for his two brothers.\u00a0 The prince was delighted to cut of the heads of the other two.\u00a0 Just as he cut off the head of the youngest brother the beautiful girl in the enchanted castle stirred, stretched and opened her eyes, the spell was broken.\u00a0 Unbeknownst to the prince she was a princess. \u00a0The giants, lions and dragons all vanished.\u00a0 The swans turned back into armoured knights.<\/p>\n
The next morning the prince rode back to the cross roads where he had previously left his brothers.\u00a0 His brothers were still there enjoying themselves and only remembered their plight when they saw him.\u00a0 The youngest brother didn\u2019t see them and exhausted fell asleep.<\/p>\n
While the youngest brother slept the eldest brother whispered \u2018I wonder if hae was successful,\u2019 and took the boys flask and unscrewed the top and took a sip.\u00a0 He could tell straight away that this was no ordinary water.\u00a0 The two older brothers agreed that their younger brother was too young to take responsibility for such a find and curing their father.\u00a0 The oldest brother filled his flask half full with the magic water and the middle brother took the other half, then they filled the youngest brother\u2019s flask with water from the burn.<\/p>\n
When the young prince awoke, he had the weirdest felling that a strange presence was about him, he saw the tracks of the horses\u00a0 which went in the direction of his father\u2019s castle.\u00a0 Believing this was a sign that his brothers had returned he rode back to the castle.<\/p>\n
The youngest son was delighted to see his father.\u00a0 He quickly handed him the flask but as the King took a sip he screwed up his face and spat the water out.\u00a0 \u2018Son, are ye trying tae poison me? This is nae Water o Life ye have in this flask.\u00a0 Were ye trying tae trick yer auld father?\u2019\u00a0 The king called for the guards and demanded they cut off his son\u2019s head in the morning saying this boy was no son of his.<\/p>\n
The executioner on hearing that he had to cut of the young princes head was sorely vexed, he\u2019d always liked the boy. \u00a0So he disguised him in some ragged clothes clothes and dirtied his face and under the cover of night helped him escape and to the home of a poor family of charcoal burners.\u00a0 Here the boy lived.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the beautiful princess had been searching the whole land for the owner of the handkerchief with the three crowns.\u00a0 When at last she came to the King\u2019s palace where she insisted on seeing the King and his three sons.\u00a0 She said she will marry the son who filled his flask from the Waters of Life she cast the handkerchief on the floor and said that only the owner would be able to stand onto of it without loosing their balance.<\/p>\n
The eldest son stepped boldly onto the handkerchief,\u00a0 toppled over and broke his arm. The second prince fared even worst and overbalanced and broke his leg.\u00a0 The Princess furious, turned to the King and asked if he had no other son.\u00a0 The King shook with fear and went pale.\u00a0 He sent for the executioner to find out what had happened to his son.\u00a0 A messenger was sent to tell the youngest prince to return to the castle.\u00a0 But the messenger returned and informed the King that the prince would not return and prefers to live in the woods than die in the castle.\u00a0 The messenger was sent again with the message that he would be safe coming back to the castle.\u00a0 Once more the messenger returned unaccompanied.\u00a0 The Princess told the messenger to ask the youngest prince if he would like to swap a handkerchief for the one he left at the enchanted castle.\u00a0 This time the Prince came straight back.\u00a0 The Princess asked him to step onto the handkerchief, which indeed he did.\u00a0 Then she faced the King and his two oldest sons and said \u2018Ye can keep yer other twae sons.\u00a0 They\u2019ve tricked ye yince, an they\u2019ll dae it again nae doot.\u2019<\/p>\n
Then she invited the young prince back to her castle to marry her and rule all of her lands. \u00a0 Which of course he did. They made a point of stopping by the poor charcoal burners house and gifted the family with more money than they could imagine to thank them for their kindness.\u00a0 From the time they reached the enchanted castle till today their laughter and happiness was carried far and wide on gusting winds.<\/p>\n