The Green Knight Story

Once upon a time in the great kingdom of Caplan lived King Duster. King Duster had only one daughter called Rachel. And she was the most dearest woman than anything in the world. Everyone who saw her thought that she would grow to be as beautiful and charming as her mother who had passed away when she was born. Princess Rachel often missed her mother and the king was aware of it. 

He felt sorry for her. It so happened one day that near the king's palace, came to live a noble lady called Lady Trish and her little girl, Vonta. Vonta was about the same age as Princess Rachael. Princess Rachael and Vonta soon became friends and Lady Trish would be in the palace most of the time, looking after the two girls while they played. Lady Trish was very kind to the Princess and treated her with love. Princess Rachael and Vonta played together and grew up together.

Everything was fine in the Princess life. Until one day, as she was walking in the Kingdom gardens, Lady Trish came to her dressed for a journey.

Princess Rachel: Where are you off too?

Lady Trish: Farewell, my child, I must leave you and go far away.

Princess Rachel: What?

Lady Trish: Yes!

Princess Rachel: And when will you be back?

Lady Trish: I am afraid never!

Princess Rachel: Noo! Please don't go! What will I do without you!

Lady Trish: It breaks my heart to go, dear child, but I must go!

Princess Rachel: Is there nothing that can keep you here?

Lady Trish: Only one thing! And that is impossible!

Princess Rachel: Nothing is impossible! Tell me what it is and I will make sure it is done!

Lady Trish: I would stay if your father would make me his queen! But that he would never do!

Princess Rachel: That's all? Leave it to me and it will be done!

Princess Rachel went to her father immediately.

Princess Rachel: Father, I have come to ask you to marry Lady Trish! If you do not, she will leave us, and then I will deprived of mother's love once again! Please marry her, father! I am very fond of her!

King Duster turned pale when he heard this. He did not like the countess and did not wish to marry her. But then, he had promised his dying wife that he would always do what his daughter asked him to.

King Duster: I do not want to marry her, my child! But if this is what is going to make you happy, then I agree!

Princess Rachel was ecstatic!

Princess Rachel: Thank you so much, father! You're the best!

Soon after, the wedding was celebrated with great festivities, and the countess became the queen: but, inspite of all the joy that filled the palace, the king looked sad. For he was certain that ill would come of the marriage. And that is exactly what happened!

In a very short time, Lady Trish's manner towards the princess became to change. She was jealous of her because she, instead of her own daughter, was heir to the throne. Soon, her true colours came out. Instead of speaking kindly and lovingly to the princess, her words became rough and cruel. 

Lady Trish: That is a nice dress you are wearing! I want you to give it to Vonta at once!

Princess Rachel: But, mother, I love this dress.

Lady Trish: I don't care! I am the Queen! Do not forget that! Now get out of my sight!

The Queen's behaviour towards the Princess became worse with every passing day, and soon, the Princess could take it no more. She was sad and upset all day, crying in her room. The king was very unhappy at seeing his loved daughter suffer and could no longer bear it. He decided to build her a castle on the island in the lake.

King Duster: Here it is! Your very own castle! Live here happily, away from your stepmother. Here you can do whatever you want and I will make sure that your stepmother never enters it.

Princess Rachel: Thank you so much, father! Promise me you will come visit me every day!

King Duster: That goes without saying, my love!

The princess hugged her father. For a long time she lived in peace and grew more and more beautiful everyday. One day, a messenger from the neighbouring kingdom came to invite King Duster to a great meeting of knights and nobles. King Duster accepted the invitation! Before setting out! he went to take leave of his daughter.

King Duster: My love, I am going to the great meeting of knights and nobles. There will be splendid shots set up, especially for princess like you. Is there anything I can get for you from there?

Princess Rachel: I do not want anything, father! But if you would greet the Green Knight from me, I'd be thankful! 

King Duster: Umm... sure, my love! I will do that!

King Duster had never heard of the Green Knight, but there was no time to ask questions, and rode off on his journey. While on his journey, he asked everyone he saw about the Green Knight.

King Duster: Do you know the Green Knight?

But the answer was always 'no!'. King Duster began to believe that his daughter was mistaken about the existence of the Green Knight. He was sad that it was the first time she had asked him to do something for her and he could not do it. He thought so much about it that he did not notice the direction his horse was taking, and presently he found himself in the midst of a dense forest where he had never been before. He rode on and on, looking for the path. At last, to his delight, he saw a man. He rode up to him.

King Duster: I lost my way. Can you tell me where I am?

Man: You are in the Green Knight's forest!

King Duster was ecstatic.

King Duster: Where does the Green Knight live?

Man: Oh, not far from here! 

The man explained to him the directions. King Duster thanked him and rode on. Finally, he reached a beautiful castle standing in the midst of a lovely garden where fountains played in marble basins. On the edge of a marble basin sat a young and handsome man, who was dressed from head to foot in a suit of green armour. King Duster went up to him.

King Duster: You must be the Green Knight!

Green Knight: Yes, they call me that because I am always dressed in green! But my real name is Eugene.

King Duster: I'm so glad to have finally found you. I was on the way to the great meeting of Knights and nobles, but lost my way while trying to find your palace.

Green Knight: What is it that you come to ask of me, sir?

King Duster: Well, I have come to give you my daughter's greeting!

Green Knight: I've never met you or your daughter before, but you are very welcome to stay in my palace for the night. The sun is setting down and for you to go back through the forest now is not advisable.

King Duster was thankful and accepted the invitation. Next morning, when King Duster was about to set forth on his journey home, Prince Eugene put into his hand a jewelled casket.

Green Knight: Your Highness, please carry this gift to your daughter! It contains my portrait, and when I come to see her, she will know me. I am very certain that she is the lady I have seen night after night in my dreams, and I must win her for my bride.

The king gave the Knight his blessing, and promised to take the gift to his daughter. With that he set off. When he reached her palace, Princess Rachel ran towards him.

Princess Rachel: Did you see the Green Knight?

King Duster: Yes, I did! And his real name is Prince Eugene!

Princess Rachel: Prince Eugene! Wow!

King Duster: He has asked me to give you this gift, so that you will know who he is when he arrives.

When the princess saw the portrait she was delighted.

Princess Rachel: It is indeed the man who I have seen in my dreams. Father, I will marry no one but him!

King Duster: Alright! if that is what you wish, my love! But I suggest you meet him first. Meanwhile, make sure your stepmother doesn't find out about it.

Very soon after Prince Eugene arrived, and he looked so handsome in his green armour, the princess fell in love with him even more. When he saw her, and recognised her as the lady whom he had so often dreamt of, he immediately asked her to be his bride.

Green Knight: Will you marry me?

The Princess looked down and smiled.

Princess Rachel: Yes!

They hugged each other. Just then Princess Rachel remembered her father's advice.

Princess Rachel: But, listen, we must keep this a secret from my step-mother until the wedding-day, otherwise she will find a way to ruin it all.

Green Knight: As you wish! But I cannot stay away from you any longer. Until the wedding day, I will meet you everyday. I will come early in the morning and leave when it is dark. That way, your stepmother will never find out about us!

For the next few days, Prince Eugene visited the princess every day, and spent many hours wandering with her through the beautiful gardens where they knew the queen could not see them. One day, a girl who was walking by the lake early in the morning, saw th Prince row to the Princess Castle where Princess Rachel awaited him. She soon went to the Queen and told her everything. The Queen was furious! The next day, early in the morning, the Queen went down to the shore of the lake with a bottle of magic potion and hid herself behind the tree.

Prince Eugene came as usual, spent the day with Princess Rachel and when it was almost dusk, he went to the bank, and sat on the boat. Unaware that the Queen had applied the magic potion all over the handle of the oar, he held it and started rowing.

Green Knight: Ah! It is so hot!

With the magic potion all over his palms, Prince Eugene wiped his forehead. The potion soon mixed with his skin and slowly started turning him green. When Prince Eugene reached his palace, he felt very ill. For the next few days, Princess Rachel longed for Prince Eugene, but he did not come as he was sick. But she did not know of this! She felt helpless as her father was also out of the Kingdom to visit the other kings for matters of trade. She sat by the open window crying and feeling very sad.

Just then a little bird came and sat on the branch of the tree that stood just underneath. 

Little Bird: Your prince is sick! You must go to him immediately!

Princess Rachel: What? What happened to him?

Little Bird: There is no time for explanation! Just know that your evei stepmother had used a magic potion on him and only the yellow herbs in your Garden can save him.

Princess Rachel: Tell me more, please!

Little Bird: Dress yourself as a nurse from the Palace of the Country King, for it is the only way you will be allowed near the Prince. Make soup out of the yellow herbs and gave it to him. When he finishes the bowl, he will recover instantly!

The next day, Princess Rachel left early in the morning dressed as a nurse, carrying with her, the yellow herbs. The bird flew ahead of her to give her directions to the palace, and when they reached the palace. Princess Rachel at once went to the Prince most trusted Old Nurse.

Princess Rachel: Madam, my name is Fiona, and I have been sent by the Country's King to help in the Prince's recovery.

Woman in Palace: And how do you intend to do that when even our best doctors have failed. The potion is fatal and it breaks my heart to say that no one can help the prince.

Princess Rachel: Oh, but I can. You see with my herbal soup, the Prince will recover at once!

Woman in Palace: And why should I trust you?

Princess Rachel: Do you have any other choice?

The Old Nurse thought that it was worth giving a try. She agreed.

Woman in Palace: Alright! You can go to Prince's room with the soup.

Princess Rachel fed with ailing Prince with her own hands. After finishing the entire bowl of the soup, She went outside and waited for some time. Soon Prince Eugene started sweating and within moments he recovered completely. When he woke up, Princess Rachel sent inside a young nurse with the empty bowl of soup in her hand. 

Green Knight: Who are you? Is it you who made the soup that has cursed me?

Princess Rachel: Well, Yes!

Green Knight: Well, choose whatever you wish as a reward and you shall have it.

The young nurse had already taught by Princess Rachel what to say. 

Princess Rachel: I want to be your bride!

Green Knight: I am sorry but that is the one thing I cannot grant, for my heart belongs to the most beautiful girl in the world and she waits for me in her island palace!

Hearing this, Princess Rachel ran inside the Prince's room and hugged him tight! The young nurse smiled and left. The Prince was delighted to see her but also confused!

Green Knight: What is going on?!

Princess Rachel explained to him everything and how it was her stepmother who had used a magic potion to make him fall sick.

Green Knight: Ahh! I am so glad you saved me, my love!

Princess Rachel: I am glad you are fine!

The two held hands and hugged each other once again! Soon they were married with great splendour! King Duster was delighted to see his daughter so happy! And as for the Queen and her daughter, he sent them out of the kingdom and warned them never to set foot in his territory! Prince Eugene and Princess Rachel lived in their Island Palace and also helped King Duster in running his kingdom! Under them, the people of the kingdom were very, very happy!