Lady of the Lake

On my travels I passed a lonely lake
First light of day washing surroundings grey
Lazy wisps of fog clung to topwater
Where pallid hand reached up breaking surface

I paused peering into aquatic deep
I could not believe what I was seeing
Before me was the Lady of the Lake
Struggling against a fisherman’s line

I looked about and nobody was there
The cries of the water maiden muted
I waded from sacred shore to aid her
Hand retreated at my approach, unsure

Her arm and legs bound ensnaring her fast
Terrified, though, at the sight of my knife
I splayed my free hand to show her goodwill
And then she stilled to watch my slow advance

Moss-like hair suspended around her face
Her beautiful eyes widened in terror
Untrusting she watched my blade dip below
Sliding gently between flesh and the line

I cut it away and all tension broke
Then she suddenly fled away from me
With heavy breath I watched her disappear
Standing there in the quiet of her wake

With heavy heart I made it back to shore
I gathered my things and resumed my walk
And just as I made it around the bend
I spared a glance back to see her out there

Unbound from the unnatural torment
Among the loons and the waterlilies
She did not offer what fairytales say
No kiss nor embrace nor small flattery

She reached down below with eyes judging me
Then she cast something bright into the air
A sword plummeted, impaling the earth
I approached and drew up the mighty steel

In its reflection I spied my future
Invincible I’d become in battle
Any land I sought would be mine to keep
King of kings would even kneel at my feet

My grip tightened at what was yet to be
But with all my might I cast that sword back
Frowning she whispered, “Then what do you want?”
Shaking my head, I only said, “Nothing.”

I left her there to think on my reply
And over the years I trekked far and wide
Everyone said I brought luck to their sails
From time to time I’d look into the deep
Thinking back on the Lady of the Lake