Dark Realm, The (31 page)

For young Tam Lin is there.

Janet has kilted her kirtle green

A little about her knee,

And she has braided her yellow hair

A little above her bree,

And she's away to Carter Hall,

As fast as she can hie.

When she came to Carter Hall

Tam Lin was at the well,

And there she found his steed standing,

But away was himself.

The steed that my true-love rides on

Is lighter than the wind,

With silver he is shod before,

With burning gold behind.

She had not pulled a double rose,

A rose but only two,

Till up then started young Tam Lin,

Says, ‘Lady, pick no more.

And once it fell upon a day,

A cold day and a snell,

When we were from the hunting come,

That from my horse I fell;

The Queen o Fairies she caught me,

In yon green hill to dwell.’

'And pleasant is the fairy land,

But an eerie tale to tell,

Aye at the end of seven years

We pay a tiend to hell;

I am so fair and full o flesh,

I'm feared it be myself.

The night is Halloween, lady,

The morn is Hallowday,

And for to win me, win me well

Take heed to what I say.

Just at the mirk and midnight hour

The faerie folk will ride,

And they that would their true-love win,

At Miles Cross must bide.

Oh first let pass the black horse,

And then let pass the brown,

But quickly run to the milk-white steed

And pull the rider down.

'They'll turn me in your arms, lady,

An adder and a snake;

But hold me fast, let me not go,

To be your worldly mate.

'They'll turn me to a bear

And then a lion bold;

But hold me fast, and fear me not,

As ye shall love your child.

'Again they'll turn me in your arms

To a red hot bar of iron;

But hold me fast, and fear me not,

I'll do to you no harm.

At last they’ll turn me in your arms

Into a naked knight,

Then cloak me in your mantle green,

And cover me from sight.'

Gloomy, gloomy was the night,

And eerie was the way,

As fair Janet in her mantle green

To Miles Cross she did go.

About the middle of the night

She heard the bridles ring;

This lady was as glad at that

As any earthly thing.

First she let the black pass by,

And then she let the brown;

But quickly she ran to the milk-white steed,

And pulled the rider down.

So well she minded what he did say,

And young Tam Lin did win;

Then covered him with her mantle green,

As blithe's a bird in spring.

Out then spoke the Queen o Fairies,

Out of a bush of broom;

'She that has gotten young Tam Lin

Has got a stately groom.'

Out then spoke the Queen o Fairies,

Out of a bush of rye:

'She that has gotten young Tam Lin

Has the best knight in my company.

Had I but known, Tam Lin,' she says,

'Before I came from home,

I’d taken out that heart of flesh,

Put in a heart of stone.'

Collected by Francis James Child,
 
English and Scottish Popular Ballads

OTHER WORKS BY ANTHEA SHARP:

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FEYLAND: THE BRIGHT COURT (Book 2)

http://amzn.com/B0085CK3RA

INSIDE THE GAME…

Jennet Carter escaped the dark faeries of Feyland once. Now, fey magic is seeping out of the prototype game, beguiling the unwary and threatening everyone she cares about.

MAGIC…

Tam Linn may be a hero in-game, but his real life is severely complicated. Still, he’ll do whatever it takes to stop the creatures of Feyland, even if it means pushing Jennet toward the new guy in school–the one with an inside connection to sim-gaming… and the uncanny ability to charm everyone he meets.

ALWAYS WINS…

Despite the danger, Jennet and Tam must return to Feyland to face the magic of the Bright Court–and a powerful new enemy who won’t stop until the human world is at the mercy of the Realm of Faerie.

FEYLAND: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY -
All three books in one epic digital bundle!

"Ms. Sharp is a master storyteller... The Feyland books have found a prized place on my all-time favorite books list." -
Rebecca McKinnon, The Crooked Word

"This is a great series that deserves more attention. The books are quick and exciting reads, and if you like stories based on fairy tales, or if you enjoyed both the portrayal of the fae in Mercy Thompson and October Daye and the virtual world of Ready Player One, you will love this series." -
Kate, Epic Chocolate Fantasy

"The series has come full circle with the great cast of characters and events that take place. Would recommend for everyone!" -
Jen, What's on the Bookshelf

~ THE FEYLAND SERIES ~

Prequel Novella ~ FEYLAND: THE FIRST ADVENTURE –
FREE!

Book 1 ~ FEYLAND: THE DARK REALM

Book 2 ~ FEYLAND: THE BRIGHT COURT

Book 3 ~ FEYLAND: THE TWILIGHT KINGDOM

~ All 3 ebooks together in
FEYLAND: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY
~

SPARK: Feyguard Book 1

ROYAL: Feyguard Book 2

~ Related short stories ~

TRINKET: A Feyland Tale

Beneath the Knowe: A Faerie Tale

Thank you
for reading FEYLAND: THE DARK REALM! If you enjoyed it, please consider helping other readers find this book:

1. This e-book is lendable – consider sending it to a friend who you think might like it.

2. Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or any other site of your choice. It makes a difference, and is greatly appreciated!

3. Request that your local library purchase a print copy, so that other readers can discover the Feyland trilogy.

Be the first to know about new releases and reader perks by subscribing to Anthea’s quarterly newsletter
, Sharp Tales, at
https://tinyletter.com/AntheaSharp
.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to the many people who made this book possible: the encouragement of my terrific CP Peggy, fabulous proof and beta-readers Colin, Sean (aka Captain Grammar Pants), Chassily, Marissa, Nicole,
Kaitlynn
, and Brynn. My patient and supportive in-house editor, Lawson, and keen-eyed reader Ginger. Thanks also to Annette Nishimoto for copy-editing.

For great design work, Kim Killion, and for the inspiration to move forward, gratitude to Kris, Dean, and PG.

Finally, for all the adventures in-game, epic thanks to Sylven, Dom, and Fates Legion that was.

For other wonderful YA retellings of the ballad of Tam Lin, Anthea recommends Elizabeth Pope’s
The Perilous Gard
and Diana Wynne Jones’s
Fire and Hemlock
.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Growing up, Anthea Sharp spent most of her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at
[email protected]
or visit her website –
www.antheasharp.com.
Be the first to know about new releases and reader perks by subscribing to Anthea’s quarterly newsletter
, Sharp Tales, at
https://tinyletter.com/AntheaSharp
.

Anthea also writes historical romance under the pen name Anthea Lawson. Find out about her acclaimed Victorian romantic adventures at
www.anthealawson.com
.