Pau's Stories

The Black Mountains

Once there was a beautiful and breathtaking place. This place was filled with gigantic mountains. The mountains were green with grass, firm trees stood everywhere, and colorful flowers dotted the valleys and the mountains. Animals of different kinds dwelt here: eagles circled the high peaks of the mountains, deer galloped in the valleys, bright fish thronged the clear rivers. The sun shone brightly and happily watching her children. The wind was warm and never cold nor hot. At night, stars were painted in the dark sky, shining along with their mother. It truly was peaceful here.

Along with these animals were the humans. These humans had fair skin and strong bodies. The men wore loincloths and the women wore long skirts. The children were often naked, some wore dresses made by their mothers. These humans dwelt in caves, wooden houses, and tree-houses. They were excellent hunters and spearmen. They ate animals, of course, but they respected nature. They worshipped the goddess Rhoswen, who watched them in the forms of the Sun and Moon. They never burnt trees, they only cut, but they also replaced it with new ones. There were farmers too, who bred animals and grew crops. They had a peaceful and happy life.

Peaceful they might be, but their hearts could still be corrupted. Percy was a young man, a very arrogant man. His hair and voice were his pride. His hair was long and curly and as bright as the sun. His voice calmed the mountains and made the trees danced. Many humans admired him, many envied him. Percy was the son of their chief, so he was always treated with respect. Percy liked staying by the riverbank, singing a sweet song, while staring at his own reflection. He had three brothers. Pagey was a shy young man and loved playing the lyre. He barely talked to anyone and he always stayed with his older brother, Percy. The strings of his lyre and Percy's angelic voice blended excellently together. He might be shy and barely talked to anyone, but he had a lot of admirers and lovers. He was more handsome than Percy. He had a mysterious face: skin fairer than the moon, hair and eyes darker than shadows, and a truly gorgeous smile. Jonesy was a friendly man and very unlike his older brother; however, the humans did not like him. He was very skilled with the bow; at the age of eleven, he made himself a longbow. He was a great hunter. But why was he disliked? To use the bow and not the spear was seen as weak by these humans. Jonesy lived in the shadows of his brothers, nobody appreciated him. He was not as handsome as Percy and Pagey. He had a square face and hollow cheeks and brown hair. The last and youngest was Bonzo. He was youngest, yet he was the biggest among the brothers. He was broad and could carry huge stones with his thick arms. He was a violent man and always drank ale. Nobody liked him and he always had enemies. He was feared by many, for they had seen him separate a bear's head from its body, using only his strong hands. He had a spiked club as a weapon.

One day, Percy and Pagey stayed by the riverbank. Pagey strummed his fingers against his lyre and Percy opened his mouth, the sweetest sounds came out. He sang about the lovely mountains and fairies. The brothers were not aware that they were being watched by a maiden. She watched from the bushes, admiring these two beautiful men. Percy finished singing and the maiden could not help but clap her hands. The brothers heard this and the maiden ran away; however, she was caught in the arm by Percy. Percy beheld her diamond eyes and his heart was struck. Roxette was the maiden's name. Percy already composed a song for the girl with diamond eyes and who stole his heart. Percy invited her to watch him sing once more, she happily did. As he sang, he could not help but stare at her twinkling eyes.

Thus, they were deeply in love. One day as they walked in a beautiful valley, Percy told his lover, "My beautiful sunshine, we shall be married tonight, at the kind eyes of our mother Rhoswen!" Roxette was truly in bliss and nodded. They told the news to everybody and they were delighted. Some women were envious. There was a man, Ringo, who despised their marriage. Ringo loved Roxette ever since they were children and he could not accept that Roxette loved this proud man more than him. Worst of all, he was betrothed to her. Enraged, he confronted Percy while he was relaxing at the top of a mountain. He said with a loud and furious voice: "Proud man! Arrogant man and a thief! I dare you to challenge me in a spear fight, whoever wins shall get the hand of the beautiful Roxette!" Percy was amused. He accepted the challenge and did not even feel worried. He was confident that he would win. He was, after all, the son of the great Bear-killer, who had killed five bears in his youth, using only a spear.