#//Aileth

[constantfyre]

*Leramil is telling a story* Gadayn: Wow, Leramil, this story has everything! Action! Adventure! Romance! Aileth: Romance? Gadayn: I have a crush on her.

[projecth-aileth]

“Could you help me with this?” 

//From Leslie! :) left it broad for you//

Abandoning whatever activity had been happening at the moment; indifferent to the sounds of crashing, groans, or the chorus of flavored cussing wisely directed at him instead.

Silver, waist length hair streaming behind, joining the other on the opposite wall; metal crates clearly needing to be moved.

Easily lifting the loaded boxes onto the overhead shelves; inhuman strength hidden behind the slight frame and delicate features.

“Was that all?” Draconic eyes faintly directed down; small but unmistakable, she had gotten slightly taller since being released.

[calamitysshatteredson]

@projecth-aileth liked for a thing!

Records weren't impossible to find regarding Shinra operations, even some time after everything had been considered settled. Over and done. It depended entirely on their level of classification, however, and some of what he'd been searching for--

He knew it likely didn't exist. It was worth seeking anyway, for his own curiosity and to personally fully destroy anything which might lead to any of the tragedy happening again. It would have been bad enough to find records of what he saw in front of him, the subtle hum and several tiny flickering lights indicating that power still flowed here somehow. Most of the building was gone, but this... whatever this was...

"They tried again after all." The sounded like empty words in an empty room. Felt that way. Sephiroth reached out a hand to clear off the rest of the dust and debris obscuring the chamber's full label, then let it hover above instead. No contact. No certainty as to what he would do with whatever knowledge he gained. Destroy it, whatever it was, but... "They tried again." He repeated, tired. Angry. Tempted to tear the storage pod open; but he didn't have that strength anymore. Better to simply brush the paneling clean enough to make out words, code names, classifications; whatever ought not be remembered. Something else to take with him

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

@projecth-aileth​ || Continued from here.

Things were changing around the Labs, not that it was something she understood the reason for, only that the atmosphere had been odd for a while.

To those that recognized, the slender figure bore a striking resemblance to both source material and a ‘misplaced asset’ under surveillance. Some conceited attempt to reproduce and improve on a previous project the triumph and failure of his life. However this one had been a source of irritating disappointment nearly from the start. Precious limited materials producing only four specimens. Of those, one survived, and had yet to even reach her predecessors records. Of course, that had nothing to do with being treated as less than a living thing.

Head slowly moving towards the sound of the heavy security door opening; pallid face tilting as she turned, sending silver hair spilling over both shoulders and back. Draconic eyes took in the stranger, their mako colour sparking at something new before suddenly darting to the floor. Any interest quickly, forgotten with the voice over the speakers.

“Good you’re here.” both flat and impatient, they didn’t wait for any response. “By accessing containment, clearance is authorized. Please note Handler safety is priority, however not guaranteed.” Brief and slightly hostile, the speaker abruptly cutting off with a sharp screech. Whatever happens wasn’t their issue anymore; the ones that would be responsible was the Turks now.

There hadn’t been any incidents of late, but the lab technicians still did what they could to avoid the experiment. Putting several measures and methods between her and them. White-coats, the researchers, butchers the ones that did everything, no matter what in hopes of even the tiniest amount of attention from the professor. Then there were the sadists that took great pleasure in dealing out torture, disguised under the name of science; each following directions from the head of the department- present or not.

Not wanting give this Handler an excuse for corrections so soon and drained from the days testing she stayed put as expected but kept eyes low studying the dark attire. It was… different… Being confined inside labs, the humans that frequently visited never wore anything that colour.

It was a good thing that none of those staff members were physically in the room with them. Or they might have noticed the way the young Turk’s face had drained its color in that instance.

And questioned it.

That would have been bad. But this wasn’t great either. Just as he’d started to get used to the notion that Sephiroth - the core of his own personal resolution to join ShinRa and take it down from the inside - had actually perished while on a mission in Nibelheim just some months ago, not by Saruhiko’s hand but his own doing, here came another of those things.

A new abomination of Professor Hojo, the man he’d been forsaken by and forsaken himself.

Even without being an expert in genetics or bioengineering, the similarities were too many for his guess to be incorrect.

The agent quickly retrieved his composure, well aware to be under observation even at this very moment. The lips that had pressed into a thin line hid the swallow of an unpleasant knot in his throat.

‘No matter. Just another name to the list.’

He’d take her out like any of the clones he’d identified and silently eliminated without the company’s notice.

It’d just be... far more complicated than those. It was one thing to ambush a sickly figure in a corner of the slums and make them disappear without a trace. A subject personally observed and contained within ShinRa HQ, however...

For now, he’d play along. For as long as the mind behind Project Jenova existed, his position within the company was too important to be put on the line. He’d never been this close to Hojo as here and now.

Play the loyal dog for one more day; he’d waited twenty years, he could wait longer.

“Right, then...” He muttered under his breath, scanning the girl with blue eyes ever so sharp despite the lazy expression of his features. An unfortunate genetic heritage along with his short-sightedness helped only by his square-shaped glasses.

He saw no restraints of any kind.

“Are you going to behave, just walking with me?”

[cinderella-gurei]

“You’re scared. It’s okay to admit it, there’s no shame in it.”

that soft, comforting vibe sentence starters

His breath was shaky, almost to the point of hyperventilation, but he thought himself to be a better actor. He sat, trying to stabilize his breathing, trying to keep calm, observing the lady before him. Somehow, she was just like him and yet, she seemed much more peaceful. Staring back at her, he could only wonder the suffering she had gone through, the way every other experiment experienced at the hands of the professor. Even so, why did he feel like she was still... great? Maybe, it was in his blood to deem the mad scientist’s experiments fascinating, amazing. Maybe, he was just as horrible as him.

It was all of this, the overload in his thoughts that had made him grow scared and shaky. She was right. But, what could he say to her? Could he confess himself to be the same monster? Was he worthy of even talking to her?

“You are correct...” He confesses in shame, lowering his gaze away from the lady. “But there is shame... Because I am not deserving, I should not be scared and I should not be tended for it.” 

[projecth-aileth]

The human continued struggling against the unyielding grip, from an all too delicate pale hand; adversary pausing for the first time since the fight began.

His shout bringing out some kind of response other than cold violence; masked head tilting slightly as it turned towards the blond.

Sparks jumped from gashed metal, the control helm had taken a severe amount of damage; the circlet obscuring the experiments face was barely functioning, leaving her mostly blind but also free of its interference.

The hanging silence broken by a voice, small and unused “…why not?”

OPEN RP | Muse: Cloud

“You can’t do this!!”

[pinkestmenace]

Knight Vision

Ohoho! Here they are! The sillies! I debated whether I should post this, but I think I managed to keep it largely spoiler free. (It is set after Galacta Knight settles in Dream Land.) But the eagle-eyed will find some crumbs in here. Fufufu...

(It looks like Galacta Knight has picked up some healthier hobbies. He even learned how to cook! Without burning everything this time! ...And with his stabby urges focused on his undead "roommate"/sparring partner Dark Meta Knight the rest of Dream Land is safe. Probably.)

You know, it's funny to me to make MK and DMK parallel each other and actually give them similar opinions. They're just too hardheaded to realise it yet. And until they —Nova forbid— sit down and say it out loud their bad blood won't resolve.

MK: Hmph. Galacta Knight certainly has a...lacking taste in partners. (Is my counterpart taking advantage of his guilt? I should have kept a better eye on him. If only I'd paid attention and realised he revived.)

DMK: Tsch. That feathered fool has terrible taste in men. (And that blue bastard's such a hypocrite. You never bothered to care about little messed up me before, why start now?)

GK: Ohoho! Look how small yet lively ye are from up here! Mine edgy enigmas! (Why can I not shake the feeling something terrible aileth them?)

I like to imagine Dark Meta Knight can throw his voice if he wants to. He usually sounds similar to Meta Knight (especially when he's deadly serious), but with some small differences. (He alliterates more often and uses synonyms of what MK would say. He's also a bit snarkier, if that's even possible.) I like coming up with mirror/glass related curses for him. E.g.

Fool => Dullard (a dull mirror is useless)

Instead of swearing by Nova he might swear by the Mirror's Mercy.

"Ah, cracks."

"Oh, shatter me and scatter my shards!"

"Shards, not again."

"Not a splinter of a clue."

"Let me get this crystal clear."

[roboyomo]

Hello yes throwing ✨ at All. woe

oKAY HAIII I HAVE BEEN AWOKEN FROM MY SLUMBER.

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

FOR ALL 30+ BEASTS???? okay boss!! o7

Ephai / Prometheus - Ephai was named that because i have been searching for names. Yeah the name itself didn't just appear in my head. but their nickname 'Prometheus" did!! I knew the word but never actually knew the origin so i looked it up. Lo and behold, the Implications (tm) (Prometheus is best known for defying the Olympian gods by taking fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, knowledge and, more generally, civilization.) Well uhm. What do they mean by that

Yi Ha-neul and Yi Ae-ra - Again. I have been researching about how the korean naming system works to make sure that the names would be correct. I didn't wanna butcher them,,,,

B7E - I saw it a few years ago,,, and loved the idea of a name made out of uppercase letters and numbers,,, uooouu,,

Yi Dal (Ken and Kenix) - Yeah again. Researched to come up with Yi Dal for these two. But fun fact it was Kenix who originally was named Ken because Ken, at the time of 2021, didn't exist! Later on, lore-wise Kenix is called Kenix only because in the early story, he used to sign off as "Ken IX" for no particular reason (it was a roman numeral he signed off as Ken's name + both his birthay and his own death month. Why the hell would you do that) but others just didn't respect him nearly enough to actually read the IX as a number so they just added it to his name. Boom, you get Kenix. Yeahg

Okazaki Yaku, Xu An, Tao Yuqi, Liliosa, Alaya, Azrael, Artemis/Sora, Maude, Aridam, Achlys, Nahara - These guysies, again, had their names researched. Basically almost everyone on this list had their names researched before i have decided to pick them

Amor and Apollo - OKAY i just wanted new names for them and i just remembered these names. However Apollo'sdoes have at leeast some degree of Implications and possibly Amor's so ???

Rosemary - I just liked the name. Beautiful woman with a plant name :]

Alionora and Ruby - okay so they are part of the trio of characters based off my bestfriends! :] which is why we went with names related to them (Alionora is a modified version of the name and Ruby is the name of the other friend's cat cuz kitties ^_^)

Aileth - The last one of the trio previously mentioned. This time, the name has been found through googling and figuring out which name both of us liked

Kamaria and Inzhu - THE TWIN GIRLIES!!! Wanted to rename them based on their nationality (that i projected onto them) and so i picked Kamaria and Inzhu because i liked them and Inzhu meant Pearl :)

Jef - There is no reason actually. I just liked it and so i gave it to the 8 yr old child. Shrimple as that ^_^

Agatha - because. Agatha from Dark Deception. I named her that back in my severe DD obsession ehfjehdejeh

Arai/Erebus and Inspiration - ??? Bro i have no idea how i get their names. Just these unknown eldritch horror beings with (random) names.

Nemesis, Yakov, Yuriy, Eda, Rina - I just. Felt like it. Remembered the names and decided "Hm yeah you guys are getting named this now"

OKAY I THINK I DIDN'T FORGET ANYONE??????? IF ANYTHING I'LL UPDATE THIS LATER

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Birth of Isaac

1 And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as He had spoken.

2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born unto him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

5 And Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born unto him.

6 And Sarah said, “God hath made me laugh, so that all who hear will laugh with me.”

7 And she said, “Who would have said unto Abraham that Sarah should have given children suck? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

8 And the child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.

10 Therefore she said unto Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.”

11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

12 And God said unto Abraham, “Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman. In all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.”

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water; and he gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 And the water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

16 And she went and sat down apart from him a good way off, as it were, a bowshot; for she said, “Let me not see the death of the child.” And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept.

17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said unto her, “What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

18 Arise; lift up the lad and hold him in thine hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

19 And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

21 And he dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran, and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

22 And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the chief captain of his host, spoke unto Abraham, saying, “God is with thee in all that thou doest.

23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son; but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.”

24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.

26 And Abimelech said, “I know not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it until today.”

27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them unto Abimelech, and both of them made a covenant.

28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, “What mean these seven ewe lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?”

30 And he said, “These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take from my hand, that they may be a witness unto me that I have dug this well.��

31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba [that is, The well of the oath], because there they swore, both of them.

32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days. — Genesis 21 | 21st Century King James Version (KJV21) The Holy Bible; 21st Century King James Version Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc. Cross References: Genesis 4:23; Genesis 14:6; Genesis 14:13; Genesis 15:1; Genesis 16:7; Genesis 16:10; Genesis 16:14; Genesis 17:17, 18 and 19; Genesis 18:11; Genesis 20:1-2; Genesis 21:23; Genesis 25:6; Genesis 26:15; Genesis 26:20; Genesis 26:28; Genesis 26:31; Genesis 28:15; Genesis 31:44; 1 Kings 17:12; Jeremiah 6:26; John 7:22; John 8:35; Acts 7:8; Romans 9:7; Galatians 4:29; Hebrews 6:15; Hebrews 13:8

Why did Abraham banish Ishmael?

[projecth-aileth]

Despite lacking evidence to the contrary, things in the science department were kept under increasingly tighter wraps; even to the extent of having a lab installed behind his personal office. Off the books and hidden from preying eyes…or so the professor had thought.

Cramped with equipment, most of the small room was dark; low-power humming of machines all around and shut down screens blank, save for one. The little panel for the single containment unit inside.

The glass was thick, several times more so than the usual models, casting a blueish light from within.

Few had interacted with this experiment or knew of the project and so far there had been no reaction to the uninvited entrance. Neither from a security system nor specimen; long silver hair spilled over the pale figure, sitting curled and motionless inside. Arms wrapped around folded legs, head resting on knees. Lidded eyes remaining still, distant, as it kept close watch of this… unknown… stalking just outside the reach of the glass's dim glow.

Occasionally placed here for… extensive periods, experience meant that energy conservation was important, but it was difficult to ignore such a distraction. Trying to place the voice but finding no memories of this one. Even with the audio taking on a terrible tinny quality, as it was fed into the otherwise sealed space.

Aside from Him all others were… the white-coats… timid tense

human breakable… unimportant.

This one though…

This one was unknown, tense… In a different way.

Draconic gaze suddenly locked to hazel the moment the stranger stepped closer to the panel; waiting.

@projecth-aileth liked for a starter

this is his latest - hojo's magnum opus -

another weapon bred by things heidegger isn't entirely certain one should dabble in.

a seemingly 'normal' one, whose mako glow gives her away. to anybody uninclined with the ways of a shinra experiment, they'd assume her innocent. oh odin, would they be wrong. although - she's yet to prove herself, heidegger would think, slow steps taken beside her holding unit - a cocked brow and a subtle eye on her ( should she try anything ).

"so-" hands coil behind his back, a firm hold of his gaze as he turns to face her "i hear you're quite proficient in combat training." his expression gives nought away, the hazel hues of his eyes dark, his lips unwaveringly still. "mind accompanying me to the training centre? i relish the chance to see these skills first hand."

[unkn0wn-w0rld]

Aileth: O-ow...mmh...

Beaker: You alright?

Aileth: Y-yeah, it just hurt a little...

Beaker: Maybe Kindness is worried about you. This is her color, right? Heh.

Aileth: A-ahah. *Aileth looked down at her stomach. Kindness was indeed glowing way more. Aileth seemed happy as a small smile spread on her face.*

How cute.

[constantfyre]

Finished Greymoor with Aileth again (the arcanist one) and holy shit I never picked this up the first time.

Not both of 'em telling Aileth to find some "company". No respect smh Aileth's still grieving and these two are like "go find someone, holy shit what are you doing adventuring around saving people all the time??" Nice of them to try and convince her to try to take a break for once though

[calamitysshatteredson]

@projecth-aileth

He needed to destroy it.

It. Them. Absolutely everything. The monitors seemed to refer to one thing in particular, but he knew the man formerly in charge of this project, and to assume that it was only one thing, one danger even while witnessing all else being spilled onto the floor...

He didn't know. He didn't want to pick the idea apart, he just wanted to destroy it. For the world's good, for its own good, for his--

Sephiroth didn't know that, either. Ignored it. There wasn't a simple override, he did know that. They were obscure or nonsense or something only the man responsible would ever truly know. He would have to grab whatever he could reach, then. Something with heft that he could wield like a bat, hope to break enough necessary monitoring systems that the electricity or feedback alone might take care of and fully destroy itself.

Then the mistake. His mistake. A different one than he'd made before, at least. He-- Thought. He considered the morality of the destruction. The way the phrase "for their own good" was never true and never just, always a perfectly logical excuse for an atrocity. Clenching his teeth, he knew it was right to end anything and everything the scientist had ever had a hand in. If only he had it in him to laugh: Kill it with fire.

He took a deep breath of mako and chemical and rot and tried to calm himself. Tried to cling to rationality because in all likelihood if he did nothing then it would still perish. But, to do nothing... to destroy or allow destruction without provocation...

This was not his. But he could not walk away and forget this place, either. Making a low grunt of sheer frustration, Sephiroth knew the basic configuration of the space. Curiosity and stupidity drove him to locating a broom closet that had, he was certain, never once been opened. Grasping the mop with the sturdiest handle, he went about trying to crack the crystalline substance closest to moving parts before going for the vents.

Hundreds…

crafted at the cellular level from His perfect, precious samples.

Dozens…

successfully integrated j-cells, continuing normal replication.

A handful…

survived development without significant mutations.

Four…

reached the embryonic phase.

Two…

To infancy.

One…

a [Failure].

~¤~

The screen flashed, static frying the image momentarily before the computer clicked and groaned, opening the main page as it processed the request. A portion of the display continued to flicker and glitch over a grid layout.

Lines and squares showed where all the old storage pods had stood throughout the area; a checker board of warning colours- alerts that were never seen. Each plot showing errors occurring as connections were lost and equipment corroded beyond repair, or distress alarms that went unanswered with each pod lost. So little left standing, the screens display the only evidence that there were more here.

The dull glow of this remaining units liquid brightened with a low gurgle as the terminals screen changed again; a new window opening to show a long and outdated stack of notifications- each one seemingly ignored until the system eventually became unable to send them out entirely. Dozens altogether, there were numerous repetitive notes for every square from before; a cold callous end, being forgotten by a cruel creator- everything that had still been clinging to life when brought to this dungeon, had been left to slowly suffer.

[Network connection lost]

*Power failure {backup generators online}

**Generator power supply **failing**

<Life support: error >

Mixed In the background, currently lost under the layers of opened text windows; tucked beside the various folders… a small icon pulsed.

Alert: support system- power remaining: 12%_

.

.

.

.

.

Alert: support system- power remaining: 11%_

Managing to hold out for so long, the simple machine was reaching its limit; remaining resources were being diverted from the pod to the terminals information processor. It could not sustain both for long in such a dilapidated condition; it was a wonder the machine had preserved the specimen within at all.

Even so, activated at the terminals operation, an emergency protocol was attempting to save Project Heir. Though the program only gave a less than fifty percent chance at the experiments survival out of storage, that now declining number was higher than the zero of being sealed inside. Still, that was uncertain as mechanical parts failed to move; aside from debris and rust there was something else jamming vents and drain ports. Difficult to see, a thin sheen crept over small portions of the metal; easily mistaken for something like frost, a crystalline substance had slowly grown in the cracks and crevices.

[oleworm]

Sorry for the long ask bro I have once again been tormented by supernatural apparitions. But yes, the Fisher King, The Wounded One, the one awaiting for a hero to ask 'What aileth thee...?'. I kinda like it that subconsciously, so often fan-made 'fix-it's repeat a millennium old story - of a character troubled and wounded being ripped out of their torment by someone giving a damn, someone asking the right question. "What hurts you?".

There are many more who said it, but I had to laugh good-naturedly when I was reading this message of yours. It's the old phrase, made new by Wildean turn, "Give [a man] a mask, and he will tell you the truth."

And so many people are hurt.

Once I was having a conversation with a person and encouraging them to write, and they asked me, "But if someone reads it, won't they know what I think? Won't they know who I am? Won't they know what ails me?" Even if we are talking about a fictional story, not one meant to serve a commentary about society, ourselves, or so on, I don't think there's any way to avoid it, unless you commit to writing trash. Of course there are degrees of skill that can make the experience of reading more or less attractive, more or less challenging, but there's nothing I like less than a writer who outright tells you what they think you--the general public--would like to hear.

[tiodolma]

What is your name? said Sir Tristram.

Wit ye well, said that knight, my name is Sir Palomides.

What knight hate ye most? said Sir Tristram.

Sir knight, said he, I hate Sir Tristram to the death, for an I may meet with him the one of us shall die.

Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and wit ye well that I am Sir Tristram de Liones, and now do your worst.

When Sir Palomides heard him say so he was astonied. And then he said thus: I pray you, Sir Tristram, forgive me all mine evil will, and if I live I shall do you service above all other knights that be living; and whereas I have owed you evil will me sore repenteth. I wot not what aileth me, for meseemeth that ye are a good knight, and none other knight that named himself a good knight should not hate you; therefore I require you, Sir Tristram, take no displeasure at mine unkind words

.....

Paalomides what are you doing???? You hate him, you love him, you despise him, you admire him, you scorn him, then immediately ask for repentance.... by the lord jesu christ, palomides, pick a side???

[rjalker]

haven't read it yet

Melion

by anonymous

A story of a werewolf knight of King Arthur's court

4k words long

[read more was here]

In the days when Arthur reigned, he who conquered lands and dealt out rich gifts to knights and barons, there was with him a young lord whose name, I have heard, was Melion. Full brave and courteous was he, and made himself beloved of all; and he was of right great chivalry and goodly fellowship.

The king had a full rich following, and throughout all the world he was famed for courtesy and prowess, and bounty and largess. Now on that day when all the knights made their vows—and know ye that well they held to them—this same Melion pledged him to one that thereafter brought him sore mischance. For he said he would never love any maid, howsoever noble and fair, who had ever loved any other man, or had been talked of by any. For a long time matters went on in this wise: those who had heard the vow spread it abroad in many places, and told it to the damsels, and all maids who heard it, had great hatred of Melion. And they who were in the royal chambers and served the queen, and of such there were above a hundred, held a council concerning the matter, and swore they would never love him, or hold speech with him. No lady desired to look on him, or any maid to talk with him.

Now when Melion heard this he was right heavy thereof; no more did he desire to seek adventure, and no will had he to bear arms. Full heavy he was and sorrowful, and he lost somewhat of his fame. Now the king had news of the matter and had great grief thereof, and he called the knight to him, and spoke with him. "Melion," saith King Arthur, "what hath befallen thy wisdom and thy worth and thy chivalry? Tell me what aileth thee and conceal it not. If thou would have land or manor, or any other thing—so that it be in my realm—it shall be thine according to thy desire; for gladly would I lighten thy sorrow," so saith the king to him, "if that I might. Now upon the sea shore I have a castle, in all the world is not such another; fair it is with wood and river and forest which are full dear to thee, and this castle will I give thee for thy cheer; good delight may ye find therein."

So the king gave it to him in fee; and Melion gave him thanks thereof, and went away to his castle, taking with him an hundred knights. Right pleasant was that country to him, and so was the forest that he held full dear; and when he had lived there a year through, he grew greatly to love the land, for he sought no disport but he found it in the forest.

Now on a day, Melion and his foresters rode to the chase; with him he took his huntsmen, who loved him with true love, inasmuch as he was their liege lord, and all honour was found in him. Soon they came upon a great stag, and forthright let loose the dogs upon him. Thereafter it fell that Melion drew rein amid a heath that he might the better listen for his pack. With him was a squire, and in his leash he held two greyhounds; and anon, across the heath, the which was green and fair, he saw come a damsel on a fair palfrey, and right rich was her array. For she was clothed in scarlet samite, laced full seemly, and about her neck hung a mantle of ermine, never did queen wear better. Well fashioned was she of body, and comely of shoulder; her hair was yellow, her mouth small and shapely, and red as any rose; gray-blue were her eyes, and clear and laughing; right fair was all her seeming, full winsome and gracious; and all alone without fellows came she.

Melion rideth to meet her, and courteously he greeted her: "Sweet, I salute you in the name of the Glorious One, of Jesus the King; tell me of what house you are, and what bringeth you hither." And the damsel maketh answer: "Even that will I tell you in all truth: I am of good parentry and born of noble lineage, and from Ireland have I come to you. Know ye that I am much your lover. Never have I loved any man save you only, and never will love any; so great praise have I heard of you that no other save you alone have I ever desired to love, and never shall I feel love for any other."

Now when Melion heard that his vows were fulfilled, he clipped her about the middle, and kissed her thirty times over. Then he called together his folk, and told them the adventure; and they looked upon the damsel, and in all the realm was none so fair. So Melion took her to his castle, and the people rejoiced greatly. He married her with great splendor, and made great cheer thereof, that for fifteen whole days the tourneys lasted.

For three years he dearly cherished her, and during those three years they had two sons, whereof he was right glad and joyful. And on a day he rode into the forest, taking with him his much loved wife, and a squire to carry his bow and arrows. He soon came upon a stag, and they pursued it, but it fled away with lowered head. Thereafter they came into a heath, and in a thicket the knight saw standing a right great stag; laughing, he looked down at his wife. "Dame," saith he, "if I would, I could show you a right great stag. Look ye, he is yonder in that thicket." "By my faith, Melion," said she, "know ye that if I have not the flesh of that stag never more will I eat morsel." Therewith she falleth in a swoon from her palfrey. Melion raised her up, but might not comfort her, and bitterly she began to weep.

"Dame," saith he, "mercy in God's name. Weep no more, I beg of thee. Here in my hand I have a ring; see it now on my finger. Two gems it hath in its setting, one white and one red, never were any seen of like fashion. Now hear ye a great marvel of them: if ye touch me with the white, and lay it upon my head when I am stripped naked, I shall become a great wolf, big of body; and for your love I will take the stag, and bring you of its flesh. But I pray you, in God's name, that ye await me here, and keep for me my garments. With you I leave my life and my death; for I shall have no comfort if I be not touched with the other gem, for never again shall I become man." Therewith he called his squire to take off his shoes; the youth stepped forward and unshod him, and Melion went into the wood and laid aside his garments, and remained wholly naked, save that he wrapped his cloak about him. Now when his wife saw him stripped of all his raiment, she touched him with the ring, and he became a great wolf, big of body. So fell he into sore mischance.

The wolf set off running full swiftly to the place where he saw the stag lie; forthwith he set himself upon the track,—now great will be the strife before he hath taken and caught it, and had its flesh. Meantime the lady saith to the squire: "Now let us leave him to take his fill of the chase." Therewith she got her to horseback; no whit did she tarry, but she took with her the squire, and straightway turned her towards Ireland, her own land. She came to the haven, where she found a ship; forthwith she addressed her to the sailors, and they carried her to Dublin, a city upon the seashore, that held of her father, the king of Ireland. Now hath she all that she asks. And so soon as she came to the port, she was received with great joy: with this let us leave her, and speak we again of Melion.

Melion, as he pursued the stag, pressed it wondrous hard, and at length he drove it into a heath where he soon brought it down. Then he took a great collop of it, and carried it away in his mouth. Swiftly he returned again to the place where he had left his wife, but did not find her, for she had taken her way towards Ireland. Right sorry was he, and knoweth not what to do when he findeth her not in that spot. But none the less, though he was a wolf, yet had he the sense and memory of a man. So he lurked and waited until evening fell; and he saw men loading a ship that was to set sail that night and go straightway to Ireland. Thither he went, and waited till it grew quite dark, when he entered into it at adventure, for he recked little of his life. There he crouched down under a wattle, and hid and concealed himself. Meantime, the sailors bestirred themselves, for the wind was fair, and so they set forth towards Ireland, and each had that he desired. They spread aloft their sails, and steered by the sky and stars; and the next day, at dawn, they saw the shore of Ireland. And when they were come into port Melion tarried no longer, but issued out of his hiding-place, and sprang from the ship to the sand. The sailors cried out upon him, and threw their gear at him, and one struck him with a staff, so that well nigh had they captured him. Glad was he when he escaped them; and he went up into a mountain, and looked long over the land where he knew his enemies dwelt. Still had he the collop he had brought from his own domain, but now, in that his hunger was great, he ate it; sorely had the sea wearied him.

And then he went away into a forest, where he found cows and oxen, and of these he killed and destroyed many. So began his war, and in this first onset he slew more than a hundred. The folk that dwelt in the greenwood saw the damage he wrought to the beasts, and ran flocking into the city, and told and recounted to the king that there was a wolf in the forest that wasted all the land, and had slain many of their horned beasts. And for all this they blamed the king.

So Melion ran through the forests and waste places, and over the mountains, until he joined company with ten other wolves; and he so cajoled and blandished them that they followed after him, and did all his desire. Far and wide they wandered through the land, and sore mishandled both men and women. So lived they a year long, and wasted all that region, harrying the land and slaying the folk. Well knew they how to guard themselves, and by no means could the king entrap them.

One night they had wandered far, and wearied and spent, they lay in a wood near Dublin, on a little hill by the sea shore. Beyond the wood was a meadow, and all round about was plain country. There they entered to rest, but there they will be ensnared and betrayed. They had been seen of a countryman, who ran forthright to the king: "Lord," saith he, "in the wood yonder lie the eleven wolves." And when the king heard him he was right glad, and spoke to his men of the matter.

Now the king called together his men: "Barons," saith he, "hearken to this: know ye of a sooth this man hath seen all eleven wolves in my forest." Then round about the wood they let spread the snares with which they were wont to take the wild boar. And when the snares were spread, the king went thither without tarrying, and his daughter said she would come with him to see the chase of the wolves. Straightway they went into the forest in all quiet and secretness, and surrounded the whole wood, for they had folk in plenty, who bore axes and staves, and some their naked swords. Then they cheered on their dogs to the number of a thousand, and these soon found the wolves. Melion saw that he was betrayed, well knew he that sore mischance had befallen him. The wolves were hard pressed by the dogs, and in their flight they came upon the snares, and all were torn to pieces and slain, save only Melion. He sprang over the traps, and fled into a great wood; so by his wit he escaped them. Meantime the folk went back to the town, and the king made great joy. Greatly he rejoiced that he had ten of the eleven wolves; well was he revenged on them, in that one only had escaped. But his daughter said: "That one was the biggest. And yet will he work you woe."

When Melion had stolen away he went up into a mountain; full heavy and sorrowful was he because of the wolves he had lost. Great travail had been his, but anon he shall have help. Now at this time Arthur came into Ireland to make peace, for there was war in the land, and he was fain to bring the foes into accord, in that it was his desire to subdue the Romans, and he wished to lead these men with him to battle. The king came privately, bringing with him no great host; some twenty knights only had he in his train. Sweet was the weather, and fair the wind, and the ship was full rich and great; trusty was her helmsman, and full well was she dight, and plenteously garnished with men and arms. Their shields were hung along the side,—right well Melion knew them. First he spied the shield of Gawain, then saw he that of Iwain, and then the shield of Idel the king; and all this was dear and pleasant to him. Then saw and knew he the shield of Arthur, and wit ye well, he had great joy thereof; glad and blithe was he, for he hoped yet to have mercy. So came they sailing towards the land; but now the wind was contrary to them, and they might not make the port, whereof they were right sorry. So turned they towards another haven some two leagues from the city, where, of old, had been a great castle which was now ruined; and when they were come thither, darkness fell, and it was night.

So the king is come into port; sore wearied and spent is he, for the ship had much discomforted him. And he called his seneschal: "Go forth," saith he, "and see where I may lie this night." The seneschal turned back into the ship, and called the chamberlain, saying: "Come forth with me, and let us make ready the king's lodging." So they issued out of the ship, and came to the castle; and they had two candles brought thither, and forthwith had them lighted; and they let bring carpets and coverlets, and speedily was the chamber well garnished. Then the king issued forth, and went straight to his lodging, and when he came therein right glad was he to find it so fair.

Now Melion had not tarried, but straightway went to meet the ship. Near the moat he halted; right well he knew them all, and well he knoweth that if he hath not comfort of the king, he shall come to his death in Ireland. Yet he knoweth not what to do, for he is a wolf, and so hath no power of speech; yet none the less will he go thither, and set himself at adventure. When he came to the king's door, right well knew he all the barons; for nought staid he, but hath passed straight in to the king, though it be at the hazard of death. At the king's feet he cast himself down, nor would he rise; whereof, lo you, Arthur hath great wonder, and he saith: "A marvel see I; this wolf hath come hither to seek me. Now see ye well that he is of my household, and woe to the man who shall lay hands on or hurt him."

When supper was made ready and the barons had washed, the king likewise washed and seated himself. Napkins were spread before them; and the king called to Idel and made him sit at his side. And Melion lay at the king's feet,—well knew he all the barons. Oftentimes the king looked down at him, and anon gave him a piece of bread the which he took and began to eat. Then greatly the king marvelleth, and saith to King Idel: "Look now, know ye of a sooth this wolf knoweth our ways." Then the king gave him a piece of roast meat, and gladly the wolf ate it; whereat Gawain saith: "Lords, look you, this wolf is out of all nature." And the barons all say one to another that never saw they so courteous a wolf. Thereupon the king let wine be set before the wolf in a basin, and so soon as he seeth it, he drinketh it, and certes, he was full fain of it; good plenty he drank of that wine, as the king well saw.

Now when they arose from meat and the barons had washed, they issued out upon the sands. And always the wolf followed after the king, and might not be kept from him, wheresoever he went. And when the king desired to go to rest, he commanded that his bed be made ready. So he withdrew him to sleep, for he was sore wearied; but with him went the wolf, and he lay at the king's feet, nor might any man dispart them.

Passing glad was the king of Ireland in that Arthur had come to him; great joy had he thereof. Early at dawn, he rose, and went to the haven together with his barons. Straight to the haven they came riding, and each company gave fair welcome to other. Arthur showed the king much love, and did him much honour. When he saw him come before him, he would not be proud, but raised him up and kissed him. And anon the horses were made ready, and without any tarrying they mounted and rode towards the city.

The king mounteth upon his palfrey, and good convoy he hath of his wolf, who would not be disparted from him, but kept always at his stirrup. Passing glad was the king of Ireland because of Arthur, and the company was rich and mighty. So came they to Dublin, and lighted down from their horses before the high palace. And when Arthur went up into the donjon tower, the wolf held him by the lap of his garment; and when King Arthur was seated, the wolf lay at his feet.

The king hath looked down at his wolf, and hath called him up close to the dais. Side by side sit the two kings, and right rich is their following; right well are the barons served, for throughout all the household great plenty is dealt out. But Melion looketh about him, and midway down the hall he saw him who had brought thither his wife; well knew he that she had crossed the sea and was come into Ireland. Forthwith he seized the youth by the shoulder—no stand can he make against the wolf—but Melion brought him to the ground amid the hall. And he would have straightway killed and destroyed him, had it not been for the king's sergeants, who ran thither in sore disorder; and from out all the palace they brought rods and staves, and anon they would have slain the wolf had not Arthur cried out: "By my faith, ill befall whoso layeth hands on him, for know ye, the wolf is my own."

Then saith Idel, the son of Irien: "Lords, ye misdo herein; the wolf would not have set upon the youth, and if he had not sore hated him." "Thou sayest well, Idel," quoth the king; and therewith he left the dais, and passed down the hall to the wolf, and saith to the youth: "Thou shalt tell us why he set upon thee, or else thou shalt die." Melion looked up at the king, and gripped the youth so hard he cried out, and prayed the king's mercy, and said he would make known the truth. So now he telleth the king how the lady had brought him thither, and how she had touched Melion with the ring, and how she had borne it away with her into Ireland; so hath he spoken and told all, even as it befell.

Then Arthur bespoke the king: "Now know I well this is sooth, and right glad am I of my baron; let the ring be given over to me, and likewise thy daughter who stole it away; evilly hath she betrayed her lord." So the king went thence, and entered into his daughter's chamber, and with him went King Idel, and he so coaxed and cajoled her that she gave him the ring, and he brought it to King Arthur. Now so soon as Melion saw the ring right well he knew it; and he came to the king, and knelt down and kissed his two feet. King Arthur would fain have touched him with the ring, but Gawain would not so have it: "Fair uncle," saith he, "do not so, but rather lead him into a chamber apart where ye twain may be alone together, that he have not shame of the folk."

Then the king called to him Gawain, and Idel likewise he took with him: so led he the wolf into a privy chamber, and when they had come within, shut the door fast. Then he laid the ring upon the wolf's head, and all his visage changed, and his face became human. So turned he to man again, and he spoke, and fell down at the king's feet. They covered him over with a mantle; and when they saw him very man, they made great joy. But the king fell a-weeping for pity, and weeping asked him how it fell that by sin he had lost him. And then he let summon his chamberlain, and bade him bring rich raiment. Fairly they clothed and arrayed him, and so led him into the hall; and all they of the household greatly marvelled when they saw Melion come in amongst them.

Then the king of Ireland led forth his daughter, and gave her over to Arthur that he might do as he would with her, whether it were to slay or to burn her. Saith Melion: "I will touch her with the ring, nor will I forbear." But Arthur said to him: "Do not so, rather let her be, for the sake of thy fair children." All the barons likewise besought him, and Melion accorded it.

Now King Arthur abode in Ireland until he had assuaged the war; then he went again into his own land, and with him took Melion; full glad and blithe was he thereof. But his wife he left in Ireland, and commanded her to the devil; never again would he love her for that she had done him such wrong; never would he take her unto him again, rather would he have let burn or hang her. And he said: "Whoso believeth his wife in all things cannot help but come into mischance at the end, for it is not meet to set your trust in all her sayings."

True is the lay of Melion, so all good barons declare.