Ethereal Chronicles

Elias and Pressine

The death of Elias’ wife had deeply affected him and his son, Nathas. Seeking solace, Elias had chosen to venture into the nearby wood, where he came across the Well of Thirst. It was here that he encountered Pressine, a beautiful maiden washing her hair in the cool water. Pressine was a water spirit who had become attached to the well, and as she looked up to greet Elias her eyes glinted enchantingly, momentarily easing the grief that his late wife’s passing had brought. Elias was immediately overcome by a deep longing, and he begged her to accept him as her husband, promising her riches, a life of comfort, love and care. Pressine agreed, intrigued by the human, not not without the solemn condition that he must never witness her giving birth to or bathing her children. Elias, consumed by his newfound passion, readily agreed, swept up in the allure of Pressine’s beauty and the promise of their future together.

The king brought Pressine home to his castle, where a grand wedding was held. Soon after, their union was blessed with a pregnancy, and in the ensuing months Pressine grew to cherish her new husband and stepson.

Elias’ betrayal

When Pressine gave birth, three beautiful daughters entered the world, whom she named Melusine, Melior and Palatine. Elias, overjoyed at the news of his daughters, did not hesitate to rush into the room to greet his wife, forgetting the oath he had made. In that moment, Elias’ promise was shattered, and Pressine fled, taking the children with her.

Pressine raised her daughters in Avalon, teaching them about their heritage and the kingdom they were born in but strictly forbidding them from approaching it. As the seasons changed and the months blurred into years, the girls blossomed into enchanting women, possessing unmatched beauty and the mystical power of their mother.

Melusine, the oldest of the three, had burned with curiosity for many years, for she could not understand why they had grown apart from their father, why they had been secluded within the magical walls of Avalon.

Melusine’s punishment

Pressine sensed that Melusine yearned for the truth, and decided to confide in her daughter. Melusine was enraged that such a betrayal had brought with it such drastic consequences, and sought out the help of her sisters to plot revenge against their father. Together, they used their magical abilities to seal Elias in a mountain, condemning him to a life of darkness and self reflection.

The sisters had hoped for their mother’s approval, but when Pressine discovered what they had done, she did not commend them. Instead, she regarded them with disdain, hurt by their cruelty. Pressine had not raised her daughters to seek vengeance, and despite Elias’ betrayal and their time apart, she still loved him. She knew that the human mind was weak, that Elias had suffered enough guilt to last a lifetime. And so despite the love she had for her daughters, Pressine prepared to administer punishment.

Palatine was brought to the very mountain where her father was sealed, and Melior was confined inside a solitary castle surrounded by barren lands. Melusine, having instigated the entire thing, was banished from Avalon altogether, cursed to have legs that took the form of a serpent every Saturday. Should Melusine marry, she was instructed to demand a promise from her husband, just as her mother had done. If he were to break his promise, she would remain a serpent for the remainder of her life.

Melusine in Pontiac, France

Melusine settled by a small stream in France, nurturing its waters and fostering life and growth to the land around it. For a little while, she was alone there, content with her own company.

A young, handsome count named Raymondin had been out hunting in the nearby area when he stopped by the stream for a drink of water. Unbeknownst to him, Melusine had concealed herself upon his approach, but she noticed that he looked sad, and tentatively moved to ask what might be troubling him.

Raymondin blinked, startled but dazzled by her beauty as she stood there in the water, drenched from head to toe, her long pale hair draped over her body. The count admitted to a deep guilt that had weighed on him since he had killed his uncle in a fight, and was worried that he might never forgive himself.

Melusine listened intently, offering him comfort and understanding, and just as Elias had been drawn to Pressine, Raymondin felt a surge or love rush through his veins. He began to visit the stream more frequently, spending many days in Melusine’s presence, and over time his affection grew deeper. Eventually, Raymondin asked Melusine to marry him.

Count Raymondin

Melusine, who had grown fond of the young man, shyly agreed, but insisted that she should be permitted to have every Saturday to herself. Raymondin was happy to agree, and they were married.

For ten years, the count respected Melusine’s wish, and she bore him ten healthy children. The love they shared was like nothing Raymondin had ever known. His family, however, were not so accommodating. Whether out of jealousy or fear, they wore on Raymondin, encouraging him to discover what it was that Melusine got up to each Saturday. Though initially Raymondin dismissed their thoughts, he began to grow curious himself, and when one Saturday the urge became too great to ignore, he clandestinely spied on Melusine, peering into her chambers through a crack in the door.

To his horror, he saw Melusine asleep in a tub with an enormous sea serpent tail hanging out, coiling around it in place of her legs. Water had drenched the ground around her as the tail twitched and slithered in her sleep, and the air smelled strongly of salt. Though rattled, Raymondin’s love for Melusine was far stronger, and he kept the secret to himself, not wanting to lose her. For a while things were well, and the two continued as they always had been. However, during a heated argument, Raymondin called his wife a wicked serpent in a fit of rage. He instantly regretted his words, but it was too late. Sadness filled Melusine’s face, and she reluctantly fled, returning only to see her children.

Raymondin never remarried, nor did he ever forgive himself for what he had done, and he spent many years tirelessly searching for his wife, hoping for her return.

He never saw Melusine again.

Melusine is a prominent figure in French folklore.