Ermeline: A Ballad

This is a tale of steadfast love tested by extraordinary obstacles. When Sir Thunye discovers that his beloved Ermeline has been seized by a king and held in captivity, he embarks on a perilous quest to free her. His journey leads him through enchanted forests where he encounters the Dwarf's daughter, a mysterious figure whose own affection for the knight cannot sway him from his purpose. With valor as his compass, Sir Thunye confronts the King of the Dwarfs, battles the fearsome Allevod, son of the king, and ultimately earns the right to claim his bride through deeds of arms. The ballad reaches its satisfying conclusion as Ermeline is rescued, Sir Thunye returns triumphant to England, and the faithful lover is crowned a ruler celebrated for his chivalry. What makes this obscure narrative poem endure is its pure distillation of romance ideals: the belief that true love conquers all, that courage and loyalty are the marks of nobility, and that a knight's greatest adventure is the one undertaken for the sake of his lady. For readers who crave the simple magic of old-fashioned tales where love is worth fighting for and goodness is rewarded, this ballad delivers exactly that.