TAMLANE
by Katharine Pyle · from Wonder Tales from Many Lands
Adapted Version
Once there was a kind girl named Janet. She lived in a big castle. Many men wanted to marry Janet. Janet did not want to marry. She waited for true love.
One day, Janet heard a horn. It blew in the forest. It sounded sweet. It called her name. Janet went to the wood.
A man stood in the wood. He was a handsome knight. He wore green clothes. He held a silver horn. His name was Tamlane.
Tamlane told Janet a secret. Fairies took him long ago. He lived in Fairyland. He was the Fairy Queen's knight. But he wanted to go home.
Tamlane said, "Only a brave lady can help me. You heard my horn. You are that lady. You can set me free."
Janet promised to help Tamlane. She would do what he asked. They promised to be together. They kissed.
Tamlane told Janet what to do. Go to Milescross on Halloween. Wait for fairies. Find him on white horse. His left hand is bare. Pull him off. Hold him tight. He will change shapes. Hold him always.
Halloween came. Janet went to Milescross. She hid and waited. Fairies came at midnight. The Fairy Queen rode first. She was very beautiful.
Many knights rode by. They wore green. One knight rode a white horse. His right hand had a glove. His left hand was bare. It was Tamlane.
Janet was brave. She ran to Tamlane. She pulled him from his horse. She held him very tight. She did not let go.
Tamlane changed. He became a wolf. Janet held him. He became a big bird. Janet held him. He became a snake. Janet held him. He changed shapes. Janet held him always.
Then the changes stopped. Tamlane was a man again. He was free now. Janet held her true love.
The Fairy Queen was very angry. She cried out. Then she and her fairies went away. They were gone.
Tamlane and Janet went home. They went to her castle. They got married. They were very happy. They lived together always. Janet was brave. Her love was strong. She saved Tamlane.
Original Story
TAMLANE
A STORY FROM AN OLD SCOTCH BALLAD
FAIR Janet was the daughter of the Earl of March, and she was so beautiful that many knights and noble gentlemen had asked her to marry them, but she would say yes to none of them.
One day she sat at her window sewing a seam, and she heard the sound of a horn down in the forest. It blew so sweet and it blew so clear that she laid down her seam to listen, and it seemed to her that it called “Janet, fair Janet, come hither!”
Fair Janet dropped her sewing and down to the wood she ran. She looked about her, and there stood a handsome knight. From head to foot he was dressed in green, and in his hand he held a silver horn, and when he saw her he raised it to his lips and blew again so soft and clear that Janet had never heard anything like it.
“Now tell me,” said she, “is that a fairy horn that it blows so sweet a note?”
“It is indeed a fairy horn,” answered the stranger, “and it was in Fairyland that I learned to wind it. In many a forest have I blown it, north and south, and east and west, and you are the first to hear and answer it.”
Then fair Janet was afraid, for she thought the stranger must be a fairy knight, and she did not know what charm he might cast about her.
The knight saw she was frightened, so he said, “From Fairyland I brought it, yet I am of human flesh and blood like you. I am the son of the Earl of Murray, and once my name was John, though in Fairyland they call me Tamlane. When I was a child, the fairies stole me, and they have kept me with them ever since. Bright and fair it is in Fairyland, and I am the Queen’s favoured knight, but my heart wearies to be back in my own country and living with my own kind once more.”
“And will not the fairies let you go?” asked fair Janet, and now she was not afraid.
“That they will not of their own wills, and only a lady brave and true can set me free. You yourself are that lady, fair Janet, for you alone have heard and answered my horn.”
Then Janet promised she would do whatever Tamlane bade her do, if by so doing she might bring him back from Fairyland, for he was very good to look upon. She let him put a ring upon her finger, and they kissed each other as a sign that they were betrothed.
Then Tamlane told her what she must do. On every Hallowe’en at midnight the fairies ride abroad, and on that night she must go to Milescross and wait for them to pass. At midnight they would come.
First would ride the Fairy Queen, her horse hung round with bells. After her would come all her ladies and esquires, and then her band of knights, and it was among these that Tamlane would ride.
“You’ll know me from among them all,” said he, “by the snow-white horse I ride. Moreover, I’ll wear a glove on my right hand, but my left hand will hang bare. Then is the time for you, Janet. Spring up and pull me from my horse and hold me tight. There will be a loud cry raised, and they’ll change me into many shapes in your arms, but hold me tight, whatever I seem to be. Always it will be I, and I will not harm you. Do this, and when I take my own shape again I will be free of the fairies for ever.”
Janet promised to do all that he told her to, though she was terrified at the thought of what might happen, and then they kissed each other again and parted.
Now three nights after it was Hallowe’en, and Janet went out to Milescross, and hid herself there and waited.
When midnight came there was a sound of bells, and a white light, and the fairies came riding by. First came the Queen, and she was very beautiful, with a circlet of stars about her head. Then came her ladies and squires, talking and laughing together; and next a troop of knights all in green, and each with a silver horn. Some rode on black horses, and some on brown, but one knight there was who rode a milk-white steed. His right hand was gloved, but his left hand hung down bare at his side. He rode on and never turned his head, but when Janet saw him she knew him for her true love, Tamlane, and she sprang forward and caught him by the mantle and pulled him down from off his horse and gripped him tight. Then from all the fairy train there arose a cry, “Tamlane’s awa’!” “Tamlane’s awa’!”
THEN IT WAS A SWAN THAT BEAT ITS WINGS IN HER FACE
Suddenly it was no knight that Janet held in her arms, but a great grey wolf. It struggled and snapped, and its breath was hot in her face. Almost it broke from her, but she remembered Tamlane’s words and held it tight. And then it was not a wolf she held, but a bale of burning straw. The flames roared in her ears, but she clasped it close, and it did not scorch her. Then it was a great serpent that wrapped itself about her, and tried to slip from her arms, but she held it tight and did not let it go. Then it was a swan that beat its wings in her face, but she shut her eyes and held it. Then the wings were still, and she opened her eyes, and saw it was her own true love, Tamlane, that she clasped in her arms.
The Fairy Queen turned herself about, and she cried, “Tamlane, Tamlane, if I had known yesterday what I know to-day, I would have taken out your two blue eyes and given you eyes of stone; had I known yesterday what I know to-day, I would have taken the heart of flesh out of your bosom and put in a heart of clay; had I but known yesterday what I know now, never should you have ridden abroad with me this night!”
Then suddenly the fairies were gone, and Tamlane and Janet stood there alone. He took her by the hand, and they went back to her father’s castle together. There they were married with great joy and feasting, and they lived together happily all the rest of their lives, a faithful and loving man and wife.
Story DNA
Moral
True love and unwavering courage can overcome even the most powerful enchantments.
Plot Summary
Fair Janet, a noblewoman, is drawn to the forest by a magical horn, where she meets Tamlane, a human knight enchanted by the Fairy Queen. He reveals he was stolen as a child and can only be freed by a brave lady who holds him through a series of terrifying transformations during the Hallowe'en fairy ride. Janet, despite her fear, follows his instructions, identifies him, and steadfastly holds him through his changes into a wolf, burning straw, a serpent, and a swan. Upon his return to human form, the Fairy Queen curses him but vanishes, leaving Tamlane free. Janet and Tamlane then marry and live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is based on an old Scottish ballad, reflecting traditional Celtic beliefs about fairies and their interactions with humans, particularly around Hallowe'en.
Plot Beats (14)
- Fair Janet, a beautiful noblewoman, rejects all her suitors.
- She hears a magical horn calling her from the forest and investigates.
- Janet meets a handsome knight, Tamlane, who is dressed in green and carries a silver horn.
- Tamlane reveals he is a human stolen by fairies as a child and is the Fairy Queen's favored knight, but longs to return to the human world.
- He tells Janet that only a brave lady can free him, and she is that lady because she heard his horn.
- Janet promises to help, and they become betrothed.
- Tamlane instructs Janet to go to Milescross on Hallowe'en at midnight, identify him by his white horse and bare left hand, pull him off, and hold him through many terrifying transformations.
- On Hallowe'en, Janet hides at Milescross and sees the fairy procession, led by the beautiful Fairy Queen.
- She spots Tamlane on his white horse, with a gloved right hand and bare left hand.
- Janet springs forward, pulls Tamlane from his horse, and grips him tightly.
- Tamlane transforms into a wolf, then burning straw, then a serpent, then a swan, but Janet holds him through each terrifying shape.
- He finally returns to his human form, free from the fairy enchantment.
- The Fairy Queen curses Tamlane for escaping but then vanishes with her retinue.
- Tamlane and Janet return to her father's castle, marry, and live happily ever after.
Characters
Fair Janet ★ protagonist
A woman of striking beauty, though no specific height or build is given, her allure is such that many noblemen seek her hand. Her complexion is likely fair, consistent with her Scottish heritage.
Attire: Initially, she is described as sewing a seam, implying everyday attire for a noblewoman within her castle. Later, she would wear fine, era-appropriate Scottish noble attire, likely made of wool or linen, possibly embroidered, in colors like deep blues, greens, or reds, with a kirtle and an overgown.
Wants: To find true love and to free Tamlane from the fairies.
Flaw: Her initial fear of the unknown and the supernatural, though she quickly overcomes it with determination.
Transforms from an independent but somewhat passive noblewoman into a courageous heroine who actively saves her beloved through sheer will and bravery.
Brave, determined, loyal, independent (initially refusing many suitors), and loving. She shows immense courage in facing the fairy host.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Scottish noblewoman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has fair skin, a determined expression, and long, wavy auburn hair flowing down her back. She wears a deep forest-green wool kirtle with a cream linen chemise peeking at the neck, and a simple gold ring on her left hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Tamlane (John) ★ protagonist
A handsome knight, described as being of human flesh and blood, suggesting a robust and healthy build. His appearance is captivating enough to immediately draw Janet's attention and affection.
Attire: When first encountered, he is dressed entirely in green, a color often associated with fairies. Later, as part of the fairy host, he wears a glove on his right hand while his left hand is bare, and rides a snow-white horse. His attire would be that of a knight, likely finely tailored green wool or silk tunic, breeches, and boots, possibly with a cloak.
Wants: To escape Fairyland and return to his human life and kind.
Flaw: Powerless to free himself from the fairy enchantment, requiring a human's intervention.
From an enchanted, somewhat helpless figure, he is transformed back into a fully human man, free from fairy influence, and able to live a normal life with his beloved.
Charming, longing (for his human life), brave (to reveal his plight), and trusting (in Janet). He is also somewhat passive in his own rescue, relying on Janet's courage.
Image Prompt & Upload
A handsome young Scottish knight standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has fair skin, short dark brown hair, and striking blue eyes. He wears a tailored forest-green wool tunic, dark breeches, and brown leather boots. A silver horn hangs at his hip. His right hand is gloved in dark leather, while his left hand is bare. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fairy Queen ⚔ antagonist
Very beautiful, with an ethereal quality. Her presence is accompanied by a white light.
Attire: Regal and magical, likely flowing gowns made of shimmering, otherworldly fabric, perhaps in shades of silver, white, or pale green, adorned with natural elements like flowers or starlight. Her horse is hung with bells.
Wants: To maintain her hold over Tamlane and her fairy realm.
Flaw: Her power is limited by human will and courage, as she cannot prevent Tamlane's escape if the conditions are met.
Remains unchanged, but experiences the loss of her favored knight, expressing her frustration and anger at his escape.
Possessive, powerful, vengeful (in her lament), and beautiful. She is unwilling to let go of what she considers hers.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ageless, beautiful fairy queen riding a horse, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has luminous fair skin, long flowing silver hair, and sparkling eyes. She wears a shimmering gown of pale green silk, adorned with delicate floral patterns, and a circlet of tiny glowing stars on her head. Her horse is white and adorned with small silver bells. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Earl of March's Castle Window
A window within a Scottish castle, likely a stone structure with thick walls, where Fair Janet sits sewing. The window offers a view out towards a forest.
Mood: peaceful, domestic, then curious and expectant
Fair Janet hears Tamlane's horn for the first time and is called to the forest.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep-set, arched stone window in a medieval Scottish castle, looking out over a verdant, rolling landscape towards a dense, ancient forest. Soft, diffused daylight illuminates the rough-hewn stone of the window embrasure, casting gentle shadows. A simple wooden table with sewing implements sits near the window. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Forest
A dense, ancient forest in Scotland, where Tamlane, dressed in green, plays his silver horn. It is a place where human and fairy worlds meet.
Mood: enchanting, mysterious, slightly fearful, then romantic
Janet meets Tamlane, learns of his fairy captivity, and promises to free him.
Image Prompt & Upload
A clearing within a dense, ancient Scottish forest, with towering Scots pines and gnarled oak trees casting dappled sunlight onto a mossy, fern-covered ground. Wild heather and bluebells grow in patches. The air feels still and slightly humid, with shafts of golden light piercing through the thick canopy. A faint mist might cling to the distant trees. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Milescross
A significant crossroads or landmark, likely a stone cross or cairn, where the fairy host rides on Hallowe'en night. It is a liminal space between worlds.
Mood: eerie, tense, magical, climactic
Janet confronts the fairy host and rescues Tamlane through a series of transformations.
Image Prompt & Upload
A desolate, windswept Scottish moorland at midnight, centered around an ancient, weathered stone cross or cairn. The ground is covered in sparse, tough grasses and dark, damp earth. A sliver of a crescent moon hangs in a vast, inky black sky dotted with countless stars, casting long, faint shadows. A cold, crisp wind is implied, rustling the dry grasses. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
