The Legend of the Lake

Gwen was a wildlife photographer who loved exploring the natural beauty of Wales. She had a special fascination with lakes and rivers, and often camped near them to capture their changing moods and colours. One of her favourite spots was Llyn y Fan Fach, a remote lake in the Black Mountain range. She had heard stories of the Lady of the Lake, a mysterious woman who had married a farmer and given birth to three sons who became famous physicians. She wondered if there was any truth to the legend, or if it was just a fairy tale.

One day, she decided to hike up to the lake and spend the night there. She packed her camera, tent, sleeping bag and some food and set off early in the morning. The weather was fine and sunny, and she enjoyed the walk through the green hills and valleys. She reached the lake around noon and was struck by its calm and clear water. She set up her tent on a grassy spot near the shore and took out her camera. She hoped to catch a glimpse of some wildlife, or maybe even the Lady of the Lake herself.

She spent the afternoon taking pictures of the lake and its surroundings. She saw some birds, fish and insects, but nothing out of the ordinary. She was about to give up and go back to her tent when she noticed a ripple on the surface of the water. She zoomed in with her camera and saw something that made her gasp. It was a woman's face, emerging from the depths of the lake. She had long dark hair, pale skin and bright blue eyes. She looked at Gwen with a curious and friendly expression.

Gwen felt a surge of excitement and fear. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Was this the Lady of the Lake? How was this possible? She wanted to talk to her, but she didn't know what to say. She decided to offer her some food, as the farmer had done in the legend. She reached into her backpack and took out a sandwich wrapped in foil. She held it out to the woman and said: "Hello, I'm Gwen. Do you want some food?"

The woman smiled and nodded. She moved closer to the shore and reached out her hand. Gwen handed her the sandwich and watched as she unwrapped it and took a bite. She seemed to like it and thanked Gwen with a soft voice. Gwen asked her: "Who are you? Are you the Lady of the Lake?"

The woman nodded again and said: "Yes, I am. My name is Nia. I have lived here for many years."

Gwen was amazed and asked: "How do you live here? Where do you come from? Do you have any family?"

Nia looked sad and said: "I come from another world, a world of magic and wonder. I came here long ago with my mother, who was also a Lady of the Lake. We could travel between worlds through the water. But one day, my mother left me here and never came back. I don't know why or where she went. I have been alone ever since."

Gwen felt sorry for Nia and said: "That's terrible. I'm so sorry."

Nia shrugged and said: "It's all right. I have learned to adapt to this world. I can change my shape and appearance to blend in with humans or animals. I can also use some magic to help myself or others in need."

Gwen asked: "What kind of magic?"

Nia said: "I can heal wounds and illnesses, control water and weather, communicate with nature and animals, see into the past and future, grant wishes and curses."

Gwen was impressed and said: "Wow, that's amazing. Can you show me?"

Nia smiled and said: "Sure, why not? What do you want to see?"

Gwen thought for a moment and said: "Can you show me your true form?"

Nia nodded and said: "All right, but don't be afraid." She closed her eyes and began to glow with a soft light. Her hair grew longer and lighter, her skin became more radiant, her eyes turned silver, her ears became pointed, her teeth became sharper, her nails became claws, her clothes became scales, her feet became fins, her legs became a tail.

She opened her eyes and looked at Gwen with a playful grin.

She had transformed into a mermaid.

Gwen stared at her in awe and said: "You're beautiful."

Nia blushed and said: "Thank you."

Nia felt a similar mix of emotions towards Gwen. She had seen many humans before, but none like her. She was kind and gentle, brave and adventurous, smart and creative. She had a beautiful smile and a warm heart. She also had a camera that captured images of the world. Nia wanted to see more of those images, to learn more about Gwen’s life, to share more of her own.

They broke the silence and started to talk. They asked each other questions about their backgrounds, their interests, their dreams. They found out that they had a lot in common, despite their differences. They both loved nature and animals, they both enjoyed travelling and exploring, they both valued freedom and happiness.

They decided to go for a swim in the lake. Nia helped Gwen put on a pair of goggles and a snorkel. She held her hand and led her into the water. She showed her the wonders of her underwater home: the colourful fish and plants, the hidden caves and tunnels, the sunken treasures and relics.

The underwater world that Nia shows Gwen is a magical and mysterious place. It is full of life and beauty, but also of danger and mystery. Nia knows every corner and crevice of the lake, and she guides Gwen through its wonders with ease and excitement.

They swim among schools of fish that dart and shimmer in the sunlight. They see trout and salmon, perch and pike, roach and rudd. They see minnows and sticklebacks, eels and lampreys. They see fish of all shapes and sizes, colours and patterns. Some are friendly and curious, some are shy and timid, some are fierce and aggressive.

They explore the underwater plants that sway and dance in the current. They see water lilies and pondweed, reeds and rushes, algae and moss. They see plants of all shades of green, brown and red. Some are soft and smooth, some are hard and rough, some are sticky and slimy.

They enter the hidden caves and tunnels that lead to other parts of the lake. They see stalactites and stalagmites, crystals and gems, fossils and bones. They see things that sparkle and glow, things that are ancient and mysterious, things that are eerie and spooky.

They discover the sunken treasures and relics that tell stories of the past. They see coins and jewels, swords and shields, pots and pans. They see things that belonged to kings and queens, warriors and farmers, saints and sinners. Some are rusty and broken, some are shiny and intact, some are enchanted and cursed.

They entered one of the largest caves in the lake, where Nia said there was a special treasure waiting for them. Gwen followed her eagerly, wondering what it could be. She hoped it was something shiny and valuable, like gold or diamonds.

They swam deeper and deeper into the cave, until they reached a large chamber that was lit by a strange and beautiful light. Gwen looked around and gasped. The walls and ceiling of the chamber were covered with crystals of different colours and shapes. They sparkled and glowed with a soft and soothing radiance. They cast rainbows and shadows on the water and the rocks.

Gwen was mesmerized by the sight. She had never seen anything like it before. She felt like she was in a dream. She reached out to touch one of the crystals, but Nia stopped her.

“Wait,” she said. “There is something you need to know before you touch them.”

“What is it?” Gwen asked.

“These crystals are not ordinary crystals,” Nia said. “They are magic crystals. They have powers and secrets that only few can understand.”

“Really?” Gwen said. “What kind of powers and secrets?”

Nia smiled and said: “These crystals can show you your past, your present and your future. They can show you your memories, your dreams and your visions. They can show you who you are, who you were and who you will be.”

Gwen was amazed and curious. She wanted to see what the crystals would show her. She asked Nia: “How do they work? How can I see what they have to show me?”

Nia said: “You have to touch them with your hand and your heart. You have to open your mind and your soul. You have to be ready to accept what they have to show you, whether it is good or bad, happy or sad, true or false.”

Gwen nodded and said: “I think I’m ready.”

Nia said: “Then choose one crystal that calls to you. One that matches your colour or your mood. One that feels right for you.”

Gwen looked at the crystals and felt drawn to one that was blue like her eyes. She swam towards it and touched it gently with her hand.

She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.

She closed her eyes and saw a flash of light.

She opened her eyes and saw a vision.

She saw herself as a child, playing with her parents in a park.

She saw herself as a teenager, kissing her first boyfriend in a cinema.

She saw herself as a young woman, graduating from college with a degree in photography.

She saw herself as she was now, camping by the lake with Nia.

Another flash of light and she was back in the cave, the crystals seem to have an energy of their own and a light glowing within each different crystal.

Gwen felt curious about the other crystals in the cave. She wondered what other visions they could show her. She asked Nia if she could touch another one.

Nia hesitated and said: “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You don’t know what you might see. It could be something unpleasant or disturbing.”

Gwen said: “But I want to see more. I want to learn more about myself and this world. Please, let me try another one.”

Nia sighed and said: “All right, but be careful. And don’t touch the red one. It’s the most dangerous of all. It can show you things that are painful or terrifying.”

Gwen nodded and said: “I won’t touch the red one. I promise.”

She looked at the crystals and felt drawn to one that was purple like her favourite colour. She swam towards it and touched it gently with her hand.

She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.

She closed her eyes and saw a flash of light.

She opened her eyes and saw a vision.

She saw herself as a baby, lying in a crib in a hospital. She saw a woman holding her hand and smiling at her. The woman had long dark hair, pale skin and bright blue eyes. She looked like Nia.

She heard the woman say: “Hello, my little Gwen. I’m your mother. And I love you very much.”

Gwen felt a surge of emotion. She recognized the woman as her mother, who had gone missing when she was young. She had always wondered what had happened to her, where she had gone, why she had left her.

She wanted to talk to her, to hug her, to tell her she loved her too.

But before she could do anything, she saw another flash of light.

She saw herself as a toddler, playing in a park with her mother. She saw her mother push her on a swing and catch her on a slide. She saw her mother laugh and sing with her.

She heard her mother say: “You’re my little angel, Gwen. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Gwen felt a wave of happiness. She remembered those days, when she was happy and carefree with her mother. She remembered how much fun they had together, how much they loved each other.

She wanted to stay in that moment forever.

But before she could do anything, she saw another flash of light.

She saw herself as a child, sitting in a car with her mother. She saw her mother drive them to a lake in the countryside. She saw her mother park the car and get out.

She heard her mother say: “Come on, Gwen. Let’s go for a walk by the lake. I have something to show you.”

Gwen felt a pang of curiosity. She remembered that day, when her mother took her to the lake for the first time. She remembered how excited she was to see the water and the nature.

She wanted to follow her mother to the lake.

But before she could do anything, she saw another flash of light.

She saw herself standing by the shore of the lake with her mother. She saw her mother hold her hand and look into her eyes.

She heard her mother say: “Gwen, there’s something I need to tell you. Something very important. Something that will change your life forever.”

Gwen felt a jolt of fear. She remembered that day, when her mother told her something that shocked and confused her. Something that she couldn’t understand or accept.

She wanted to hear what it was again.

But before she could do anything, she saw another flash of light.

She saw herself staring at her mother in disbelief and horror. She saw her mother transform into a mermaid before her eyes. She saw her mother dive into the water and swim away from her.

She heard her mother say: “Gwen, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I love you more than anything in the world. But I have to go back to where I belong. To my other world. To my other family.”

Gwen felt a shock of pain and anger. She remembered that day, when her mother left her alone by the lake without any explanation or goodbye. When she broke her heart and betrayed her trust.

She wanted to scream at her, to stop her, to make her stay.

But before she could do anything, she saw another flash and she woke up on the ground bleeding from her head where she had passed out and hit the rocky cave floor.

What did this mean, she looked around and Nia had disappeared! How was she going to get out of the caves she had no idea which way thay had come....