Sunlight dappled through the forest as the afternoon waned. Horse and heavily armoured rider followed the narrow paths used time and again by travellers through the thick woods which surrounded his county. It was months since he had seen his lady wife, whom he had left in their little cottage to go fight this last battle. They had been wed many years but she still had yet to produce a child, let alone a son. It was his wish that while he rested they could try it again, perhaps they would have luck. He hoped so. But home was still at least 3 days ride from here and it would still be nearly a week before he would be home.
With thoughts of home coming into his head, the afternoon slowly changed into twilight as he travelled deeper into the woods. He came to a small clearing, with enough space to set camp for the night. There was a small stream nearby and after letting his horse have his fill to drink the knight tied the horse to a branch nearby the trickling water. After gathering wood for a fire and catching a hare he was setting it up and attempting to light it when in the twilight light a shadow fell across his work. He looked up. It was a vision with blue eyes and resplendent flame hair. She glowed.
'Can I help you?' he asked.
'May I share your fire and your meal, my Lord?' she asked.
'I do not have much, except for this rabbit I was getting ready to roast but I am happy to share it with you.'
They ate. Nothing more was said. It grew darker, and there seemed to be more than just the glow from the fire lighting the small clearing. He looked at her, 'who are you?'
I will answer your question in time but first I have something to offer you. Your wife is barren, my lord.' She said matter- of -factly.
'That I have no children, Lady, is no secret, for I am the Lord that governs the counties that border this forest and many know my wife has yet to bear offspring, let alone a son.'
'Yet your subjects cannot help you, or change that fact. I can, but you must do something for me, I must have a payment for making your wife bear a child'.
'Are you the Sorceress who inhabits my woods? If so, be gone. I am not desperate enough to have use of your dark magic.'
'I am no Sorceress, my Lord. But I have inhabited this land since before time. My magic is far more powerful than that of any Sorceress or any Druid for that matter.'
'I repeat, My Lady, who are you then, if no sorcerous?'
'In time I will reveal that to you, but first I repeat my offer. If you do me a favour, I will heal your wife's barrenness and allow her to bear you a son by the year's end.'
'Alright then, as my wife and I must produce an heir, I will listen to your offer.'
'You must agree to my request before you proceed further. Only then will I explain what it is I wish from you and you will then understand who I am.'
'Yes, my Lady, I will agree to whatever you ask of me. I require an heir and if my wife was not fruitful soon I would have had to have found another solution. So tell me, what am I agreeing to?'
'For many centuries now I have been without a mate. My mates must come from the human world to ensure that the land in both my realm and that of people produce enough for survival. It was decreed upon creation that my mate had to be human, but he also had to have other qualities. I have been observing you and have noted you have these qualities. He has to be faithful, he has to be honourable, he has to be kind. Since I am not of your world you will be not unfaithful to your wife.'