The Ice Princess | A Tale of Envy, Magic, and True Love

Long ago, there was an ancient legend whispered across lands and seas—about Pollando, a mighty and kind-hearted wizard, and the mysterious forest that became both his prison and his sanctuary. The tale begins centuries ago, when magic still shaped the world in ways now forgotten.

The Curse of Pollando

Pollando had taken under his wing a cunning apprentice named Alatar, a warlock with a dark soul masked by charm. One fateful day, while Pollando briefly stepped away from his studies, Alatar concocted a sinister potion under secret instructions from a far more dangerous master—an evil wizard of immense power. The potion birthed something unearthly and terrifying, though what exactly emerged remains a mystery even after two hundred years.

When Pollando returned, he was horrified by what had been unleashed. He fled, but the creature pursued him deep into the forest where Alatar’s true master awaited. There, the wicked wizard cursed Pollando: stripping away his magic, binding him to the forest, unable to leave unless someone found him, fell in love with him, and willingly left the forest with him.

And so, the wizard lived on, alone, his powers gone, trapped within an invisible barrier that concealed the forest from the world.

The Mermaid Who Crossed the Barrier

Many years later, a spirited mermaid named Avalon swam through the rivers near the ancient woods. One day, she bumped into an unseen barrier beneath the water—a magical force blocking her path. Curious and determined, Avalon searched for a way inside. She discovered a cave where the barrier’s power seemed to wane, allowing her to swim through.

Emerging on the other side, Avalon was mesmerized. Strange creatures roamed freely—beasts of vibrant colors and mythical forms. Among the dense, overgrown foliage, she spotted a grand house veiled in vines, blending seamlessly with the forest.

Inside, she found Pollando, seated by candlelight, surrounded by crumbling spellbooks. When Avalon asked who he was and why he lived alone, Pollando shared his tragic tale. Touched by his loneliness, Avalon chose to stay, and Pollando, in turn, built her a special pool within the house so she could remain close.

Over time, their bond grew deeper. Avalon invited Pollando to leave with her, but he explained the terms of his curse—only love could break it. Though Avalon cared for him, she was uncertain if her feelings were true love. Yet as days turned to weeks, her heart stirred.

Finally, Avalon confessed her love to Pollando. He was overjoyed, and together they made preparations to leave. They also planned to confront the evil wizard who cursed him. After five days of careful planning, they approached the barrier, hand in hand—but when they tried to cross, the magic held firm. They could not pass.

Avalon’s Family Secret

Puzzled and frustrated, Avalon returned home through the cave to seek counsel from her father, a wise merman with a mysterious past. But her father was absent. Avalon’s sister told her he was in his secret shed, speaking vaguely about an “old hidden house.”

When Avalon confronted her father at the shed, she pressed him for answers about the house and the forbidden forest. Reluctantly, her father admitted he once had a hidden house before she was born, one he had sealed away, never to be visited. Growing suspicious, Avalon reminded herself that her father had once been a warlock before transforming into a merman using an ancient potion.

Finally, Avalon demanded the truth—was her father the evil warlock who cursed Pollando?

With heavy silence, he admitted, “Yes. He must stay there forever.”

Heartbroken by her father’s cruelty, Avalon returned home, rummaged through his belongings, and discovered the very potion he had used to become a merman. She stole it and rushed back to Pollando.

Breaking the Curse

Avalon shared the truth with Pollando and showed him the potion, promising that if it worked, he could become a merman and escape the forest. The potion required two days to settle before it was ready. When the time came, Pollando drank it, then dived into the pool—his legs transformed into a shimmering tail.

Together, they swam to the cave and emerged on the other side of the barrier. Finally free, Pollando gazed at the open world with wonder. They returned to Avalon’s home, gathered her belongings, and decided to start a new life together.

They journeyed to Pollando’s sister’s house, a safe haven tucked away from both sea and forest. There, Pollando and Avalon lived in peace and love, eventually having two daughters—both mermaids—named Annabel and Serena.

When their daughters turned sixteen, they were sent back to the hidden forest—not as prisoners, but as guardians of its secrets, to protect the magic that still lingered there.

The Legend Lives On

And here the legend takes a curious turn. They say if you find where Pollando’s sister’s house once stood, a map is buried beneath the earth. A map that leads to the hidden forest, where Pollando and Avalon’s daughters still watch over the ancient magic.

But don’t take my word for it—because I am Annabel, the eldest daughter of Pollando and Avalon. If you dare to seek us, perhaps you’ll find the hidden forest. Or perhaps the forest will find you.

Moral of the Story

Love and curiosity can unravel even the oldest of curses, but the past always lingers in the shadows.