Twilight of the King
Once upon a time, in a land untouched by time, ruled a just and fair king, Arcturus. His reign was known for its harmonious spirit, and under his rule, the kingdom of Arcadia flourished. Arcturus was famed not only for his valour but also his wisdom. He was a ruler who valued harmony above anything else, admired by his subjects and feared by his enemies.
One evening, as the skies turned twilight, an old hag approached the royal court. The old woman displayed neither court manners nor fear in her eyes. Instead, she looked at King Arcturus with a strange kindness and warmth. Seeing this peculiar woman, the king greeted her with respect and patience.
The old woman was a seer, known to many as Wise Elara, who lived in the forest, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Seer Elara was known for her cryptic prophecies, and the day she walked into the royal court, she had a prophecy to deliver.
Elara spoke in her trembling voice, 'You are a mighty king, true and just. However, before the next twilight, your reign will end.' The king and the courtiers were stunned. The king, remaining calm yet puzzled, asked her, 'How might that be? I am in the prime of my health, and there is peace throughout kingdom.’
'The twilight speaks not of your life, King Arcturus, but your reign,' Elara said cryptically and left. A murmur spread through the court. However, the king, stalwart as ever, decided to prepare his kingdom for any calamity.
King Arcturus summoned his council and made plans to strengthen Arcadia’s defenses. He worked day and night, instructing his knights and others to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his subjects. When the next twilight came, the kingdom was prepared for trouble, but nothing happened, not even a slight wind of disturbance.
The king found himself baffled. Had the prophecy been false? He decided to visit Elara. As he entered the decrepit hut, he found Elara tending to a frail sapling.
Seeing the king, Elara smiled and said, 'Your reign has ended, Arcturus, and a new one has begun.' She pointed to the sapling. 'Born at twilight, this little one will grow into a tree that will outlive you, grow stronger than you, and under its shade, countless lives will thrive; a new reign has begun.'
King Arcturus looked at the sapling and then at Elara, understanding dawning on him. His reign, in terms of strength and courage, had ended and paved the way for a new era of prosperity and growth, symbolized by the sapling. He returned to his kingdom, content, embracing this new understanding of power and rule.
Until the end of his life, Arcturus ruled as a king who nurtured and nourished, and his 'new reign' dominated the annals of the kingdom's history. His story is passed down through generations, a tale of humility, wisdom, and the challenge of transformative change. His legacy wasn't about tangible power, but the power of seeking wisdom; it was about understanding that a just and wise king's reign is not about domination but nurturing prosperity.