Part 6: Tales of Beedle the Bard: The Fountain of Fair Fortune (abridged version)
High on a hill in an enchanted garden, enclosed by tall walls and protected by strong magic, flowed the Fountain of Fair Fortune. Once a year on the longest day between the hours of sunrise and sunset an unfortunate could fight their way to the fountain, bathe in the waters and receive fair fortune for ever.
Three witches gathered in the garden to try their luck. Asha was sick of a malady no healer could cure. She hoped to be cured and live a long happy life. Altheda had been robbed of her home, gold and wand by an evil sorcerer, she hoped the Fountain would relieve her of poverty and powerlessness. Amata had been deserted by a man she loved dearly and thought her heart would never mend. She hoped to be relieved of grief and longing.
Pitying each other, the three agreed to help each other and try to reach the fountain together. As the crowd surged forward they helped each other through the creepers that tried to stop them as they sought for a chink in the wall to the garden. In so doing a dismal looking knight, Sir Luckless, got caught up with Amata and got dragged along as they escaped the garden and the walls closed behind to other contenders. At first the other witches were cross with Amata as it would be hard enough to choose who of them should enter and bathe without another contender but at the knight declaring his intent to withdraw as he felt he could never compete against witches with their powers, he was persuaded to draw his sword and join them.
Around the base of the hill on which stood the fountain was a monstrous white worm. At their approach it said Pay me the proof of your pain. After fighting it proved useless, and the sun rose higher and higher Asha despaired but her tears assuaged the worm who slithered into the ground.
Half way up the steep slope these words were cut into the ground Pay me the fruits of your labour. As much as they tried they made no progress til they were saved by Althedas determination and the sweat from her brow fell to the ground.
At the third obstacle, a stream, a boulder bore the words Pay me the treasure of your past. The knight nearly drowned attempting to float across but they saved him and Amata realised the way across was by giving up her happy memories of the time with her lover.
As they reached the fountain, the frailest of them, Asha collapsed near death. Altheda saved her with herbs and water from Sir Luckless gourd and restored she said she no longer needed to bathe and Altheda should. Altheda said she could be rich from curing disease with her herb skills so she did not need to bathe, let Amata bathe. Amata said she had given away her sad memories and so they bade Sir Luckless bathe.
Giddy with his unexpected luck he did so and flung his rusty armour at the feet of Amata, the most kindest and most beautiful woman he had ever known, and begged for her hand and heart. She realised she had found a man worthy of her and said yes.
So they all set off down the hill arm in arm together, never realising the Fountain carried no enchantment what so ever.
Leaving Diagon Alley for this day.