📖 The Immortal Gazette Presents: The Lovers of the Otherworld
The Immortal Gazette studio hummed with quiet anticipation as Alice smoothed out her notes. For once, Loki wasn’t immediately causing mischief, though that didn’t mean he wouldn’t. And Rumplestiltskin? He was seated at his desk, arms crossed, already prepared to be over it.
Alice cleared her throat. "Today’s myth comes from the depths of Celtic legend. One that has been buried beneath the more well-known tales of fae and warriors. Have either of you heard of Etain and Midir?"
Loki leaned back in his chair, boots on the desk. "Midir, the one who played foolish games with fate?"
Rumple scoffed. "That narrows it down."
Alice ignored them. "It’s a tale of love, loss, and transformation—woven with magic, jealousy, and the treacherous nature of the Otherworld."
She opened her book, and the story began.
A long time ago, in the lands of Ireland, there was a mighty ruler of the Tuatha Dé Danann named Midir.
Midir, noble and proud, lived in the Otherworld, a realm of immortals. He had wealth, power, and magic beyond mortal comprehension—but the one thing he truly desired was love.
One day, while traveling through the mortal realm, Midir saw Etain—a woman of such breathtaking beauty that the sun itself seemed to dim in her presence. Her laughter was like music, her steps lighter than the breeze. Midir fell instantly in love.
He pursued her, showering her with gifts, whispering promises of eternity in her ear. And soon, Etain, drawn by his charm, fell in love with him too.
But love, especially one between an immortal and a mortal, is rarely simple.
Midir had a wife. Fúamnach.
And Fúamnach was not pleased.
Consumed with jealousy, she wove a spell—a cruel spell—that transformed Etain into a butterfly, small and helpless, cast into the winds.
Midir searched for his love, but Fúamnach's magic was strong. For years, Etain fluttered through the world, a mere whisper of what she had been.
Yet fate was not done with her.
A thousand years later, she landed in the cup of a mortal queen—who, unknowingly, swallowed her. And so, in the strangest twist of magic, Etain was reborn as a mortal woman, unaware of her past.
And who should find her again?
Midir.
He recognized her, even though she no longer knew him. And once more, he pursued her, seeking to rekindle the love they had lost.
But the world had changed. Etain had been reborn into a new life—one that belonged to someone else.
Their love, once eternal, had become impossibly complicated.
Alice closed the book, the room silent for a moment.
Rumple finally spoke. "So, let me get this straight—this man lost his wife to magic, she got swallowed, was reborn, and then he still tried to drag her back into his mess?" He scoffed. "Talk about not letting go."
Loki smirked. "Sounds like the lengths some people would go to for love." He turned to Alice. "Tell me, dear—if I were turned into a butterfly, would you chase me across time to find me again?"
Alice blinked. "Absolutely not."
Loki placed a hand over his heart, feigning deep betrayal. "My soul—shattered. My heart—broken beyond repair."
Rumple pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hate this place."
Alice sipped her tea, ignoring both of them. "And that, dear readers, is the tragic love story of Etain and Midir. A reminder that fate is relentless, magic is temperamental, and that you should probably be very careful about drinking from random cups."
Loki grinned. "A lesson I shall diligently ignore."
Rumple threw his book across the room.
The Immortal Gazette: Your premier source for myths, history, and far too much flirting.
