The White Bear King Valemon

Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom in the heart of Norway, there lived a king whose youngest daughter was renowned for her beauty and kindness. Her golden hair shimmered like sunlight, and her eyes sparkled like the clearest of fjords. The kingdom was peaceful, but there was an air of mystery that always lingered at the edges of the forests and mountains. Some said it was because of the legends of creatures and kings long forgotten, but most people dismissed them as mere fairy tales.

In a remote part of this very kingdom, surrounded by towering pine trees and snow-capped mountains, lived an enchanted king who had been cursed to live in the form of a great white bear. His name was Valemon, and for many years he had wandered in his bear form, unable to reclaim his human self unless the curse was broken. Only a brave soul with a pure heart could lift the curse, but time had made him both feared and revered among the people of the land. His legend spread across villages, reaching the ears of many, but none dared to approach him.

One winter's evening, as the sun set behind the jagged mountains and the first snowflakes began to fall, the white bear appeared before the youngest daughter of the king. She was out gathering wood when, through the cold mist, she saw the enormous figure approach her. Despite his size and fierce appearance, there was something strangely gentle about him. His eyes, though the color of ice, held no malice.

"I am Valemon, cursed to be a bear by day and man by night," the bear said, his voice deep and sorrowful. "I come to you with a proposal. If you come with me willingly, live by my side, and never see me as a man until three years have passed, I shall be free of this curse."

The princess, who was both curious and compassionate, felt pity for Valemon. She believed in her heart that no one deserved to live in such torment. So, despite the fear that gripped her, she nodded.

“I will go with you,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that lurked in her mind.

The white bear wasted no time. With a great gust of wind that sent the snow swirling around them, he led her deep into the forest, far from the warmth of her home and the safety of her father's kingdom. They traveled until they reached a magnificent palace hidden among the high cliffs, where no human foot had ever trod. There, the princess found a grand castle, filled with treasures and rooms of unimaginable beauty. It was her new home.

As days turned into weeks, the princess found that the bear treated her with great care and respect. Each night, after the sun set, he would vanish into the darkness, and she would hear the quiet steps of a man walking beside her bed, but she kept her promise and never attempted to look at him. Her curiosity gnawed at her heart, but her resolve remained firm.

In the mornings, she would wake to find the white bear once more by her side, watching over her protectively. Slowly, she began to see beyond the beastly exterior. They would walk through the palace gardens and explore the vast wilderness around them, and she grew to love him, not only for his kindness but also for the soul that lay hidden beneath the fur and claws.

One day, the princess received a letter from her father, urging her to return home for a visit. It had been nearly three years since she left, and her family missed her greatly. The white bear, Valemon, gave his consent, though he was hesitant.

“You may go, but you must not speak of me or the nature of my curse to anyone,” he warned her. “And remember, the moment you lay eyes on me as a man, the curse will take a crueler form.”

The princess promised him that she would heed his words, and with a heavy heart, she returned to her father's castle. Upon her arrival, her family was overjoyed to see her, but they noticed something different about her. The light in her eyes had changed, as though she carried a secret too heavy for words. Her sisters, curious as they were, began to ask about her life in the palace, and though she tried to divert their questions, eventually, they wore her down.

One night, her eldest sister came to her with a plan. “If you are truly in love with this mysterious man, you deserve to know who he is. Tonight, while he sleeps, take this candle and light it. Look upon him in the darkness, and you will see the truth.”

The princess hesitated, remembering Valemon’s warning. But her curiosity, long buried beneath her love for the bear, began to rise once more. That night, when the man came to her bed and lay beside her, she waited until his breathing slowed, and then, trembling with fear and excitement, she lit the candle.

Before her, in the soft glow of the flame, she saw not a monster, but a handsome young king with golden hair and gentle features. His face, free from the burden of his curse, was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined. Overcome by emotion, the princess leaned closer to kiss him, but as she did, a drop of hot wax fell from the candle onto his chest.

Valemon awoke with a start and saw what she had done. His face filled with sorrow.

“I warned you,” he said, his voice thick with grief. “Now the curse will bind me to a harsher fate. I must leave you.”

Before the princess could stop him, he vanished into the night, leaving her alone in the cold room. In her despair, she wept for the loss of the man she had come to love. Yet, she was determined not to give up. She knew that somewhere, Valemon was suffering because of her actions, and she vowed to make it right.

The princess set off on a long journey to find him. For days, she traveled through forests and mountains, seeking any sign of the white bear king. Along the way, she encountered a wise old woman who lived in a small cottage at the edge of the world.

“You seek Valemon, the White Bear King,” the woman said, her eyes gleaming with knowledge. “He has been taken to a far-off land, where he will be forced to marry a troll princess unless you can save him.”

The princess, filled with determination, asked how she might reach this distant land. The old woman handed her three magical gifts: a pair of golden scissors, a comb made of ivory, and a cloth that shimmered like starlight.

“These will help you along the way,” the old woman explained. “But remember, the path will not be easy. You will need great courage and cleverness to succeed.”

With the magical gifts in hand, the princess continued her journey, crossing treacherous mountains and dark forests. She encountered many dangers, from wild beasts to trickster spirits, but each time she used one of the magical items to aid her. The scissors cut through the thickest thorns, the comb tamed wild rivers, and the cloth shielded her from fierce storms.

After a long and perilous journey, she finally arrived at the troll kingdom. There, she discovered that Valemon had indeed been captured and was being held prisoner by the troll princess, who had forced him into an engagement. The princess, however, was not willing to give up.

That night, using the gifts from the old woman, she created wondrous items—beautiful garments and dazzling treasures—that caught the eye of the troll princess. Desiring these magical objects, the troll princess agreed to let the real princess spend three nights with Valemon, though under strict conditions.

For the first two nights, the troll princess gave Valemon a sleeping potion, and though the true princess was by his side, he did not wake. Desperate and heartbroken, she wept through the night, but still, she did not give up.

On the third night, a kind servant, who had seen the princess’s sorrow, warned her of the potion and gave her a way to counter it. That night, when the troll princess once again drugged Valemon, the true princess was ready. She poured the antidote into his drink, and finally, as the moon rose high in the sky, Valemon awoke.

The curse, now fully revealed and broken by her unwavering love, began to lift.

“You have saved me,” Valemon whispered, his voice full of gratitude and awe. “I am free.”

Together, they escaped the troll kingdom, their hearts full of joy and relief. As they journeyed back to their home, the love between them only grew stronger. When they finally reached Valemon’s palace, the enchantment was fully broken, and Valemon was restored to his rightful place as king.

The princess became his queen, and the two ruled together in peace and harmony, their love stronger than any curse.

And so, the White Bear King Valemon and his beloved queen lived happily ever after, their tale passed down through generations as a story of courage, love, and the strength to overcome even the darkest of enchantments.