The legend of Tristan and Iseult is one of history's great romances. And, oh, it was a great, if tragic, romance! Iseult and Tristan were in love - a love that bridges all eternity, and survives death and reincarnation. In spite of their deep love, Iseult's father promised her to King Mark of Cornwall, who she had never set her fair eyes upon. Her mother, out of pity for her plight, concocted a love potion, that she was to share with Mark, in the hopes that she would not be miserable all her days married to the King. Iseult knew that she would forever love Tristan, and could not bear to lose him, so she chose to share the potion with him, instead. Did he realize what she was doing? Maybe, on some level, but she didn't confide in him what they were drinking. A young woman, deeply in love, and in a desperate situation will do many things, and this was one of those. Contrary to the legend, as it is commonly told, the potion did not cause their love, but strengthened a bond that already existed. They made beautiful, glorious, passionate love.

When they arrived in Cornwall, Mark's bride was no longer virgin. Being an experienced man, Iseult was certain he would know this. Her cousin, Branwen, who loved Iseult dearly, and would sacrifice much for her, agreed to take her place in the marriage bed. While Iseult and Branwen looked somewhat alike, I suspect a bit of magic was used to help the deception along. Either that, or a bit of spiked wedding punch. Mark was all Branwen desired in a man, and it was easy for her to accept him into her arms. She fell in love and into his arms, willingly.

The legend would tell you that Mark was an unwitting fool for many years, as his wife and nephew carried on behind his back. Not true. Mark was not a stupid man, although he was a kindly one. He quickly became aware of the situation, as well as Branwen's love for him. The king understood a young woman's heart, and was not angry that his wife loved another, especially as Tristan was someone whom he also loved. Without Branwen's love for him, the situation may have played out very differently, but she was a beautiful young woman, wise beyond her years, and she eased his pride through the transition from hurt husband to co-conspiritor.

It was Mark's idea that the four of them live their lives the way they did. Being Iseult's lady in waiting, Branwen was given a room that had an adjoining door to her cousin's. It was Mark's idea to let it become known that Branwen and Tristan were "involved." While it was a bit scandalous for the time, household servants soon became used to seeing both their King and his nephew visiting the ladies' suite. It is amazing what people will accept, if it is given sanction by the king! Branwen was never called any of the names commonly given to loose women. Besides the king's obvious approval of the situation, the people truly loved Branwen. She had a sweet, loving disposition, and often helped any who came to her with her herbal magic. This arrangement lasted many years.

Of course, eventually, someone a little too ambitious, and a little too nosy, figured out the royal sleeping arrangements. Perhaps it was a loving glance from Iseult to her husband's nephew that tipped them off. Rumors started to fly, and, even though it tore his heart out, the king had to act or lose face. He banished his Queen and her lover from the kingdom. He could merely have banished Tristan, but he didn't have the heart to separate his Queen, who he loved in a brotherly, or perhaps fatherly, sort of way, from her love. Branwen feared for her cousin, and begged to be allowed to go with them, but Iseult wouldn't hear of it. She wanted her cousin to remain happy in the King's house.

As time would have it, eventually Tristan and Iseult were able to return to the Kingdom. Things were never the same as they were in those early years, though. They could not be together openly, and the strain of it all finally took its' toll. For the King's sake, to save him further public embarrassment, Tristan eventually went his own way, and married another (also named Iseult.) The lovers were not to be reuninted in that lifetime. But their love survived, and they have been together in many lifetimes since, as have Branwen and King Mark.