There lived a king of flowers who controlled everything about flowers, and he owned all the flowers in this universe. He had countless gardens most of which were open to everyone leaving a few which were forbidden for anyone to enter. These forbidden gardens were called the Sanctuary of the Sacred flowers, and these gardens contained heavenly flowers.
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The punishment for any human who entered these sacred grounds was death. Moreover, these gardens were guarded by the immortal hounds, whose saliva was poisonous to all other animals including humans. Since humans couldn't enter it, they were always curious about it because these gardens do not only contain heavenly flowers, but they were also a part of many myths and legends.
Just few miles away from the garden was a village, and there lived a beautiful girl named Elma whose enchanting smile won the hearts of all especially that of Mike. At the age of 17, Elma fell seriously ill and it was certain that she would die in few weeks. As the news of her approaching death came out, the entire village was filled with the air of sadness.
Hearing this, Mike ran to see her and declared his love for her to which she smiled but asked him to forget about her as she would be dead in few weeks. Mike didn't give up on his love and so, he asked her to make one last wish which she wanted deep down her heart and that no matter how hard it maybe, he'll try as much as possible to fulfil it. At first, she refused to answer him but she later replied him hesitantly that she wanted to see and smell the fragrance of the winter lily before her death.
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It was said that this flower bloomed only in winter (as the name might have already suggested that ) but also that it bloomed and glowed at night. The winter lily glowed with a very soft but luminous light which would outshine the moonlight in the coldest night. Some myths even suggest that based on the feelings of its possessor, the winter lily would respond with an appropriate voice and words.
To fulfil Elma's wish, Mike started his journey to get the winter lily from the forbidden garden of the King. After a few days of travelling he finally reaches his destination, the house of the old alchemist. The alchemist gave him the Salve of concealment but at the price of his arm. He then applies the salve and sneaks into the garden with the utmost care and fortunately for him, he was able to locate the lily.
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However, just when he thought he had successfully stolen the winter lily, the lily cried out alerting the guardian hounds. Knowing fully well that the hounds can't leave the garden, Mike ran to the gate but as he was about to reach the gate, a hound caught up with him and bit him. Even at that, Mike managed to get out of the garden.
He then started his journey back even as the poison form the bite was spreading. He finally reached his village and found out that Elma died few days ago. According to her wish, she was buried near an old Banyan tree around which she played a lot. On getting there, Mike collapsed. He knew that his end had arrived and so, he silently waited for his death there.
While he waited, he heard a majestic voice surprisingly. "I am moved by your devotion and love, tell me what your final wish is". To Mike's surprise! it was the voice of the King of flowers.
"The sweet fragrance of this lily reminds me of my Elma's sweet smile. I want to smell this till my death and also that my grave is always surrounded by it." Mike responded.
His wish was granted and so, after his death, Mike was buried beside his love and then near his grave the winter lily gave off the fragrance. Since the lily bloomed and remained active only in winter, the king froze it in ice and then petrified it so that it gave fragrance forever. The king also turned that entire place into a garden of lily.
Even till date, It is said that the lily has never stopped singing an extremely beautiful but melancholic song to show it's devotion to Mike.
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