The Drowned Lady

"She was once a loving and kind woman, until her husband drowned her in the river. Then, as the truth came to light he attempted to flee across the same river he anchored her body in. She screamed and cried all at once and pulled him, boat and all, into beneath the water. If you frolic carelessly near the waters edge, and there be no one to keep an eye on you, then she is likened to do the very same to you! And no body shall ever be found, your parents wouldn't ne'er know the better of what were to came of yous." Mary Margaret, recounting the tale of the Drowned Lady to Archibald, Gregory, and Frey Grimmace

Summary

The myth is common across the Tyrnzig Valley and Kolwidg, that is one is out by the river or lake alone, with no other soul nearby, the Drowned Lady can drag you into the water and no one will ever find you. Most versions state the woman was murdered by a lover or husband, drowned and her body anchored to the bottom by him in the dark of the night. The truth is discovered and he then attempts to flee by boat or swimming across the body of water and dragged under before anyone, except one small boy, can get to him.

Historical Basis

The story may have some basis in truth about the crime, but the original location for this story is impossible to determine. Dozens of lakes can be found across the valley, as such any one of them could be the inspiration for the tale. Many parents use this disturbing story to keep wandering children from the treacherous banks of violent rivers and deceptively deep banks. Thick vegetation is quite liable to tangle the limbs of children attempting to swim in what may be comparatively shallow parts of the a lake and thus appear to drag them under.

Spread

Variants of the tale can be found in any region with a large presence of bodies of water including river settlements, lakeside villages, and coastal towns. The tale has traditionally been spread orally but recently three brothers have begun compiling these little legends as they call them into a compendium of tales. Archibald, Gregory, and Frey Grimmace determined the most consistent version of this story, with hardly any variations, to originate from the Tyrnzig Valley.