The chapter titled “The Promise of Helen” from the book Ban and Arriere Ban portrays a romantic and mystical revival of the concept of romance and adventure. Opening with a poetic invocation to a beloved lost and then regained, it sets the stage for a narrative that intertwines love, loss, and the supernatural. The speaker addresses their true love, promising the return of a beloved figure who, despite being wed to another or even dead, is now waking for the speaker. This section encapsulates themes of undying love and the resurrection of deep, personal connections across the barriers of marriage and mortality.

The chapter then shifts to “The Restoration of Romance,” dedicated to figures identified only by their initials, suggesting a tribute to friends or influential individuals. It mourns the apparent death of King Romance, a metaphorical representation of the genre of romantic and adventurous tales. King Romance, once vibrant and influential, is depicted as wounded, his knights lost, and his realm asleep. Critics and foes declare the age of romantic tales over, their magic gone, and their stories told.

However, the narrative takes a turning point with the emergence of new champions from diverse locales, from Tugela to the Tweed. These new heroes champion the cause of King Romance, proving his detractors wrong. Marsac’s adventures, Micah Clarke’s partisan battles, and the undying spirit of individuals facing imprisonment for their causes or loves illustrate the enduring nature of romantic and adventurous spirit. The resurgence of King Romance, wielding a wand of gold and reclaiming his domain, symbolizes the timeless appeal and reinstatement of the romance genre.

With engaging symbols of adventure like Marsac, thematic elements of sacrifice for love or cause, and the magical restoration of King Romance’s realm, the chapter blends poetic allure with the enthralling promise of revived stories and adventures. It celebrates the eternal cycle of loss and rediscovery, both in love and in the narrative traditions of romance and adventure.