The Ballad of Lenore (Part 8)

Oriel had a gracious manner

She gestured up to the stair

Where stood a huge marble gryphon

On guard with a great marble bear

We smiled, I knew what she meant

Our families are set in stone

Danger felt is danger shared

We'll litter the ground with their bones!

"Why are you not called Princess?" she asked

"Your parents were High Queen and King."

"My father did not want to marry me off

By law, no strife could I bring"

"The Coastal Kings are a contentious lot.

Every one of them would kill to rise

I'll not be a bone in a pack of wolves

In this, my father was so wise."

"Gods bless them, though, they've joined as one

Prepared for the coming storm

All fighting armies mustered now

The Wakening Bear is formed."

"But all assembled soldiers

Look to be barely enough

The orcs have been breeding for too many years

And winter campaigns are so rough."

"They never come when convenient." she said

We'll be canceling the Winter Games."

"Have them in the Grimrocks Valley." I said

Count orcs' heads to honor great names" 

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 7)

"Dozens of sylphs accompanied me

My knights were bloodied, beat back

I bade them make camp at the edge of the field

I took the courier's pack"

"The ghosts, they wanted me to come with them

I cannot say how that I knew

Or why they attacked and harried my men

They're your neighbors, perhaps you do?"

"They are inexplicable." he said

"But they can read the hearts of men

No live wood can be taken there

Travelers disappear, now and then"

A frosty chill went up my spine

Orsen came and sat next to me

"The mages are all keen to meet you now

When you've eaten and slept, we'll see."

Though the food set before me was wondrous

Large trout from clear mountain streams

I suddenly felt my exhaustion

Between bites, I fell into dreams

I was back home, the Baylen Keep

The orcs were at our gate

I cried out, and woke myself up

Staring down at an elvenwork plate

Elandon's hand was on my shoulder

"Oriel, my niece, would you take her upstairs?

It is a long, cold path with sylphs through the forest

She's worn out with duties and cares."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

  

The Ballad of Lenore (Part 6)

A footman bowed, and offered to take

My bags, my cloak and my sword

That I might dine in civilized mien

To keep a weapon, untoward

I surrendered gracefully

Felt and showed no mistrust

To win their aid, I'll win their hearts

Only reasonable common menace be crushed

I sit, Elandon speaks again,

"Does your father know you are here?

It is astonishing you travel alone

And carry the Sword of the Bear."

"My father knows of age, 

And old wounds' agonies

No, he lies insensate

But he entrusted the Bear to me."

"How did your half-brother like that?"

He grinned, obviously well-informed

"He blew up in rage and took to his bottle

Only himself does he harm."

"I'm sure that is what your father intended

When he passed the duty to you.

But to travel our forests unaccompanied

Seems less than wise to do."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad, Part 5

The emerald doors were open

I strode into the Hall

The talking stilled, all eyes on me

If I hesitate a moment, I'll stall

Elandon sat at table's head

I made my way before

I set my bags down and extended my hands
"I am Lech Baylen's daughter, Lenore"

His eyes, blue ice, but oddly kind
Hair long, and white as snow
He took my hands gently and looked in my face
Who he could see I cannot know

"You have the look of your father
Yet bear your mother's bright eyes
You were much too young to remember me
Barefooted, towheaded, not five"

I did recall him, most vivid
A long-ago contest in rain
"I do remember the archers' tourney
You split Gaston's arrow in twain"

He smiled, "Sit beside me, dear girl
Tell me the news of your land"
I removed the petitions of the Coastal Kings
And placed them in his hands

He gravely nodded, passed them on
To a waiting elven scribe
History is served, requests are passed
Officially, tribe to tribe

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad Part 4

I softened, let my anguish show

"Even he does not think he will rise.

The orcs will take no chivalrous pause

I mean to hand them a nasty surprise"

"The sylphs, they would not suffer

My loyal retinue to pass

They drove the winds with icy shards

Cut their faces like glass"

"I left them at the forest edge

The sylphs, they harmed me not

The winds quick stilled, I rode alone

They flew with me silent, unsought."

Orsen liked this little

His frown grew deeper yet

"I must consult the mages,

The sylphs are never well met"

"Enter now the Great Hall

Elandon will hear you there.

The elven court will sit to dine

Please join at our table to share."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

Epic Ballad Part 3

The mists were finally parting

The sunken sun glowed gold 

A royal groomsman took my mare

To the stables, from the cold

I shouldered my leathern saddlebags

Bounded the wide granite stair

I hid my wonder at the place

Cared not of disapproval in the air

The castle doors were set in jewels

Swung wide at my approach

The frown of Orsen, his brother and heir

Held nothing but reproach

"So, House of Baylen remembers its kin," he said

"But only when it needs"

"Does House of Elandon remember its kin?" I said

"Or will you let us bleed?"

Orsen ignored the question

"Where are your attendants, Baylen Queen?"

"The High King of Baylen lived when I left."

Lightnings of rage pulsed in my veins

"No offense, brave daughter, truly I am

More than pleased to hear it."

Orsen backpedaled like a courtier

"I saw the Bear Sword, and feared it."

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito

The sylphs set up a wailing

as I crossed the magic line

The elven keep is strongly charmed

They retreated in the pines

The guardian gatemen were silent

A nod to acknowledge my rank

I made my way across the square

At sight of him, my heart sank

The great arched window framed his form

It was him and no mistake

Elandon knew that I was here

Suffered me for my mother's sake

Generations of my house 

Have called and answered call

My father's father's father

Elandon knew them all

My father would be outraged

If he had but wit to know

I have come to seek the elven king

before the enemies grow

He lies upon his deathbed

the man who gave me his sword

He bid me protect his kingdom

I solemnly gave my word

But Elandon and he had fallen out

No one will tell me why

I've seen the orc camps by looking glass

We need warrior elves, I must try

(to be continued)
©Kiku Koibito