A Sable Banner for the King | ||||||||
The night has laid her somber peace Upon the hidden valley fair Within, a maiden lies in sleep The moon upon her raven hair. Without, the stars like diamonds gleam Softly they gild the weaver�s frame Ornately carved and inlaid, yet As fragile as thy fleeting dreams. The midnight threads are yet unloosed Still bound in fetters to the loom They speak of endless labor, ceased With the first rising of the moon. The hands that wove thee rest at last Lost in dreams weariness fades While you in silence await the dawn The summons for a last crusade. Black as the storm that riseth swift, Dark as the fathomless cavern rift, Unseen device upon thee laid By Elven hands for mortal made. A mighty banner grim and proud A sign of victory or a shroud In the endless dark to fly Fear of the mountain to defy. Awake the shadows buried deep The Oathbreakers their oath to keep From cliff to sea the host to lead Their vow to pay, from curse be freed. Above the ship your folds to fling Hope to the hopeless bring A sign of triumph in the midst Of sorrow, by the dawn is kissed. A new light rises from the sea The sun at last from bondage free Your dark ensign to all revealed Terror and wonder on the field. The radiant dawn gilds the spread wing Upon your crown seven stars sing A mithril tree unwithering A sable banner for the king. -Elvellon Ringsbane |
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2003 by Elvellon Rinsbane; sole property of author |