The Wild Hunt and the change of seasons

Tonight the Wild Hunt is out

Speeding over hill and dale this midwinter night

The hounds a-baying, have caught the scent

Of some poor innocent, destined for death this night

Or maybe not

The Fae ride behind

Upon their fearsome steeds

Shouting and laughing with glee

Before them rides their queen

A cruel and vicious ruler indeed

The Unseelie Court finding pleasure in the hunt

But wait!

Another Host draws near

The Seelie Court

The dogs freeze in their tracks

And run, whimpering towards their masters

The queen reins in her horse

And halts the party

Then rides out, alone

To meet the Seelie Court’s king

Midway between their parties

They dismount and send their horses back

Fire and ice they stand

On the eve of season’s change

They ready themselves for battle

One must die, if only for a while

Before being reborn

To face the other at Midsummer’s eve

Both know it, both accept it

There was no hesitation

As each threw their elements at the other

The queen fell, her forces spent

In creating this winter

The king returned to his court

Leaving the queen where she fell

And rode out to spread his warmth

Over the frozen world

At length the Unseelie Court

Took their queen

And retreated underground

To grow in strength

For Midsummer eve’s battle