(Here we return to the present day festival of heroes. You and lady knight are about to ride in on her white horse.)
Through the castle's flower garden our white horse moves.
Everywhere is noisy with the crowd's chatter,
Festive music, and galloping hooves.
Lady knight now tells me to go ahead
While she takes her horse to a stable.
As I carefully push through hundreds of feast guests,
I wonder if there are anymore free tables!
Finally, I find my way past the people
And through heavy wooden entrance doors.
To see what looks like a grand ballroom
With red curtains and white marble floors!
Long banquet tables are lined up in too many rows to count.
Each one is covered with platters of fruits, sweet pastries,
and fine food served in generous amounts.
My eyes then fall on the room's center
Where an empty golden chair sits alone.
As if reading my thoughts a raspy voice behind me explains
"That is the queen's throne."
I jump at the sound!
That rusted nail voice brings back the past.
Memories of being locked in a tower
Wondering how long I would last!
I turn to see a woman of middle-age
Although she spoke calmly
Her face looks permanently disgusted and enraged.
Her purple silk gown suggests she is rich or of high rank.
Yet she wrinkles her nose while frowning
As if I were a filthy rag or a dead fish that stank.
"I am the second most powerful woman you will find!"
Says the rude faced lady
Again seeming to read my mind.
"My name is Eris advisor to the queen!"
She continues with angry eyes
If Eris always yells like this
Her raspy voice shouldn't come as a surprise.
She still glares at me expecting me to bow or fear her power
Yet I feel she does not deserve respect so I do not cower.
In a flash Eris' sharp nailed hand grabs the collar of my armor!
Her eyes are stormy and her tense face is mad.
By now everyone in the room is watching us
They all seem to know that to upset Eris is really bad!
She pulls as if to rip my armor off
But her hand tears off something not iron but thin and copper instead
It is a necklace that has the most important object in my life
It always belonged worn between a brave heart and wise head.
Eris' once furious eyes now stare in surprise
She looks at what dangles on the small copper chain.
A green emerald ring is hanging on the string of metal
The gem seems to fill her with fear and pain!
"Impossible" Eris mumbles
Finally a word quiet enough for only one person to hear.
Then everyone is surprised
By the sound of dragon wings in their ears!
Everyone turns to see the old queen
Watching near the doors of the room!
Behind her is the red dragon she rode
And a rider wearing a mask of silver and feathered plume.
Upon seeing her we all bow down.
When she commands all to stand
I notice Eris' face wears a worried frown.
"Let me see what you took from the knight."
The queen demands in a voice so kind and wise.
Eris reluctantly hands over the necklace
A look of defeat in her eyes.
After one look at the ring
The queen hugs me and starts to cry!
I can see everyone in the crowd
Is whispering trying to guess why.
Eventually the old queen announces
"When my husband died I was left without an heir."
"So I visited an orphanage"
"And chose one child to raise in my care."
"I thought that child was lost years ago."
"But after recognizing this knight's face and royal ring"
"I see that is no longer so."
"Your future ruler has returned!"
Then turning to me she whispers
"Please enjoy the feast dear child, someday we will speak."
"But now there is no time to explain the great destinies you seek."
I search the room but now Eris is nowhere in sight.
Then I realize the whole kingdom is still bowing to me!
Though now royalty, I don't really enjoy having people at knee height.
So I ask the queen to command all to return to the feast.
People should remember this is a celebration for all heroes at least.
As music and laughter begin once more,
The queen's masked dragon rider
And my lady knight friend walk toward me on the marble floor.
They ask together, "You don't remember me? "
"My name is Drako" says the masked rider
And lady knight adds "I am Lorelei".
(Adventurer, everything will make more sense if you read all of the ballads before this, and the ballads after this story. How do you think you met Lorelei and Drako?)
Dedicated to Nicholas_UnCaged
STAI LEGGENDO
Daring Names : Heroic Ballads
AvventuraYOU are the hero! You have many adventures to go on. How would you feel if you were a famous knight? What does it sound like in a mermaid's lair? Will you be friends with dragons? What is it like to fly? Only YOU can tell the story! (Please leave co...
