This humble ballad was commissioned by His Gracious Lordship the Royal Champion, Lord Sicard, to be written for and in honor of the most beautiful Lady Amoret.

Though my work cannot do justice to the heroism of the one, nor the graceful beauty of the other, I hope that these verses offer enjoyment to both.

In respectful service,
- Viola -

"The Hero's Ballad"

A wand'ring knight once roamed these hills
In armor made of gold --
A tall and rugged handsome man
Possessed of courage bold.

His hair was a pale ashen blond,
Tied back with leathern cord --
The color of his stallion matched
The silver of his sword.

One night while slumb'ring in his dreams
He met a lovely maid --
Tears shining in her gentle eyes,
She pled, 'I beg your aid.'

Her silky curling golden hair
Brushed soft against his cheek
As she leaned close to whisper, 'Free
Me on yon mountain peak.'

The dreaming knight, his soul struck deep
With love, did sudden wake.
Of weeping damsel was no trace,
Save in his heart's sweet ache.

Not caring what the danger was,
He climbed upon the steed --
For beauty such as hers he could
Perform the bravest deed.

Upon his gleaming stallion the
White mountain he did climb --
A voyage that took many weeks,
But he cared not for time.

At length he reached the summit cold
To find a darkened cave.
He stood and swore upon his sword
The maiden he would save.

'Ho there!' he cried in voice so deep,
'What villain holds my love?'
Then gazed he to the sky, for he
Heard beating wings above.

A giant wyrm -- a dragon -- wheeled
Through hazy winter sky,
Deep shining black his armored scales,
Deep violet his eye.

The monster screeched in voice like death,
'Who dares disturb my land?'
''Tis I,' called out the steadfast knight,
His sword held firm in hand.

'Prepare to meet thy grave,' the wyrm
Did shriek, a deafening sound,
And dove straight toward the knight who stood
So stalwart on the ground.

The knight's swift blade and nimble dodge
Frustrated this attack --
Down fell a slice of dragon's wing
Of slimy leathern black.

The dragon bellowed, mad with rage,
A roar heard through the land --
And then he wheeled 'round, wounded now,
To where the knight did stand.

'I see you're handy with a blade,'
The creature hissed, 'but, see,
My friend, no knight has ever won
A battle against me.'

'My love lends strength to more than just
My sword,' the knight did cry.
'My hand, my heart, my mind, my soul
Are steadied by her eye.'

Then gazed he toward the darkened cave
And swore, 'I risk it all.
I'd give my life before I would
Deny this maiden's call.'

'Then list,' the creature hissed, and said,
'We'll see if you speak true ...
Just answer me a riddle and
I'll yield this maid to you.'

The monster grinned, teeth gleaming sharp,
'But listen closely, friend,
For if you cannot puzzle this
You'll meet a gruesome end:'

'Break me and I'll not stop my work.
Touch me, my work is through.
Lose me and find me not until
The loss is shared by two.'

The dragon laughed with cruel glee
To see the hero's face.
The knight ignored him, deep in thought --
The clearing he did pace.

Then suddenly the knight's lips smiled --
He answered bold and brave.
The dragon screamed in disbelief --
The knight walked to the cave.

The knight held out his gallant hand
And said, 'My lady fair,
I've passed this test and you are free
To leave this monster's lair.'

The maiden, graceful, clad in blue
And gold walked from the cave,
And to her saviour brown-eyed knight
Her smooth, white hand she gave.

But suddenly the dragon struck --
Again the knight's steel flashed.
The maiden hid beneath a tree
As claws and swordblade clashed.

'You have no honor!' cried the knight,
His sword thrusts quick and true.
The dragon struck him in the arm
And hero's blood he drew.

The brave knight feinted boldly, and
His sword plunged in the chest.
The giant body fell to earth,
Laid finally to rest.

Then turned the knight toward the maid
And with a courtly bow
He said, 'My lady, you are safe
In my protection now.'

'Good gentle knight,' the lady smiled,
Then she did sweetly say,
'You've won my heart, my hand, my love
With your brave deeds this day.'

And so true love was born and so
Was lifted a black curse ...
And so I hope that I have pleased
With this, my humble verse.

[ Kimberly's Main Marrach Page]
[The Castle] | [Punzel]
[Site Map]