written_leaves (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
written_leaves) wrote2009-12-18 02:33 pm
written_leaves) wrote2009-12-18 02:33 pm
Oath-Taking & Elfstone
Preparing to depart, enduring and promising
The first here is somewhat heavy in its presentation, more like getting a lecture than hearing a song if that makes sense - but I like the ending. The second is a double-layered work for Arwen bidding Aragorn farewell, in which there is a short poem woven into the longer one, look for the indented words (I had to use underscores to make it indent). The green Elfstone that Aragorn took that part of his name from signified healing and wholeness.
Oath-Taking
"...no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will..."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," said Gimli.
"Maybe," said Elrond, "but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall."
"Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart," said Gimli.
"Or break it." said Elrond.
Oaths may help the faint of heart be strengthened,
Contracts may close the ways of doubt and fear,
But when the road becomes a difficult and dark one
Facing terrors, a broken heart is steeped in tears;
Failing strength overcoming the will to go on.
Facing the unknown, knowing the unbearable,
Living through the trials of fire, stone and dust.
Great is the wisdom that knows and recognizes
When a steel-bound oath will only break a trust.
Great was the wisdom that spared them that sorrow.
To perceive the strength that could endure such testing;
Knowing the endurance and devotion for the trial
Could be found solely in the steadfast hand of friendship,
He trusted in the love that would go the farthest mile,
Trusted that devoted heart would best the oath of steel.
Broken, the spirit of the one who knows he's failed,
Who foolishly has promised beyond his strength and vow.
Far-reaching and powerful, the depths of love continue,
Knowing no such bounds, even when it knows not how;
For as long as there is breath and life it carries hope.
Accursed is deemed any breaker of oaths taken;
Narrow their escape, in spite of love and courage both.
They escaped its breaking by the wisdom of his counsel,
For only the Ringbearer was bound by an oath.
And he went lonely to his doom without them by his side.
Only one stayed on beside him, and that one but through love,
He had made no vow, yet like a living promise stayed.
Hard were the choices of the ones they left behind them;
The one who met his death the very day that he betrayed,
The others taking scattered paths without their word-bond broken.
"I'm coming with you..."
No. Follow me not into this tale of death and darkness,
You are bound by no oath, it is beyond your cup of sorrow,
Follow me not into this land of evil,
You are free to go, to grasp a life of bright tomorrows,
Go back among the living, you are not accursed.
Go back, Sam.
You bear no vow or burden, from my service you are freed.
Yet - If your heart is aching, and if your love is strong
You may come along beside me, for I will need your light;
I will need your hope in darkness, long after mine is dead and gone.
I do not ask that you would give this up for me, but still..
Come on...
-
Elfstone
The years with sorrows have harrowed
_ _ Your soul,
Your face marked with furrows of time.
Seasons of moonlight have silvered
_ _ Your hair.
Your voice so weary, once was so fair.
The shadows' reach lengthens, stengthens
_ _ Despair,
Your courage is not what it was.
Youth's fire now lost in the ashes
_ _ Of age.
I hear only sighing silence, not rage.
Return to me,
_ _ Bearing an elfstone green
That I may see you healed again
Certain and whole,
Peaceful,
_ _ Content,
Unwithered amid bright innocence.
Ah, this departure, so tortured
_ _ With hope.
The aching of warmth after snow.
Go now, beloved, seek the close of
_ _ Our fate
The promise is strong, though the hour be late.
Return to me,
_ _ Bearing an Elfstone green
That I may see you healed again
Certain and whole,
Peaceful,
_ _ Content,
Unwithered amid bright innocence.
-
The first here is somewhat heavy in its presentation, more like getting a lecture than hearing a song if that makes sense - but I like the ending. The second is a double-layered work for Arwen bidding Aragorn farewell, in which there is a short poem woven into the longer one, look for the indented words (I had to use underscores to make it indent). The green Elfstone that Aragorn took that part of his name from signified healing and wholeness.
Oath-Taking
"...no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will..."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," said Gimli.
"Maybe," said Elrond, "but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall."
"Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart," said Gimli.
"Or break it." said Elrond.
Oaths may help the faint of heart be strengthened,
Contracts may close the ways of doubt and fear,
But when the road becomes a difficult and dark one
Facing terrors, a broken heart is steeped in tears;
Failing strength overcoming the will to go on.
Facing the unknown, knowing the unbearable,
Living through the trials of fire, stone and dust.
Great is the wisdom that knows and recognizes
When a steel-bound oath will only break a trust.
Great was the wisdom that spared them that sorrow.
To perceive the strength that could endure such testing;
Knowing the endurance and devotion for the trial
Could be found solely in the steadfast hand of friendship,
He trusted in the love that would go the farthest mile,
Trusted that devoted heart would best the oath of steel.
Broken, the spirit of the one who knows he's failed,
Who foolishly has promised beyond his strength and vow.
Far-reaching and powerful, the depths of love continue,
Knowing no such bounds, even when it knows not how;
For as long as there is breath and life it carries hope.
Accursed is deemed any breaker of oaths taken;
Narrow their escape, in spite of love and courage both.
They escaped its breaking by the wisdom of his counsel,
For only the Ringbearer was bound by an oath.
And he went lonely to his doom without them by his side.
Only one stayed on beside him, and that one but through love,
He had made no vow, yet like a living promise stayed.
Hard were the choices of the ones they left behind them;
The one who met his death the very day that he betrayed,
The others taking scattered paths without their word-bond broken.
"I'm coming with you..."
No. Follow me not into this tale of death and darkness,
You are bound by no oath, it is beyond your cup of sorrow,
Follow me not into this land of evil,
You are free to go, to grasp a life of bright tomorrows,
Go back among the living, you are not accursed.
Go back, Sam.
You bear no vow or burden, from my service you are freed.
Yet - If your heart is aching, and if your love is strong
You may come along beside me, for I will need your light;
I will need your hope in darkness, long after mine is dead and gone.
I do not ask that you would give this up for me, but still..
Come on...
-
Elfstone
The years with sorrows have harrowed
_ _ Your soul,
Your face marked with furrows of time.
Seasons of moonlight have silvered
_ _ Your hair.
Your voice so weary, once was so fair.
The shadows' reach lengthens, stengthens
_ _ Despair,
Your courage is not what it was.
Youth's fire now lost in the ashes
_ _ Of age.
I hear only sighing silence, not rage.
Return to me,
_ _ Bearing an elfstone green
That I may see you healed again
Certain and whole,
Peaceful,
_ _ Content,
Unwithered amid bright innocence.
Ah, this departure, so tortured
_ _ With hope.
The aching of warmth after snow.
Go now, beloved, seek the close of
_ _ Our fate
The promise is strong, though the hour be late.
Return to me,
_ _ Bearing an Elfstone green
That I may see you healed again
Certain and whole,
Peaceful,
_ _ Content,
Unwithered amid bright innocence.
-