I close my eyes and I’m whisked away
to a land where dwarves and fairies play.
A place and time of knights and kings,
where love rules and magic sings.
Here I ruled a kingdom fair,
with courage, wisdom, and careful care.
I had an army of soldiers noble and true
to protect my country from its enemies few.
My people loved and respected me.
All in my kingdom were happy and free.
But e’en here evil lurks,
not even I can escape its nefarious works.
Not far from my country ruled a man
who would let nothing stop his evil plan.
And so this man who was a monster,
whose heart of stone none could stir,
Kidnapped me and took me from my home
to his fortress o’erlooking a sea churning with foam.
Here he kept me night and day,
and all that I could do was pray
For the kingdom he had taken me from
and that to my rescue a knight might come.
And finally on loyal soldier came
to save me and take me home again.
His hair was black as darkest night,
and fierce green were those that gave him sight.
This man, called Tor, was a soldier in my closest guard,
and he knew that rescuing me would be more than hard.
Another night, he promised, he would return wearing his blackest cape,
and then we would make good our planned escape.
As he turned to leave I grabbed his arm-
I told him I feared he might be harmed.
I could not live if he did not,
without the joy that to me his existence brought.
With fear for his life I confessed my long-held love
and saw in his eyes that he was greatly moved.
“I love you, also,” he softly confessed
then drew me close and my lips he kissed.
Out of fear and love we came together,
wishing that the night might last forever.
When Tor had to leave, there were tears in his eyes.
He would return, he vowed, just watch for his disguise!
We would make our escape the night of the upcoming feast,
and my time of imprisonment would then be ceased.
Then he was gone as dawn broke the night.
I wept as I watched the sky filled with light.
A moon later, the night of the feast at last arrived,
and I prayed that Tor and I might escape this place alive.
I descended to the ballroom in the best of my gowns
and with eyes steady met my captor’s frown.
He kept me near to him throughout the celebration.
I had almost given up hope when I saw him, and my heart was filled with elation.
To the villain, I complained of discomfort and begged brief leave,
and my leave my captor reluctantly did give.
I flew to the deserted room where Tor was to meet me,
quite certain that my flight no one did see.
Tor immediately pulled me into his embrace
and rained kisses over the whole of my face.
Then, quickly!, from the window a rope he let fall
that spanned the height of the castle wall.
We climbed down the rope to the ground below,
and running, to Tor’s destrier did go.
On his handsome horse we did the fortress escape,
riding right out through the enemy’s gates.
Near a mile away we stopped to rest-
of a lonely barn we would be guests.
But we were scarce inside when the villain came upon us-
to my excuse he had not given his trust!
Against Tor the wicked one drew his sword,
and vowed that on this barn’s floor Tor’s blood would be poured.
The two were evenly matched, I saw,
my heart leapt to my throat when Tor his own sword did draw.
Then began the ruthless parry and thrust,
and upset the floor’s long-claimed dust.
But I noticed it not as I stared in fear,
I struggled to breathe each time to Tor evil’s sword came near.
In horror I saw the villain’s blade fly like a dart
toward its target- my beloved’s heart!
At the last instance, Tor turned aside with a quick dance,
but the weapon still did his shoulder glance.
But Tor fought harder, despite his wound,
and soon it became clear that the villain was doomed.
With a cry of triumph and fury, Tor ran him through,
then lifted turbulent eyes to mine, which overflowed with unnoticed dew.
I ran to him and put my trembling hands upon his face,
and after a moment, he drew me into a hard embrace.
Then together we left that lowly barn behind;
to home we traveled, with love as our guide.
I open my eyes and see only the dark,
so I reach for he who holds my heart.
But within my grasp is only air-
with confusion I realize Tor is not there.
I look about and confirm my fears.
It was but a dream. My eyes fill with tears.
The dream slipped away like silvery mist,
and left but one question, and that is this:
Why must I waken to this place and this time,
when within Tor’s arms, all that I have wished for was mine?