The History of Ealdormere, Part 2

The last of the Southron, the Otter and Briar,

Saw Ealdormere prove its worth

Sagely they called for a tournament grand

To determine the Prince of the North

A new Knight defeated the Champion of old

With Prowess both nimble and sure

Certain they were upon seeing his face

That the Line of the North was secure.

Singing they joined in the thundering host

That fought for the Midrealm Kings

Fearless the might of the Wolfpack at war

With the valor that leadership brings

Sharp were the blades of the triple-edged flower

That struck its foes down where they stood

Fierce was the light of the Heaven's red eye

When the fields were the scarlet of blood.

Upon this foundation their arms would reach wide

And the Northrealm would leave it's mark

Powerful Monarchs would sail with the tide

And would shine like a flame in the dark

Ealdormere's people were giving and Kind

Each head of pavilion or hall

Had no greater pride for a stranger or friend

But to give them their best and their all.

So Ealdormere grew to a thoroughbred's strength

From the first eager steps of a colt

The needs of a Kingdom were pondered at length

And none could find Ealdormere's fault

Officers, artisans, wisdom and youth

And nobles of every degree,

Women and men full of chivalry's grace

Who could lead them in war and in peace.

Like bees in the summer, the fever took hold

For much there was yet to be done

The newest of nobles joined Shirefolk of old

In their dreams of a future to come

The humblest peasant stood equal to Peer

As the shape of their work was revealed

Surely the mightiest keep had been built

From the stones that were found in the field.

And so came the day when the doors were thrown wide

To the wondrous hall they built

Drawn like a river they gathered inside

'Til the greatest of chambers was filled

Eyes were drawn upward and whispers were hushed

At the sight of the scarlet-draped throne

Their dream in fruition, the moment at hand

For a King and Queen of their own.

In song-softened silence the populace stood

And the will of the land intoned

Sweet was the harvest that grew from the past

When the seeds of the future were sown

Soft was the shining of Ealdormere's eyes

Who gathered to witness a birth

Bright was the legacy's circle that passed

From the first to the last to the first.

And so,

First is the Wolf,

And the Wilds,

And the Will

And the Rule

Of the Northrealm King.