β look, see a world that holds more wonders than any since the earth was born. β Β
β let me tell you instead a new tale. β Β
β so stay a while. rest. and make yourself content. β
β and if death awaits me? β
β surely your knights have spilled enough blood in your name to bind them closer to you than i. β
β good to have oneβs family by oneβs side. β Β
β i recognize but i do not know you. β
β what is this? a trick? β
β and this is what you want most in life? β
β green is the color of earth, of living things, of life. β
β the world is fit for all manner of mysteries. β
β you are not very good with questions. β
β surely a knight knows something of love. β
β i never knew so many books even existed. β
β what if i wanted to sit by your side and take your hand and have your ear? β
β do you still fancy me? do i make you happy? β
β green is what is left when ardor fades, when passion dies, when we die, too. β
β when you return, you will come with your head held high. β
β this is how silly men perish. β
β you rest your bones, my brave little knight. β
β where you off to? a knightly quest? β
β all dead. no one to bury them. β
β by nightfall, you will be at the doorway of your destiny. β
β i promise, you will not come to harm. β
β why greatness? why is goodness not enough? β
β are you really going to go? β
β youβll do this one thing, you return home a changed man, an honorable man? just like that? β
β keep your five fingers strong, your five senses sharp. β
β you have mud on your face. β
β is it wrong to want greatness for you? β
β iβve been waiting for you. did you not hear me calling? β
β what do you expect me to do? β
β i am the luckiest here today because i am amongst you. β
β do not take your place amongst legends idly. β
β though my will longs to leap across this table and meet you, my body will not follow. β
β you tell me a tale of yourself, so that i might know you. β
β iβve got no guts for merriment this year. β Β
β i needβ¦i need a sword. β
β i dare say every table in this land has heard of you and sung your song. β
β i know more than just your name. β
β well, come on in if you want. β
β perhaps you think that i am something iβm not. β
β why would you ask me that? why would you ever ask me that? β
β are you real, or are you a spirit? β
β you are at the end of your quest. a little sooner than you expected, perhaps. but such is the case for us all. β
β i am just a lost traveler, seeking rest for the night. β
β did my father send for you? β
β are you certain there is nothing you wish to give me? β
β what will you say if i asked you to make me your lady?Β β
β i do not know of any man who has not marched up to greet death before his time. β
β were you afraid? β
β you have had a year to find courage. β
β come, come home. come home with me. β
β i never asked for your company anyway! β
β what witchcraft is this? β
β go that way and your doom is at hand. β
β unhand me and let us go our ways. β
β fear not. youβve only slept through the night. β
β which direction are you headed? β
β i will eat and give thanks and then take my leave. β
β how do you know my name? β
β you will find no mercy. no happy end. β
β i donβt want your games, or your gifts, or your kindness. β
β thereβs an enchantment sewn into its threads. wear it and you will never be struck down. β
β do you believe in magic, in witchcraft? β
β do not touch me. β
β iβve lost something. will you help me find it? β
β iβm very sorry. iβ¦i did not see you. β
β i fear i am not meant for greatness. β
β stand up and face me! β
β make a move or i shall make mine. β
β letβs just stay here. come. letβs just stay here. β Β
β iβve got time. iβve got lots of time. β Β
β out my window this morning i looked, and i saw a land shaped by your hands. β
β i look out upon my friends here today and i see songs no muse could ever sing or dream of. β
β no. iβm not ready yet. β Β
β iβll finish this quest for you. β