Bargain of the Heart

The air was cool, the shrouded peaks
were dark with rain these many weeks,
as I on horseback made my way
along the high road. Yesterday,

my journeys took me far afield,
not knowing Fate had bargain sealed
with Chance and Love, awaiting me
within the tavern I did see.

The hall was dark, the hearth was warm,
the company all shadowed form
around the hearth, or at the table.
Outside, my faithful mount was stabled

and I in turn, found my own room,
a fire and lamp to chase the gloom,
the hearth drove back the chill and damp
far more than my most recent camp.

Just then, did Fate and Chance befall,
for clamor rose within the hall,
as through the doors, a maiden burst
whose spare condition not seen at first,

but stumbling came, fell at my feet,
her hollow eyes and heart did meet
my own, their proud but silent plea
for naught but help and aid from me.

Gathering her, and helping, I
brought her to hearth, for to my eye
her weariness and hurts not few,
but something else was missing, too

Halting, she began her tale
with broken words from lips so pale,
of dangers faced, of travels long,
untold or made for verse or song,

These she told to me, whilst I
to treat and tend her wounds did try,
but in soothing cut and ugly weal,
the heart had need as well, to heal

For long her road did take her here
alone and friendless, full of fear
and doubt, and darkest fear of all
was in the abyss of sleep to fall.

To reassure her, that she would
not fall, I’d do what all I could
I bade her rest, and raised her up
to find a bed, or a bite to sup

but not for food or drink did she
want more than rest, and this did she
allow for me, to take her arm
and lead her to my chamber warm

My own warm bed for her would serve
to soothe her hurts and shattered nerve,
while fire I made, the chill to take
and warm her – and for my own sake,

a pallet for myself I made
and of my cloak a pillow made,
but for her, my tunic gave
to cover her wounds, so many, so grave,

and while to sleep she drifted fast
a watch I kept while night did pass,
the name of “Beren” on her voice,
the song of Luthien’s great choice.

And there she slept, in peace, in rest,
she put aside at last, her quest,
and in the watches of the night,
I thought upon her fear and flight,

and whispered to her, as she slept,
my voice was low and quiet kept,
“The dark will not have you, this day,
rest now, safe, and with me stay,

No burden are you, not to me,
for here I watch, with eyes that see
your heart that sorrow cannot reach,
to you, so much I wish to teach

all song and laughter, ours to share,
in this place, or anywhere
our paths might take us – for tomorrow
shall see bright paths, and not sorrow.”

And in the night, as I slept there
with she in dreams and free of care,
Fate and Chance watched from above,
the bargain sealed, at last, with Love.

(c) 06/24/2007 by JSR

Print Friendly, PDF & Email