arcanepower: (sigh.)
belthazar spellscry | ch(i)ef tsundere ([personal profile] arcanepower) wrote in [community profile] exsilium2013-03-25 05:11 pm

[ the knight and the wall ]

[voice]

Some time ago, someone asked me to share one of my favorite stories. This was an epic poem written in a very dated form of Thalassian. I have translated it, but some of the more poetic nuances have been lost, as is the case with languages. [There's an awkward pause, and then he continues in a tone that sounds slightly humbled:] Since so many of you shared stories with me before... I thought it might... be appropriate.

[He clears his throat, then begins to recite.]

The trees whisper of a time
when Lordaeron was still young,
the elves still fortifying their walls;
when moss still grew on uncarved stones,
and the rivers ran fresh and clear.

A knight was charged with guarding the Well,
the source of our life and our prosperity.
Such a task was a great honor,
but he was unseasoned in battle and lonely,
so he made the walls.

He placed each brick himself,
under no orders but his own.
His work looked insignificant
compared to the sight of the Well,
but the well was sparkling and clear.

The knight began to notice the walls
growing stronger without his hand.
No one volunteered their knowledge,
so he left his post one night and hid,
to see who fortified the walls.

To the knight's great surprise,
he spied a woman with a dress like fog;
she appeared at the side of the Well
to pray, and then to strengthen the wall,
and the sky was bright and clear.

The knight was moved by her kindness
and desired to speak with her,
but she heard him and turned to flee.
He was quicker, and snatched her wrist,
and her voice echoed in the walls.

'Who are you,' she demanded,
'that you hold me so!'
'My lady,' said he, 'I am but a knight
who keeps the Well and builds the walls,
and I see your charity clearly.'

He released her wrist then,
and set another brick into the wall;
the woman knelt beside him, lending her magic
as he lent his raw strength,
and together, they built a great wall.

Though she was a priestess and he,
a knight, they made many walls.
A great palace was constructed,
walls of light housing a greater light,
and the rivers ran fresh and clear.

It was not their birth that dictated
what greatness they could bring,
for it takes two to make a wall.
They built their tomb together
and rest eternal with hands clasped,
where the rivers run fresh and clear.
inafadingcrown: (the hobbit side view)

voice

[personal profile] inafadingcrown 2013-03-26 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[She smiles to herself, remembering that conversation and listening intently to the poem.]

Lovely. [A simple form of praise, but her tone isn't dismissive at all. On the contrary, it's appreciative, almost solemn.] Do you think it true? Or merely a charming tale?
bloodspeaker: (i'm what's real)

video;

[personal profile] bloodspeaker 2013-03-26 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
And what do you think is the lesson of the tale?
motioned: (so this is love)

video;

[personal profile] motioned 2013-03-26 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
...That's beautiful. Really, that's really lovely, so - thank you.
motioned: (and we call it bella notte)

voice;

[personal profile] motioned 2013-03-26 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! They became stronger because they were together, and did amazing things that neither of them could have done alone. They protected that well together.
inafadingcrown: (soft as moonlight)

[personal profile] inafadingcrown 2013-03-26 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
I have heard stranger things. [Lúthien destroying an entire fortress by herself springs to mind.] But you would know better than I.
bloodspeaker: who wants to bring the pain. (i know i've got an enemy waiting)

[personal profile] bloodspeaker 2013-03-26 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
[LIFE IS HOMEWORK. BEST GET A PENCIL.]

Explain. What kind of status? Race? Profession? Wealth?
lifemelody: (nice coat)

Voice

[personal profile] lifemelody 2013-03-26 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
That's a wonderful poem. Thank you, Belthazar.
whatsupcroc: (☇ ask: is that all?)

[personal profile] whatsupcroc 2013-03-26 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
It's nice to get to hear something from you!

( An interesting way of telling a story to someone who hasn't spent much time listening to ballads. Sure, she knows about the epic poems, but it's not an area of her interest. )

Did either of them have names? Or did they never really need them?
lifemelody: (smile)

voice;

[personal profile] lifemelody 2013-03-26 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
I did! It was a good story about working together, despite differences.

But what is the Well? It doesn't sound like a normal well for water.
Edited 2013-03-26 06:18 (UTC)
whatsupcroc: (☇ curious: didn't quite catch that)

[personal profile] whatsupcroc 2013-03-26 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
( She hums under her breath, continuing to use audio as he does.

Also Beowulf watch her try to figure out if that was worth staying awake through the language for Grendel and the rest. )


Stories like that can be the best. I think you might find ones like them all over... it's a nice sentiment! Helping each other we're stronger than when we're alone on our own,
lifemelody: (nice coat)

voice;

[personal profile] lifemelody 2013-03-26 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
The Sunwell...it sounds beautiful. [At least from the descriptors in the poem and the name]
inafadingcrown: (Even the smallest person)

[personal profile] inafadingcrown 2013-03-26 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
I do. In my time I have known many who live on only in lore and I have watched their stories take shape over the ages. It is a curious thing.

But I do believe I promised a tale of my own.

video;

[personal profile] crymoore 2013-03-26 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
Have you anymore?

[ Several will compliment him on this for sure, so Jaina will inquire of a different matter to captivate him. ]
bloodspeaker: (it's a game of living and dying)

[personal profile] bloodspeaker 2013-03-26 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
That's too literal. Think a little more about the last stanza.
have_hat_will_travel: (Curious)

[personal profile] have_hat_will_travel 2013-03-26 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
... Someday, I would love to hear this work in its original language.
andagain: (grin)

voice

[personal profile] andagain 2013-03-27 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
That was a lovely poem, do you have any more to share?

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