Now morning comes, and I lay,
Crooked across the cooling sheets,
And wonder, idly, how cruel the day,
As it steals me away from you.
The warmth I leave behind may stay,
Where I cannot—and it's a sin,
That you should wake to its embrace—
It chills a part of me; within
These ropes I wound about my feet,
I cannot take a single step
Towards you in love, or in retreat;
I'm frozen, here: too far, too near.
Captured by my cautious plans,
I should be fury and inglorious haste,
But I find a smile around my lips,
And my soul hungers for a taste
Of Life! And, Love, you wear it well—
The Pain that worships at your feet,
Would drag you down to a fiery Hell—
If you were not so strong and sweet
Even I, perhaps, might again be free,
From thoughts that plague my aching head:
"For Duty and Honor!" One voice cries-
"And the pitiful souls of all your dead!"
But another voice, with frustration rife-
For love! For love! You foolish beast!
And I, with shame, but more of joy,
Desire one more kiss, at least.
And in the midst of this endless war,
You watch with patience, wait with grace,
And gaze at me with gentle eyes:
I'll die before I leave this place,
Wherein you kept me close at hand,
And closer still to your beating heart.
But Wolves are howling their demand,
That I leave now and do my part,
And pay my dues, wash clean the blood,
Which I had spilled in foolish pride.
I watched it mix with filth and mud,
And, yet, I stood off to the side.
Arrogance assured me of my task,
And told me what I'd done was right.
So I stood tall, straight, and proud,
Reassured I'd solved my people's plight.
The years passed, and many more,
And even Pride began to squirm—
My people did not live and thrive;
They'd gone to speed the growth of worms.
Oh! What foolishness had led me thus?
Who had forced me so astray?
I did not answer, though I knew;
I slept to keep the truth at bay.
I slept, and slept, and think I dreamed
Of the life I had once hoped to lead,
And all was wild, sheer, and bright!
A dim conception of my need
Danced around the edges of my sight,
And fluttered on a soundless gale,
And in its center, there was light!
And it lifted up the darkling veil—
Found! Naked and shivering in the ruins
Of my people, where I had slept,
And hidden from all that I'd known—
Time had scoured them clean, and swept
The Past and Memory from their face,
But left me King of forgotten glory.
Sole Steward of my princely race,
And I alone can tell their story.
I alone can twist the heavens.
I alone can transform Fate;

So though it kills me to admit it,
I think I came to you too late.
This task is far too sharp and heavy;
Its' price is cruel and, perhaps, just.
It takes from me all that you loved,
Sets it aflame, and sheds the dust.
And in its place stands Fen'Harel,
The Rebel, the Wolf, the traitorous God;
Elvhen beast and Prideful Savior,
Who sentenced his people to yoke and rod.
And so, though it burns me, I must cease;
I cannot save my people and my pride
When loving you instills more man than beast
Within me, and I cannot abide,
Such a dreadful dichotomy.