A/N: This song was written as part of my story 'In Shadows' and will feature in it in later chapters. It is a ballad designed for two singers, a Man and an Elf, which will tell part of the story of Túrin Turambar and what happened after he ran away from Doriath. I always liked the relationship between Túrin and Beleg (I also low key ship them) and thought this would be a perfect moment to write about. It is written deliberately long (as all Tolkien songs are, let's face it) and I hoped to make it seem as though it fitted a Middle Earth style.
I've never attempted to write a ballad before and hope it came off okay. I'm also working on creating music for it as well, but aside from a basic melody I'm a looong way off finishing it. Please let me know what you think of my first attempt at poetry/songwriting!
The Search of Beleg
Beleg:
...~...
An Elf of Doriath, strong and proud.
Marchwarden of Thingol am I
Long I have fought, against evil avowed
And Morgoth I dare defy.
But no blade wield I in recent days.
Another task have I.
I search along the ancient ways
And issue a weary sigh.
Túrin I seek, dear friend to me,
Gone too long from my sight.
A year I have searched from under tree
From hill, 'cross rivers bright.
...~...
Why have you gone? Whither you stay?
Come back by light of day!
...~...
Túrin:
...~...
A man of ill-repute am I,
A bandit, coarse and low.
Yet once I bore a name more high
Which many once did know.
Turin I was, yet can be no more
For who is left to hear?
Abandoned was I and blame I bore
And then forced to disappear.
Among outlaws I wield my sword.
And no renown I earn.
Lawless I live, and own no lord.
For greater things I yearn.
...~...
Why have I come? What end is in sight?
Curse the endless night!
...~...
Beleg:
...~...
Your sword was sharp and your helm so fierce
That Enemies turned and fled.
With Elf-like strength your blade did pierce
Their flesh which then freely bled.
But too proud you were and fates conspired
To drive you from your home.
Mockery endured, your temper fired,
No longer in Doriath you roam.
But wronged you were and pardon given
By king and foster kin.
Yet ere you knew, to Wilds were driven
From sanctuary therein.
...~...
Where have you gone? How long shall I seek?
'Cross mountains and moors so bleak?
...~...
Túrin:
...~...
Men I have led against Angband's hoards,
Yet still my heart it does grieve.
No vast array of glit'tring swords
Could my happiness achieve.
Cúthalion! Cúthalion! I long to see
Your eyes so bright and keen!
To stand together 'neath blossoming tree
And talk of where we've been.
Your bow, my sword once Enemies feared
And spoke our names with dread.
The Dragon-helm then was so revered
The sight would strike them dead.
...~...
Where are those days? How long ago?
Since blood and carrion crow?
...~...
Beleg:
...~...
Under the sun and under the moon,
I walk though these lands unseen
Through Marshy bog and sandy dune
In searching now have I been.
I will not halt and I will not rest
My feet go wand'ring on,
Till Húrin's son I hold to my breast
For then a new day shall dawn.
My heart it weeps, my thoughts are dark
The birds they sing no more.
No nightingale, no wondrous lark
Can soothe my spirit sore.
...~...
What have you done? What have you seen?
Come back to King and Queen!
...~...
Turin:
...~...
Where are you now, my brother and friend
Belov'd and ne'er forgotten?
In woodland glade, by river bend
Or dungeons dark and rotten?
Once we did walk through the forest fair,
Where light was often found.
Yet the darkness now we both must bear
And in misery be bound.
My soul is empty, my fire gone,
The laughing sun does hide.
No warming rays, no breaking dawn
Till you are by my side.
...~...
When shall I see you? Is it too late?
To change my evil fate?
...~...
Túrin and Beleg:
...~...
The night has fallen and yet we live,
For how long we cannot say.
How many months more shall I give
In wandering day to day?
We await the day when Sword and Bow
Shall combine once again.
Our friendship renewed and souls aglow
With memories of hill and glen.
Brothers-in-arms, not to be parted
We were Elf and Man as one.
Yet false that proved, one departed
And inev'table Doom begun.
...~...
How long shall we wait? How long shall we weep?
Morgoth's Curse shall reap.
Doriath's woods and Dor-Lómin's hills,
Shall share our woes and ills.
...~...
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think, and check out 'In Shadows' if you liked it! Sorry about all the ...~... as well. Had a bit of a formatting nightmare!