The fell bear, black, despairing, deadly;
the valiant wolf, lying always but ever true;
the doubting eagle, free-flying but always returning;
all encircled, bounded, gathered, by their own silent hearts.
--
Of sons and their father I tell, grieving and widowed;
of obedience and rebellion, of lordly command;
companionship of soldiers, resolution to destroy evil.
Remorse and sorrow: beloved children bleeding, bewildered.
--
Came the thing with the foul heart, mind of cold slime,
with only one will--to bind the world;
to bear the crown, grimly redstained, above yellow eyes.
To reach the sons, destroy the father.
--
The obedient one, the valiant one, the one loved by strangers,
devoted to family alone, living for them only,
brother-son most of all,
lies limp and still, his wraith rising to drift, bodiless.
--
The rebellious one, the one ever wolf-shielded,
sees not his air-walking brother,
mourns the untenanted body.
The bear gathers himself, one sortie to save both his dear ones.
--
Choices there are none when father-love speaks;
bargain struck, son saved. Willing sacrifice, high courage,
soul delivered to the hands of corruption.
Hell rejoices; hero-soul, paladin-soul so rarely theirs.
--
The valiant one wakes to sorrow --but he wakes.
Salt, then the pyre; returning there is none.
Two living men, a soul in chains:
Heart-binding never tighter.
