Lanlir

'Tis an old tale

And passing sad

Of an Elven lass

From the Elder Days

Lanlir, she was called

Graceful and kind

More beautiful than starlight

Her eyes shone with her love

But, as is with most tales

'Twas not meant to be

The Elven Prince was tall and fair

Noble and strong, as the Firstborn are

Beheld he one night

The maiden Lanlir

Eyes shining silver

With a bright glow

That outmatched the stars she so loved,

Saw he, and found him down on bended knee

Before Lanlir, as the Moonlight danced in her hair

His love was instant, and strong

Elven Prince did win her heart

As the Sun set

Upon the First Age

Together dwelt they

In forgotten realms long empty with time

Love and laughter and light

Began to fall into Shadow

Ages passed, and with them

Came change

Yes, and tragedy

So certain of her love was she

That heart could find no care

And mind see no warning

Knowledge, the greatest of powers

Whispered to the Prince of the Elves

And deeper drew him

To places dangerous for open minds

And eagerly thirsting hearts

For with Knowledge, came Hunger

And with Hunger, Desire

Desire, deadly poison

Immortals even it snares

Blindly did she love

Lanlir knew him well, thought she

Though now through Lore all see now

Love, truly, is blind

And faith, her sister, is deaf

To warnings that others give

For come the tidings did

But came too late

Gradually had Fair One

Lost his war

And paths of Darkness

Yawned before him

Lanlir pleaded, urged, and begged

But her beautiful voice he heard not

For subtle and seductive

The whispers of evil be

Like snakes they are

That bind heart and soul

Once Elven Prince Fair

Now became king of Darkness

As war spread in flames

Across their lands

The Firstborn sought Havens

Swift ships they built

To journey o'er the Sea

So to dwell in the Undying Lands

Come with us, they begged her

'I will stay,' was her answer

Alas, Lanlir

What of your love?

From once shining eyes

Fell tears of starlight silver

Ever doomed to wander, were ye

Hoping against all fate

To chase away Evil

To drive away Darkness

With the Light of your Love

Alas, the tears of Lanlir

For she walked

Tears ever falling

Musical voice singing a plea

Telling prayers woven of Love

And where her feet have walked

Walk they still do

For until time unending

Will Lanlir love, and love in vain

On the land, where fell her tears

Came tiny flowers, all silver and white

For Light was her laughter

In the days

When Arda, Middle-Earth, was young

And powerful is love

Enduring through darkness and suffering

Strong it is still

The Love of Lanlir

When despair be upon you

Listen, and the Voice of Arda will say

'Mistress of Love in Despair, still cries, worry not'

'Ever shall she wander,

Ever shall she roam,

Till time should end

And Evil die for all time

Crying tears of starlight

Singing songs of hope

That ever echo

In the music of the water

And small silver flowers,

Lanlir!'