The Dragon's Cry

The Dragon's Cry

Author's Note:  Well… I don't usually write poetry, or even Tamora Pierce stuff, for that matter.  I only came up with this because I'd just finished re-reading Lioness Rampant, and I was just thinking about that line where Jon says how they'll sing of the Dragon's last fight for centuries.  I was thinking someone ought to write a song about the Dragon's death, and my dear muse wouldn't let me alone until I wrote one.  So here it is.  It's meant to be a song, but alas, I can't write music, and I couldn't post music even if I could compose it, so these are just the lyrics.

As Tortall shakes beneath his feet,

And arrow round him fly,

He fights with grace and blurring speed

And sounds his Dragon's Cry.

I will not die for nothing,

Shot down by nameless foes.

I will not die unheeded,

With no one there to know.

I swear to die for something,

My death will have a meaning,

It is not just an ending,

What counts is how you go.

The King stands, eyes unseeing,

With Jewel in his hand,

His power all that stays the force

That rips apart the land.

The crowds all fight to reach him,

To defend or to attack,

The nobles' swords all clash with those

In purple, green, and black.

A hidden group of archers

Sights on the new-crowned King,

But even as their arrows loose,

The Dragon's Cry does ring.

I will not die for nothing,

Shot down by nameless foes.

I will not die unheeded,

With no one there to know.

I swear to die for something,

My death will have a meaning,

It is not just an ending,

What counts is how you go.

The arrows now are soaring,

Too late to stop their flight,

Too late to call, for who would hear?

One choice alone is right.

The Dragon takes the arrows,

He does not think to wait,

And eight black blurs, a row of death,

Are the Dragon's final fate.

The King holds back the evil,

And peace to Tortall gives.

All weep to mourn the Dragon brave,

Who died, that they might live.

I will not die for nothing,

Shot down by nameless foes.

I will not die unheeded,

With no one there to know.

I swear to die for something,

My death will have a meaning,

It is not just an ending,

What counts is how you go.

Author's Note:  I don't own Tortall, the Dragon, Alanna and her world, or any of it.  That all belongs to Tamora Pierce.  Don't tell me you didn't know that, cause I won't believe you.  The song/poem/whatever you want to call it is mine, though.  I'm pretty sure I'd know if it wasn't…  Zhai'helleva, and please tell me what you thought.

Love,

Mystica