a/n: refers to "The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger". Includes direct quote. Based on the poetry form: the naga uta.
Many thanks to my anonymous reviewer:-)
Holmes and companions do not belong to me.
Point of view of Dr Watson
Veil
We both heard her tale
As she sat in the shadows;
With a thick, black veil
Hiding once handsome features.
Seven years had passed
Since that dark night of horror;
She resolved at last
To reveal all her secrets.
~0~
She described the shame
Of her bleak, fear-filled marriage,
And we learned the name
Of her love; Leonardo.
She recalled with pain
Such a dreadful existence.
The response seemed plain;
She could bear it no longer.
Thus a plan took shape,
With the help of her lover:
She'd at last escape
From the grip of her husband.
A weapon was made;
Nailed like claws from a lion;
And a trap was laid
For a cold blooded monster.
They attacked their foe
As he strolled in the moonlight.
A decisive blow
At the hands of her lover.
She approached the cage,
Sliding bolts, bars and latches;
But a blood-fuelled rage
Meant the beast was upon her.
She screamed out in fright
For her love, Leonardo;
She was sure he'd fight
To protect her from danger;
But she'd lost her heart
To an unworthy suitor;
He had failed his part,
Fled the scene like a coward.
She was on her own,
Scarred beyond recognition;
Facing life alone;
Loyal still to her lover.
~0~
Now her tale was told
I looked up at my comrade;
A long time to hold
Such a weight in the shadows.
Holmes held out a hand
In a show of compassion
"You must understand
That the fates can be cruel."
We turned round to go,
Holmes looked back at the woman
"Deep inside you know
That your life is still precious;
It's not yours to lose
Every soul has a purpose."
~0~
"I'm not sure you'd choose
To live on with such sorrow"
She revealed her face;
Brown eyes sad midst the ruin.
~0~
Such a tragic case
Is not quickly forgotten.
I next saw my friend
At his home, two days later.
"That was not the end;
She has sent me this item."
On the mantelpiece,
Sat a blue phial of poison;
Death would not release
That courageous young woman.
Not all hope had gone;
She'd defied expectation.
Life would still go on.
~o~
"I send you my temptation
I will follow your advice."
~0~
a/n2: naga uta: or "long song"; a Japanese poetry form, alternating 5 and 7 syllables per line (like a haiku) and ending in two 7 syllable lines. No set length. Rhythm seems to be more important than rhyme. This verse form was used for this tale as the veiled lodger's note consisted of two 7 syllable lines. I told you I needed to get out more...