By Farrah Marsh farrahleighannmarsh@yahoo.com
Date: 28 February 2000
Baile and Ailinn
The child hid within Ulster wood
Her pale face shadowed by velvet hood
Emerald gaze settled on two messengers
Exchanging secret scrolls of clandestine lovers
"Erin, be quick, keep one in sight."
Curiosity whispered as she stepped into night.
And one she did follow to a golden-haired maiden
Her gown of pure white yet the hems were laden
In the same silvery hue as were her eyes
Hoping, she was, that her adorer knows no lies.
As she read the neatly handwrit scroll
There came upon the other a troll
Wild-haired was he with impish grin intact
Knowing he could find anyone he deemed to track
But soon was he no longer this wild creature
For he'd taken liberty of stealing every feature
Of the young handsome man that never again will
A promise be kept to his love, a kiss be the seal
He took up the scroll and away he scurried
To the land where many kings were ceremoniously burried
The son of the High King was found on the meadow
His voice filled with urgency "Say know what you know."
As his amber eyes strayed from loch to friend
Never once knowing this would be the end
"She lies in her room soaking in blood red
A dagger piercing her heart was all they have said.
But, my Prince, tell ye I must
That her last message was filled with distrust.
Love you she didn't, death wanted ever more,
More than her heart that she claimed was most sore.
A lie this was although the Prince did not know
For all that the trolls disguised face did show
Was the honesty and loyalty of a friend so kind
That was soon to his sister, Fianna, be bind
"Give me your dagger and do so with haste
For there is no longer time to waste."
The hoarse whisper came afore dagger was lifted
The evil messangers face became verily twisted
And the Prince brought down blade to heart
Courage now tainted as flowing tears did start
Life drained out slowly as to his knees he fell
The trolls wicked smile gleaming at the Prince Baile
"Life without love is no life at all."
And slowly he walked through trees so tall
Frightning away animals wild
He came to candle-lit prorch tiled
His next victim within, awaiting her prince
Which had to be impossible since
"He lies in the meadow soaking in blood red
A dagger piercing his heart, must more be said?"
The troll changed to true form as he backed away
And trotted off into forest without further delay
Wicked laughter could be heard as the sweet Ailinn
Burried dagger into heart, death whitnessed by Erin
The small child who wept for the lost unknown souls
So ye shall be safe with avoidance of trolls
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