Tag: avoyagetoarcturus

“What dost thou fear most, captain of the Greenwood? Not spider’s sting nor Orc arrow, nor not even dragon fire– for we have seen thee in battle, and we know thou art lion-hearted. No, thy greatest fear is not for thyself, but the harm that might come to thine home, thy kinsmen. 

Go now to the darkest part of the forest, where the stones lie haunted and no bird sings. There thou wilt find a sword, its blade both light and keen.

When those thou lovest best are in peril, draw it from its scabbard, and thy enemies will fall like wheat beneath the scythe. It will carry thee swifter to their defense than lightning, and its edge will carve wings through the air until all threat has perished, and every charge is free from danger. Thou wilt feel no pain, no weariness; thine heart will know no fear. 

Perhaps thou wilt notice (or perhaps thou wilt not), that with each unsheathing, the threat of peril creeps nearer; foes are cut down, while more treacherous ones rise in their place– enemies with familiar faces, and unsuspected treason in their hearts. And when those, too, thou has felled, even those who fight beside thee will seem not above suspicion. 

Finally, when thy silver blade is red as red, and thy hand trembles to sheath it even for an hour, thou wilt consider: those thou lovest are a peril to themselves; the dead alone fear nothing, and can come to no more harm. 

That is my gift to thee, spidersbane, wolf-killer. Take it with my blessing.”