The Elegy Of Balithim Valiring

Born of a Mortal womb, by mortal laws stayed
But never to be an old man, faded and grayed
Golden hair and white apparel brightly gleaming
Came the warrior Balithim, silver banner streaming
Across the grasses tall and sweet on the plains wide
On Abedgain the Stallion that no other man could ride
And tall in his hand is his spear, its tip shining in the sun
A bright silver star against the plains of natural dun

How great you were Lord Valiring, running under sun
How bright was Abedgain, and how swift he’d run
How brave you were Balithim, Lord of Elivire
How great you were, a lord both brilliant and dire

Balithim Valiring, warrior of might unsurpassed
First on the battlefield and fighting to the last
Swift to anger and yet quickest of all to forgive
Mighty Balithim, for long years will his legend live
Keen Warrior and wielding a sword and long spear
Familiar friend of pain and death but unknown by fear
Forever fighting back the evil of shadow and night
Balithim Valiring, whose soul shone bright!

How great you were, Valiring, young, strong and mighty
How swift you were passing over plains, feet going lightly
How valiant you were Balithim, silver sword in hand
How kind you were, Lord Valiring, Lord Balithim the grand

Banner flying lightly, Balithim charged into battle that day
A white and silver warrior on a brilliant steed of gray
His sword drawn and held aloft, and shining hoary bright
Charging into enemies who trembled cowering in fright
Swinging his sharp sword with all his strength and power
Long will the tales and songs laud that victorious hour
Yet even as he lights, thinking this battle won
Comes Balithim’s Bane and the day’s victories are undone

Long you wondered in shade Balithim, unaware of your fate
Never could you know your shadowy and heartrending fate
Riding the plains in glory unequaled under sun and star
Never did you guess your bane that came from lands afar

His bane came to him, a great serpent stealthily creeping
A serpent from distant lands full of woe and weeping
Came upon the glorious Balithim, unaware of his threat
On this brave and valorous man, still in battle unmet
And standing on unending neck, it reared its head and lunged
And through armor flesh and bone, his black fangs plunged
Then on the field all action ceased at Balithim’s call
And all his men trembled to see their bold captain fall

Oh Balithim, where do you roam, in heaven or in hell?
Why did you have to meet this serpent, so dark and fell?
Why of all men was it you on that day to meet such fate?
Falling to this scourge of life, this creature of immortal hate?

For Balithim, young Alesmane came, the serpent to overthrow
This young and unyielding warrior facing an unrelenting foe
And though victory comes, for Balithim it is woefully too late
Surrounded by his men, falls into shadow, Balithim the great
We mourn you Balithim, we who linger in this life so grim
We mourn your passing, under sun grown cold and dim
And send you to your fathers and the glory waiting there
Though the world will miss you, Balithim Valiring the fair

How great you were Lord Valiring, running under sun
How bright was Abedgain, and how swift he’d run
How brave you were Balithim, Lord of Elivire
How great you are, a lord forever brilliant and dire