"The Tale of Dolon and Auraine" by Jessica Danielle Hunt

The Tale of Dolon and Auraine

In ages long from the present hour

            Was the Elf lord named Dolon

Who roamed about feeling quite sour

            Ever did he seem so solemn

Now Dolon ruled the world Laranon

            Where golden Elves loved to roam

There branches shone from the bright sun

            While in night stars glow in their dome

Dolon was a lonely man who desired but one thing

            His heart always ached from elf maidens fair

Above all, love was what his heart was missing

            And his fingers hoped for stroking a maid’s hair

As he was walking along in his forest lair

            He heard weeping from afar

To offer sympathy for the tears he’d dare

            Without knowing he had caught a star

Dolon saw her sitting in her gown of ebony

            Her golden hair and sapphire eyes did shift

For the moment their souls were in harmony

            And both their hearts seemed to lift

Dolon asked, “Dear maid, why do you weep,

            For your beauty need not cry”

The maid replied “My heart was reaped

            And now I feel I will die”

Dolon felt much pity as her tears fell

            She was bent over in such pure agony

Holding her he began to tell

            Of how her presence (though sad) was lovely

The maid did not know of Dolon

            For she was from Tamar

And even its Elves knew him not

            For they were from way afar

Auraine felt his strength hold her

            And her tears began to slow

Suddenly their gazes did concur

            And a new love was to show

For a moment the world stood still

            Elven voices filled the air

While all other noise was killed

            Their love was true and fair

Dolon wished her heart be well

            And then he asked her name

Her name told at the toll of bells

            And their love a burning flame

For days in the latter would they meet

            And kisses would they share

To Dolon, Auraine was entirely sweet

            To Auraine, Dolon was rare

Lo, it came that Auraine was stole away

            By a dragon fierce and mean

In a cave far from Dolon she had to stay

            Auraine’s rescue slim and lean

Days did turn to months when Dolon saw her not

            His heart ached more than ever as he became distraught

Dolon went wandering alone one day

            With no weapons by his side

On a path to his realm he lost his way

            Then finding the cave was turned the tide

Auraine slept soundly as she lay upon a rock

            Dolon crept up to her with silence in his feet

Then he chose his weapon as a mere stone block

            To defeat the terrible and dangerous feat

Dolon hit the dragon’s skull and gave slumber

            Then he gently took Auraine in his arms

Auraine awoke and in his touch did she succumb

            For he had found her and saved her from harm

It was in the wood of Laranon he did confess

            He took her in his arms and pleaded

“Auraine, lover of my own, will you be my bridess”

Auraine naught did reply, instead she kissed his lips

            And in her happiness she began to cry

So it was that Dolon: lonely, sad and true

            Met Auraine, alone like him and wishing for true love too

They were wed and loved for all time

            Never again were they sour like limes.