J is for Journey: The Quest

Those of you who've frequented my blog for any length of time are aware that we have a magic tree in our yard, inhabited by some enchanting elvish friends who are extremely fond of our grandchildren. In fact, these transcendent creatures are in the habit of leaving little gifts for the children to find every morning when they are visiting! Occasionally, they also leave them an old document or map that leads to a rare and often wonderful treasure. And that's exactly what happened this time...

Underneath the magic tree on Saturday morning was a leathery old scroll that opened to reveal a rune that was both a clue and a warning:

Beware, ye Dragonslayers,

lest ye rouse the Riders’ ire.

Touch not the eggs of wing-ed beasts,

nor risk Ruatha’s fire.

The magick of the ancient ones

doth guard this serpent’s nest,

and he who dares disturb its young

shall burn with all the rest.

Be not a fool! Lay hold the treasure;

take it as thy due,

but keep the bargain that ye strike…

or this day, ye shall rue.

To dragonkind, the hands that seize

this prize must e’er be true.

TOUCH NOT THE DRAGON’S EGGS,

NOR YET THE NEST.

MOLESTERS WILL BE CURSED…

PROTECTORS, BLESSED.

And so began the quest of three crusaders,

escorted by good men, faithful and true.

Has any eye beheld more fearsome seekers?

The dragon's keep is braved by very few.

Meet Master Jeremiah, Mistress Carli...

and little Bryce...proud warriors from birth.

Their grandfather is old and wise, a druid,

who reads the sky and writes on stone and earth.

He kens the ways of dragons and their doings;

he walks the paths they've known...honors their creeds.

Even the elves have trusted him forever...

as do the brave and willing hearts he leads.

The dragon tree is found at last. The nest?

'Tis hidden safe within a brace of trees.

Behold, the eggs are round and hard below them.

To seize the rope, Bryce dangles by his knees.

The seekers pull; at last, they have their treasure,

secure within an ancient wooden box.

They divvy up the loot. Such an adventure!

(These two can't wait until the next one knocks...)

∞§∞

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(More adventurous "J" posts at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.)