The Return of Valor
When wars reach an end change and progress can be slow
Such was the aftermath of the war 'tween men and elves
Destruction ranged from mountains high to valleys low
These were days when valor equals might and lust compels
When sorcery 'n' craft were used to cast evil spells
The mighty are valiant
The brave are gallant
Live by the virile sword
Destroy, pillage 'n' hoard
By bow and by arrow
Seek strength in sorcery
Wisdom in divination
Live for admiration
King Altiny knew valor's untainted meaning.
Taught from his youth that true valor was doing right
He sought to end the lie of the Dark Lord's scheming
To spread valor, love's passion for good must ignite
Goodness and gentleness had to overpower might
The mighty take a stand
To bring peace to the land
The brave defend the weak
They are not proud but meek
Strength is in conviction
Wisdom in benediction
Rest on a true foundation
Queen Lenore, had an awful dream one frightful day
A ewe lamb she cherished and adored above all
Ventured out into the elfin forest to play
Her beloved became lost when night began to fall
Her lamb would not return to her when she would call
Come back my little ewe
Hear my crying for you
Where have you gone my love?
Show me oh stars above
Come home, come home to me
Oh my son, hear my plea
She cried in terror at the meaning of this dream
Her first born son would soon give his life for a man
Into dark of night the entire land heard her scream
To every shelter 'n' every cave men 'n' elves ran
A rolling wave of terror struck the entire land
What is this terror of the night?
What has caused such awful fright?
Run little elves and hide
It is not safe to abide
Fear has made our queen scream
She has had a nightmarish dream
She hid her child among her kin to keep him safe
No man was allowed in the presence of her son
Being far from his parents, he felt like a waif
In skill 'n' craft the boy grew and would not be outdone
Every game and every contest he won
Who is a match for the elf-man
Born of the crimson land
A warrior man his father
An elfin princess his mother
Against him no one can stand
Against the elves, Lenore's son had no equal foe
He longed to challenge any man who bragged of might
Be they strong in sword or skillful with bow 'n' arrow
The aspen trees whispered of a challenging fight
To determine the bravest most powerful knight
Come to the land where the willows weep
To the land where the weak do not sleep
Come to the land of the mighty and brave
To the land of the sinful and deprave
To this contest of skill Lenore's son had to go
No mother's fearful plea could keep him from his fate
He must pass to the land of the weeping willow
Men were famed to be bold, men were known to be great
But Altiny's son was destined to destroy hate
Love requires sacrifice
This is the needed price
Valor is doing right
This is the quest of a knight
Go my son into this land
Be my voice, be my hand
Do not partake of their vile ways
Receive my blessing and my praise
Lenore retreated to her chamber to shed her tears
She knew this was her stout son's final destiny
He'd leave to meet this evil without any fears
This was the set course of the son of Altiny
The final cost for the dead Pools of Restiny
At Pools of Restiny
He found his Destiny
Into the dead's abode
It had been foretold
The path to end the war
Between elves and men evermore
Lenore 'n' Altiny had been wed to end the war
Now, born of their love, their only son's fate was sealed
He would restore valor's meaning forevermore
In a dream his final destiny was reveled
From fateful love's mortal wound he would not be healed
Come back my little ewe
Hear my crying for you
The brave defend the weak
They are not proud but meek
Love requires sacrifice
This is the needed price
The prince fought bravely defeating each of his foes
Until the last knight feared and respected by all
Strong was his sharpened sword and mighty were his blows
Like a mighty redwood tree, this knight would not fall
He stood like a great giant over nine feet tall
He is mighty ''n' valiant
He is brave 'n' gallant
He lives by the virile sword
Destroy, pillage 'n' hoard
By bow and by arrow
His strength is in sorcery
His wisdom through divination
He has gained all admiration
The prince took his stand and prepared his sword to fight
The knight laughed and taunted this foolish elfin-man
When a scream was heard sending all away in fright
From the sky above goblins invaded the land
Against this new evil, prince and knight took their stand
Wicked goblins fly at night
Bringing fear and fright
Servants of the Dark Lord's hand
Against such no one can stand
The knight killed many goblins that horrendous day
A goblin shot an arrow toward the knight's head
The brave valiant prince jumped into the arrows way
At that moment Lenore knew her brave son was dead
Grief struck both men 'n' elves of the shore crimson red
On the shores crimson red
Grows a velvet flower bed
King Altiny's son's resting place
The grave of queen Lenore's delight
Who taught by his blood and grace
That valor stood for doing right
This dark fantasy poem is part of an ongoing fantasy poem series—each installment is a self-contained tale that also weaves subtle allusions to the others, creating a tapestry of epic fantasy poetry and deeply connected fantasy stories that will ultimately form one complete narrative. In this chapter of the saga, the atmosphere leans into the shadows—haunted battlefields, ominous prophecies, and long-buried secrets—while the language remains lyrical and accessible for readers who love story-driven verse. The poem explores how love endures in a world marked by loss, how destiny calls flawed heroes into war, and how the choices they make echo through realms both seen and unseen, all within a compact, cinematic reading experience.
For Further Reading
This is one in a series of fantasy poems that blend dark fantasy with character-focused storytelling. It invites you to follow recurring figures as their paths intertwine across battles, betrayals, and fragile moments of hope.
- There’s a poem on the capture of Lenore.
- There’s a poem about Lenore’s love.
- There’s a poem about how the war began.
If you like this one, check out the other: you can expect similarly atmospheric dark fantasy poems that balance intimate emotions—especially love, grief, and the weight of destiny—with sweeping conflicts of war and magic, each piece adding another layer to the larger epic.