The Lays of the Old Princedom: The Fate of the Mariner
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The constellation known as “The Mariner” is among the brightest in the night sky, and the eldest in the memory of the Descendants. Taking the form of a man with arm outstretched, this conglomeration of stars is beloved of the seafaring peoples of the world- for no matter the location, his hand will always point north. He is known as Narnir’vallei in the Elder Language, and is personified, inspired, and held in regard by several true figures throughout Elven history. His companion is known as the Lonesome Maiden, and plays an integral part in the tales which surround these stars.
The following is an excerpt from the “Lays of the Old Princedom”, a translated and abridged compendium of the oldest songs of all Elvendom. While lacking the elegance of the original text, it conveys in simple verse the tragic “Lay of Narnir’vallei”, or Fate of the Mariner, as it is commonly known. It was first written (or at least recorded) by the smith Belestram Sylvaeri.
In ancient days before the fall
Neath eldritch bough, in silver hall,
There tread a man whose heart was true.
A prince, a mariner, and who
wrought ships to sail the sapphire plain,
in calm, and in torrential rain.
Who loved the sea, who knew her charms,
and bore the fury of her storms.
This noble seafarer of old,
Of silver locks, and manner bold,
Was loved in turn by fairest maid,
For whom his noble heart had sway’d.
“I will return upon the dawn,”
He vowed to her, “and then,”
“together we will ply the shore,
and venture seaward nevermore.”
The sea is fickle, grudging, vain,
and her dark passion did disdain
The sailor’s word, and took his life,
to spite his earnest, loving wife.
Her heart thus broken, fairest maid
Fled, leaping, from that promenade
And broke upon the crags of stone,
Her mortal coil, flesh and bone.
And so it is, my friends, and so,
Unto the stars they did bestow
the image of their tragic love.
Their form can oft be seen above,
the Mariner, and very near
the Maiden, lantern raised austere
to guide all sailors in their quest,
To return safely to their rest.
