"You will be remembered for this, that you gave up eternity to
save the one you loved." She paused, a sob in her voice.
"Rest well, Oh Prince of Darkness."
A tear trickled down her cheek, and her voice was tremulous.
Even as she spoke the face of the pond rippled, and the white
beauty of the water lilies spread. Quickly they carpeted the
waters along the shore. Gently rocking with the ebb and flow of
the ripples they spread their beauty ever farther.
She sat by the quiet waters, stared vacant-eyed toward its
farther shore. Turning, she glanced at Demo.
"I remember, when I was a little girl, a poem. It was of a
brave warrior, and the woman he loved."
She spoke the stanzas, not to him; softly to herself. Her
voice, partially choked by emotion, blended with the soft wind
and the rippling waves of the tarn.
"For love of maiden fair,
"He walks untrodden ways,
"And fights with dragons in the air,
"And evil ogres he slays.
"For love of maiden fair,
"He sailed on unknown seas,
"And dared the demon in his lair.
" 'Mongst haunted, ghostly trees.
"For love of maiden fair,
"He lay him down to die,
"And asked a token only there,
"A teardrop from her eye.
"For love of gallant youth,
"More than a tear she gave,
"She would not live with constant ruth -
"Slept by him in his grave."
"There will be no poem for him!"
As she spoke a break occurred in her voice, and a sadness.
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