Alone in some strange kingdom, with the princess at his side

finally to start the journey they’d long been denied

overland they travelled many months in sun and rain

mountains cold and deserts dry, all manner of terrain

Even after having spent so many years at sea

still she hated every moment in his company

the hero didn’t mind and thought she must be rather sad

he was grateful for the noble quest that he now had

Every night he made a fire to keep her warm and dry

she noticed that he loved the fire but never asked him why

every night her nightmares made her cry out in despair

nights when she could sleep the whole night through were truly rare

Even when the path was rough, she stood up on her own

she never took the hero’s hand, she walked the trails alone

even when she fell and cried in pain, this was her choice

only in those moments did the hero hear her voice

Many times he saved her when a wolf or bear attacked

but he was never thanked for any brave, heroic act

still he did enjoy the noble job he had to do

maybe one day she would come to like adventure too

They passed through many cities but they never once slowed down

wary of the dangers you can find in any town

running from the pirates’ world, they quickly carried on

wherever they would sleep, they’d always carry forth at dawn

The hero never wavered in the mission he was on

and before their journey’s end, his nineteenth year had gone

yet to lead a hero’s life, with scars upon his face

he’d soon become a hero and he’d claim his rightful place

He fantasized about the moment when they both arrived

her kingdom would be overcome with joy that she’d survived

then and there the hero would be given a reward

something like a knighthood or a treasured holy sword

He could hardly calm himself when dreaming of that day

as he sang his songs the somber princess led the way

though it made him sad she didn’t seem to share his cheer

he could still remember when he found her struck with fear

The princess had grown stronger since they met aboard her ship

her crying quickly ended on that long and scary trip

she held her own and soon her eyes were sharper than a knife

the pirate captain once had joked, “she’d be a fearsome wife”

Now those days were well behind the pirate ship’s princess

although her eyes were still as sharp as daggers nonetheless

she had no friendly words to give her captor and her guide

but he was sure he’d done enough to lead her home with pride

Finally arriving in the kingdom she had missed

the princess for the first time held the hero by the wrist

she pulled him to the castle and announced that she was there

when the message reached the king he flew out of his chair

The weary king embraced his daughter, crying tears of joy

then nearby he noticed one heroic looking boy

the princess turned and pointed to the hero, then she cried

“arrest this evil pirate, for his crimes he must be tried”

Before her words had fully resonated in his mind

the hero had been taken to a dungeon and confined

for a while he begged the guards to understand his tale

the princess must have been confused, to send her friend to jail

Finally the princess came to see him dressed in black

and for the first time when he smiled, he saw her smiling back

“I’ve been waiting for too long, but justice will be swift

for the murder of my brother, death shall be your gift”