The sun was shining brightly as the army moved along

their armour glistening as they all sang the hero’s song

singing of his destiny and all his awesome deeds

the way he fought so selflessly for all his empire’s needs

As he walked ahead he smiled with every song he heard

but while he smiled the hero didn’t sing a single word

he never looked behind him at the knights in his army

the road ahead of him was all he really wished to see

His mind began to wander to adventures come and gone

the victories that led him down the path he walked upon

he knew that just behind him was an army all his own

but when he looked ahead, he might as well have been alone

His only orders were to keep the army moving fast

he had no time to spare the frightened villages they passed

the soldiers all admired his dedication to his quest

never once complaining that they rarely stopped to rest

Only one among them questioned what was on his mind

having never managed to leave all his doubts behind

someone known less for heroics than for drinking beer

but now the prince no longer smelt of alcohol and fear

He found the hero staring into nothing late one night

and joined him for a moment by the campfire’s dying light

“you may just be a hero, but I’ve come to know you well

so tell me why you look as though you’re leading us to hell”

The prince was worried he’d been to direct in what he said

he wagered that he might just be about to lose his head

but as the heir of such an empire, he had little choice

for the sake of all his subjects, he would raise his voice

To the heir’s surprise however, still the hero stared

he wondered if the hero heard him or if he stilled cared

many times the hero’s words had frightened him away

and so he took the chance to say what more he had to say

“I no longer care if you’re a pirate or a saint

for all the battles you have won, I offer no complaint

but this should be a conquest and an easy victory

how come the expression that you’re wearing worries me”

The hero slowly turned his gaze to meet the prince’s eyes

his calm and resolute expression caught him by surprise

“there’s no dragon waiting there, just monsters, bugs, and trees

this is a predestined fight, so put your mind at ease”

The prince was not convinced but still the hero was aloof

he knew that something must be wrong but still he had no proof

“do you fear no legends of a land where demons dwell

how are you so confident that things will go so well”

The hero laughed and turned to look toward the starry sky

he chuckled when he heard the prince let out a troubled sigh

“fate has brought me here, and I am right where I should be

if you want the answer, you need only follow me”

All the prince could do was trust the hero in the end

he knew the hero’s will was never something he could bend

before he said goodnight however, he made sure to say

“just remember, every war comes with a price to pay”

He didn’t give the prince’s heavy words a second thought

he’d never listened much to him in all the wars they fought

like the hero, one day he might learn to trust in fate

the hero’s role would always be to bear the battle’s weight

Alone again, the hero saw the fire had almost died

he added one more log and then he lay down by its side

hoping that his fate would lead him home before too long

where he would teach his sons the lyrics to one final song

He listened to the crackling of the fire into the night

and wondered if his sons at home were all sleeping alright

he realized the hearth at home seemed warmer in a way

but he would warm his heart in battle in the coming day