Along the trails and through the woods a man who looked too old

carried on a quest like an adventurer so bold

smiling as he picked some fruit to eat from some old trees

laughing as he slayed a herd of monstrous enemies

Without a destination in his mind or any goal

chasing after nothing, free to cultivate his soul

just to be a witness to the world made him content

abandoning the notion of desire or intent

Though he had a fraction of the power of his prime

he felt his strength returning to him slowly over time

just enough that any monster he would chance to meet

offered little challenge as it fell beneath his feet

He may have travelled north or east, or maybe south then west

he wandered every day, and every night he stopped to rest

one day while he walked, however, something seemed to change

the forest all around him started feeling warm and strange

He noticed that the shadow which had watched him for so long

was chased away in moments by an otherworldly song

at first he thought he might be sick, or maybe he was cursed

but after such a happy life, he didn’t fear the worst

The sun became impossible to see above the trees

but he could still observe the forest scenery with ease

little dancing lights that felt nostalgic yet unknown

lit the way to somewhere never seen and seldom shown

“Are you back already, please don’t tell me you got lost.

did we waste the magic that we gave you free of cost.

but wait a moment, did you change the colour of your hair

anyways, it’s time to go, the exit’s over there”

A little fairy and its friends all flew around in play

the old man thought he might be dreaming, like he had that day

he looked around and felt a magic resonate within

several fairies giggled when they saw his silly grin

The old man sat upon a log recalling bygone days

driven by desire that set his heart and soul ablaze

“I always wondered if I hadn’t dreamed you up that day

when graciously you blessed me and then sent me on my way”

The fairies laughed and gathered round the human on the log

talking to themselves with more appearing from the fog

“humans rarely find this place, not even in their dreams

now you’ve been here twice, and once while still asleep it seems”

The old man laughed at being called a boy but understood

to weigh his age against the ageless wouldn’t do much good

“if I had to guess I’d say I’m luckier than most

though luck is not a quality I often care to boast”

“Isn’t he that bloody soldier, challenging his fate”

“he twisted fate’s attention, for his longing was so great”

with childish curiosity they mused about their guest

too curious himself to bother making a request

“For what it’s worth I’m thankful, but alas, you all were right

I’ll never be a hero for as long as I may fight

luckily for all the harm I’ve done, the world goes on

I’m sure at least a thousand fools like me have come and gone”

Suddenly the fairies started laughing all around

the old man was surprised and almost deafened by the sound

“he speaks like one who’s opened up his eyes and understood

another hundred lifetimes wouldn’t do him any good”

A fairy came up closer and then laughed right in his face

“this boy remembers nothing of what he brought to this place”

another fairy sighed and looked with pity at the man

“she doesn’t understand your fate, forgive her if you can”

The fairy who apologised look deeply in his eyes

the old man found his growing impatience hard to disguise

“the shadow that has followed him has backed away for now

but you have earned a destiny that fate should not allow”

“Shouldn’t I be happy that I’ve found some peace at last

there’s no room for more regret in this old hero’s past”

the man stood up to ask the fairy laughing in his face

a little bit embarrassed to be caught up in their pace

“You talk of things you cannot understand so please don’t try

you know less of destiny than fish know of the sky

if you think your fate is simply walking without aim

you’ll die a fool with nothing but your sorry self to blame”

The man was shaken by the words he heard the fairy say

he’d come to know that chasing fate would lead a man astray

“you’re telling me that even after all I’ve done so wrong

that there could be a destiny to which I still belong”

“I’ve grown tired of entertaining such a stupid man

here’s some extra magic power, use it if you can

hopefully the last advice I’ll have to give to you

is not to think that answers found alone are always true”

And with those final words the fairy waved its little hand

the old man looked around and didn’t recognize the land

the fairies and their magic disappeared without a sound

but still the man felt magic overflowing all around

~