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Dusk falls, and the luminous moon casts a pale sheen like winter's first frost over an elven garden ringed with ceridern. The trees are in full bloom despite the cold, and they give off a scent reminiscent of the most exquisite saffron. It's a scene to linger upon, but a rustling in the leaves catches your eye.

Before you can even blink, a comely gathering of rangers, bards, and other free folk makes their appearance. So genteel was their approach, even the birds hadn't taken notice.

Harp is strung and flute tuned as some take center stage whirling and twirling in joyous abandon while others choose rather to recline with light smiles at the clearing's edge. Before long, honey yellow mead is sparkling within the gentle glow of the moonlight as goblets are raised amidst cheery cries of "Encore, encore!"

The Lady of the Night shines still over one and all, and may haps you too will find it in your heart to add to this moonlit reverie? The stage is open, and if you take the spotlight, surely what only you have to offer will be relished!

Walking up to the pool, a lone elf sings with eyes shining like stars to the sound of gentle lute and carefree flute:

These beams of moonlight, they reflect a maiden's fragrance
Tears fall a sword breaks, these feelings they run too deep
And for how much it hurts? there can be no words
For without you, my soul wanders with the wind
Who will come and laugh at this crazed fool?

But on this battlefield of dust and blood
Teeming with the mighty and strong
Who can go and call himself king?
For passion's gate swings wide open
But who there dares charge through?

Gazing up at the frosty moon my heart aches
A thousand generation's hatreds cycle through
And closing my eyes, I enter a world of madness
In this ever changing world one thing stays constant
For all who will love are given a body of many wounds

(For the accompanying music try skipping to 2:03 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGT6jQ_H ... re=related )

As wolves howl in the night, amidst the receding snow, yet another ballad is presented:

"That Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"

Carefully, I approach
With padded steps
While you lie sound asleep
In the world of dreams
Don't be afraid
I'm good news!

Though it won't be easy for you to believe me
This I know
After all, we come from two different worlds
And with me, you're overcome with an endless, icy fear
As if in the valley of the shadow of death

But I'll even change who I am, I love you so,
For you, I'd blindly wander across the Plains of Serin
Of you, I ask only that you be true
Why blow hot and cold?

For you, I'm as gentle as a lamb
Why not let me get close?
You and I loving each other
We'll lean and not fall down

I've decided to be that wolf in sheep's clothing
And you're to be my game, the desire of my mouth

My friends are gone, I drift alone
Because it's you, only you I seek



This life I give to you, to be by your side
With fire in my heart, I'll follow you to the end
'Cause you drive me crazy, you make me mad...
The howling of my heart
Echoes still
In the valley of my soul

Perhaps, in this life
You'll never let me in
Yet, for you, I'll lead a life of courage and try
Just one more time
Till the desert sun sets
And the oceans dry up
Still, for love - I'll keep trying

Maybe, in this life
You'll not change your mind
Yet, for you, a life of tenderness I pray

Cause to me
You're the precious lamb
Delicate as a flower
You are an angel, my very dream!
And into my very being, I embrace you
So that so entwined, we'll become one

For sure, you've seen right through me
Past that sheep's clothing
It's just a man who wants to change his fate
A man who has no way to express
These tender feelings

The more I love you
The more fragile I become
Yet, this love, it'll move
Heaven and earth

O how I treasure you!
These feelings
They must be nature's crowning glory
In Sirani's eyes

Amidst the lazy, laconic plucking of a lute, a soft yet thrillingly airy sound can be heard. The notes of this flute seem to speak of travails gone and sorrows had. Still, wondrously, a sense of lasting hope permeates throughout, like a gust of the freshest coursing through the forest. Invigoratingly, the melody soars to greater and greater heights as if it wanted to sweep you up and take you to a realm where there are no tears but only smiles..


( For you , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYcrnpZdj4s Enjoy )

Rising a gowned poet offers a few short, but dense verses in the ancient elven style:

The luminous moon shimmers in the lake
Now and then looks like frost it will make
I raise my head and gaze at the bright moon
Looking down, I wonder will home come soon?

Sighing wistfully, he turns..

Head down, deep and withdrawn, how long has this been going on?
Raise your head, and suddenly, you may realize
You've been going backwards, back to the starting point you've gone
Forcefully persisting, against time resisting

'Cause that forever as spoken of and agreed upon
The string's already broken
What once was hoped and thought would change but ever and anon
It's all transformed anyhow

So just close your eyes, and forget all the long sighs
Only then will you see, all those sweet memories
Flashing by and by, like so many butterflies