Also that Spring saw the Waters arise And shoulder a Barony's share Jeweled the Cup that was served by the wise Who would counsel the people with care Steadfast the Princes who hailed from the South But brief would that mantle be worn Ruled by the spinning of Destiny's thread They would soon have a Northerner-born
The last of the Southron, the Otter and Briar Saw Ealdormere prove its worth Sagely they called for a Tournament Grand To determine the Prince of the North A new Knight defeated the Champion of old With Prowess both nimble and sure Certain they were upon seeing his face That the Line of the North was secure.
For tall stood the Prince with the grace of a Stag And the heart of a courtier born Steady the gaze of the Evening Swan Who first lit the skies of the North Together they stood for the peace of the land And prosperity followed their reign Heavy the cloak they were given to wear But golden the hem of its train.
So Ealdormere's Wolves took their place in the world Where the Falcons had once their roost Scarlet would march with the purple and gold When the arrows of battle were loosed Precious the gifts wrought of silver and song That were given as pledges sincere Twinned were the spirits of Ealdormere's throng With the warriors of far Calontir
Singing they joined in the thundering host That fought for the Midrealm Kings Fearless the might of the Wolfpack at war With the valor that leadership brings Sharp were the blades of the triple-edged flower That struck its foes down where they stood Fierce was the light of the Heaven's red eye When the fields were the scarlet of blood
Brilliant, the Warrior watched from the sky And the pride in her gaze was felt Bright would the Princes and Princesses shine Like the points of the stars in her belt Warm was the frolicking zephyr of change That traded old faces for new Right was the day when an honour was done And the White rose was given her due.
The wise Calontiri gave Ealdormere's Bards A test of a verse to sing And so did the War Prince receive for their words A weapon more fit for a king Deeper the friendships within and without Though challenge and contest were rife The Ram and the Tower stood forth from the Shires And the Baronies' Banners were Five
Upon this foundation their arms would reach wide And the Northrealm would leave it's mark Powerful Monarchs would sail with the tide And would shine like a flame in the dark Ealdormere's people were giving and Kind Each head of pavilion or hall Had no greater pride for a stranger or friend But to give them their best and their all
So Ealdormere grew to a thoroughbred's strength From the first eager steps of a colt The needs of a Kingdom were pondered at length And none could find Ealdormere's fault Officers, artisans, wisdom and youth And nobles of every degree, Women and men full of chivalry's grace Who could lead them in war and in peace
The oldest of Councils held court in the West And as law was their word of assent Respectful the terms of the Northrealm's request And it's finest ambassadors sent Deeply the Elders considered the suit And the winds brought the breathless report Joyful the bell-song tat pealed through the land With the voice of the Council's support
Like bees in the summer, the fever took hold For much there was yet to be done The newest of nobles joined Shirefolk of old In their dreams of a future to come The humblest peasant stood equal to Peer As the shape of their work was revealed Surely the mightiest keep had been built From the stones that were found in the field
And so came the day when the doors were thrown wide To the wondrous hall they built Drawn like a river they gathered inside 'Til the greatest of chambers was filled Eyes were drawn upward and whispers were hushed At the sight of the scarlet-draped throne Their dream in fruition, the moment at hand For a King and a Queen of their own
In song-softened silence the populace stood And the will of the land intoned Sweet was the harvest that grew from the past When the seeds of the future were sown Soft was the shining of Ealdormere's eyes Who gathered to witness a birth Bright was the legacy's circle that passed From the first to the last to the first
And so, First is the wolf, and the Wilds and the Will And the Rule of the Northrealm King.