The Archer gazed upon her Friends with concern
After hearing the words of the Wrenn.
If this journey undertaken could cost so much then
Was it worth it to even begin?
''My friends please excuse me, and do not refuse me
Please honor this one request.
There's so much been told of these stories of old
I must ponder the path that is best.
Please give me a day to go on my way
And think on all that I've heard
I'll return to you then, my dearest of friends
I'll share my thoughts - you've my word.''
With melancholy steps the Archer, she left
And walked by herself to the forest.
Down a path unknown till she was completely alone
Her thoughts on the troublesome Quest.
How could she ask her friends take this task
When their very lives were at stake?
But what of the bow? Thavian would know!
But she was gone now, never to wake.
She thought the Knight now recovered from the fight
For adventure he always did chase.
With excitement t'was rife, but if it cost him his life
Away from it, shouldn't they race?
The Fairie and Wrenn - such devoted Friends!
And loyal to her they were.
Was her destiny to find the bow left behind?
This choice was must awful to her!
She lay down to rest, to discern what was best
And soon she fell fast asleep.
In fitful dreams suddenly came beams
Of light from out of the deep.
And before her stood Thavian in the wood
Holding a hand out to her
She took it in hers, ''Oh please give me a word!
I know not which way to turn!
If I follow my heart and this journey I start
And take my friends along
It could cost all we have - is it worth all that?
This bow which to you belongs?''
And there in the glade, she heard Thavian's shade
Speak sadly of that day long ago
Of that last battle when, that elf and her friend
The forces of Night to overthrow
To defeat Evil they'd failed because among them, veiled,
Was a traitor they'd thought was a friend.
He'd turned on them there as they fought in the Lair
of the Dragon, and that was their end.
But now there was hope this new troupe would triumph
If their tools of their trades would be found.
She told the good Elf to look in herself
And answer this this one question, sound.
''This scheme can prevail - or is destined to fail
and is dependant on this, you see,
The Friends whom you trust with complete fealty must
Put each other first, or you'll never succeed.
One thing further I leave you to ponder
This truth above all things:
To be great you must risk while mediocrity sits
And grows fat on all goodness life brings."
The Elf woke with a start and felt in her heart
The challenge was hers to take.
With a lift of her chin she strode back to the Inn
And quickly her friends did awake.
"My dear ones, this task, may be too much to ask
And the choice belongs to you three.
The bow I do covet, and I know that I'd love it,
But your lives are most treasured to me.''
Then she told the three of the vision that she
Had had while out in the wood.
Of Thavian's warning in the dark before morning
And then quietly before them she stood.
''So I leave it to you, to decide what we do,
For together we must all be.
It'll take all we've been blessed with and our friendship will be tested
Unlike anything we've ever seen"
Take it away Sarge...