Ballad of the Bog

The ruins stood amidst the bog
The folk knew not from whence they came
A rumor floated in the fog
Of a white and wistful, ghostly dame
Twas said she prowled the ruined walls
And all the while bemoaned her fate
Down crumbling, moss encrusted halls
Her voice would echo and relate
A stronger heard the village tell
A tale of spectre, moss and stone
From stories heard around the well
He would see it for himself alone
He found within the haunted place
A maiden sleeping very sound
With dark hair streaming 'cross her face
And falling tangled to the ground
He slowly crept up to her side
And bent his ear unto her chest
And life within her did reside
A faint heartbeat within her breast
The wind then moved the clouds aside
Which made the moon reveal her face
He jumped behind a wall to hide
As light filled up the horrid place
And as he watched with fullest awe
An evil mist fell from the stones
And uttering words of ancient law
It settled down into her bones
Her eyes shot wide, she sat upright
A flame of yellow burned insane
Her moaning filled the frightened night
And echoed through the halls again
The spectre heard the church bells toll
And stopped the maidens sad lament
Then with a scream it left her soul
And she collpased, her body spent
The evil mist then pulled away
And whispered back from whenc it came
The night seeped back without delay
And silence then held court again
He knew just what he had to do
And left the ruins for behind
Twas clear to him as morning dew
He'd rescure her or he would die
The day was spent in plans and schemes
The hour now was growing late
Then armed with naught but sword and dream
He rode to meet what lay in wait
He gathered up the maiden and
Removed her to the open air
Then lying down upon the sand
He took her place and waited there
The time was night, the mist arrived
And took it's evil, alien shape
With lengthy neck and bulbous eyes
He realized there was no escape
He grabbed the mist, it screamed with hate
And twisted in his surly grip
He drew its sword and struck its pate
And 'cross his glove it's green blood dripped
The maiden woke when it was dead
And ran into the young man's arms
His heart reached out to hers and said
I'll keep you safe and out of harm