A Dream and A Warning

The storm raged wild on the day you were born

And such a storm to remember

The sea iron grey foamed white in its anger

And the rain fell like ice that November

Yes, you my son, were born in the gale

As our longship rode through the night

Lightning forked through the clouds above us

And thunder carried your first cries at light

The gods do not love you my child

They broke our ships each and everyone

And the oracle said that to save our selves

I would have to give the gods you, my son

So I stood on the prow of the lead longship

As it rose and crested the mighty waves

Like mountains of grey-green water rising

To carry us all to our graves

Your cries of protest mixed with the gullcall

As the thunder crackled in the air

The ship rose up, ready to plummet

And I so I did what I did, but with care

You were taken by the sea's salty embrace

Not enough time even to give a cry

And at least I consoled myself it was quick

And that the gods had taken you when you died

But how was I to know then my son

That indeed the Strom-king was your foe

And that his brother, the Lord of the Waves

Had whispered those words of woe

So that when the Oracle demanded your life

It was he, the Sea King, who wanted you child

For his plot against heaven and against its king

Would be fulfilled when you had been beguiled

And so you were taken by the ocean

And into the subterranean halls you were received

And given to one of the Sea King's own daughter

To be raised by her until you were weaned

Weaned off of air and off of the milk of your mother

Weaned off the legs with which you were born

Changed were you child, in the Sea King's palace

Raised to be a warrior, the Trident that Strikes the Storm

I tell you this all now, here in your late sleep

On the eve of battle before you shall rise

Up out of the depths, armor dripping and sword ready

Commanding the waters and their forces to surpise

I beseech you my son, from my place in the shadowlands

I have passed years ago and now I can see

That the game the gods are playing with your fate

Will lead you down a path of dark destiny

Return to the waters, to the Sea King's daughter's embrace

Return to the breast from where you fed

Grow old, marry well, and have plenty of children

Then come and meet me here in the land of the dead

But do not embark on this mission of power

And do not head the Sea King's commands

For once you set foot back on the dry earth

You shall once more become a man

And with all the weakness and powerless plight

You shall be devoured by Heaven's Hound

Head my words, do not go in the morrow

Take wisdom while it may still be found