Dernhelm's Ride
A dead man's helm. A dead man's horse. A dead man's shield and cloak and sword.
I will ride with my Lord, my King, to death and the world's ending.
He can order me stay, and knit by the fire -- hah!
-- and watch over the dogs as they roll on the floor with the brats -- so he orders me, stay.
Though I may not walk the Paths of the Dead, following flickering torches, my heart rides there...
A dead man's helm. A dead man's horse. A dead man's shield and cloak and sword.
I am dead also.