The sun was shining brightly as the army moved along

　　their armour glistening as they all sang the hero`s song

　　singing of his destiny and all his awesome deeds

　　the way he fought so selflessly for all his empire`s needs

　　As he walked ahead he smiled with every song he heard

　　but while he smiled the hero didn`t sing a single word

　　he never looked behind him at the knights in his army

　　the road ahead of him was all he really wished to see

　　His mind began to wander to adventures come and gone

　　the victories that led him down the path he walked upon

　　he knew that just behind him was an army all his own

　　but when he looked ahead, he might as well have been alone

　　His only orders were to keep the army moving fast

　　he had no time to spare the frightened villages they passed

　　the soldiers all admired his dedication to his quest

　　never once complaining that they rarely stopped to rest

　　Only one among them questioned what was on his mind

　　having never managed to leave all his doubts behind

　　someone known less for heroics than for drinking beer

　　but now the prince no longer smelt of alcohol and fear

　　He found the hero staring into nothing late one night

　　and joined him for a moment by the campfire`s dying lightStolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

　　"you may just be a hero, but I`ve come to know you well

　　so tell me why you look as though you`re leading us to hell"

　　The prince was worried he`d been to direct in what he said

　　he wagered that he might just be about to lose his head

　　but as the heir of such an empire, he had little choice

　　for the sake of all his subjects, he would raise his voice

　　To the heir`s surprise however, still the hero stared

　　he wondered if the hero heard him or if he stilled cared

　　many times the hero`s words had frightened him away

　　and so he took the chance to say what more he had to say

　　"I no longer care if you`re a pirate or a saint

　　for all the battles you have won, I offer no complaint

　　but this should be a conquest and an easy victory

　　how come the expression that you`re wearing worries me"

　　The hero slowly turned his gaze to meet the prince`s eyes

　　his calm and resolute expression caught him by surprise

　　"there`s no dragon waiting there, just monsters, bugs, and trees

　　this is a predestined fight, so put your mind at ease"

　　The prince was not convinced but still the hero was aloof

　　he knew that something must be wrong but still he had no proof

　　"do you fear no legends of a land where demons dwell

　　how are you so confident that things will go so well"

　　The hero laughed and turned to look toward the starry sky

　　he chuckled when he heard the prince let out a troubled sigh

　　"fate has brought me here, and I am right where I should be

　　if you want the answer, you need only follow me"

　　All the prince could do was trust the hero in the end

　　he knew the hero`s will was never something he could bend

　　before he said goodnight however, he made sure to say

　　"just remember, every war comes with a price to pay"

　　He didn`t give the prince`s heavy words a second thought

　　he`d never listened much to him in all the wars they fought

　　like the hero, one day he might learn to trust in fate

　　the hero`s role would always be to bear the battle`s weight

　　Alone again, the hero saw the fire had almost died

　　he added one more log and then he lay down by its side

　　hoping that his fate would lead him home before too long

　　where he would teach his sons the lyrics to one final song

　　He listened to the crackling of the fire into the night

　　and wondered if his sons at home were all sleeping alright

　　he realized the hearth at home seemed warmer in a way

　　but he would warm his heart in battle in the coming day