THE BALLAD OF TA'ILLISTIM

Set for a challenge to sing about the language of flowers (set by the handmaidens) and a positive city viewpoint (by Myasara). Talinvor discovered all the handmaiden's preferred flowers, but instead focused on a song for Sayilla, whose flower burdock/thistle he picked for her. Her uncle was displeased with Talinvor's attention to her, and drawing out her desire to see the world. This song was performed in the Elven Court for Sayilla's departure to Ta'Loenthra, as her very first venture outside the city walls where she had always been cloistered. He admitted that he would not forget her, even if he couldn't see her again.

I walked along the moonlit streets
The stones a’glowing pale
Icons of the artistry
Delicate and frail

The shining spires, city-scaped
Had caught my storm wrought eyes
Wanderer to gaze upon
Learn’ed elven prize

The stories of such far-off lands
Were rarely ever spun
Iconic Ta’Illistim
Sapphire of the sun

And center to it all I found
Amid the em’rald green
Maidens and the ladies of
Quality esteem

Their silks they ruffled as they came
And gathered all around
Engaged in a careless chat
To my ears confound

They spoke of such favors given
By courtly gentle-men
Messages in the flowers
And if genuine

I listened with an idle ear
To giggles and the sighs
I barely understood it
Then I rolled my eyes

In my mind I wished to confirm
If words were better sought
In prose or soft serenades
Or feats were for naught

And so my ego boasted of
My skills to match the two
Language of the flowers
To maidens and to you

Days to weeks they lingered
Maidens' flowers I forgot
But yours I did recall
Chosen with little thought

The purple flower blossoms
Upon the thorn'ed spheres
I thought it was your nature
Raillery of peers

It was not the burdocks sharpness
For that is not the pain
Instead you adhered yourself
A captured refrain

The softest touch and concerned gaze
You have for those you know
Captured your sweet memory
While you’re off to grow

~Talinvor