But when I look into her face, I see her father’s eyes.

Now how am I to deal with this rebellion in my soul?

I cannot treat her fairly when my own heart is not whole.
I truly wish to love her—but I’m not so strong, nor wise—
For when I look into her face, I see her father’s eyes—
Only—her father’s eyes.

FIRST LOVE

Lyrics: Mercedes Lackey

Music: Frank Hayes

(Jadus: Arrows of the Queen)

Was it so long ago now that we met, you and I?

Both held fast in a passion that we could not deny?

If my hands gave you life, then your voice woke my heart—

From such simple beginnings, how such wonder may start!

Chorus:

Through my long, empty nights, through my cold, lonely days,

How you comfort and cheer me, delight and amaze—

And your soft silver voice could charm life into stone—

My sweet mistress of music, My Lady, my own.

With your sweet song to guide me you have taught me to care

How to open my soul to both love and despair

Though you’re wood and bright silver, and not warm flesh and bone

I think no one here doubts you’ve a soul of your own.

And I know my own journey will too soon reach its end—
I must leave you with one I am proud to call friend.
How she opened my life when she opened my door!
Give her comfort, my dear one, when I am no more.

HOLDERKIN SHEEP-SONG

Lyrics: Mercedes Lackey

Music: Ernie Mansfield

(Talia: Arrows of the Queen)

Silly sheep
Go to sleep.
We will watch around you keep
Though the night be dark and deep
Nothing past us dares to creep
Go to sleep.

Wooly heads
Have no dreads
Though we’d rather seek out beds
And our eyes are dull as leads
And we long for hearths and Steads
Have no dreads.

Do not fear
We are here
Though this watch is lone and drear
Lacking in all warmth and cheer
Till the morn again draws near
We are here.

In the night
Stars shine bright
And the moon is at her height
Lending us her little light
Nothing comes to give you fright
Stars shine bright.

With the day
We’ll away
Leaving you to greet the day
Other shepherds watch you play
Keep you safe from all that prey
We’ll away.

Silly sheep
Go to sleep.
We will watch around you keep
Go to sleep.
Go to sleep.

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

Lyrics: Mercedes Lackey

Music: Leslie Fish

(Talia: Arrows of the Queen)

It was a dark and stormy night—or so the Heralds say—

And lightning striking constantly transformed the night to day

The thunder roared the castle round—or thusly runs the tale—

And rising from the Northeast Tower there came a fearful wail.

It was no beast nor banshee that, the castle folk knew well,

Nor prisoner in agony, nor demon trapped by spell,

No ghost that moaned in penance, nor a soul in mortal fright—