It had been nearly fifteen years, since I stood before these Halls.
And reflected on the secrets that it held within it's walls.
In my mind I saw the many souls, that the creature held in chains.
I still hear the shrieks of agony as he distributed his pains.
I saw, in my mind's eye, the hooks, adorned with writhing men.
The pools of blood, and all the rats, that scampered through his den.
I remembered his forbidding face, as I watched it twist in glee.
As his masterpiece of butchery, was so proudly shown to me.
I heard a doomed man's assertion, another foolish man, like me
That the fiend had captured my friend, Paul. I was here to set him free.
I recalled those horrid memories that have haunted me for years.
But, I knew that to complete my quest, I must put aside my fears.
As night set in, I heard a sound that made my heart rejoice.
Though it was dim, I recognized my friend Paul! The poet's voice!
And now, I must devise a plan, to spirit my friend out.
It must be sound and silent; lest he suspect that I'm about.
I knew he had keen senses, after all, he's not a man
So I mulled it over in my mind, each nuance of my plan.
The moon appeared, so cold and pale, and pushed the clouds aside.
An evil glow reached out, to cloak the surrounding countryside.
Another thought occurred to me: A plan that well might work.
And I sought out his familiar that was hiding in the murk.
By nature, I'm a gentle soul; I'd hurt neither beast nor man.
But, I thought about my good friend, Paul. My God! I think I can.
I tied the foul familiar, to a twisted oak tree's limb.
I gathered stones, my mind rebelled, but: I threw the rocks at him.
The creature's cries were loud and shrill; they pierced the silent night.
They caught the fiend's attention, for, I saw candle light.
Then the monster stood before the halls and my courage nearly died.
He called my name, and promised death, and, much worse; he implied.
As he searched for his familiar, he vented cries of wrath.
I slipped inside! I freed my friend! We then bolted down the path!
By now, the moon was in retreat, and we ran by dawn's dim light.
But even in the gray of dawn, I saw Paul's hair was white
As we ran a long the forest trail, with the monster in pursuit.
I tripped and fell, a creeping vine, had wrapped around my boot.
That saved my life, for as I fell, I saw a bolt of fire flash.
It hit a tree that fell to earth with a muffled, tortured crash.
We were unsure of where we were, or the distance we had run,
But, as if in answer to my prayers, Behold! The rising sun.
The fiend that was pursuing us, paused, then, turned away.
For, it could not abide the blessed sun, and, it slept throughout the day.
So, we escaped, and to this day, this idea's mine, not Paul's.
We don't discuss what came about.
Nor, speak of Haggard's Halls...
