On Midsummer's night a year ago
While everyone else did reap
Of their joy and of the spring
I, a young lad, did creep

Out into the moonlit night
Through fields and through prairies
Up into the rolling hills
Where, I'd heard, dwelt fairies

I'd been warned about the Fey
That they loathed the human race
Told of all the torture
They'd make a mortal captive face

Although I knew that iron
Burned fairy flesh like fire
I only wanted a glimpse of them
To harm them was not my desire

And though I knew iron also
Kept Elven spells at bay
I didn't want to take the risk
Of keeping Fairy-folk away

So, defenseless and all alone
I set out for the highest hill
I knew the Fairy court would be there
And so I walked until

I came upon a Fairy ring
A circlet of mushrooms and flowers
Where the Fey held revelries
And danced and sang for hours

I began to search for an entrance
A crack across the hillside's face
Or a door hidden deep in shadow
And at last I found the place

A tiny door hid beneath a flap of grass
A passage into the hillside
Without a moment's hesitation
I crawled my way inside

The tunnel was dark and cold
And the way was long
But at last I spied a glow of light
And caught strains of Fairy song

I emerged into a shadowed corner
And gazed about in silent awe
I took a step into the chamber
And stared in wonder at what I saw

Fairies danced in rows before me
Flashes of wings and eyes of gold
Shimmering clothes and ivory skin
Dancing to music ages old

Whirling and twirling in dizzy spirals
Cantering to the beat of the drum
Eating off plates piled with fruit
And drinking goblets of Fairy rum

The cieling was lit with fireflies
The velvet carpet a deep sea blue
I crept forward little by little
Keeping to shadows and out of view

That was when I noticed her,
Perfect of face and lovely of shape
Circled by guards, perched on a gilded chair
Wrapped in a black silk cape

She wore a dress of crimson velvet
And on her head a ruby crown
Her auburn hair tumbled gently
Passed the hem of her red gown

Garnets twisted through her mane
And glittered at her throat
She wore a sash around her waist
Cut from a lion's coat

She caught sight of me and smiled
Her eyes shone vivid green
At that moment I realized
She was the Fairy Queen

She gazed and me and laughed
A high pitched, frenzied sound
Her guardsmen rushed toward me
And dragged me to the ground

They cursed at me and kicked me
And on my back they beat
Then they pulled me forward
And dropped me at her feet

"A mortal tresspasser I see,"
She said with a wicked smile
"I'm afraid I must insist
That you stay with us awhile.

"What brings you to my palace
You pathetic human fool?
We do not suffer your kind,
Not here, under my rule."

I begged for her forgiveness
Tried desperately to explain
But she only shook her head
Unforgiving, it was plain

She gazed at me unmercifully
With that emerald stare
Lifted my chin with her foot
And fixed me with a glare

"Whatever shall I do with you
You pretty little mortal?
Perhaps I'll give you to my guards;
You'd make a tasty morsel.

"No, you're too amusing
For me to want you dead.
I think I'll keep you for myself
And play games with you instead."

She bent down low beside me
And looked straight in my eyes
"Games where no matter how you scream,
No one will hear your cries."

The guardsmen pulled me, struggling
From the Fey Queen's hall
My mind dwelt on her plans for me
Imagining them all

I was led into the hillside
Where the air was dank and cold
Watered dripped down from the roof
And the walls were thick with mold

They stopped at a small chamber
And threw me to the floor
Laughed at me in an evil way
Then closed and locked the door

My cell was dim and and dirty
My knees started to shake
Perhaps this was a nightmare?
No, for I was wide awake

I eyed a broken skeleton
Chained up across the room
I felt suddenly certain
I'd meet a similar doom

Then I saw a glimmer
On the dead man's hand
It was a ring of iron
And my escape was planned

I quickly grabbed the ring
And when the guards returned
I touched the iron to them
And they howled as though burned

I pelted down the hallway
As fast as I could run
Time to tell the Fairy Queen
My visit here was done

I burst into the palace
And slipped right through the crowd
When they saw the iron ring
Many screamed out loud

Rising from her golden throne
The Queen looked on in rage
Pulling her black cloak around her
She called for her best mage

He was lean and dressed in armour
Glistening deep black
He sent a hail of magic at me
But it reflected back

The Queen let out a hiss of fury
And balled her fists up tight
She paled against her silken cloak
Until she looked snow white

"Rebelious human," She snarled
And I could not help but grin
"Go from here," She said at last
"Leave the same way you got in."

I smiled, enjoying victory
And graced her with a bow
Then I ran right out of there
As fast as I knew how

I crept out of the passageway
And stared up at the sky
The moon was full and shining bright
And my spirits were high

I sped fast down the hillsides
Eager to tell the news
I knew everyone'd be at the pub
Drinking their brown brews

So I kept on running til I slid
Into the noise filled bar
As loud as people talked in there
I spoke louder still by far

I said to them "I've seen the Folk!
Come listen, leave your ale!"
Soon they were gathered all around
To hear me tell my tale

When I was done they all agreed
I'd been among the Elves
For those touched by the Fey
Carry a glow about themselves

And though a year did come and go
And the Fairy glow did fade
The memory of my night among them
Has forever stayed

I still remember how she looked
Regal and cruel as ever
Ruby crowned and furious
Could I forget her? Never

And now I stand before you
Exactly as you see
It would seem the Fairy Queen
Has had her fill of me