The lay of Firsthold

Original media : TES Online By Anonymous Their tribulations drove the Elves 'Cross Sloadful seas to Summerset. O Admeris! Old Ehlnofey! Your loving visage haunts us yet. Your zephyr's kiss enthralls us still, Though only in heart's memory, And sorrow to the marrow deep Infuses every Aldmeri. When Magnus sinks and night-hour comes, And owl and spectre prowl and creep, When eyes can gaze at stars no more, Then fancy flits across the deep, Whence Aldmer came to eastern isles, Escaping doom oblivious, To Auridon, hue-imbued With spectrum vivid, various. From foam it rose before the ships; Nine prows did plow the gleaming strand. Torinaan stepped from foremost craft, And claimed as Kinhold all the land From silver beach to green-clad hills, Begilded by the golden dawn. Auridon thus was the name Bestowed upon that realm anon. Though wild it was, at once it gripped Torinaan's once remorseful heart. He drew his blade, he drew his blood, And swore an oath to ne'er depart. They disembarked upon the shore, Built Kinhouse, gardens, forge, and hive. They tamed the meadows, beaches, fields, And made a home where Elves could thrive. Then howling from the hills in hate Came horrors horned, bedight with eyes. Gheatus; Welwa; Ilyadi— All sought the Aldmers' cruel demise. Some said they should take ship anew And seek a farther, safer shore. But bold Torinaan valor steeled, And drawing on ancestral lore, Hierogram with Varla Stones He wove upon Auridon's loom, Drew power down from stars above, And drove fell monsters to their doom. He harried them 'cross hills and heights, All smiting them with magics dire, Till one by one they fell at last To blast of lightning, ice, or fire. So warded then by spells well-spun Auridon bloomed beneath the touch Of Altmer craft and husbandry, Imagoform and sculpture. Much Admired by other Altmer were Torinaan's brave achievement there, And other Kinholds followed fast On Summerset, so blest, so fair. But though those Kinholds prospered well Throughout the archipelago, Aldmeri Landfall all recall Upon the Firsthold shore did show, And bold Torinaan is revered For courage, wisdom, foresight. He Who harnessed heaven to defend The Aldmer in extremity. Auridon: excellent abode. Maormer repel: expel all Sload.