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Ulfric

In time long lost not in lore recorded

Ulfric, of wrongs unforgiving oft unsheathed his sword

To right past wrongs . He remembered them all.

The fall of his father though before his birth,

he remembered with wrath and dealt ruin

to those whose thanes had thoughtlessly slain him.

And also had arrived with anger unjust

and broken his brother, who soon lay buried.

Many men to him he wisely mustered.

And repaid with wrath those who had his family ruined.

Those wrongs he righted, repaid them in full.

After years of yearning for home of his youth,

he ceased his sailing, and beached his ships.

his sword sheathed at last, His spear put away.He meant to make peace, no more to stray

from hearth and home No helm to wear again.

His war raiding behind no remaining bitterness

Did he retain, nor reckon that ruin from others

Should to him travel through toilsome seas..

A wholesome hall he soon built high

to honor warriors’ honesty, those who urged him onward

had fought finely for him and friends also

in fields far from home.

Much gold he gave them, A generous king was he.

No stranger from afar or friend near at hand

was disheartened or displeased by the welcome he dispensed.

He wealth was not wasted, nor would he hoard it,

the weregild by raiding won.

The gold now given was great in records

War won payment for wrongs unnumbered.

He brought it, healthy homeward. And handed it wisely

into the keeping and coffers of kings and beggars

who came and cared to stay in that kingly hall.

In the wise words of bards it was wealthy,

Tales were told both wondrous and terrible

Their like linger here not, no longer with us.

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No diamond he deemed too dazzling for his wife.

More fair by far than flaming rubies.

His sons were sung of in ships and lands

far off for their fame, and fine mettle.

He taught them tenderness and terrible war 

he showed them strength even so should kingsrule their realms. Rightly and justly.

Then, as late and long the laughter filled

the mighty hall, and mirth was overflowing

A runner sought Ulfric's ear to render a message

sent from the shore.

Warriors now wildly wound their way

toward the teeming hall, greed tore their minds

and forced them forward with fire and steelto take the gold and torch the hall.

Little time he had, Ulfric had not

lost courage or cunning, and carefully directed

where the women should go, with children and young

  Yet his wife would not go, and waited with Ulfric

for the fire and blood to fill the hall.

His sons stood at the door, both strong and keen.

The raiders arrived with cries and ravings of hate.

They rushed the iron door, how wrong they were.

They were cut and wasted by willing blades,

None could match Colwch, Ulfric's coldest son.

Of peace he learned the least for lithe and quick

He swung his sword as death's scythe.

None came through his door.

Ulfric's oldest son, Olmar was almost as strong,

but more keen and cunning, his claim was a bow,

he skewered them striving up, to scale the walls.

None came through that door.

The last, so lore recounts, was lost soon.

By Dallion, who deemed war and deadly things

as hateful and horrors, so he despised them,

And would learn little of war, but luxury he knew well.

A blade cut head clean off, and carried it away.

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In his stead Ulfric stayed, old, stately he stood.

His mighty sword mangled foes again, his most lovely

wife, with spear and sheild stood at his side.

Many fell at that door.

In fury the flames were thrown, and fast burned

into the hall, heavy smoke sifted and hung

in the hall, the home of great Housecarls.

The raiders retreated, let the fire wreak its havoc.

Those in the hall took stock,

and deemed it best to dash out

and attempt to flee lest all should die.

Cutting, cleaving from the door was Colwch's blade,

Olmar the oldest was behind, hard on his heels.They led, none lagged behind with little courage.

The raiders fell and ran before that rush.

Blood and bravery always broke the foe.

But only barely, for Colwch badly

Was wounded to death. they waited

on a high hill, attempting to help Colwch,

but cruel steel cut away Colwch's life.

On that hill they were by thanes surrounded.

About brother's body they stood and baited the foe.

Thrice the greed driven thanes surged

up to Ulfric's blade and Ulfric smote

them down as in days of old but death

would not wait, biding with patience

the time to claim their tender lives.

Ulfric fell, his final strength forever gone,

Cut and hewn again, his adversaries

dearly paid to deprive him unto dark death.

Upon Ulfric's body died Ulfric's wife.

As they lived and loved so they were lost.

All about the aged body his able men defended

 Yet one by one they fell wasted and dead.

And dearly were they deprived of dearest life.

  Yet the wall was weakened and warriors slain

So long at last was Olwen left

Standing strong and alone sword in hand

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brother and father both were sheltered beneath his shield

the raiders withdrew to regroup the wreckage of their force

none could match the might of Ulfric's men.

Once more they marshaled and mustered the few

death had not harvested and harrowed swiftlythe son of strong Ulfric Silent they rushed

up the hill now heaped with Housecarls

and thickly with thanes and raiders thronged in death

Olwen's bow sang sweet and clear dealing swift death.

As they clambered and climbed, closing the distance.

Done now, his bow was broken, he beat them back,

Swiftly drew sword and dagger. His shield was broken.

With wounds beset and by warriors defeated,

defeated and doomed, to death he fell,

beside his brother.