The battle of Framsburg

Got a song, a tale, some news of far off places or Orcs gathering? Step up and loose your word hoard.

Moderator: Greg

User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

The battle of Framsburg

Post by Eofor »

So I'm not quite sure this one is ready to fly but I haven't made any changes in a year or two so that's a good sign also It's solstice and I'm feeling sentimental.

It is part of the saga of Eofor as sung in Rohan and is a poem in the heroic Anglo Saxon style, with many kennings and alliteration. I will probably record it at some stage if anyone is interested in hearing it read in the style of Beowulf and am sure to anyone familiar with that work, my own love of it will shine through this.

There is a line Elleth may understand better than others but please enjoy or move on as you prefer

The battle of Framsburg

Listen, the two troll hunters were known for courage and greatness
We have heard of those grim wardens

There was Eofor of the Black Tusk, fury in the field
A man of Rohan to start with, he wandered far from his home
Hunting the demon of his youth

And the skalds sing too of Heimir Brondolfson, the fiery hound
That canny fighter who dealt death from afar
Never would his arrows miss, while his bow string held

Many were the trolls who fell to these two
No greater score since Hurin himself
The weregild of Eofor was a heavy price

A trail led to Framsburg, home of his ancestors
No happy homecoming for the horse lord
His unrelenting feud drew him, nothing but war

An oath fulfilled, a return to his people
To ride again the grasses of the Westfold
These things drew him, nothing but war

Down through the mist bands the shadow stepper roved
To cross the bridge in search of flesh
He snuffed the watchers in the dark

A guardian stepped forth, straddled the span
The troll hammer, anathema to his foe
The fiend knew his name, a famous kin slayer

They met on the bridge, each hateful to the other
Roaring Eofor like a torrent down its bank
Ready for danger and eager for it always

Five times he struck, five fearsome blows
Still the rage of the ruin dweller was plain
He lunged at his foe, overpowering

Things would have gone poorly then for the son of Leofric
But for the man of Dale,
No hanger on in a heroes armour

Though Tilion slept at the tiller, the Hound erred not
Barbs burst skin, blood smoked forth
The great bow sang it’s war song

In behind his shafts flew Heimir, keen cutting edge in hand
He drove in with steel, the smiths masterwork
And like his namesake harried his prey

No harder contest had the scourge of men faced
He would pay a heavy price for this nights feast
For to drive off the hound he let go the boar

Thengels retainer was up, slaughter knife in hand
A murderous tusk to the ribs,
Bone lappings burst, Bright blood boiled forth

The Ogre keened it’s death note, it’s last harvest reaped
No more death mongering in the high country
Those brave men had dealt a fatal blow

Away from Framsburg they went by morning
Weighed down with war spoil and a star under sun
The body lay for wolves if any would touch it

The hunt would go on, death price still due
Hard tidings indeed for the proud Helmingas
Woe without ending, nothing but war
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Elleth
êphal ki-*raznahê
Posts: 2932
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
Location: in the Angle; New England

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Elleth »

Oh my...

... you have absolutely captured the feel and rhythm of the old songs. I'd have sworn you dug that out of a musty old book if I didn't recognize the names. :mrgreen:

Very well done!!
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Cimrandir »

Sir, I must protest. You are far too talented and it's quickly becoming offensive every time you post your work as I roil in jealousy that you have such a mind for writing.

Lol, I'm just being dumb. This is pure awesome sauce. Between you and Eric, I think we've got the foundation for the Inklings 2.0 here in our little group. Consider me as the first to ask, nay, demand a recording in the proper style at some point. Such prose deserves it. In fact, I'll probably recite it to my wife tonight as she enjoys poetry and she's been thinking about starting in on a Lady of Rohan kit. This poem is the perfect intersection of both.
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
User avatar
Taylor Steiner
Haeropada
Posts: 975
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:31 pm
Location: Great Falls Montana
Contact:

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Taylor Steiner »

Amazing!
Frodo lives!
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Greg »

Loved it!
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Greg »

Cimrandir wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 2:14 pmBetween you and Eric, I think we've got the foundation for the Inklings 2.0 here in our little group.
...and Mirimaran!
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Cimrandir »

But of course! How could I forget Mirimaran and the adventures of Daffodil Underhill!
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
User avatar
Harper
Haeropada
Posts: 793
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:11 pm

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Harper »

Excellent!
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Eofor »

You are all far too kind, especially since I know the quality of your own writings.

Thank you.

Cimrandir wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 2:14 pm I'll probably recite it to my wife tonight as she enjoys poetry and she's been thinking about starting in on a Lady of Rohan kit. This poem is the perfect intersection of both.
In my humble opinion nothing is more romantic in the bedchamber than a boisterous hwæt!
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Togon
Dúnadan
Posts: 74
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2022 4:52 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Togon »

You wrote that!? That was pretty epic! I would love to hear a reading while enjoying a full pipe and some ale.
‘If by your carelessness you wish to do our enemies work then you may as well carry one of his brands’
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Eofor »

Togon wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:27 am You wrote that!? That was pretty epic! I would love to hear a reading while enjoying a full pipe and some ale.
I seldom need encouragement. Next time I have a quiet moment I will test out the new mic my wife gifted me.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Iodo »

I can't believe I left it so long to read this, it is amazing Eofor :P
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Tom_Ranger
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:02 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Tom_Ranger »

This is not just a flight of fancy; clearly you have put some serious effort in.

Well done.
Life is a great adventure; if I live to be 10,000 years old, it won't be enough.
User avatar
Desert Loon
Dúnadan
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:51 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Desert Loon »

I too would love to hear this declaimed - even sung, perchance?

Having attempted alliterative verse, I know it's hard to do on its own, let alone including the kennings for the full archaic Germanic flavor. I salute you.
Glory be to God for dappled things
...
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim. (Hopkins)
User avatar
Eofor
Haeropada
Posts: 789
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 11:40 am

Re: The battle of Framsburg

Post by Eofor »

Thanks Iodo, Tom and Loon.
Tom_Ranger wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 11:38 am This is not just a flight of fancy; clearly you have put some serious effort in.

Well done.
Desert Loon wrote: Sun Jul 24, 2022 12:08 am Having attempted alliterative verse, I know it's hard to do on its own, let alone including the kennings for the full archaic Germanic flavor. I salute you.
Alliterative verse is so silky smooth off the tongue that it actually comes pretty easily to me and I think that's because I often forget my lines and have to improvise when doing Beowulf.
I practice a lot by (when I am sure no one is around!) using heroic verse to describe whats going on or everyday things too.
But the white fury of the Northmen burned the hotter, and more skilled was their knighthood with long spears and bitter. Fewer were they but they clove through the Southrons like a fire-bolt in a forest.
Post Reply