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Queen Gabrielle's Lament
(15 August, A.S. XXXIII, at Pennsic XXVII)

Brother bound to brother, bonds near breaking,
Fealty's true test so proudly tried.
The swords we sheathed swing sadly in the scabbards
The day no war was done, but something died.

I cannot hear glad crashing in our column,
Instead I hear bold battle far behind;
Is joy behind us, or just sad confusion?
I see our sadness: can they see my mind?

'Twas yesterday that tested each side's honour.
Today we two decided to decide
And now we stand within our crowded courtyard,
For fealty's first-fruits herein abide.

The standing stone bids no one strike in anger,
The standing stone lets no one lie in pain;
Beneath the hill-brow none can read the runestone.
Which side was right? What sage could e'er explain?

The cold winds of September will come swiftly.
The legends may lose what we sought to find.
Our choice has chased one brother from another;
I fear our fate, for this tale is not kind.
Oh I fear, for this tale is not kind.