As the quest knights of Camelot were sent out
To search for, find, and return the Holy Grail
Various tasks were assigned by the king's aide
Groups gathered temporarily, rode together
They'd disperse when needed and until then
They'd appreciate the time and comradery
A group of knights were sent Northward
Enjoying the time, chatting and riding
Even light heartedly, if serious as well
When passing by the Wicked Black Wood
A territory off limits, unconquered by Arthur
There was a sense of macabre horror
A scent of bitter flowers or something eldritch
A stomach sensation of when one is ill
Complete silence that penetrated armor
And trees so dense it is as if it is night
The sun, so powerful unable to share its light
At last they heard voices and screams
And believed that someone must be in peril
They drew near, and prepared for battle
Arthur's knights were attacked, if not surprised
The ambush had been laid, ready for the knights
When vile creatures poured from the wood
Casting spears, nets, and stones
Knights were neither wounded nor even hit
The enemy's aim seemed surely off
The horde of creatures then chose to fade back
The knights followed, even as they withstood
They unhorsed, moved quickly, powerfully
Solid, courageous, they were as if iron forged
The wood closed in as the horde disappeared
Thorns and long branches reached forth
Stumps bent over to enable a closer strike
Vines and briars then held the knights
Ever so closely, ever so closely
And nothing moved that wore armor
While under the wicked wood's spell
When an armored knight, in ornate thick armor
Colored black in hue, with helm and antlers
Bestial the visage this knight had
And he moved forward, swiftly
Unaffected by the briar or thicket
In fact, as he moved they bowed and moved
As if he had powers to control them
He moved with grace and strength
As he walked forth he held a great axe
And one by one, began killing the knights
All but one of Arthur's knights were killed
All these wonderful knights
In steel woven to specifics
With exquisite, craftsman made helmets
All were broken
With their skulls and minds forever split
The one survivor knight looked up
And said Tell me, if you are true knight
Oath sworn having served a lord
Prepared and given the right to bear arms
Before you slay me, tell me please
Who it is that you serve?
The knight in black armor replied I serve no man
Know that I obey no man, I am my own law
If I give honorable service, it is to the wood
Yes you call it the wicked wood
And if wickedness is guile
Remember that it so ably drew you near
Thinking you'd be saving children, or a lady
Or some other being, so vulnerable and fragile
But you and your friends are fools
The deeper world is real
And the lives are lived quite differently
My good sir
Your ways are the temporary
While the Old Gods remain
The One God you serve will pass
For it is the old ways that will ever last
What Arthur's knight saw before he died
Was the black knight removing his own helm
And where a head would be expected
A beast's skull with eyes glowing red
Now sir Knight, I send you home
Where you can sleep forever
The black armored knight killed the other
His angry voice rang loud through the wood
Never enter this place, Arthur!
It has been forever forbidden
To your knights, to your kind
Return never again, oh King
For this land is reserved
I am the master of this domain
And it serves I and only I
Should you come back, again
I promise, oh Majesty, that you'll die
How many ever knights you come with
My wood will grow to meet your touch
And there will then join a king so good
To die in the Wicked Wood
