Work Text:
Words between the host and the ranger
In the fading light, the Ranger’s gaze met the Host’s warm eye,
“We must seek shelter for the night, under this darkening sky.”
With a gentle smile, the Host granted their stay,
“But first, entertain us, in your own charming way.”
With a sigh, but soon a grin, the Ranger gave a nod.
“I’ll share a tale, though it may seem odd.”
“So gather ‘round, for the tale I tell,
is about a wizard, who cannot cast a spell.”
The Ranger’s Tale
Once upon a time, in a land far away,
lived a young wizard, going about his day.
But one day, a citizen ran in and yelled:
“The wizard has cursed us! He must be expelled!”
The wizard stood there on the street, shocked by the news.
For he hadn’t done a thing that could’ve changed their views.
A curse? But haven’t they seen?
That he couldn’t cast a spell, so how could he be that mean?
Many fled as the rumours dispersed.
Scared of the wizard, not wanting to be cursed.
And after being ignored for days on end,
the wizard fled into the forest, without a single friend.
As the years passed by, the wizard grew older
Trying to cast spells from up on his boulder.
He sat there for hours on end as the night fell once more.
After all these years, learning magic started to feel like a chore.
He stood up and walked back to his new home.
A simple hut, hidden away in the forest's dome.
While it seemed like a cosy and happy life,
being alone sometimes felt like the stab of a knife.
After the disappearance of the wizard, the town fell into despair.
As lives withered away without his guiding care.
While this wizard didn’t have any magic to assist,
he would always help those in need, their cries he couldn't resist.
But even after all the good he had brought upon the town,
many people now thought of the wizard with a frown.
For the man who was previously so loved,
his kindness and warmth now forgotten and shoved.
As time went by, the wizard's story turned to myth,
A traveller arrived, with tales to give spirits a lift.
The village opened its gate, eager for tales so great.
Through the town he travelled, his stories making hearts elevate.
His name was Will, a master of speech.
He was a young man, but he had a story for each.
After spending some time with the people of the town,
He heard the story about the wizard, being told with quite a frown.
“He lives deep in the forest, hidden away!”
“And right there, is where he should stay!”
The young traveller didn’t believe the words the people said.
A plan started to form in his mind, as he went to bed.
In the early morning, he goes to get his horse Tug,
upon walking in, he gives his companion a hug.
“We’re going to visit this wizard.” He whispers in his ear.
The horse neighed a reply, it sounded like a cheer.
As the young man on his horse rode out of the gates,
the sun started to rise over the hills, its warmth creates.
The forest soon rose up in front of them,
its mystery shining brightly like sunlight casting onto a gem.
They found the path that led into the forest,
what they hoped to find, seemed to be quite the quest.
The traveller wanted to show the town that the wizard meant well,
and that he wasn’t the one, who had cast the spell.
The wizard came out of his hut, as the morning came once more,
preparing to go back to the burdening chore.
But as the wizard climbed onto his boulder,
he heard a sound, coming over his shoulder.
The traveller and his horse proceeded through the trees,
the early morning providing them with a pleasant breeze.
The trees started to thin out, the sun shining through,
and as they walked in, they got quite the view.
The wizard sat there, staring at the two.
What must he do now? He didn’t have a clue.
He hadn’t gotten visitors in hundreds of years,
and suddenly, he felt like bursting out into tears.
“Hello!” The traveller carefully said.
Reaching into a saddlebag he grabs a loaf of bread.
“Want to have a chat over some breakfast?” He asks with a smile.
The wizard nods, “Alright! Let’s sit and chat for a little while.”
They shared the bread in the early morning’s glow,
the traveller turned to the wizard, conversation to show.
He asked about the curse, that had plagued the town for years,
the wizard lets out a sigh, “It isn’t like it appears.”
“I must admit,” the wizard says “I possess no magical art,
no spell or charm, to heal or harm, all I can give is my heart.
The things said by those around me weren’t true,
I fled, but without magic, I struggled to push through”
The traveller listened, his heart full to the brim.
“I’ll go back to the town,” he declared with a grin.
“I will tell them the truth, and I’ll stay by your side.
We’ll forge a new path and bring you back into the light.”
The traveller rode back to the town, his mission clear in sight,
they had to give the wizard a second chance, and set this all right.
Though he was met with doubt, he urged them to relent,
and slowly, their hearts softened, by his words they were bent.
“My friends,” the traveller spoke, passion in his voice.
“Do not let your fear cloud your judgement or choice.
Let the wizard tell his tale, like you’ve let me tell mine,
and give him a chance to finally shine.”
The townsfolk listened to the traveller’s plea, their hearts filled with doubt
But his words struck like a chord, and soon they began to sprout.
For many realized that their rush to judgement and blame,
had been wrong all along, a new understanding they obtain.
With determination in his eyes, the traveller returned once more,
to the wizard's humble abode, to lift him from his floor.
He found the wizard in his hut, the fire's glow casting light,
and with a smile, he delivered the news, igniting hope in the wizard's sight.
“The people want to see you,” the traveller said with a grin,
“Their hearts have softened, they’re ready to let you in.”
The wizard’s eyes widened in disbelief, his heart skipping a beat,
Could it be true? Could this be the end of his solitary retreat?
Together they rode back to the town, with hope and joy in tow,
The wizard marvelled at the scenery, his spirits beginning to glow.
As they entered the town, there was an awkward silence in the air,
But the wizard gathered his courage, determined to share.
“I must confess,” the wizard began, his voice trembling with fear,
“I have no magic to offer, no powers to make things clear.”
But before he could finish, the town erupted in cheers,
their doubts and fears disappearing, replaced by joyous tears.
And in that moment, magic surrounded the wizard, a sight to behold,
as flowers bloomed and spread across the village, a story to be told.
For in the end, it wasn't magic that saved the day,
but the power of understanding and love, lighting the way.
With hearts now light and minds awake,
the village has learned from their mistake.
So as this tale wraps up, we learn a lesson long told,
to not believe every rumour, or cast judgements so bold.