(To fully enjoy your adventure, please read the poem then close your eyes and listen to the music from the video. Here you are a famous knight, at the end of your quest, who is returning home. You just finished protecting the village from vicious monsters.)

Running through forest so dark,

Short breaths enter my chest.

Feet dodging monsters all night,

Whole body begging for rest!

Fallen leaves crunch underfoot

Everywhere enormous trees.

Strong legs are firm but sore,

Armor covers the ache in my knees!

My heart is beating loudly

Metal clothing hugging tight.

Worried thoughts break loose,

Was I the only survivor of the fight?

But suddenly the sky changes as the sun begins to rise.

Light trickles through the leaves,

Darkest blues melt into amber yellow skies.

And then I see the forest ends,

An open road cuts through golden fields.

Lady knights and armored men

Walk next to me with swords and heavy shields!

I recognize my comrades,

Friends who stood by me in the fight.

Though dusty and exhausted

My heart leaps at this sight!

But then I look ahead,

And see our road crosses paths with many others

On these other roads are our heroic sisters and brave brothers!

Armies of adventurers come from faraway lands,

And of course they are well known just like us.

Now we meet on the main road,

And walk side by side without making a fuss.

As we walk to the capital

Silent respect hangs in the air.

They salute me for my courage

I salute them for the years of blood, rust, and tears that we share.

Finally the road ends at grey stone castle walls.

Precious memories completely flood my mind.

This kingdom was my home,

The people beyond these walls are the ones I left behind!

Warm tears stream down my dirty face,

As guards unlock the black iron gate.

I long to see friends and family

Arriving after all these years just feels too late.

As the gate creaks wide open

I rush ahead now leaving the army of heroes behind.

But when I enter the castle walls,

A great crowd of people is what I find!

Their anxious whispers everywhere, their faces lit up with smiles.

I stare at the baskets in their hands,

Then notice the rest of the knights step behind me after a while.

"Hooray for our heroes!" Yells a woman's voice.

"Rejoice at their safe return!"

"We have heard word of your amazing quests"

"But certainly you have more to share, so much more that we can learn!"

Then inside their baskets,

All of the village people reach.

What happened next was too beautiful

Far too amazing for any speech!

The villagers throw something red that catches on the breeze

Little pieces so soft and fragrant they flutter everywhere with ease.

"Rose petals" I say surprised

As merry music starts to play.

"But why so much celebration? What is so special about this day?"

An armored hand taps my armored shoulder.

As I quickly turn around,

I see a lady knight upon white horse

It was her that made the sound!

"Welcome to the Festival of Heroes!"

She shouts through the flowery rain.

Then she pulls me up to ride her horse

Seeing that my legs are dragging on in pain.

White doves fly through the red petals

Symbols of purity and peace.

Then one man announces,

"Let us all go to the throne room for a feast!"

(Looks like you are a very popular hero. I wonder why? Before we continue with one of your past adventures, please be sure to vote/comment if you enjoyed the warm welcome and the villagers way of celebrating!)
Dedicated to Nicholas_UnCaged