//------------------------------// // Part V // Story: The Rhyme of the Ancient Marener // by Brolkier //------------------------------// We waited and we waited, Since Endless had been gone. We waited and we waited, Cat’s Eye let out a yawn. What before had been but twenty minutes, Soon turned into an hour. I wondered at the length of fog, Endless was sent to scour. We waited a few minutes more, Till she finally did return. Collapsing down upon the deck, Her wings did surely burn. When asked how far the fog doth stretched, The Pegasus let out a sigh. Quote she; ‘I wish that it not true, But the fog never left my eye.’ How could this be? How could it be? How far does this fog stretch? Why is it that we’re stranded so, And a break we cannot catch? I thanked her for her help once more, As she once again retired. But it pained me that once she was done, She would once again be mired. The gift of flight was nice indeed, But it also was a burden. For without knowing the length of fog, Our gaze we could not broaden. I meant for her in the crow’s nest, To be the only way to scout. But until we know the way is safe, She must continue to set out. It was at this time I noticed, That Cat’s Eye began to twitch. Much different from her calm demeanor, Her mood appeared to switch. ‘You better hope this clears up soon.’ Cat’s Eye then spoke to me. ‘Cus if it doesn’t, I guarantee, You won’t like what you see.’ She walked away, pulling out her knife, And dragging it behind. I thought about approaching her, But that thought I soon declined. Dinner time soon came and passed, As Endless then approached the door. She gave her wings a little stretch, But I could tell they still were sore. I thought about calling her back, But she took off into flight. By the time that I had reached the door, She had vanished far from sight. I hoped the fog would soon let up, Or the moon at least come out. Even though she was our loyal, This was far more than devout. This time however, she did not return, Till we had gone to sleep. I’d guess it be ‘bout midnight, We were far from counting sheep. Cat’s Eye and I were covered, Our sheets like bandage wraps. Endless however, did not care, She was too tired of a mare. On her bed she did collapse. She soon began her snoring, Much to my relief. For what had come from Cat’s Eye, Caused me much more grief. Since she had laid down to sleep, Cat’s Eye began to mutter. Speaking things quite awful, Well into her slumber. I feared that of the three of us, She was at the breaking point. I prayed to Celestia, That tomorrow not disappoint. As the night gave way to morning, We once again got up. I took the coffee from the heat, And filled it in each cup. Alas, the fog still lingered so, Another gloomy day. I sat down at the table, But there wasn’t much to say. I looked to pony left and right, Their gazes still were down. In fact, soon upon my face, I too did bear a frown. Endless finished eating, Then stood up without a word. Walking right into the door, Her vision must be blurred. As her captain, as her friend, I had to stop this now. I did not want to lose her, Or feel like an abuser. This I could no more allow. ‘Endless,’ Quote I, ‘You mustn’t go, We’ll find another way. We’ll wait until the fog clears up, So please this time just stay.’ Endless turned and looked at me, Giving me a smile. She then spoke, walking out the door, ‘I’ll be back in a while.’ I ran to stop my yellow friend, But alas, I was too late. How could I ever push her so? Why did she decide to go? To seal herself that fate. I fell down upon my knees, Nearly coming close to tears. When I took another look, And something quelled my fears. I looked out beyond the ship, To see the fog was not as thick. Perhaps if it doth stayed this way, Endless’ trip would be quite quick! My optimism grew quite high, As I looked out to the sea. While the fog not gone completely, I thought for sure that we’d be free. Seconds turned to minutes, And minutes into more. Yet I stared out to sea, Till my eyes grew quite sore. I stared till through the fog, I could tell the sun had set. Though long before it fell, I was filled with regret. For not an hour into waiting, The fog began to thicken. And as my view got ever shorter, My heart began to quicken. I waited and I watched, But Endless never came. And just like when she disappeared, My hope then did the same. A stillness fell upon the ship, As nothing made a sound. I felt alone upon the ocean, With nopony around. The water ceased its movements, And the ship was just as still. This quiet and unnerving calm, Did fear in me instill. Then came something even worse, Adding to my fears. A loud and ghastly scream cried out, Ringing though my ears. I snapped back to reality, Looking all around. But no matter where my head turned, I could not find the sound. As the calm then returned, The fog grew thicker still. All the way throughout my spine, I still could feel the chill. The fog grew ever closer, Until all I saw was white. Even looking down upon my hoof, Was not within my sight. Then from the stern, I heard a quiet tap. ‘Twas metal upon metal, And my nerves it did entrap. The tapping then grew louder, As I feared it growing closer. I took a step back from the rail, And turned towards my approacher. When at last it reached its peak, The tapping then did cease. But from the cold grip of fear, I could not find release. Silence filled the air again, As my eyes darted quick. But slowly coming into view, Came an object with a reddish hue. With the sound of magic. What came next I’ll not forget, For it still haunts me to this day. A quiet little whisper, And to me it did say: ‘I told you what would happen, My dear, dear poor captain, If this happened to me. If I can’t get my treasure, Or some other form of pleasure, Then where does that leave me be? Now be sure to give a cry, After I pluck out ‘your’ eye, Because you won’t like what you see.’