Gil-Shallos

Written by Mercedes Lackey and Leslie Fish

Vocals and 12 String Guitar by Leslie Fish
Bass by Ernie Mansfield

Based on the Darwath Trilogy by Barbara Hambly

"Marry a doctor and raise some kids"
That what your parents said
They threw you out when you turned away
To the life of a scholar instead

Now you stand here watching the Keep of Dare
With a thoughtful and worried brow
Gil Patterson, what would your parents say
if they could see you now

The history scholar who came to dream
Of a dark and haunted land
Learned dreams were true from a wizard
Who came to beg for a haven he planned

He'd hide in your world his infant prince
You agreed without taking much thought
But the Dark came hunting across the void
Adding you to the prey they sought

He pulled you to safety, into his world
The Dark blocked all returned
Since you were no wizard, then to survive
The art of the sword you would learn

Gone was the scholar who lived her life
In the world inside of her head
And in her place, the warrior maid
Gil-Shallos stood instead

The royal guard took you to its ranks
You grew tough and battle scored
All trace of weakness was burned away
Like a weapon that's tempered hard

All the intensity you once paid
For the search for knowledge and truth
Has been re-aimed at survival now
Taking with it the last of your youth

Hunger and fear have stiffened your spine
Hate is a fact of life
Sleep brings only uneasy dreams
Waking brings struggle and strife

It was no magic that forced the change
But agony, laughter and tears
And you're half in love, with that half mad mage
Of easily twice your years

But you've got a home with the royal guard
And you wear their silver and black
Do you wonder now if you had the chance
If you'd still choose to go back

And you pace the halls of the Keep of Dare
With a troubled and pensive brow
Gil Shallos what your old friends say
If they could see you now