Kingdoms Old Rhyme

"In the realms of old, Elven kingdom, Cities shining, in ancient wisdom. Gentlefolk, with hearts so pure, Magic in their veins, forever endure.
Elven Kings, Elven friends, In their land, the story bends. Once they flew, with grace and might, Now they rest, in starry night.
Songs of wonder, how time flies. Legends spun, through forests deep, Where secrets hid, their dreams did sleep.
Elven Queens, Elven friends, In their land, the story bends. Once they flew, with grace and might, Now they rest, in starry night.
Though their names have faded now, Their spirits live, telling how. Remember well, the Elven kin, What once was them might soon be him.
Elven friends, Elven friends, Whispers heard, through ancient trees, Elven kingdoms, eternal breeze."

Summary

The children of the Sterian Kingdom often sing verses or the refrain from the 'Song of Elven Kingdoms' or 'Kingdoms Old' as they play among the alleys and fields of their homes. With a catchy tune almost akin to Frère Jacques, 'Kingdoms Old' was taught to youth in order to remind them of the history lessons they learned in school of their predecessors on these lands - the Elven Kingdoms. Over time the words and phrases have changed and morphed, to better fit the changing Common slang of the times. But in essence it remains the same. A secretly dark reminder of what happens to conquerors who go too far.

Cultural Reception

The sing-song nature of the rhyme tends to let most within the Sterian Kingdoms wave it away as for children, eager to not look any deeper into its meanings and symbolism. Popular among children of a young age, the rhyme is taught from friend to friend - even to those playmates that do not attend schooling. This does not stop young adults from the nostalgia and oft times lingering dread that hearing the old rhyme awakens in their chests when it echoes through the streets in the late evening hours, sung by urchins who call the crevices of the city home.