Heather Alexander The Duke's Eldest Daughter

The Duke's second daughter was ravishing fair
Bright blue were her eyes and bright gold was her hair
The Duke's youngest daughter with eyes like the sky
And hair like night shadows made courtiers sigh.
But the Duke's eldest daughter, a maiden called Jane
Brown head and brown eyes was decidedly plain

No suitor she had, not a soul sought her hand
Although she must wed first by her father’s command
And nobody knew or would care if were told
That plain little Jane had a voice of pure gold.
Since no one would miss her at night on her own
Through evening dark forests she’d wander alone

For Jane knew a secret she'd learned by chance
The place in the forest where elves came to dance
At night as she watched them in their magic ring
Enthralled by their music Jane started to sing
Shocked by her own boldness was still pleased to find
That harpest and dancers did not seem to mind

Came winter and Jane dared not wander by night
But drooped in the corner a pitiful sight
and cruel her two sisters impatient to wed
Would heap bitter scorn on unhappy Jane's head.
There was no escape from there torments but sleep
And long in the darkness Jane softly would weep

One evening they followed her right to her bed
And one said in Anger "I wish you were dead"
So Jane fled in tears to the snow and the storm
Without even a thin cloak to keep herself warm.
Soon lost in the dark and the snow soft and deep
She felt herself nodding and falling asleep

"Perhaps this is better" she said with a sigh
And gave herself up to the storm and to die
But before death could claim her with fear filled alarms
She was snatched from death’s cold hands by strong elven arms
To elf voices urging she lived she awake
Embraced by pure love and a warm elven cloak

Now Jane disappeared in that storm it is said
And both the Duke's daughters are certain she is dead
But if you should chance near that wild elven hill
You'll find that the elf folk at dance there still
And the music they dance to is sung and is played
By a proud Harper elf and his dear mortal maid