Upon a snorting,  noble steed,
A regal knight was perched.
For a princess stolen long ago,
This weary knight did search.

Mountains tall, valleys low, 
For days that turned to years, 
Fearlessly riding under the sun, 
Fighting back such shameful tears. 

One rainy day, he stumbled upon
A small, yet elegant cottage.
There in the window, hair drawn back, 
A lone woman, he secretly spotted. 

This was the princess, a woman now, 
His quest had surely ended. 
The king, the queen, the common man, 
Would find this rather splendid. 

The knight he walked, horse in tow, 
Then loudly rapped on the door. 
“I’m here dear princess, here for you, 
Do not be frightened anymore.” 

The princess opened up the door, 
She firmly stood her ground. 
“I don’t need to be rescued, silly knight, 
I am in charge of my own crown.

Get back on your horse, be on your way, 
For I’ve made this place my home. 
It’s filled with love and forest friends, 
Worth so much more than gold. 

I left the kingdom of my own accord,
Those many years ago. 
I wanted to live a life of service,
Not privilege, pomp and show.”

She shut the door, walked away,
The knight stood in surprise.  
He shook his head, mounted his horse, 
As he came to realize. 

Wealth is not measured just in coins, 
Nor strength by an armored suit. 
But rather by the size of your heart, 
And a will that is resolute. 

He left that day, riding fast and hard,
Away from the king and queen. 
Heading toward his own adventure,
Empowered to follow his dreams.