(A prose poem)

Inspired by highfantasy's "The Devil's Trial" contest: "Your favorite high fantasy villain has been put on trial for his atrocities.  How will he defend himself?"

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I am a villain and this is a battle you cannot win.

Dark, shorn locks whip in the wind and I grin.  (This is for you.)  My sword awaits, outstretched, unwavering.  (You named yourself the hero.)  Slowly we circle, so closely observing.  (And so you cast me as the villain.)  I watch your eyes—they tell your thoughts.  They tell your pain.  (Alas, that I would be the cause.)

(Alas, that we have come to this.)

There was a time, long ago, when we sparred.  We'd come together, a flurry of blows, then back apart, circling, hawks searching for an opening, smiling, delighting in the fight.  We knew no rest; we needed none; and so we danced that dangerous dance, blade's edge romance—for so it soon became.

The audience enjoyed it.

They cheered us on, and we, drunk on praise, saw truth in their words (or so we supposed) and soon we were drunk on each other.

And yet.

'Twould push us apart, what drew us together; those blades, wedged so deeply, would cut; and while you pulled me closer, all I could feel, was the steel pushing into my gut.  Then it was I knew we weren't, we wouldn't be, that blade, that steel, would suffocate me...and I struck out.

And I struck true.

And drawing back I was the wide-eyed hare, so terrified at what I'd done and you—you paladin of love, planted your blade between us, to play the hero to my villain.

(To play the villain to my damsel.)

I turned away, and left you bleeding, and never once looked back.

(I couldn't bear to.)

It wasn't fatal; I didn't care.

(Gods, it took so long to heal.)

And once your strength was gathered, once more I came to spar, and when we met, our bows were stiff (from long disuse), our swords so steady (for those, we'd used)...

And then did appear that which I feared.

You looked in your blade (untrustworthy mirror), you saw that poor, battered hero, you saw him stand against evil, and you forgot how to fight for anything besides your life.

(You are the reason my heart wears armor.)

I'll carry the scar for the rest of my life, healed as it is with tears of strife.

(You cast me as the villain.)

(Well,)

(I accept.)

And so I grin.

Let it begin.

I am your villain, and I am the battle you cannot win.

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A/N: Originally written April 2018