Once upon a Time in a Legend Castle

He sought a glorious end
that would make him legend:
sitting astride his white horse
holding a gold sword to heaven.

So he rode up to the darkened castle
to free the maiden trapped within;
opened the door to dust filled hall,
spider webs covered armored suits.

No sound but the creaking of floors
from room to bleak room he searched
for the beauty bound by spells
to lie enchanted in wait for such as he.

No dragon challenged him, nor other beast
no black draped knight stood in his way;
empty chambers shed their secrets
of abandoned trash no treasures here.

Still he crept from floor to dungeon
wary of evil and hidden traps;
as night fell he found a hidden door
that led to upward winding steps.

In darkening dread he slunk up
though his heart pounded confused;
surely in the dim tower he would find
the young woman who slept preserved.

The stairs end, a landing, shadow -
a door outlined in deeper ebon;
he felt for a knob, found only lock,
battered it down in hot blooded lust.

The room inside was barely lit
through transom by a waning moon;
lo, finally, a four post bed
curtained and silent in the night.

Awed he came to the bed side
drew the curtains gently apart
there in the dim light he spied
a draped figure with silken veil.

The coverlet showed a fulsome
figure, shapely hips, slender waist
bust so perfect no woman could match
with legs that promised passion.

As the moon was clouded, he bent
though unable to pierce the gloom
he knew his task, took the challenge
lifted the veil to kiss these lips.

Dust he met, harsh and bitter, coughed,
in dismay convulsed, gasped in
the poison by which she perished;
he toppled to the window already dead.

[LTFR club challenge]