Answer:
A mile from end to end, yet as close to as a friend. A precious commodity, freely given. Seen on the dead and on the living. Found on the rich, poor, short and tall, but shared among children most of all.
Do what he says and you'll be fine, don't and you lose the game.
So cold, damp and dark this place. To stay you would refrain, yet those who occupy this place do never complain.
In buckles or lace, they help set the pace. The farther you go, the thinner they grow.
My first is in window but not in pane. My second's in road but not in lane. My third is in oval but not in round. My fourth is in hearing but not in sound. My whole is known as a sign of peace. And from noah's ark won quick release.
If itβs information you seek, come and see me. If itβs pairs of letters you need, I have consecutively three. What am I?