Riddle

I wrote this a while ago, and I finally decided to put it up here.
Can you solve it?

I am not alive,
Yet I can dance and die.
I can be used or abused,
But always caged,
For if you set me free,
I may be the last thing you see.

Big or small,
Either I chill or thrill your heart,
If you get too close,
I will leave my mark.

I am hot as I can be cold,
No mercy, no remorse,
For the young or old.

Tale-spinners spin me,
Into their wildest tales,
For good or evil,
Hope or despair,
In some small way,
I am usually there.

I can play a part in celebration,
And in death.
Now you know me well enough,
So throw me your best guess.