Math mab Mathonwy

Math fab Mathonwy was the arglwydd of Gwynedd and he had this cyneddf; that he could not survive were his feet not in the lap of a maiden, save when this was prevented by the advent of war. The maiden currently with him was Goewin daughter of Pebin of Dôl Pebin in Arfon; she being the fairest maiden of her age. He [Math] dwelt constantly at Caer Dathyl in Arfon. Being unable to perform the usual circuit of his realm, thus Gilfaethwy mab Dôn and Gwydion mab Dôn, his nephews, the sons of his sister, and their families with them, made this circuit in his stead.

And the maiden dwelt with Math constantly, but Gilfaethwy mab Dôn had set his heart upon her, loving her so much that he knew not what he should do on her account. His appearance and demeanour were altered by his love for her, such that it was no longer easy to recognize him.

One day Gwydion, his brother, gazed intently at Gilfaethwy and enquired: 'lad, what ails you?'. he [Gilfaethwy] replied, 'what do you see in me?'
'I see,' Gwydion responded. 'that you have lost your appearance and form; what ails you?'
'My lord brother,' Gilfaethwy answered, 'that which affects me it would not profit me to tell anyone.'
'What is that, dear soul?' he asked.
'You know that Math mab Mathonwy has this cyneddf: that if men whisper together, no matter how low the tone of their voices, if it is carried by the wind then Math will hear it.'
'Yes,' responded Gwydion, 'now hold your tongue for I know your intent; you are in love with Goewin.' Realizing that his brother knew his intent Gilfaethwy gave the heaviest sigh that the world had heard.
'Be silent dear soul, do not sigh,' commented he [Gwydion]. 'For it is not by this that you will triumph. I will cause, for it is not possible without this, the mustering of Gwynedd and Powys and Deheubarth to seek the maiden; now be of glad heart for I will get her for you.'

With this they both went to Math mab Mathonwy. 'Arglwydd,' said Gwydion, 'I have heard that there have come to the south beasts the like of which this island has never known before.'
'What are they called?' he [Math] enquired.
'Hogs, lord.' [Responded Gwydion.]
'What manner of beasts are these?'
'They are small animals and their meat is better even than beef,' [responded Gwydion]. 'They are small creatures and they change their names. They are now termed pigs.'
'To whom do they belong?'
'Pryderi mab Pwyll and they were sent to him from Annwfn by Arawn the king of Annwfn (and unto this day they retain that name; half hog, half pig).'

'Yea,' said he [Math], 'and by what means may they be obtained from him?'
'I shall go as one of twelve, each in the semblance of bards, lord, to seek the swine.'
'But he may refuse you...' said he [Math].
'My plans are good,' responded Gwydion, 'I shall not return without those swine.'
'Gladly,' said he [Math], 'venture forth.'

He and Gilfaethwy went, along with ten other men, to Ceredigion, to that place which is now known as Rhuddlan Teifi, where the llys of Pryderi was situated. They entered in the guise of bards and were greeted joyfully. And that night Gwydion was placed beside Pryderi.
'Indeed,' said Pryderi 'it would be pleasing to have a tale from some of those youths over there.'
'Lord, we have a custom,' said Gwydion, 'that on the first night we come to the llys of a great man the pencerdd himself relates a tale. I shall gladly relate a tale to thee.'

Now it so happened that Gwydion, himself, was the best teller of tales in the entire world and that night he regaled the entire Llys with tales and amusing anecdotes, which was enjoyed by all in the llys. And he and Pryderi conversed together.

And when all this was done: 'Lord,' said Gwydion, 'could anyone better relate my missive to thee other than myself?'
'None better,' said he [Pryderi]. 'A fair tongue thou hast.'
'This is my missive, lord, to beseech thee for the animals that were sent from Annwfn.'
'Truly,' he [Pryderi] responded, 'this would be the easiest thing in the world to grant were there not a covenant between myself and my realm concerning them. Which is this: that they shall not depart from me as sale or gift until they have doubled their number in this land.'
'Arglwydd,' he [Gwydion] replied 'I can release thee from the bonds of these words. But that I may do this, do not give me the swine this night and do not refuse them to me. Tomorrow I shall show thee an exchange for them.'

That night he and his companions went to their lodging where they took counsel. 'Men,' said he [Gwydion], 'we shall not attain those swine simply for the asking.'
'Truly,' they asked, 'for what exchange may they be obtained?'
'I shall cause us to gain them' responded Gwydion. Then he amassed his arts and began to demonstrate his illusions. By dint of his magical arts he engendered twelve chargers and twelve black, white-breasted, greyhounds to appear. Each of the dogs was white-breasted and bore collars and leashes that seemed, to anyone who gazed upon them, as if they were formed of gold. The steeds had twelve bridles, and each place where these would have iron fittings it seemed that they bore gold and the bits were the same designs as these.

These steeds and hounds he brought to Pryderi.
'Lord,' said he [Gwydion].
'God be with you,' said he [Pryderi], 'and welcome to you.'
'Lord,' said he [Gwydion], 'I bring you freedom from the conditions thou spake of last night concerning the pigs, for you will neither have been gifted them nor sold them. You can exchange them for something better: I shall give you these twelve horses, just as they are, along with their bridles and bits and the twelve greyhounds with their twelve collars and leashes and the twelve golden shields visible over there.' (Those which he had conjured from mushrooms.)
'Indeed,' said he, 'we shall take counsel.' And they decided in counsel to give Gwydion the pigs and take the steeds, the dogs and the shields he offered.

And they took them from him and began to walk with the pigs.
'Ah, my fellows,' Gwydion said, 'we must make haste. For the glamour will not last from one day to the next.'
That night they walked to the heights of Ceredigion, to the place that, because of this, is still known as Mochdref. The following day they made their way over the Elenid. That night they were between Ceri and Arwystyl in the town that also, because of this, is known as Mochdref. And from there they walked forth and that night they went as far as Cymmwd in Powys, which, because of this, is also known as Mochnant and there they tarried that night. And from there they walked as far as the cantref of Rhos and there they were that night within the town that once again is called Mochdref.

'Gentlemen,' said Gwydion, 'we shall reach the fastness of Gwynedd with these beasts. There is a host behind us.'
They reached the highest town of Arllechwedd and there a sty was fashioned for the pigs and for this reason the town is named Creuwryon. When the sty had been completed they went to Math mab Mathonwy at Caer Dathyl.

When they reached there there was a tumult in the land. 'What news is there?' asked Gwydion.
'A mustering,' they replied, 'Pryderi is assembling one and twenty cantrefs to pursue thee. It is marvellous that thou should have journeyed hence so slowly.'
'Where are the beasts that you quested for?' asked Math.
'They are housed in a sty in the cantref below,' said Gwydion.
Whereupon they heard the trumping of horns and the surge of a host. At this they donned their arms and made their way to Pennardd in Arfon.

That night Gwydion mab Dôn and Gilfaethwy his brother made their way back to Caer Dathyl. And in Math mab Mathonwy's bed Gilfaethwy and Goewin ferch Pebin were placed to sleep together, whilst the maids were compelled to leave by force. That night Gilfaethwy slept with Goewin, stealing away her essence.

On the morrow, when the day arose to greeted them they [Gwydion and Gilfaethwy] returned to where Math mab Matholwch awaited with his host. When they arrived the men were going to council to decide where they would stand to await Pryderi and the men of the south. They decided to remain in the fastness of Gwynedd, in Arfon. They would make their stand between the two manors of Maenor Bennard and Maenor Coed Alun.

And Pryderi attacked them there; and there was the battle, and the slaughter was great on all sides; though the men of Deheubarth were ultimately forced to flee. And they withdrew to the place called Nant Call, unto which place they were chased. And there was a slaughter without measure. Again they fled unto the place unto the place known as Dol Penmaen. Where they rallied and sought peace, and to secure peace Pryderi gave hostages. These hostages being Gwrgi Gwastra and four-and-twenty others of noble birth.

After this they journeyed in peace until they reached Traeth Mawr; however as they reached Melenryd the archers could not refrain from shooting at them. Whereupon Pryderi despatched an embassy to Math to pray him to forbid his men from attacking and leave the outcome of the battle to himself and Gwydion mab Dôn who had been the ultimate cause of the battle.
The messenger came to Math fab Mathonwy. 'Yea,' said Math, 'between myself and God, if it pleases Gwydion mab Dôn, then I shall leave it gladly. Never shall I compel any of our men to fight if we, ourselves, have not done our utmost [to prevent the battle].'
'Doubtless,' responded the messengers, 'Pryderi said that it were only fair that the man who did him wrong should oppose his own body against his possessions and leave the two forces idle.'
'I vow to god as my witness,' [responded Gwydion], 'I shall not allow the men of Gwynedd to be wounded by fighting in my stead when I, myself, can fight Pryderi. Joyfully shall I pit my body against his.'

This response was taken back to Pryderi, whereupon he replied: 'I require none to demand my rights save myself.'
The men were attired and both combatants came forward and began to fight. By force of strength and fierceness and by dint of his magic and illusion Gwydion was victorious and Pryderi was slain. He was buried in Maen Twrog, above Melenrhyd and there his grave lies to this day.

The men of the south set forth in sorrow, having lost their arglwydd, their companions, along with most of their steeds and arms.

The men of Gwynedd returned home happy and triumphant.
'Arglwydd,' said Gwydion to Math, 'would it not be right for us to release the hostages that the men of the south pledged to us for peace? For we should not hold them.'
'Release them,' commanded Math, so that the young man [(Gwrgi)] and the men with him were released to rejoin the men of the south.

Whereupon Math mab Mathonwy returned to Caer Dathyl whilst Gilfaethwy mab Dôn and those of Math's household who were with him went to make a circuit of Gwynedd, as was their wont, without approaching the Llys.
Math retired to his own chamber and caused a place to be prepared where he could recline so that he might put his feet in his maiden's lap. 'Lord,' said Goewin, 'seek another maiden to hold your feet, for I am now a woman.'
'What does this mean?' [Math enquired of her.]
'An attack, my lord, that was forced upon me publicly and I was not silent whilst this happened. There were none in the llys who did not know what befell me. This was caused by your nephews, the sons of your sister, Gwydion mab Dôn and Gilfaethwy mab Dôn. Rape was perpetrated on me and shame unto you; for he slept with me and this in your chamber and in your bed.'
'Yea,' responded he [Math], 'whatever I can do [I will do]. I shall make restitution unto you first and then I will have amends made unto myself. And as for yourself,' said he, 'I shall take you for a wife and and all my wealth and my lands shall be given unto your hands.'

And because of this they [Gwydion and Gilfaethwy] dared not come near the Llys and they remained within the confines of the land until it was forbidden to provide them with meat and drink. Initially they did not approach him [Math] until, finally, they were forced to seek an audience.
'Lord,' they said, 'good day to you.'
'Indeed,' responded Math, 'is it to make restitution that you have come?'
'Arglwydd,' they said, 'we are at your will.'
'My will would be not to have lost so many men and so many arms as I did. You could not repay me for my shame, let alone the death of Pryderi. And since you came here to be at my will I shall commence your punishment.'

Taking his wand he struck Gilfaethwy and transformed him into a hind. Then he hastily seized the other [Gwydion], lest he escape. He struck him also with his wand and transformed him into a stag. 'Now that you are in bonds,' [Math commented] 'I will make you travel together and as thou art mates I shall make thee possess the nature of the animals whose forms you bear. And in the time such beasts will bear offspring, the same will happen to thee. A year from today come hither to me.'

A year to the day there came a loud noise beneath the chamber walls and the court's dogs barked because of the sound.
'Look and see what lies outside' commanded he [Math of a courtier].
'I have looked, my lord,' said one of them, 'and without there is a stag a doe and a fawn.'
With this he [Math] arose and went outside. When he arrived he saw three animals: stag, doe and a strong an lively fawn. Then he raised his staff and saying 'he who was a doe last year shall be a wild boar this year and he who was a stag last year shall be a sow this year.' With this he struck them both with his wand.

'The son, however, I shall take to raise and baptize.' The fawn was made man and named Hydwn [(Noble Deer)]. [Then Math turned to the swine and said:] 'Go and be a wild boar and a wild sow. And the nature of woodland swine will be your nature. A year hence return to this wall and bring your offspring with you.'

A year hence and the sound of barking dogs was heard beneath the chamber's walls and the llys assembled to locate the nature of the disturbance. With that he [Math] arose and went forth. When he reached them he saw three animals: a wild hog, a sow and a fine piglet; who was well grown for his age.

'Yea,' said he [Math], 'this one I shall take into my household and cause to be baptized.' Striking him with his wand he [the piglet] was transformed into a tall fair-haired youth who he named Hychddwn [(Noble Swine)]. 'As for you,' [Math turned to the swine,] 'he who was a wild boar last year shall be a she-wolf and he who was a woodland sow last year shall be a wolf-dog this year.' With this he struck them with his wand transforming them into wolf and she-wolf, saying: 'thou shalt share the nature of the creatures whose semblance you bear. Return a year hence to this spot beneath this wall.

That very same day, a year hence, a commotion and a barking of dogs was herd beneath the walls of his chamber. He [Math] rose and ventured outside where he saw a wolf a she-wolf and a strong wolf-cub along with them. 'This one shall I take,' said he [Math], 'and I shall have him baptized. There is a name prepared for him already; and that is Bleiddwn (Noble Wolf).' Then, turning to Gwydion and Gilfaethwy he said: 'Three sons were born to you and these three are:

With this he struck them both with his wand transforming them back into themselves.
'Men,' he [Math] said, 'for the wrong you did to me, sufficient has been your punishment and dishonour, for you begat offspring one upon the other.' [Then he turned to the llys and bade:] 'let these men be anointed and their heads washed and have raiment prepared for them.' And this was done.

When they had been properly attired he [Math] had them brought to him. 'Men,' he said, 'peace have thou attained, and thou shalt likewise have friendship. Will you counsel me as to which maiden I should seek [as my foot-holder]?'
'Arglwydd,' said Gwydion mab Dôn, 'it is easy to counsel you. [Seek] Arianrhod ferch Dôn your niece, the daughter of your sister.'

She was sought and brought to Math. 'Maiden, are you a virgin?' He enquired of her.
'I know not but that I am,' [Arianrhod responded].
Math took his wand and bent it in the middle [before setting it on the floor]. 'Step over this,' he commanded, 'and if you are a maiden then I will know it.' Ariahrhod took a step over the wand and on that first step there emerged a fine long-limbed, chubby yellow-haired boy. The boy gave a hearty wail and on hearing this she [Arianrhod] quickly made for the door. As she reached the threshold and a small from emerged from her; but before anyone could catch a second glimpse Gwydion took him and covered him with a sheet of velvet before hiding him away. Whereupon he hid the form in the low chest at the foot of his own bed.

'Yea,' said [Math mab] Mathonwy, to the yellow-haired child, 'I shall have this one baptized and Dylan is the name I shall give him. Thus was the boy baptized and as soon as they'd performed the ceremony he sought-out the sea. And in that place when he plunged into the waters he assumed the nature of the sea and swam as well as the best fish that lived therein. For this reason was he called Dylan Eil Ton. Beneath him no wave ever broke and the blow that brought him death was struck by his uncle, Gofannon. And this was the third unfortunate blow [of the Island of Britain].

One day, as Gwydion awoke from his bed he heard a cry in the chest at his feet. Though it was not loud it was of sufficient volume for him to hear it. He arose quickly and opened the chest and as he opened it he saw an infant boy milling his arms to him from out the folds of his covering sheet and spreading it open. He took the boy in both his hands and he took him into the village where he knew there was a woman with milk-filled breasts. And he bargained with the woman that she might foster the child and that year she raised him. And when he was a year old it seemed by his size that he was a two-year-old. By his second year he was a big child, able to attend the llys all by himself. Gwydion himself, when he came to the Llys, beheld the child and the boy became familiar with him and grew to love him more than any other man. Then the boy was raised in the llys until he was four and he was as the same size as if he had been eight. At this time he [Gwydion] went to Caer Arianrhod, taking the child with him. When he came to the Llys, Arianrhod rose to meet him where she greeted him and bade him welcome.
'God prosper you,' said he [Gwydion].
'What boy follows you?' she enquired.
'This child, he is your son,' he responded.
'Oh, sir,' [she replied,] 'what came over you to shame me thus, to pursue my shame and retain it all this time?'
'Unless you bear greater dishonour than my fostering such a boy as this, then a small thing, indeed, will be your disgrace.'
'What is the name of your son?' she asked.
'Truly,' said he, 'he does not yet bear a name.'
'Yea,' she said, 'I swear that he shall bear this fate: no name shall he have unless he receives it from me.'
'I swear to God, my witness,' he responded, 'a malicious woman you are, but the boy shall gain a name however displeasing that may be to you. And you,' he added, 'being what you are, and yet sorrowful that you are not termed a maiden; you shalt henceforward never be called a maiden.'

With this he walked away in wrath and reaching Caer Dathyl he tarried there that night. The next day he arose and taking his child with him he walked the sea-shore from thence to Aber Menai. There he saw dulse and laminaria from which he charmed a boat. And from the seaweed and dulse he charmed Cordovan leather, a great deal thereof, and he dappled it in such a way that no one had ever seen leather more beautiful than it. And with that he fashioned a sail for the boat and he and the boy came to the door of the portal of Caer Arianrhod. Whence they began to fashion shoes and stitch them until they were were observed from the fortress.

When he [Gwydion] realized that he was being observed from the fortress he took their likenesses and placed another semblance upon them so that none would recognize them.
'What men are in yonder vessel?' she [Arianrhod] enquired [of her retinue].
'Cobblers,' they replied.
'Go and see what kind of leather they have and what work they do.' [she commanded] So they went hence and when they arrived he [Gwydion] was colouring Cordovan leather and gilding it. Then the messengers returned and informed her of this.
'Yea,' said she, 'take the measure of my foot and command the cobbler to fashion shoes for me.'
e fashioned the shoes for her, though not according to the measure but one size larger. These were brought to her and behold they were too large.
'These are too big,' she commented, 'he shall receive their value and also the value of a pair that are smaller than these.'
Though what he did was fashion others that were far smaller than her foot size and these he sent to her.
'Tell him that none of these shoes will fit my feet,' she said. And this he was told.
'Yes,' said he, 'I shall not fashion any shoes for her save that I see her feet.' She was informed of this.
'Truly,' she responded, 'I shall go to him.'

Thus she came to the boat and when she arrived he [Gwydion] was fashioning and the boy was stitching.
'My lady,' said he, 'good day to you.'
'God reward you,' she responded, ''tis a wonder that you can not keep to the middle ground in thy manufacture of shoes from foot-size.'
'I could not,' he replied, 'but now I can.'

And with this a wren alighted on the deck and the boy threw his needle and pierced it between the sinew and the bone of its leg. At this she laughed, saying: 'truly, with a skilful hand did the fair one strike it.'
'Yea,' he replied, 'God's curse upon you, for he has gained a name; and a good enough name it is. Henceforth he shall be Lleu Llaw Gyffes.

Immediately their work dissolved to become dulce and seaweed and they progressed with it no further. And from this was he [Gwydion] called one of the three golden shoemakers [of the Island of Britain].

'Ddoubtless,' said she, 'it shall fare no better for you for doing evil unto me.'
'I have done you no evil yet,' said he. Then he released the boy from his glamour and he assumed his own form.
'Truly,' said she, 'I swear that he shall bear this fate: no arms shall he bear unless I place them upon him.'
'I swear to God,' said he, 'this springs from your wickedness and he shall have arms.'
They went to Dinas Dinllef where he raised Lleu Llaw Gyffes until he could ride any horse and was perfect of features, growth and stature.

And then Gwydion recognized that life for him [Lleu] was becoming wretched from his want of a steed and arms and he called the youth to him.
'Youth,' said he, 'we shall go, me and thee, upon a campaign tomorrow. Now, be cheerier than you are.'
'This I shall do,' replied the youth.

Next morning, when the day was still young, they arose and taking the coastal path towards Bryn Aryen. At the summit of Cefn Clydno they equipped themselves with steeds and made their way to Caer Arianrhod. And then they changed their appearance and made their way to the door in the form of two young lads, save that Gwydion was more comely than his young companion.

'Porter,' said he [Gwydion], 'pray enter and say that here are bards from Morgannwg.'
The porter went. 'The welcome of Heaven be upon them.' she [Ariahrhod] said, 'let them in.'
They were greeted with great joy. To the hall were they directed and they went in to eat. When the meal was done Arianrhod conversed with Gwydion of legends and stories. And Gwydion was an excellent storyteller.

When it was time to leave-off the carousing a chamber was prepared for them and they went to sleep. Long before dawn Gwydion arose and he drew unto him his magics and his abilities. By the time day was breaking there resounded uproar and trumpets and cries all sounding together across the land. When day had fully dawned they heard knocking on the door of their chamber and there was Arianrhod demanding ingress. The youth arose and opened the door for her and she entered along with her handmaiden.
'Gentle sirs,' said she, 'we are in a terrible plight.'
'Yes,' Gwydion replied, 'we have heard trumpets and wails; what do you think they portend?'
'Doubtless,' said she, 'we cannot see the colour of the sea by reason of all the ships that crowd therein. And they are making landfall as quickly as they can. What can we do?'
'Lady,' replied Gwydion, 'there is no other counsel save that your castle is closed behind us and we defend it the best we can.'
'Truly,' she said, 'God reward you. And you shalt support us; here you will find a sufficiency of arms.'

With this she went to retrieve the arms and she returned along with two maidens and they bore sufficient arms for two men.
'Lady,' said he [Gwydion], 'aid this youth in attiring himself and with the aid of yon maiden I will arm myself. I hear the tumult of approaching men.'
'This I shall gladly do,' and she cheerfully helped him fully arm himself.

'Have you completed attiring yon youth?' he [Gwydion] asked.
'I have finished,' she said.
'Likewise, I am done,' he said. 'We can now divest ourselves of these arms, we no longer need them.'
'Oh,' she said, 'why? There is a fleet encircling this house.'
'Woman, there is no fleet.'
'Oh!' [she] exclaimed, 'why was it amassed?'
'It was assembled,' said he, 'to break the fate you placed upon your son and to attain arms for him. And now, no thanks to you, he has arms.'
'By God,' she said, 'you are a wicked man. And many a son might have lost his life in the tumult that you caused in this cantref today. I swear that he shall bear this fate,' she added, 'that he shall never have a wife of the race that now dwells upon this earth.'
'Yes,' said he, 'you were ever a wicked woman and no one ought to support you. A wife he shall have, as before.'

They went to Math fab Mathonwy and complained bitterly of Arianrhod's obstacles even as they explained how the arms had been obtained.
'Yes,' said Math, 'we shall seek, you and me, by dint of our charms and illusions to conjure a wife for him out of flowers. He has come into a man's stature and is the comeliest youth that was ever beheld.'

They took the flowers of oak, the flowers of broom and the flowers of meadowsweet and from these they charmed the fairest and most graceful maiden that was ever beheld. And they baptized her according to how she was birthed and called her Blodeuwedd.

After the marriage had been consummated and they had all feasted Gwydion commented: 'it is not easy for a man without possessions to supply and maintain himself.'
'Truly,' said Math, 'I shall give him the cantref that it wouldst best befit a young man to have.'
'Lord,' he [Gwydion] asked, 'which cantref would this be?'
'The cantref of Dinodig,' he replied. (That place which is now called Eifionydd and Ardudwy.)
Within that cantref Lleu dwelt in that place known as Mur-y-Castell and this in the uplands of Ardudwy. And in this habitation he dwelt. And all were content with his overlordship.

Then he [Lleu] wandered forth and sought-out Caer Dathyl to visit Math fab Mathonwy. The day Lleu set out for Caer Dathyl she [Blodeuwedd] circumlocuted the llys. Whereupon she heard the cry of a horn and after the sound of the horn a tired stag went past with hounds and huntsmen on its tail. And after the dogs and the huntsmen there came a host of men on foot.
'Send out a servant,' said she 'to find out whom the host may be.'
The servant went and asked them who they were.
'This is Goronwy Bebyr, who is lord of Penllyn,' they said. This being the reply that the servant gave his mistress.
He [Goronwy Bebyr] pursued the stag and at Afon Gynfael he overcame the stag and slew it. And by the time he'd skinned the stag and fed the dogs the night had begun to close in on him. And when the day was ending and the night encroached he came by the gate of the [Lleu's] llys.

'Certainly,' said she, 'we shall be defamed by our chieftain if, at such a late hour, we allow him to depart to another realm without inviting him in.'
'Certainly, our lady,' they said, 'it would be most fitting to invite him in.'
Thus messengers were sent to meet him and invite him in. And he accepted the invitation gladly and came to the llys and she [Blodeuwedd] came thence to greet him and bid him welcome.
'Lady, God repay you for thy kindness,' [he said]. They disaccoutred and went to sit down. Blodeuwedd gazed upon him and from the hour that she looked at him she was in no doubt that she was filled with love for him. And he gazed upon her and the same thought came to him that had come to her. He was unable to conceal that he loved her. She betook great joy in this. Their discourse that evening being on the love and the affection that each felt for the other. That which had been engendered in the space of one evening. And that night they shared a bed together.

The following day he intended to depart. But she [Blodeuwedd] swayed him with: 'Doubtless, but you shall not depart from me this night.' And that night they were together as well and they discussed how they might always be together.
'There can be no other counsel,' said he, 'save one, you must learn from him [Lleu] by what means he will meet his death. Do this in the guise of your care for him.'

The following morning Goronwy intended to depart. 'Truly,' she said, 'I would not counsel you to depart from me today.'
'Certainly, if you counsel it I shall not leave,' he said, 'albeit there is a danger that that the chieftain who owns this llys may return home.'
'Truly,' said she, 'tomorrow I shall allow you to depart.'

The next day he sought to leave and this time she did not hinder him.
Remember what I told you,' he said, 'and converse circumspectly with him; and this in the importune semblance of loving him. Then find out from him the means by which he may come to his death.'

He [Lleu] returned home that night and they spent the day in discourse, the bardic arts and in feasting. That night they went a-bed together and he spoke to her and then spoke to her again but she gave him no response.
'What has happened to thee,' he asked, 'art thou ill?'
'I was thinking,' said she 'of that which you never thought to concern me with.
Namely, to take care as to your death, that you shall not depart this world before me.'
'God reward you for your care,' he said, 'unless God takes me, I am not easy to kill.'
'Would you, for the sake of god, and for my sake as well, explain to me by which means you may be slain? For my recall is better in the avoidance than yours.'
'I shall tell you, and gladly,' he said, 'it is not easy to slay me from a blow. The spear that injures me must be a year in its fashioning and it must not be worked upon save at the time of offering on a Sunday.'
'Is this certain?' she enquired.
'Aye, 'tis certain,' he replied. 'I cannot be killed within a house,' he added, 'nor outside it; I cannot be killed on a steed nor whilst I am on foot.'
'Truly,' she responded, 'then by what means can you be slain?'
'I shall tell you,' he said, 'A bath must be prepared for me on the banks of a river and a domed roof formed above the tub which is thatched tightly and well. Then a buck-goat must be brought and placed beside the tub. Then if I place one foot on the goat's back and the other on the edge of the tub. Whomsoever strikes me under these conditions will cause my death.'
'Well,' she responded, 'I thank god for that. For you can easily escape from these conditions.'

No sooner had had she heard this report than she sent a missive to Goronwy Bebyr. Goronwy toiled at forming the spear and then that day, a year hence, it was ready. And that day he caused her to be informed of this.
'Lord, said she [Blodeuwedd to Lleu], 'I have been thinking as to what manner that which you told me previously could be true. Will you show me how you should stand at the edge of the tub and upon the back of a goat if I prepare a bath for you?'
'I will show you,' he replied.

She sent for Goronwy and commanded that he lie in ambush in the shadow of the hill that is now called Bryn Cyfergyr, which lies by Afon Cynfael. She caused all the gold in the cantref to be assembled and had them brought to the far side of the river, opposite Bryn Cyfergyr.

The following day she said: 'Lord, I have caused the bath and its enclosing structure to be prepared and they are ready.'
Truly,' said Lleu, 'we should happily go and look at them.'
The day after they came to look at the bath.
'Will you go into the bath, Lord?' she enquired of him.
'I will, and gladly,' he replied. Into the bath he went, where he anointed himself.
'Lord,' said she, 'here are the beasts that you said were called buck-goats.'
'Yes,' said he, 'have one caught and brought here.' One of the animals was brought and he rose from the bath and donned his trousers before placing one foot on the edge of the tub and the other on the goat's back.

Whereupon Goronwy rose up from the hill known as Bryn Cyfergyr and resting on one knee and hefting the poisoned spear he threw it so that it struck him [Lleu] in his flank so that the shaft darted out and the spear's head stuck within him. Then he flew away in the form of an eagle even as he uttered a fearful scream. And henceforth he was seen no more.

As soon as he [Lleu] had departed they [Goronwy and Blodeuwedd] went to the llys and that night they slept together. The following morning Goronwy arose and conquered Ardudwy. When he had subdued the land he ruled over it so that Ardudwy and Penllyn, both, were in his possession.

Then the report of these events reached Math mab Mathonwy. Anxiety and heaviness of spirit came over Math, and all the more so over Gwydion.
'Lord,' said Gwydion, 'I shall never rest until I have tidings of my nephew.'
'Truly,' said Math, 'God be your strength.'
Then Gwydion set out and journeyed forth; he walked through Gwynedd and then Powys to its border. When he had walked through each place he came to Arfon, to the house of a villein's son in the manor of Penardd.

Decamping at the house he stayed there that night. The man of the house and his family entered and finally there came the swineherd. And the man of the house asked the swineherd: 'well, lad, did your sow come in tonight?'
'She came,' he replied, 'and even now is with the pigs.'
'Where does this sow wander to?' Gwydion enquired.
'Every day when the sty is opened she ventures out. No sight of her is seen and it is not known in which direction she ventures more than if she was swallowed by the earth.'
'Would you,' enquired Gwydion, 'grant unto me that you will not open the sty until I am beside it with you?'
'This I will gladly do,' replied the swineherd.

That night they went to their beds and as soon as the swineherd saw the light of day he woke Gwydion. Gwydion arose and dressed himself and came with him [the swineherd] to stand by the sty. Then the swineherd opened the pigsty. As soon as he opened it, she hurled herself outside and walked quickly away, with Gwydion following her. She went against the flow of a river, and went to a stream which ever since has been called Nantlleu and then she halted [beneath an oak tree] and began to graze.

Gwydion came beneath the tree and looked to see what the sow was grazing upon; and he saw her consuming putrid flesh and maggots. An d he looked up towards the crown of the tree. And when he looked he saw an eagle atop the tree. When the eagle shook itself putrid flesh and maggots fell from its frame and the sow consumed these. And he, thinking that the eagle was Lleu sang this englyn:-

Upon this Lleu loosed his hold and descended to the mid-point of the tree. And Gwydion sang a further englyn:-

And the eagle loosed its grasp until it came to the lowest branch of the tree and this englyn was sung to him:-

And he came down onto Gwydion's knee; and then Gwydion struck him with his magic staff so that he [Lleu] resumed his own form. No one has seen a man in a more extreme state of wretchedness that he was in. For he was nothing but skin and bones.

Then he went to Caer Dathyl where he all the finest physicians of Gwynedd brought to him. In less than a year he [Lleu] was entirely healed.
'Lord,' said he [Lleu] unto Math fab Mathonwy, 'it is high time that I gained retribution of the man who caused me all this grief.'
'Truly,' replied Math, 'he cannot keep-on as he is with his atonement to you withheld.'
'Yes,' said he, 'the quicker I gain retribution then the better it will be for me.'

They called together the host of Gwynedd and set forth for Ardudwy. Gwydion took the point and made for Mur-y-Castell. And Blodeuwedd, hearing that they were coming, took her handmaidens with her and fled for the mountains. They passed through Afon Cynfael to reach a court that was on the mountain. And because of their fear they were unable to walk save with their faces looking backwards. And without realizing it they fell into a lake and all wee drowned save she [Blodeuwedd] herself. [And for this reason it is known as Llyn y Morwynion (the lake of the maidens)].

And then Gwydion caught-up with her and said unto her: 'I shall not kill you. Rather, I shall do something worse to you. Which is this,' he added, 'I shall release you in the form of a bird. And because of the shame you brought on Lleu Llaw Gyffes you will not dear show your face in the light of day, and this because you will fear all other birds. And there will be enmity between you and all the other birds. And their nature will be to bloody you and to dishonour you whenever you are encountered. But you shall not lose your name; for all time you will be known as Blodeuwedd.'

In the language of today Blodeuwedd is called 'owl'. And for this reason all other birds hate the owl and even today the owl is called flower-face.

And he, Goronwy Bebyr, returned to Penllyn from where sent-forth messengers. An embassy he sent to ask Lleu Llaw Gyffes whether he desired land or a country or gold or silver in recompense for the insult he had suffered.
'I shall not, as god is my witness,' said he [Lleu] , 'for this is the smallest thing that I shall accept from him; that he goes to the place where I stood when I was struck by the spear whilst I stand in the place where he was at the time. He must then allow me to strike him with the spear. And this is the smallest thing that I shall accept from him.'

This was told to Goronwy Bebyr. 'Truly,' said he, 'I am forced to do this. And thou, loyal men, and members of my llys, and those I have reared as brothers, is there one amongst you who will suffer this blow in my place?'
'Certainly there is not,' they said.
And because of their refusal to suffer the blow in the place of their lord they were termed, from that day unto this, the third Unfaithful Family [of the Island of Britain].

'Truly,' said he [Goronwy], 'I will take the blow.'
And with that they both went to the banks of Afon Cynfael. And once there Goronwy Bebyr stood where Lleu had been when he'd been struck and Lleu stood where the other had been. And then Goronwy said unto Lleu: 'Lord,' said he, 'since it was from the deceit of a woman that I did unto you as I did, I implore you, before god, to allow me to set that flat stone that I see on the riverbank between myself and the blow.'
'Truly,' said Lleu, 'I shall not refuse you this.'
'Truly,' said he, 'god reward you.'
Thus Goronwy took the stone and placed between himself and the blow. Then Lleu cast his spear at Goronwy and it pierced the stone and went through, and it went through him [Goronwy] as well and broke his back.

And there Goronwy Bebyr was slain, and there lies the stone upon the banks of Afon Cynfael in Ardudwy, with the hole still through it. Which is why, until this day, it is called Llech Goronwy.

A second time did Lleu Llaw Gyffes take possession of his land, and he governed it prosperously. And as the story-tellers relate he became, after this, the lord of Gwynedd.

Thus ends this branch of the Mabinogi.