The Sacred Hearth

One evening, after a large meal, Pwyll decided to go for a walk. He began to climb to the top of a mound behind his palace, but one of his Court stopped him saying, “My Lord, it is said that no one can sit upon that mound without either coming to injury or beholding a wonder.”

“What injury will befall me with all my friends about to protect me?” Asked Pwyll, “But a wonder, I would like to see.”

And so he climbed up to the top of the mound and sat upon it, looking around expectantly. Off in the distance he saw a lady, seated upon a very large white horse. The horse was walking slowly and seemed to be coming toward him.

He jumped up and pointed. “My men, do any of you know that Lady?”

They responded, “We do not. Let’s go and find out who she is.”

One of them volunteered and ran down quickly to meet her, but she passed right by him and he followed her, but the faster he followed, the further away she was, though her horse never picked up its pace. Finally, he gave up and returned to Pwyll.

“My Lord,” He said, “It is impossible to overtake her on foot.”

“Well then, go to the stables and get you a horse man!” Said Pwyll and the man quickly ran to obey.

The man came out of the stable and came up the road, and soon had his horse at an all-out run. But the faster they went, the further away they were from the Lady, though her horse never seemed to pick up speed. He followed her as best he could till his horse was exhausted, and then out of pity he returned it to the stable and went back to Pwyll.

“My Lord,” He said, “It is no good following her. No horse is as swift as hers.”

“I see that.” Said Pwyll, “But there must be some illusion here. Let’s just forget it for now.”

And so they went back to the Palace and made themselves ready for sleep.

The next day after dinner Pwyll said to his men, “Let’s go back up to the mound, but before we go, I want this man to be already out on the field with the swiftest horse we have.”

So up the mound they went again and there he saw the Lady off in the distance again on her white horse.

“Go and find out who she is!” He yelled to the young man on the horse and he immediately hurried to do so.

But again, the faster he went, the further away she was, and yet her horse never seemed to go any faster than it had at first.

Finally, the young man gave up and came back and they all went inside and made ready for sleep.

The next day after dinner they went again to the top of the mound, and this time Pwyll brought with him his own horse. And there they saw the Lady again, riding on the large white horse, walking slowly along.

But no sooner had he mounted his horse, but she passed him, and he hurried after her, but it did no good. She was further and further ahead of him, though her horse never seemed to pick up its pace. Finally, in desperation he called out, “Oh Lady, for the sake of whomever you love most, please stop and speak with me.”

“I will gladly,” She replied, stopping and turning to him, “And it would have been better if you’d asked sooner.”

And she turned to him, and he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever yet seen.

“Tell me Lady, who are you and what is your errand?” He asked her.

“I am Rhiannon, daughter of Heveydd Hen, I have come to seek you out, Lord Pwyll.”

At this he was, understandably astonished. “That is very pleasing to me. But you must tell me why!” He said.

“My father seeks to wed me against my will, but I would take no husband because of my love for you. And I never will unless you refuse me. So I have come to seek your answer, will you have me or no?”

“My Lady, if I were to choose among all the damsels of the world, I would choose you!” He declared.

“Well then, promise to meet me.” She said to him.

“I will meet you anywhere you wish!” He promised.

“Then in a year and a day, meet me at my father’s house. There our wedding feast will be ready for you when you come.” She told him.

“I will be there.” He promised.

At that she turned and was gone and he returned to his men, but was not inclined to answer their questions.

When the time came, he went with a host of 100 Knights to the Palace of Heveydd Hen. There he found that many preparations had been made and a great feast awaited him. At the table Haveydd Hen was seated at one side of him and Rhiannon on the other. As they ate, a young, royally dressed man with auburn hair entered the hall.

“Greetings! You are welcome here.” Said Pwyll, who was in a very good mood, “Come and sit down.”

“No, I come on an errand. I seek a boon of you.” Replied the young man.

“Whatever boon you ask, you shall have.” Said Pwyll, who was in an exceptionally good mood.

“Ohh.” Moaned Rhiannon, “That was a bad answer.”

“The Lady you take as your bride this night is the one I love. I ask her of you.” Replied the man, smiling.

Pwyll was silent, for he was bound to his word.

“Yes, be silent.” Snapped Rhiannon, “Never has anyone’s mouth caused more trouble than yours has this night.”

“Lady,” He said miserably, “I didn’t know.”

“This is the man that they would have given me against my will.” She explained. “This is Gwawl, son of Clud. One of our own kind and a man of great power. Because of your word, you must give me to him or we will both be shamed.”

“I can’t do this!” He declared, even more miserable.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. Do as I say and everything will be alright.” And she whispered to him for awhile and then gave him a small bag.

Finally they rose and stood before Gwawl and Rhiannon said, “My husband has bid me go with you and I shall obey, but it isn’t right that this feast be yours and not his. Let my father’s household prepare a feast just for you.”

And so they all went away to return in a year and a day.

When the time came, and Gwawl returned to the house of Heveydd Hen to claim his bride. After the feast was underway, Pwyll, dressed as a beggar and carrying only a small cloth bag came to the Palace and approached Gwawl.

Gwawl, who was in a very good mood, said, “Welcome man, join us.”

But Pwyll shook his head, “I only wish a boon.”

“You are welcome to ask!” Said Gwawl, who was in an extremely good mood.

“I ask only for you to fill this bag with food.” Said Pwyll.

So Gwawl called his attendants to fill the bag with food, but no matter how much food they brought, the bag could not be filled.

“Will that bag ever be full?” Asked Gwawl in amazement.

“Not until a man of very great worth should put both feet in the bag and say, “Enough the bag is full”. Replied Pwyll.

Then, at Rhiannon’s urging, Gwawl stood up and put his two feet in the bag. Then Pwyll quickly pulled up the sides of the bag so that it was over Gwawl’s head and tied a knot in the top so he couldn’t escape. Then he blew his horn and a hundred knights came through the great palace doors and fell to fighting with the Knights of Gwawl until they’d all been driven out.

Then a knight came upon the bag lying on the floor and gave it a poke and said, “What is in this bag?”

And someone answered, “A badger!” and all the knights came around the bag and kicked it and poked it and laughed until Gwawl cried out from within and Pwyll called them off.

“Please!” Cried out Gwawl. “I don’t want to be killed in a bag!”

And Pwyll would have let him out right away but Rhiannon stopped him. “Before you let him out, make him promise not to seek revenge and to relieve you of your boon.”

“You have my word!” Shouted Gwawl, before Pwyll could even ask. And so he let him out and he and his men fled and were never seen again.

That very night Rhiannon and Pwyll were wed and the next day they went home to Dyfed. They ruled long and prosperously and never was a Queen more loved than Rhiannon.