The Mabinogion Vol. 3 | Page 3

of gold and royal
jewels.
* * * * *
And the year he spent in hunting, and minstrelsy, and feasting, and
diversions, and discourse with his companions, until the night that was
fixed for the conflict. And when that night came, it was remembered

even by those who lived in the farthest part of his dominions, and he
went to the meeting, and the nobles of the kingdom with him. And
when he came to the Ford, a knight arose and spake thus, "Lords," said
he, "listen well. It is between two Kings that this meeting is, and
between them only. Each claimeth of the other his land and territory,
and do all of you stand aside and leave the fight to be between them."
{Picture: p16.jpg}
Thereupon the two Kings approached each other in the middle of the
Ford, and encountered, and at the first thrust, the man who was in the
stead of Arawn struck Havgan on the centre of the boss of his shield, so
that it was cloven in twain, and his armour was broken, and Havgan
himself was borne to the ground an arm's and a spear's length over the
crupper of his horse, and he received a deadly blow. "O Chieftain," said
Havgan, "what right hast thou to cause my death? I was not injuring
thee in any thing, and I know not wherefore thou wouldest slay me. But
for the love of Heaven, since thou hast begun to slay me, complete thy
work." "Ah, Chieftain," he replied, "I may yet repent doing that unto
thee. Slay thee who may, I will not do so." {17} "My trusty Lords,"
said Havgan, "bear me hence. My death has come. I shall be no more
able to uphold you." "My Nobles," also said he who was in the
semblance of Arawn, "take counsel and know who ought to be my
subjects." "Lord," said the Nobles, "all should be, for there is no King
over the whole of Annwvyn but thee." "Yes," he replied, "it is right that
he who comes humbly should be received graciously, but he that doth
not come with obedience, shall be compelled by the force of swords."
And thereupon he received the homage of the men, and he began to
conquer the country; and the next day by noon the two kingdoms were
in his power. And thereupon he went to keep his tryst, and came to
Glyn Cuch.
And when he came there, the king of Annwvyn was there to meet him,
and each of them was rejoiced to see the other. "Verily," said Arawn,
"may Heaven reward thee for thy friendship towards me, I have heard
of it. When thou comest thyself to thy dominions," said he, "thou wilt
see that which I have done for thee." "Whatever thou hast done for me,

may Heaven repay it thee."
Then Arawn gave to Pwyll Prince of Dyved his proper form and
semblance, and he himself took his own; and Arawn set forth towards
the Court of Annwvyn; and he was rejoiced when he beheld his hosts,
and his household, whom he had not seen so long; but they had not
known of his absence, and wondered no more at his coming than usual.
And that day was spent in joy and merriment; and he sat and conversed
with his wife and his nobles. And when it was time for them rather to
sleep than to carouse, they went to rest.
* * * * *
Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, came likewise to his country and dominions,
and began to enquire of the nobles of the land, how his rule had been
during the past year, compared with what it had been before. "Lord,"
said they, "thy wisdom was never so great, and thou wert never so kind
nor so free in bestowing thy gifts, and thy justice was never more
worthily seen than in this year." "By Heaven," said he, "for all the good
you have enjoyed, you should thank him who hath been with you; for
behold, thus hath this matter been." And thereupon Pwyll related the
whole unto them. "Verily, Lord," said they, "render thanks unto Heaven
that thou hast such a fellowship, and withhold not from us the rule
which we have enjoyed for this year past." "I take Heaven to witness
that I will not withhold it," answered Pwyll.
And thenceforth they made strong the friendship that was between
them, and each sent unto the other horses, and greyhounds, and hawks,
and all such jewels as they thought would be pleasing to each other.
And by reason of his having dwelt that year in Annwvyn, and having
ruled there so prosperously, and united the two kingdoms in one day by
his valour and prowess, he lost the name