Welsh Tales from the Mabinogion:
The Tale of Blodeuwedd

Once upon a time, in the magical land of Wales, I, Blodeuwedd, was created from flowers by the powerful magician Gwydion and the wise king Math. They crafted me from the blossoms of oak, broom, and meadowsweet, giving me life and beauty beyond compare. My purpose was clear: to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, a hero blessed with great strength and skills.

At first, my life with Lleu was peaceful and happy. He was kind and noble, and our home was filled with joy and laughter. Yet, despite the beauty and tranquility of my surroundings, I often felt a sense of restlessness. I was created for a purpose, but I yearned to understand who I truly was beyond that purpose.

One fateful day, while Lleu was away, a stranger named Gronw Pebr came to our land. Gronw was strong, handsome, and different from anyone I had ever met. The moment our eyes met, I felt an undeniable connection. As we spent time together, my feelings for him grew stronger. It wasn't long before we fell deeply in love.

Gronw and I knew that our love was forbidden and that we would need to overcome great obstacles to be together. Driven by our passion, we devised a plan to rid ourselves of Lleu. We needed to know the secret of how he could be killed, a secret only he knew.

One evening, I gently coaxed Lleu into revealing the conditions of his death. He trusted me completely and shared that he could only be killed in a very specific way: with a spear crafted under precise conditions and used at a particular moment. Armed with this knowledge, Gronw prepared the special spear.

When the time came, we executed our plan. Gronw struck Lleu with the spear, and he was gravely wounded. To our astonishment, Lleu transformed into an eagle and flew away, gravely injured but not dead. The sight of him suffering filled me with a mixture of relief and guilt. Our plan had succeeded, but at what cost?

Days turned into weeks, and my heart grew heavy with remorse. Gwydion, ever determined to protect his kin, searched tirelessly for Lleu. Eventually, he found him, wounded and weak, perched on a high tree. Gwydion used his magic to restore Lleu to his human form and heal his injuries. I knew that this meant the end of our brief time of freedom.

Lleu returned, stronger and more determined than ever. He sought justice for the betrayal he had suffered. I knew that facing him would mean facing the consequences of my actions. In the end, Gronw was killed by Lleu’s spear, just as Lleu had been attacked.

As for me, I faced a different fate. Gwydion, in his wisdom and power, transformed me into an owl, a bird forever shunned by other birds. In my new form, I was destined to live in solitude, reflecting on my choices and their repercussions.

Although my story is one of love, betrayal, and transformation, it is also a tale of self-discovery. Through my experiences, I learned the complexities of the human heart and the consequences of our actions. I am Blodeuwedd, once a woman of flowers, now an owl of the night, forever a reminder of the delicate balance between love and duty.

The End