Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

309in an unforeseen difficulty. The beautiful wife of Arawn greetedhim as her husband. But when the time came for them to retireto rest he set his face to the wall and said no word to her, nortouched her at all until the morning broke. Then they rose up,and Pwyll went to the hunt, and ruled his kingdom, and did allthings as if he were monarch of the land. And whatever affectionhe showed to the queen in public during the day, he passed every [358]night even as this first.At last the day of battle came, and, like the chieftains inGaelic story, Pwyll and Havgan met each other in the midst of ariver-ford. They fought, and at the first clash Havgan was hurleda spear's length over the crupper of his horse and fell mortallywounded. 229 “For the love of heaven,” said he, “slay me andcomplete thy work.” “I may yet repent that,” said Pwyll. “Slaythee who may, I will not.” Then Havgan knew that his end wascome, and bade his nobles bear him off; and Pwyll with all hisarmy overran the two kingdoms of Annwn, and made himselfmaster of all the land, and took homage from its princes andlords.Then he rode off alone to keep his tryst in Glyn Cuch withArawn as they had appointed. Arawn thanked him for allhe had done, and added: “When thou comest thyself to thineown dominions thou wilt see what I have done for thee.” Theyexchanged shapes once more, and each rode in his own likenessto take possession of his own land.At the court of Annwn the day was spent in joy and feasting,though none but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual hadtaken place. When night came Arawn kissed and caressed hiswife as of old, and she pondered much as to what might be thecause of his change towards her, and of his previous change a229 We see here that we have got far from primitive Celtic legend. The heroesfight like mediaeval knights on horseback, tilting at each other with spears, notin chariots or on foot, and not with the strange weapons which figure in Gaelicbattle-tales.