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 Post subject: The Story of Rhiannon
 Post Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:26 pm 
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Spirit Dragon
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Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:55 pm
Posts: 116
Location: Harwich, Essex
I thought I would share with you the story of Rhiannon co-written and performed by The Magnificent Magic Mummers of which I am a member. We took influence from the Mabinogi and Arthruian prose.

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Come gather round people and hear my tale. This is the story of Rhiannon, Goddess of the Moon and of horses, bestower of sovereignty and bringer of fertility. Rhiannon, who chose a mortal as her mate, who suffered injustice with dignity and grace, and who won out in the end. Hail, Rhiannon.

Now, many years ago when myths were real and legends were daily news there lived a Prince of Dyfed, Pwyll by name, who grew weary of his playboy lifestyle. Tradition had it that a man who sat on a nearby mound would receive one of two things, either blows and bruises from an invisible hand, or else he would see a wonder. Pwyll was intrigued...Which one would he get - punches or a marvel? He decided to find out. He didnt have long to wait.

PWYLL: Blimey! She's gorgeous! I wonder who she is.

He sent one of his serving men to stop the lovely lady on her milk white stead as she walked sedately past, but no matter how fast the man ran, he could not catch her.

PWYLL: Come on man, run! Whats wrong with you?

Well a wonder indeed! I must find out who she is!

The next day Pwyll returned with a horseman. He was determined that the lady would not get away a second time...

PWYLL: Go on my son! Get Her!

But the horseman could not get close to her.

PWYLL: This is getting annoying!

On the third day Pwyll waited at the mound on his swiftest horse.

PWYLL: If you want a job done properly, do it yourself!

He set off after her at a gallop, but wonder of wonders he could not close the gap. Eventually close to exhaustion, he called out.

PWYLL: Sweet lady, I beg you STOP!

RHIANNON: Now that you have asked me nicely, I shall indeed stop. It would of
been kinder to your horse had you asked me sooner.

PWYLL: My name is...

RHIANNON: I know who you are, Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, for I have sought you out.
I am Rhiannon, daughter of Hefeydd Hen, and I am here because the
nobles of my realm are trying to force me to marry against my will.
Instead I chose you, Pwyll, if you will have me.

PWYLL: Oh yes, Rhiannon, yes!

Although somewhat sudden, their love was true, and they arranged that Pwyll would visit the castle of Hefeydd Hen in exactly a year's time.
When he arrived Pwyll was welcomed as a Prince should be. He was seated between Hefeydd Hen and his beloved Rhiannon, and given plenty of food and drink.....Especially drink!
What a party! They were having so much fun! Pwyll was in the best of moods. What could possibly go wrong.

GWAWL: Prince Pwyll, on this happy day I would ask a boon of you.

PWYLL: Of course, stranger! Anything! By my honour, if it is within my power to
give it, you shall have it.

RHIANNON: Oh no! Pwyll, you flaming twerp.

GWAWL: Hah! You all heard him! I am Gwawl, son of Clud, and she was to be MY
bride....The boon I demand is RHIANNON.

PWYLL: DOH!

RHIANNON: You have sworn on your honour in front of witnesses and you cannot
go back on it or you will be shamed, you steaming great pillock! Never
has a man made feebler use of his wits than you!

PWYLL: DOH!

RHIANNON: Never mind, I have a cunning plan. My lord Gwawl, if you return to this
place in exactly a years time I promise that a wedding feast will be
and all the arrangements made.

GWAWL: Indeed I shall, my lady.

Rhiannonb explained her plan to Pwyll, and then organised a magnificent feast, as promised. On the appointed day Gwawl returned, eager to claim his prize, little caring that Rhiannon had no wish to marry him. Once again the drink flowed, and Gwawl was in a merry mood when a stranger entered the hall clutching an old sack....I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that this was no ordinary sack.

PWYLL: My lord Gwawl, on this happy day, as you are about to get married, I
crave a boon.

GWAWL: Of course, dirty old beggar person. What is it that you want?

PWYLL: Merely that you allow me to take as much food as will fill my sack, nothing
more.

GWAWL: Oh is that all? Take what you will, my good tramp. See, Rhiannon, am I
not generous with the food that you had provided?

PWYLL: A thousand thanks, my lord!

You remember that I told you this was no ordinary sack? Well, guess what....It was a magic sack. Bet you didn't see that coming :D

GWAWL: What the heck is going on?

PWYLL: Ah, well,my lord, this was my Grandma's sack. She was a bit of a witch,
see. She told me that it could never be filled until a man with lands and
riches stamped it down with both his feet.

GWAWL: So that's the way of it is it, you thieving peasant. Get out of my way and
I'll put an end to your tricks.

And with that Gwawl climbed right into the sack and stamped with all his might. Then as quick as a flash Pwyll closes the sack over Gwawls head....The plan is almost complete.

GWAWL: OI! What's happening?

PWYLL: Ha! Now I have you! Swear on your honour that you will give up your claim
to marry Rhiannon.

GWAWL: Never! Is that you Pwyll? Rhiannon WILL be mine.....OUCH Alright alright
marry her yourself, just let me go.

RHIANNON: Pwyll, dont forget....

PWYLL: Ah yes! Swear on your honour that you will not take revenge on us for
this.

GWAWL: OK OK OK I swear it! Just please let me go.

With that horrid business out of the way Rhiannon was free to marry the man she loved.
For three happy years the couple ruled Dyfed, and the people revealed in peace and prosperity. Unfortunately there was one fly in the ointment. The nobles started to worry that no child had been born of their union.

NOBLE 1: The county needs an heir!

NOBLE 2: Oh dear! Maybe she is barren.

NOBLE 1: That would be a disaster! Prince Pwyll, maybe it would be a good idea...

NOBLE 2: For the sake of the country...

NOBLE 1 To put Rhiannon aside...

NOBLE 2: And find someone a bit more - um - fertile.

PWYLL: NEVER! Rhiannon is my love, my wife and your Queen! I will never put her
aside.

NOBLES: But the country needs an heir!

PWYLL: Tell you what chaps I'll see what I can do.

Fortunately for Rhiannon and Pwyll, within a year the much wanted baby was born.

MAID: Congratulations, my Lady! It's a fine, healthy boy!

NOBLES: HOORAY!

As the sun set, they fell into a deep deep sleep. Could there be something magical going on? The first to awake were the maids.

MAID 1: Oh my gods! Where's the baby.

MAID 2: It's got to be here somewhere!

MAID 1: I can't find it.

MAID 2: It's nowhere to be found!

MAID 1: We'll be killed for this!

MAID 2: Wait a minute. I've got an idea.

Oh, those wicked maids! Do you know what they did? They killed a puppy and smeared its blood on Rhiannon's face and hands.

MAIDS: Help! Help!

PWYLL: What? What is it? What's going on?

MAID 1: Rhiannon has eaten the baby!

MAID 2: We tried to stop her, but we couldn't.

RHIANNON: What? NO! It isnt true.

MAID 1: Yes it is! She was all "GRRR! ARRGH!

MAID 2: It was horrible.

NOBLE 1: I always knew she was a wrong'un!

NOBLE 2: This would never of happened if Pwyll had married a nice Dyfed girl.

PWYLL: WHAT! You can't possibly believe this nonsense! They're lying!

Unfortunately for Rhiannon and Pwyll, the nobles did believe the maids. The sentenced her to sit at the horse block outside the castle, where she would have to explain her crime to all visitors, and then to offer to carry them into the castle on her back, like a packhorse. Oh poor poor Rhiannon, and poor Pwyll too. How they grieved for their lost child.

Meanwhile in another part of the country, a farmer called Ternyon was hiding in his stable with his sword at the ready. He was doing this because he had a very peculiar problem. Every year at Beltane his horse gave birth to a fine foal, but in the morning the foal had vanished. He was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and to put an end to it, if at all possible. Hence the big shiny sword! Ternyon waited and waited....Finally, at the darkest point of night, there was a muffled sound outside, and in through the window snaked a huge, hairy arm. Monstrous, vicious claws clutched at the foal's mane and started to drag it outside. With one huge blow Ternyon severed the the thieving arm at the elbow. There was an almight, blood-curdling scream and the arm disappeared in a puddle of goo.

TERNYON: Ugh! That's disgusting!

Yuck indeed! However what should Ternyon see, swaddled in a fine blanket but a beautiful baby!

TERNYON: Stone the crows! What am I going to do with you?

Well being a good man, what could he do but bring the mysterious child up as his own. There was something strange, almost mystical about the child. He grew at an alarming rate. In fact, by the time he was seven he was fully grown.
Fortunately he stopped then, or else he would have been a giant, and that would be silly.

Ternyon: Ah! There you are my boy. Come over here and muck out the stables,
will you?

BOY: Yes, father.

Ternyon: Hang on a minute...........In this light..........At certain angles...You look
a bit like.......Pwyll! You must be Rhiannon's lost child!
Oh, lad. I love you like my own son, but I know what we have to do.
Come on, we're going to find your real parents!

What a great guy! Ternyon tool his son to Pwyll's castle where they came upon Rhiannon, standing at the horse block.

RHIANNON: Good sir, will you allow me to carry you up to the castle.?

TERNYON: Oh no, my Lady, I could not permit such a thing. I hope that after
today you will never have to suffer such indignity again.

As Ternyon told his amazing story it became obvious to the people around that Rhiannon was innocent.

NOBLE 1: Oh dear, this is embarrasing.

NOBLE 2: He must be telling the truth. Look at the boy, he's the spitting image of
Pwyll.

NOBLE 1: My lady, how can you ever forgive us?

RHIANNON: There is nothing to forgive. My troubles are over, now that my child
has been returned to me.

PRYDERI: Mummy!

And that is how Pryderi was given his name, for Pryderi comes from the Welsh word for 'troubles'.
The family reunited and peace reigned in Dyfed for many years.

[/color]
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Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope you all liked it :)

_________________
The sky is blue,
and all the leaves are green,
my hearts as full as a baked potato,
I know you know exactly what I mean,
when I say, its a shpadoinkal day.


Last edited by Hippy Anachronism on Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: The Story of Rhiannon
 Post Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:08 am 
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Air Dragon
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Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:29 pm
Posts: 16
I remember performing that :)

We performed taht at a pagan convention a couple of years ago or so , was great fun , especially as i had to pretend to ride a horse all over the stage at one point :)

Happy days :roly:


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 Post subject: Re: The Story of Rhiannon
 Post Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:13 am 
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Magicka Life Member
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Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:21 pm
Posts: 1115
Location: Oak Creek, Wisconsin
I will read it but that color hurts my eye's really bad by any chance can you make it a darker color please like purple or something darker all the light colors seem to blind my eye's thankx. :)
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 Post subject: Re: The Story of Rhiannon
 Post Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:10 pm 
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Spirit Dragon
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Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:55 pm
Posts: 116
Location: Harwich, Essex
Hahaha yeah that was so funny :D The sheer look of determination on your face was priceless.

Yeah sure I will change it Lady Hawke.
I have trouble reading some of the posts to depending on the colour used lol.

_________________
The sky is blue,
and all the leaves are green,
my hearts as full as a baked potato,
I know you know exactly what I mean,
when I say, its a shpadoinkal day.


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 Post subject: Re: The Story of Rhiannon
 Post Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:04 pm 
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Magicka Life Member
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Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:21 pm
Posts: 1115
Location: Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Wow I have to say that was a amazing story. I like how there love was so stronge for eachother after he showed how much of a gentlemen he was by asking her to please stop. Wow also have to admitt that bag was pretty epic that his grandmother gave him it basically saved there love/marrage from Gwawl's interference. As for makking her become a horse before she claimed what she was guilty for was messed up specailly since they did not have any actuall proof. The end makes it all happen though how her son returns home, and becuase the love for her son she didn't have to forgive the poeple becuase she knew her son was safe. Ahhhhh I love this story you should write more you know I will definitely read them all!!!!! :red heart:

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