Blodeuwedd and Lleu
I really like Welsh mythology, but I have to confess, Welsh names make me a little crazy. My mind turns them to mush and I never know who is who. Having said that, I will lean heavily on labels in this tale.
Who cannot be killed indoors or outdoors, on horseback or on foot, and only by a spear forged when people are attending mass? Lleu Llaw Gyffes, that’s who.
Lleu Llaw Gyffes, whose mother conceived and birthed him while jumping over a magic wand to prove her virginity to King Math so she could be his foot holder, cursed her son for the humiliation in the King’s court. One of the curses stated that he would never have a human wife.
Naturally, when he grew up, King Math and Lleu’s Uncle Gwydion created a wife for him out of flowers and named her Blodeuwedd.
Lleu married his flower wife but all was not well. She had an affair with Gronw Pebr and together they plotted to kill Lleu and assume his power.
The flower wife tricked Lleu into revealing the secret of how he could be killed. After creating the scenario, flower wife led Lleu down to the riverbank and asked him to demonstrate. He obliged his lovely wife, as her lover lay in wait with the correct spear. Lleu placed one foot in the bathtub with a roof over it and the other foot on the back of a goat.
The lover struck, killing Lleu, who turned into an eagle. When Uncle Gwydion heard about it, he found Lleu flying around and restored him back into a man.
Lleu then killed the lover. The Uncle cursed the flower wife, turning her into an owl so she couldn’t face the light of day and other birds would hunt her down and maul her.
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Mark your calendars! This Monday, the 22nd, is the official release date for Wish, The Awakening. I’m excited and I hope you’ll come over to help me celebrate the event!
This is a lovely story. Imagine a cheating flower partner. (Are there any of those around who don’t cheat?) And thank the gods for the wonderful King Math and Lleu’s Uncle Gwydion, who save the day. On the other hand, I can’t help but note that the three heroes in this are men, and that two of the three villains are women. But who cares? All ends well.
That does seem to be a theme in mythology, Ron. Vile, trickster women who will destroy a man with their feminine wiles. Never trust them. Of course, men wrote the myths.
I wonder how the stories would go if women had written them?
I wonder if that tale is what sparked the idea for the movie LadyHawke?
I’m all set for Monday!
Yay for Monday! Thanks, Alex.
I haven’t seen LadyHawke – yet another movie I’m missing out on, I suppose.
Reading your posts always gets my mind thinking of new stories and I get inspired…
They’d make great erotic characters, Savannah!
I’ve never heard of those characters before. No way I’m going to try and pronounce the names, either.
Hi Diane! Yes, I wouldn’t know where to begin with the pronunciation.
What a tale!
Looking forward to Monday!
Yay Monday! Thank you, Carol.
I have Wish all loaded up for Monday.
Yay.
My grandmother was Welsh, and I have no idea how to pronounce any of those crazy words.
Thanks, Mary!
Welsh has such odd spelling. I can’t wrap my head around it.
Loved the story, but have to admit the names made my eyeballs sore. LOL Congratulations on the release. I will try to pop over on Monday to help you celebrate. No matter how many books we write, each time a new one comes out there is that special thrill.
Eyeballs sore is such an apt description, Maryann!
Each book is a special thrill, the culmination of blood, sweat and tears taking flight.