Welsh Tales from the Mabinogion:
The Tale of Manawydan, Son of Llŷr

Once upon a time, in the mystical land of Wales, there lived a noble and wise prince named Manawydan, the son of Llŷr. Manawydan was known for his fairness, wisdom, and loyalty. He grew up in the splendid court of his brother, Brân the Blessed, the giant king of Britain. Along with their sister, Branwen, they ruled their kingdom with justice and compassion.

Life changed dramatically for Manawydan after the tragic events in Ireland. Branwen married the Irish king Matholwch to unite their kingdoms, but betrayal and conflict led to a terrible war. Many lives were lost, including their beloved brother Brân. Branwen returned to Wales with a broken heart, and the kingdom mourned the loss deeply.

Seeking peace and solace, Manawydan accepted an invitation from his dear friend Pryderi, the son of Pwyll, to live in the beautiful land of Dyfed. Pryderi and his wife, Cigfa, welcomed Manawydan warmly, treating him like family.

One day, while they were out hunting, Manawydan, Pryderi, and Cigfa came across a mysterious golden bowl in a deserted castle. Curious, Pryderi reached out to touch it, but as soon as he did, both he and the castle vanished into thin air. Manawydan was left standing alone, bewildered and worried for his friend.

He hurried back to Pryderi’s home to inform Cigfa of what had happened. Together, they waited anxiously, but Pryderi did not return. Days turned into weeks, and Dyfed was plagued by strange occurrences. The people began to disappear, and the once-bustling kingdom turned eerily quiet.

Determined to restore the land and find Pryderi, Manawydan decided to stay and protect Cigfa. They lived simply, farming and hunting to survive. One day, while walking through the fields, Manawydan noticed something peculiar. The crops were being destroyed by an unusual swarm of mice.

Manawydan set traps and watched over the fields at night, determined to catch the culprits. After many nights of vigilance, he finally captured one of the mice. To his astonishment, the mouse transformed into a tiny man, pleading for his life. The tiny man revealed that he was one of the enchanted nobles sent by Llwyd, a powerful enchanter seeking revenge for an old grudge against Pryderi’s family.

Realizing that Llwyd was behind the strange happenings in Dyfed, Manawydan devised a plan to confront him. He disguised himself as a humble cobbler and traveled to Llwyd’s stronghold. Using his wit and wisdom, Manawydan managed to trick Llwyd into revealing the spell that had ensnared Pryderi and the people of Dyfed.

With the knowledge he gained, Manawydan broke the enchantment, freeing Pryderi and restoring the people. Llwyd, realizing he had been outwitted, fled in shame. Peace returned to Dyfed, and life began to flourish once more.

Pryderi, Cigfa, and Manawydan celebrated their victory and the return of their loved ones. Through these trials, Manawydan learned the true value of loyalty, courage, and wisdom. His tale became a legend, reminding everyone of the strength of unity and the power of perseverance.

And so, they lived happily, with their hearts full of gratitude and their lands filled with joy. The story of Manawydan, son of Llŷr, and his adventures in Dyfed became a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.

The End