Welsh Tales from the Mabinogion:
The Tale of Owain and the Magical Fountain

Once upon a time, in the land of King Arthur, there was a brave knight named Owain. King Arthur had a beautiful castle called Caerlleon upon Usk. One day, while the king was taking a nap, Owain and his friends, Kynon and Kai, decided to share stories to pass the time.

Kynon began his tale. "I was a daring young knight, and I traveled far and wide. One day, I found the most beautiful valley with a river running through it. At the end of the valley stood a grand castle. Two young men with golden hair stood outside, dressed in shiny yellow clothes. They welcomed me and led me inside, where I met the kindest man and saw the most beautiful maidens."

Kynon continued, "The man told me about a magical fountain. If I poured water from a silver bowl onto a marble slab beside the fountain, a terrible storm would come, followed by a fierce knight on a black horse. I decided to try it. The storm came, and so did the knight. He defeated me and took my horse, but I was allowed to return safely to the castle. I told no one about my adventure."

Owain listened carefully. The next day, he decided to find the magical fountain himself. He followed Kynon's directions and found the castle, the kind man, and the beautiful maidens. They treated him kindly and showed him the way to the fountain.

Owain poured the water on the marble slab, and just as Kynon had said, a storm came, and then the knight on the black horse appeared. They fought fiercely, but Owain managed to wound the knight, who fled to his castle. Owain chased him, but the portcullis (a heavy castle gate) came down, trapping Owain's horse. Owain was stuck between the gates.

A kind maiden saw Owain's predicament and gave him a magical ring that made him invisible. The castle guards couldn't find him, and Owain followed the maiden to a safe place. She took care of him and told him about the Countess of the Fountain, the wife of the knight Owain had fought.

The next day, Owain saw the Countess and fell in love with her. The Countess was very sad because her husband had been hurt in the fight. But soon after, the Countess’s husband died from his wounds, leaving her alone and in danger.

Owain promised to protect the Countess and her castle. The people of the castle agreed that Owain should marry the Countess to keep her safe. So Owain and the Countess were married, and they lived happily in the castle for a while.

But one day, Owain felt homesick for King Arthur's court. He returned to Arthur, who welcomed him back with open arms. Owain stayed with Arthur for three years, but then he remembered the Countess and felt sad.

Owain wandered through forests and mountains until he became weak and weary. One day, he collapsed in a beautiful park. The Countess of the park found him and used a precious ointment to heal him. Owain regained his strength and helped the Countess defend her land from a giant.

With the giant defeated, Owain continued his adventures. He saved Luned from being burned at the stake and rescued many more people in need. Finally, he returned to the Countess of the Fountain, and they lived happily together.

And so, Owain's bravery and kindness were remembered throughout the land, and he became one of King Arthur's most beloved knights. And they all lived happily ever after.

The End