#peredur ap efrawg

[gingersnaptaff]

Peredur and Cai, or why I think these two are each other's foils within Peredur ap Efrawg (March Mabinogion Madness 1)

(The opening lines of 'Peredur' from The Red Book of Hergest.)

With thanks to @nekomaidmordred for letting me chew his ear off about this as well as @dullyn and @gwalch-mei for being like 'no, this is good actually.'

Cai and Peredur. You know them, you love them, they are the definition of tol on smol violence within the pages of The Mabinogion. And I'm here to yap at you about the fact they're foils because this idea wouldn't leave me alone.

(I had this idea of the bus, okay? Thank you Cynan Jones' book 'Blood, Bird, Snow' cuz it made it so explicit that it knocked my teeth out.)

For a start, Peredur is consistently kind. For example, when he first comes to Arthur's court he meets the two dwarves that once belonged to his father he is courteous to them. This is in sharp contrast to Cai who treats them poorly and strikes them. This haughtiness of his is arguably what pisses off Peredur the most - but it's also, arguably, Cai's greatest asset and the thing we all know and love about him. He gets so pissed off in 'Culhwch ac Olwen' when Arthur sings his dumbass englyn that he ups and leaves and that's the last we hear from him.

Furthermore, they can also be contrasted with how they battle. Cai is, perhaps, far more rash in how he deals with Peredur whereas Peredur has some level of cunning. This hot-headedness of Cai's results in his unknown assailant (Obvs Peredur, but Cai doesn't recognise him) giving him a broken arm and, I'm certain of this, Arthur despairing at one of his greatest warriors' antics. I am gonna go out on a limb and say this could be an allegory for a formerly Welsh figure (Cai) being used as a stand-in for colonialism, considering he has taken on much more of his French romance role as a gruff, boorish knight, while Peredur is the oppressed Welsh but I will not be kicking that particular hornet's nest today.

Cai is a sulky, sulky bastard and it shows after Peredur breaks his arm. 'And Cai sulked and spoke angry, jealous words. "Gwalchmai," he said, "I am certain you would lead him [Peredur] back by his reins. However little praise and honour will you get from overcoming the exhausted Knight,'"' But, in some way, it's kinda cute. Plus, I'd say both Cai and Peredur are loved by Arthur and Gwalchmai respectively and are treated kindly by them. Both are taken to their bestie's pavilions either after they're injured (Cai) or once they've made their identity known (Peredur.) Furthermore, in sharp contrast to his ribbing of him in 'Culhwch ac Olwen,' Arthur here is genuinely worried for Cai and is 'sorry for the pain Cai had received for he loved him greatly.' Meanwhile, Gwalchmai treats Peredur with respect, as does Owain, when the trio first meet in the woods before Peredur becomes a Knight, and, thereafter, throughout the tale whenever they cross paths. Plus, it's interesting that Peredur is seen as the 'flower of chivalry' or, at least, the Welsh version of it in sharp contrast to Cai. He'd been postponed as perhaps the central antagonist or the one who holds the most memorable scene. He's a gadfly to Peredur and the dwarves. Churlish, contemptuous, and contumelious all in one, that's our Cai.

But this isn't to say that Cai is evil or is disrespected. Arthur cares greatly about him. Nobody ever says Cai is vindictive within the text or elsewhere. He is, presumably, Arthur's distain - a steward, arguably one with the powers of a modern-day Prime Minister - within the text of Peredur, and therefore it's his job to run the court. Once Peredur arrives at Arthur's court he feels he must turn him away for '[his] weapons are untidy' and he doesn't want Arthur's court to be brought in disrepute. As well as this, you must take into account how highly regarded hospitality was amongst the Welsh when talking about Cai's actions towards the dwarves. Gerald of Wales writes in his 'Journey Through Wales': 'They [The Welsh] consider liberality and hospitality among the first virtues' and that 'so much does hospitality rejoice in communication' that it makes sense as to why Cai gives the dwarves a 'clout on the ear' after they've spoken to Peredur. They've flouted the rules of hospitality and Arthur's court by 'staying dumb for a year.' Welsh culture was built on conversation - as are many other cultures, including other Celtic ones - and to remain silent at a lord's table, particularly one who has sheltered you, as Arthur has to the dwarves, was seen as a great offence. We can extrapolate that this follows a throughline in The Mabinogion where hospitality is either broken - Pwyll's dogs slaying the stag Arawn's hounds had chased, Efnisien's butchery of Matholwch's horses, Pwyll and Rhiannon's badger-in-the sack game with Gwawl in Branch 1 being the impetus for Llwyd's magic desolation of Dyfed in Branch 3, or Gwydion's whole deal with stealing Pryderi's pigs in Branch four and Blodeuwedd's hosting of Gronw Pebyr at her husband's court leading to them murdering him - or restored in some way (Branch giving Matholwch the Cauldron of Rebirth in recompense for Efnisien, Manawydan threatening to hang Llwyd's wife who has shapeshifted into a mouse, Pwyll defeating Hafgan in Arawn's form, Lleu ultimately slaying Gronw and Gwydion turning Blodeuwedd into an owl).

Personally, I find it incredibly intriguing how it's Cai Peredur faces off against considering Cai was seen as the ideal of Wslsh warriorhood before Peredur. In 'Culhwch ac Olwen' much is made of Cai's prowess in battle and powers, as well as his lineage. He hails from 'Y Hen Ogledd' or 'The Old North.'

It's Yorkshire (Elmet), Northern England, and the Scottish Lowlands. Y Hen Ogledd is where Y Gododdin is situated and where Rheged - and Owain and Urien - hail from. It's seen as being an extension of Wales essentially, for they considered themselves to be the same and they spoke Brittonic. Both were even referred to as Cymry or 'fellow-countrymen.'

Anyways, I'm bringing this up because Peredur's lineage is connected to there. His father, Efrawg's, name is literally York which connects him to Elmet. Plus, he dies in battle which connects him to Y Goddoddin/The Battle of Catraeth of which Anierin writes 'Men went to Catraeth at morn/Their high spirits lessened their life-span.' Furthermore, another Arthurian hero, Cynon ap Clydno, was reputed to've fought at Catraeth and perished there. (Cynon was lord of Eidyn or modern-day Edinburgh.) Also, let us not forget Peredur's namesake, Peredur ap Eliffer was legit first cousins with Urien Rheged.

Cai, meanwhile, is connected to the princes/kings of Dyfed through his dad, Cynyr Ceinfargog (forkbeard). Cynyr was the father of Saint Non who was the patron saint of both rated women and Pelynt, a village in Cornwall. She's also the mother of Dewi Sant, otherwise known as St. David, Wales' patron saint! Cai would be Saint David's UNCLE. Through these lineages, both Peredur and Cai would be connected to an age of great deeds, which would further heighten their, y'know, whole Greatest Warrior Lads In Wales vibe.

Finally, both are later downgraded within the corpus of stories that came after or even at the same time. (Percival's treatment in Chretien stands out and then he's later bodied by Galahad out of his position as Finder of Big Holy Cup, whereas Cai is arguably superseded by Gwalchmai and thereafter Gawain as Arthuriana's Best Boi.)

Anyways, that's my ramble. That's it. Since Saint David's Day is March 1st, I want u all to think about Cai and him being a proud uncle to his nephew. Or Peredur breaking Cai's arm. Whatever floats your boat.

[gingersnaptaff]

@nekomaidmordred CAIN U SEE THIS?!

gossiping like woah

[gdcee]

Chrétien de Troyes: And behold! A golden grail and a bleeding lance! Holy relics of Our Lord!

The Welsh: Lame. There should be a severed head.

[ofbloodandfaith]

Gawain's precursor Gwalchmei, son of Gwyar, was a hero of Welsh mythology and clearly a major figure of the now largely lost oral tradition. His popularity greatly increased after foreign versions, particularly those derived from Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, became known in Wales.[7] The Gwyar (meaning "gore"[8] or "spilled blood/bloodshed"[9]) in Gwalchmei ap Gwyar is likely the name of Gwalchmei's mother, rather than his father as is the standard in the Welsh Triads.[1] Gwyar appears as a daughter of Amlawdd Wledig in one version of the hagiographical genealogy Bonedd y Saint. The 14th-century fragment Birth of Arthur, a Welsh text adapting scenes from Geoffrey, substitutes Gwyar for Anna, Geoffrey's name for Gawain's mother, the Queen of Orkney.[10] There, Gwalchmei is given three sisters: Gracia, Graeria, and Dioneta, the last one of them being a counterpart of Morgan.[11] Early references to him include the Welsh Triads; the Englynion y Beddau (Stanzas of the Graves), which lists the site of his grave; the Trioedd y Meirch (Triads of the Horses), which praises his horse named Keincaled (known as Gringolet in the works of medieval French authors); and Cynddelw's elegy for Owain Gwynedd, which compares Owain's boldness to that of Gwalchmei.[2] In the Welsh Triads, Triad 4 lists him as one of the "Three Well-Endowed Men of the Isle of Britain" (probably referring to his inheritance);[12] Triad 75 describes him as one of the "Three Men of the Island of Britain who were Most Courteous to Guests and Strangers";[13] and Triad 91 praises his fearlessness.[14] Some versions of Triads 42 and 46 also praise his horse Keincaled, echoing the Triads of the Horses.[15] The singling out of Gwalchmei out as Most Courteous evokes his role in the Mabinogion, where he regularly serves as an intermediary between King Arthur's court and stranger knights.[16] An early Welsh romance Culhwch and Olwen, composed in the 11th century (though not recorded until the 14th), and eventually associated with the Mabinogion,[17] ascribes to Gwalchmei the same relationship with Arthur that Gawain is later given: he is the son of Arthur's sister and one of his leading warriors.[2] However, he is mentioned only twice in the text, once in the extensive list of Arthur's court towards the beginning of the story, and again as one of the "Six Helpers" whom Arthur sends with the protagonist Culhwch on his journey to find his love Olwen.[7] Unlike the other helpers, he takes no further part in the action. This suggests he was added to the romance later, likely under the influence of the Welsh versions of Geoffrey's Historia.[7] He also appears in Peredur fab Efrawg (Peredur son of Efrawg), part of the Mabinogion, where he aids the hero Peredur in the final battle against the nine witches of Caer Loyw.[18] A similar motif was mentioned by 16th-century Welsh scholar Sion Dafydd Rhys in an unrecorded oral tale in which Gwalchmei destroyed three evil witch-sisters, wives of the giants previously slain by Arthur, killing them within their castles through his cunning, as they could not be defeated otherwise due to their powers.[19]

Gawain - Wikipedia

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Some background for each:

Percival/Peredur: the big lad shall we say, the one you're all the most likeliest to know. The undertaker of the Grail Quest before Galahad, thinks knights are angels, besties with Owain and Gwalchmai, @nekomaidmordred 's fave lad.

Morfudd: Twin sister to the aforementioned Owain mab Urien. A personal favourite of mine. Was one of the 'three fair womb-burdens of Britain,' also her's and Owain's mam is either a granddaughter of Arawn, Lord of Annwfn, OR Modron goddess of motherhood and fertility. Either way, pretty impressive!!!

Bendigeidfran: Often called Brân he's the full brother of Branwen and Manawydan and half-brother to Nisien and Efnisien. Also, A GIANT!!!! That alone should make u think 'holy shit' but he also fought in a war against Ireland when he'd heard his sister was being abused by her husband, King Matholwch, so like ejdjdjdjdjf

Dylan Ail Don: @dullyn 's pookie. Lleu Llaw Gyffes' brother. If you love the sea this boi is for u. Has his rock at the Menai Straits. Blonde and bubbly - I'd imagine - sadly he was also murdered by his uncle, Gofannon in a hammer incident so like >.>

Enid: Long-suffering wife of Geraint. Another fave of mine. Literally the only reason Geraint was alive at the end of his tale and he STILL TREATS HER LIKE SHIT. I'll marry her myself if I must. Had a sapphic relationship with Queen Gwenhwyfar. (It's inferred, okay.)

Next round will be on Tuesday! (I know u only have a day to vote and that's cuz I was DUMB)

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POLL TIME: Quarter Final 1 😈😈

A recap of each:

Myrddin - OG Merlin, he's not actually associated with Arthuriana - and the Welsh myth stuff - until much later. He's one of those who was an irl lad but got incorporated into the mythos at a later date. He was a bard gifted with the power of prophecy (as all bards were thought to be in Celtic society) and was said to have gone mad after the Battle of Arfderydd in which his king and bestie Gwenddoleu died and then he fled into the woods. This gave him the epithet 'Wyllt' or Wild cuz obviously if ur living in the woods then u ain't gonna exactly be living ur best life.

Olwen - She of the white track. MY WIFE. The woman who Culhwch does nothing for on his quest but still gets. She's the daughter of the giant Ysbaddadden Pencawr and little white trefoils sprout wherever she walks. She's great.

Culhwch - cousin/nephew to Arthur (I always get confused. He's the one who causes Glewlwyd no amount of pain after he arrives at Arthur's court after the knife is in the meat and the mead has been poured. Why? FOR A QUEST! He wants to marry Olwen, the daughter of Ysbaddaden Pencawr and needs his cousin's help to do it. He doesn't do much on his quest but he gets points for participation, I guess? Long story short he does marry Olwen though which is nice. Bet she was thrilled.

Peredur: the big lad shall we say, the one you're all the most likeliest to know. The undertaker of the Grail Quest before Galahad, thinks knights are angels, besties with Owain and Gwalchmai, @nekomaidmordred 's fave lad.

[gingersnaptaff]

if ur still doing the kiss ask game... uhmmmm.... 💜 🙈 with medraut and peredur (IF YOU WANT....)

Hi Cain!!!! I so hope you enjoy this!!!!! It's more Welsh myth that I was honestly going for but like still. Also, I made up the song they discuss but Llŷr and Euroswydd are referenced in Branch 2 of the Mabinogion. I made up that Llŷr was restrained by chair as it were, because one of the constellations in Welsh was called Llŷr's chair way back when. But, yeah, I'm gonna shut up now! Pls enjoy!!!!

💜 surprise kiss / impulsive kiss

It was late when I walked down the corridor towards the Great Hall. The candles in the sconces burned low, perfuming the tepid air with beeswax. Rain lashed at the windows while the moon scythed blades of white across the walls. Outside the striking of iron on stone rattled through the courtyard.

And then came a shout. A muffled command. 

“Cae drŵs!”

‘Close the door. Who’s back this late? It won't be Owain, for he's still in Dumnonia with Geraint.’ I frowned, stopping my stride to peer out of the window.

The braziers outside illuminated a dark plum cloak, heavy with rain, and the catseye flash of silver-black armour as Medrawd stormed towards the main entrance, the clamour of his armour slicing through the tranquility of the tenebrous night.

He did not see me. I was glad for that. If our eyes had met through the window then I do not know what I would've done. Something infantile, I fear. 

Or something that would have shamed me.

Through the oaken doors, Taliesin played a lilting ditty, the notes of his harp mingling with the honey-richness of his voice. I pushed them open without much thought and strode in, stumbling to a stop when my eyes met his.

Medrawd.

Drenched from the downpour, he'd shucked off his cloak and laid it across one of the benches near the fire so it could dry. A puddle glimmered near the fire too, a dark black lake against the grey of the flagstones. I thanked God that Lord Cai couldn't see it or else he'd be gnashing his teeth until he became as red as his hair. His eyes met mine, dragon dark and liquid pitch. He smirked in greeting. “Peredur, come to join us so late? I’d have thought you would have been slumbering abed still like a good little novice.”

I shook my head. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Over the Gododdin Prince’s slight shoulder I met Taliesin’s blue eyes, saw his thin, graceful fingers cease their conjuring of rhythms. He set the harp down upon his lap, content to watch the spectacle between us unfold.

“Oh,” He chuckled, the sound as dark as the sky outside. “For shame.” His eyes met Taliesin's then, and he continued, “Some music, my good bard, if you please. I won't converse without it. Tell me, do you know the tale of Llŷr and Euroswydd?”

Taliesin's blue eyes held his. Slowly, he nodded, his fingers twitching around the harp in his lap. 

“Play it for us then,” Medrawd demanded, his voice smooth. “And you, my erstwhile Peredur, come and sit.” With one grand flourish, he gestured to the bench his cloak was draped over and led the way to it, his boots echoing around the nebulous hall, only to be muffled by the thatched roof. 

Behind me, Taliesin sighed before he started to play. He sang beautifully, of course, for he always did, while the tune was plaintive, mournful, coming back to a haunting refrain of “Y môr cadwyn yn galw i mi/ Llŷr yn galaru ei gariad /Tywyllwch yn ffrwyno/ anrheg Euroswydd.”

“It’s pretty isn't it?” Medrawd said once we’d taken our seats and he'd poured us both a goblet of wine. He took a sip and leaned back in his seat, looking positively at ease. “Do you know the words? Or did your mother never teach you the dirges for the Old Gods afore she passed?”

I swallowed and shook my head. “No.” I said, my heart clenching at the mention of my mam. “She didn't. She was far more interested in… in ensuring I wasn't taken from her.”

“I see,” Medrawd replied before he sang: “‘The chained sea calls to me/Llŷr mourns his love. Darkness restrains him/Euroswydd's gift.’” 

I let the words wash over me, enjoying the way the gruffness in his voice was smoothed away, mellowed out. All the while, I tried to ignore the odd tightening in my chest, the vicious tug on my heart. Yet I’m certain he saw the inquisitive furrow that marred my brow for he proceeded to say, “It's about Llŷr Llediaith, the sea lord and Manawydan’s father. How he was subdued by Euroswydd’s chair. He gifted it to him and then, once Llŷr accepted, Euroswydd sprung his trap and cast the chair - and Llỳr with it - into a prisoner within the bowels of the sea. “And then Euroswydd took Llŷr's wife, Lady Penarddun, for himself.”

“And that's how Efnisien came into being, isn't it?”

Raising a dark eyebrow in askance at how I knew that, he gave a sharp nod. The sharply whittled lines of his face, his cheekbones, his nose, made him akin to the mountains of my homeland, each line etched into my skin and bones. The wind had winnowed the harshness of the stone away, eroded it into screes and softly sloped plateaus, and - in the dark blood of the firelight - I thought I could see the same in his face. In his eyes. The scent of him muddled my head, a musky fug that made my mouth water.

“My brothers,” I continued, my hand tightening around the cool pewter of my goblet. “They told me. I had seven. I was the youngest. But one day they followed my father into war and, well, they died. My mam, she became Christian, like y Brenin Arthur, and raised me by herself. And, well, you know the rest, my lord. Better men than I have told you what became of me.”

Medrawd chuckled again. An amused smile played about his lips. His eyes twinkled like a spearpoint, like obsidian, and I found myself being drawn into his gaze as though I were a rabbit caught in a sling. “Better men? No. They are on par with you, even my brother though he'd loathe to admit it.”

I frowned. “Lord Gwalchmai? Are you certain?”

Medrawd nodded and leaned forward, his eyes gleaming conspiratorially. “Ay.” His breath ghosted across my cheek in a sour cloud of wine. “He won't tell you but he and our cousin used to have battles all the time when they were younger. And then there's what happened with our father. A tragedy really. My mother wept for days, so Haf said whenever he used to inform me of it.” He tapped the rim of his goblet thoughtfully, the rhythm in time with the whirling springtime current of Taliesin's harp. “No, my lord Efrawg, Gwalchmai will not tell you anything. His golden tongue will remain leaden on that.”

I hummed in response, half believing and half not. A drop of wine clung to his lips and I couldn't help but stare at it, watching the curve of his lips and the column of his throat as he drank again. 

“And what were you doing tonight?” I said once he'd finished. The drop was still there, clinging steadfastly to his skin, and he sighed, his shoulders tensing a little.

“If you really must satisfy your curiosity then it was an assignation, my lord.” He ran a hand through his dark, damp curls, the fire casting them to an auburn similar to his older brothers. 

“But she didn't show?”

“He.” He said with a level state and a calmness that took my breath away. “He didn't show. And so I came away drenched and unsatisfied.” 

I hummed, the noise echoed and dimmed by my goblet as I took a swig, my throat suddenly raw from the heat of the room. God above, when had the fire become an inferno? When had the room caved in, narrowed in my eyeline, consumed by Medrawd's mossy eyes? The air was rich with the scent of wine and rain. Of ambergris and mud.

“But…” his eyes flicked to my lips, tracing them. “I think I can still have some fun if you're willing.”

I took another sip of my drink and choked around it, “If I’m-”

Without any further preamble he reached forward, grasped my hair with his hands and tugged me towards him, laughing a little when I flung my hands against his chest so as to try and steady myself. My heart hammered in my chest and I couldn't help but flinch when he cupped the back of my head. His hold was surprisingly tender, and when he pressed our lips together he moaned softly. 

His lips were soft. 

A remnant of the rain-sweet outside air filmed my tongue. My eyes fluttered shut and I groaned as he deepened the kiss, demanding more and more from me with each brush of his lips. My heartbeat reverberated through my body, meshed with Taliesin's harp, and I gripped Medrawd’s tunic as hard as I was able until, with another dark, lovely laugh, he pulled away, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.

“Good,” He declared, a strange softness in his eyes. A feline smile graced his face and murmured, “Now, shall we retire?”

With a deep, sharp gasp I nodded, somehow feeling as though I'd drowned and then resurfaced for air. 

And then, tentatively, carefully, I stood. Then I offered him my hand. He gripped it firmly, the coolness of his fingers sending goosebumps up my arms. I willingly let myself be pulled off the bench by him and stumbled out the door behind him, Taliesin’s dulcet tones spilling out into the darkened corridor. 

[gingersnaptaff]

I need u all to know it's loving Peredur/Percival hours. I'm obsessed with how he's portrayed okay, I will not shut up about it. Do u think he and Guin would be besties? I think they'd say the most heinous shit about the rest of the court in Welsh and teach Gawain all the swear words until he's gleefully spouting them at Tristan, ngl.

Do you see my vision? Lemme know. Like I'm going crazy over this okay? I think Guin would just be like omg can we ask in Welsh my English isn't Englishing today and Percival - Peredur - is like 'Yes, absolutely, do u want me to tell u the hottest gossip about Geraint?'

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you know I gotta ask about gwyn (or gwen, if you'd just prefer to ramble about gwenhwyfar in General) for the character ask meme

I am legit so so so so sorry it's taken me so long to answer this, Nix. wjssjskd I feel so bad. 😅 I'm gonna do Guin, Gwen, and Guin, I think, although for the photo question it'll be three different ones. Anyways!

favorite thing about them

For Guin: I love the fact that she's a sorceress in a few texts or, at, least somebody who dabbles in magic. I think that's so intriguing but it doesn't get explored enough within texts. Also, the fact that she's besties with the knights, particularly Gawain, because I definitely hate when she's portrayed as somebody who would never interact with somebody or who thinks they're beneath her. It's so important to me.

For Gwen: The fact that she's a giantess! That's so cool, like Arthur was like I must have the tall woman as my wife. Plus, I keep banging on about it, but the inference that Arthur had to go on a quest for her hand in marriage. That's super intriguing and I think recontextualises her in a way. I do wonder if she was the Findabair analogue also because I know their names have the same meaning (and sound sort of similar) and idk but, but considering Arthur nearly went to war for Prince Gwladys until Cai and Bedwyr talked him out of it, I could sort of see that. Plus, I know she's not really in The Mabinogion texts that often but what we do have is pretty great! It really gives u a glimpse into how Anglo-Norman and Welsh ideas of Queenship meshed. Let us not forget she also gave us the immortal line 'Pshaw, young man,' in her englyn battle with Melwas. #rekt.

As for Gwyn: her POV. This does sound dumb af but it's a joy writing her. I don't think I was ever that good at writing in the first person but now it's honestly my favourite way of writing. Also, the fact that she tries her best to see the good in people but she is equally a Hater To The Nth Degree with some people (Gwydion. Maybe Lleu.) And her older pov? Let that woman be bitter, she deserves it!!!!!! (You write the character, Sarah.)

OTP

For Guin: Okay, so I was an Arthur/her shipper - and still kind of am - but I see the appeal of her/Arthur/Lancelot. I'm not immune.

For Gwen: Her and Arthur but with the caveat of we don't have many sources to glean what their relationship was like within Welsh myths. I do think their marriage was happy even if Arthur had three mistresses - while mistresses were accepted under Welsh law and, possibly could hold a lot of sway (IMO, Owain Gwynedd's cousin and later second wife, Cristina, could've been his mistress first considering there's spec she gave birth to their first son in 1143 soon after Owain's first wife, Gwladys passed away) - and his boat that he loved before her.

For Gwyn: Dylan. The Pookie Posse - @dullyn @gwalch-mei - have convinced me I must keep him about as long as possible. Also, Arthur, in a way. Oh, and Edern and Enid but they're not in the story yet. Can I have five different OTPS in the story I'm writing? I ask u. I'm a tiny sliver away from making them a goddamn polycule.

nOTP

To me, for all of them: Mordred. It works, totally, but I much prefer to see them as adversaries/people who have to live within Arthur's shadow. That said, Evil Guin and Mordred world domination, when?

(Also, just for Gwyn - pls don't ship her with Gwydion. I fear somebody will at some point. I'll scream.)

random headcanon

For Guin: I know it's assumed she would be but she's defo regent when Arthur's away on quests. Plus she's his financial advisor to me. I think she also fuckin loves gardening and hunting, too. She was also a fuckin great birdwatcher in her youth and loved to forage for berries and stuff.

For Gwen: Right, with the caveat of Bards irl had to sing to the Queen about Camlann, I'm assuming Gwen would fuckin love whenever the bards sang about battles. Catraeth, Wales' war with Ireland, Pryderi and Gwydion's Pig Pursuit, maybe even Arthur's disastrous war with Annwfn? She's at a feast having the tune of her life going 'PLAY Y GODODDIN AGAIN, TALIESIN!' and Taliesin's this close 🤏 to losing it.

For Gwyn: Haven't put it in yet but just know she and Gwalchmai have a gossip corner. Also, she used to be allowed into the forge when Manawydan and Pryderi were working so she sort of knows how to make pommels and things. When she and Cai and Bedwyr become besties she makes them both sword pommels. OH and exclusively for @nekomaidmordred she, Enid, and Peredur are gonna be besties. 🫡

unpopular opinion

For all three: Bitterness builds character like. It's super important Guin/Gwen/Gwyn is a lil bitter to me. Idk if it's an unpopular opinion but Gwen's relationship with Geraint in The Mab does actually make me smile. I know he's a dick to Enid but he genuinely likes Gwenhwyfar.

song i associate with them (maybe) (depends on the character)favorite picture of them

I got many. For all of them: Queen of Peace by Florence + The Machine.

Guinevere by Donovan for Guin because it exudes poise, but also Strangeness and Charm by Florence + The Machine because it fits her.

For Gwen: Fel I Fod by Adwaith, more for the music than the words. There's a dreamy quality I associate with her and it's sjdjdsjks Also, July by Nell Mescal.

For Gwyn: Nostalgia's Lie by Sam Fender!!! Djdjddjdjddj Also, Child and Ayla, both by The Maccabes. For her and Dylan: Sea, Swallow Me by The Cocteau Twins. For her and Arthur: Something Heavy again by Sam Fender.

favorite picture of them

For Guin:

It's 'The Parting of Guinevere and Lancelot' photographed by Julia Margaret Cameron. It makes me go insane every time I see it.

For Gwen:

'Gwenhwyfar' by Talia Took! She's holding a branch of hawthorn to indicate being the May Queen and I think she looks pretty neat!!!

For Gwyn:

It's her!!!! Drawn by @wildbasil She's fab and I love her!!!!

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percival/peredur for the ask meme <3

Hi, Cain!!! Ooh, my beloved Peredur bach, yessssss!!!!!!

favorite thing about them

How sweet he is. I wouldn't necessarily call him naive when he first encounters Owain and Gwalchmai but I think u can kinda see him begin to realise that there's more to life than what his mam sort of thinks he needs to know. Plus he's not afraid to stand up for himself especially when Cai tries to be a twat. I think he's also very caring towards others and also him giving Cai a broken arm? Look, not to laugh at his pain but my god, Cai, u deserved it. Plus he's legit like unbelievable in fights. Crazy!!!! Snsjssjsj.

least favorite thing about them

Nothing. He's never done anything wrong in his life.

favorite line

Every time Peredur calls Cai 'tall man' I feel a little better about the state of the world. I don't think he ever refers to Cai by name and it's like, augh, even Peredur ap Efrawg isn't immune to being a hater sometimes.

brOTP

Him and Owain!!!! I bet they're besties and it's so important to me that Owain is one of the two knights Peredur encounters first. Like if it had been Cai I would've been majorly concerned but Owain is like super patient with him when he's like 'What are all these things?'

OTP

For me? Gwalchmai. I keep banging on but they F U C K E D in that tent. And also he's genuinely so concerned for Peredur it makes me unhinged.

nOTP

Peredur and rudeness. Peredur and people thinking he's dumb. Peredur and rudeness. I hate it when people are like he's a country bumpkin he's dumb, he's stupid. Nowhere does it say that in the text!!! 😠😠😠😠

random headcanon

He is powered by 90% spite, I firmly believe this. He can and will do anything he's set his mind to, and, by God, he'll do it while both dragging his heels and calling his foe any name under the sun. I am basing that on his interactions with Cai. He is also the sweetest guy alive and gives his besties little shiny gifts like he's a magpie. Plus, I believe he and his cousin Angharad meet up once a year to gossip.

unpopular opinion

For me, I think the story of Peredur came first and Chrietien based Perceval on that. Idk. To me, that just seems more plausible. It's a barebones kinda first draft thing and Chrietien fleshed it out and included The Grail.

song i associate with them (maybe) (depends on the character)

'Peredur' by Tom Emlyn! Plus, I also think 'Canyon Moon' by Harry Styles works for him. I think it's because of the refrain of 'I'm going home.' Like he's going on adventures but ultimately when he returns home to Arthur's court it's like 'Oh, I've sort of found my place.'

favorite picture of them

Right, it's not of them specifically but it's of scene from the myth purely because IT'S A FUCKIN TAPESTRY!!!! SOMEBODY MADE THIS!!!!! EVERYBODY SAY THANK U, MARTIN WEATHERHEAD. It's GORGEOUS. IT MUST'VE TAKEN HOURS!!!!!!! SNSJSJSSJSJS.

[The text says: 'Peredur a welodd yan oedd dafad wen yn brefu: croesai dafad ddu yr afon gan newid i fod yn wyn' in Welsh, and, in English, 'Peredur saw that when a white sheep bleated a black sheep crossed the river and became white.']

[gingersnaptaff]

Surprising nobody, Peredur WINS!!! Very surprised that Enid is second and Brân is third!!!! Hope u all enjoyed playing and look out for the next poll tomorrow if u want to play! ☺️☺️ Thank u to everybody who voted! Peredur and Enid are both through the next round!

Some background for each:

Percival/Peredur: the big lad shall we say, the one you're all the most likeliest to know. The undertaker of the Grail Quest before Galahad, thinks knights are angels, besties with Owain and Gwalchmai, @nekomaidmordred 's fave lad.

Morfudd: Twin sister to the aforementioned Owain mab Urien. A personal favourite of mine. Was one of the 'three fair womb-burdens of Britain,' also her's and Owain's mam is either a granddaughter of Arawn, Lord of Annwfn, OR Modron goddess of motherhood and fertility. Either way, pretty impressive!!!

Bendigeidfran: Often called Brân he's the full brother of Branwen and Manawydan and half-brother to Nisien and Efnisien. Also, A GIANT!!!! That alone should make u think 'holy shit' but he also fought in a war against Ireland when he'd heard his sister was being abused by her husband, King Matholwch, so like ejdjdjdjdjf

Dylan Ail Don: @dullyn 's pookie. Lleu Llaw Gyffes' brother. If you love the sea this boi is for u. Has his rock at the Menai Straits. Blonde and bubbly - I'd imagine - sadly he was also murdered by his uncle, Gofannon in a hammer incident so like >.>

Enid: Long-suffering wife of Geraint. Another fave of mine. Literally the only reason Geraint was alive at the end of his tale and he STILL TREATS HER LIKE SHIT. I'll marry her myself if I must. Had a sapphic relationship with Queen Gwenhwyfar. (It's inferred, okay.)

Next round will be on Tuesday! (I know u only have a day to vote and that's cuz I was DUMB)

[mordredpendragon]

FVLDFNL;KANLFWPOJFOWJFLKGHLFDA;DA LADLFADADFNLNALFNDSLGNDFN;LVNSFNSANFALF;WJFOKADSLKNFASLFNSLKDNFK MYF UCKGGIGN MEALLLLL !!!!!!!!!!!! IM SO FED!!!!!!! IM SHAKINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

^ taliesin while they were making out

EVERYONE GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW !!!!!!

if ur still doing the kiss ask game... uhmmmm.... 💜 🙈 with medraut and peredur (IF YOU WANT....)

Hi Cain!!!! I so hope you enjoy this!!!!! It's more Welsh myth that I was honestly going for but like still. Also, I made up the song they discuss but Llŷr and Euroswydd are referenced in Branch 2 of the Mabinogion. I made up that Llŷr was restrained by chair as it were, because one of the constellations in Welsh was called Llŷr's chair way back when. But, yeah, I'm gonna shut up now! Pls enjoy!!!!

💜 surprise kiss / impulsive kiss

It was late when I walked down the corridor towards the Great Hall. The candles in the sconces burned low, perfuming the tepid air with beeswax. Rain lashed at the windows while the moon scythed blades of white across the walls. Outside the striking of iron on stone rattled through the courtyard.

And then came a shout. A muffled command. 

“Cae drŵs!”

‘Close the door. Who’s back this late? It won't be Owain, for he's still in Dumnonia with Geraint.’ I frowned, stopping my stride to peer out of the window.

The braziers outside illuminated a dark plum cloak, heavy with rain, and the catseye flash of silver-black armour as Medrawd stormed towards the main entrance, the clamour of his armour slicing through the tranquility of the tenebrous night.

He did not see me. I was glad for that. If our eyes had met through the window then I do not know what I would've done. Something infantile, I fear. 

Or something that would have shamed me.

Through the oaken doors, Taliesin played a lilting ditty, the notes of his harp mingling with the honey-richness of his voice. I pushed them open without much thought and strode in, stumbling to a stop when my eyes met his.

Medrawd.

Drenched from the downpour, he'd shucked off his cloak and laid it across one of the benches near the fire so it could dry. A puddle glimmered near the fire too, a dark black lake against the grey of the flagstones. I thanked God that Lord Cai couldn't see it or else he'd be gnashing his teeth until he became as red as his hair. His eyes met mine, dragon dark and liquid pitch. He smirked in greeting. “Peredur, come to join us so late? I’d have thought you would have been slumbering abed still like a good little novice.”

I shook my head. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Over the Gododdin Prince’s slight shoulder I met Taliesin’s blue eyes, saw his thin, graceful fingers cease their conjuring of rhythms. He set the harp down upon his lap, content to watch the spectacle between us unfold.

“Oh,” He chuckled, the sound as dark as the sky outside. “For shame.” His eyes met Taliesin's then, and he continued, “Some music, my good bard, if you please. I won't converse without it. Tell me, do you know the tale of Llŷr and Euroswydd?”

Taliesin's blue eyes held his. Slowly, he nodded, his fingers twitching around the harp in his lap. 

“Play it for us then,” Medrawd demanded, his voice smooth. “And you, my erstwhile Peredur, come and sit.” With one grand flourish, he gestured to the bench his cloak was draped over and led the way to it, his boots echoing around the nebulous hall, only to be muffled by the thatched roof. 

Behind me, Taliesin sighed before he started to play. He sang beautifully, of course, for he always did, while the tune was plaintive, mournful, coming back to a haunting refrain of “Y môr cadwyn yn galw i mi/ Llŷr yn galaru ei gariad /Tywyllwch yn ffrwyno/ anrheg Euroswydd.”

“It’s pretty isn't it?” Medrawd said once we’d taken our seats and he'd poured us both a goblet of wine. He took a sip and leaned back in his seat, looking positively at ease. “Do you know the words? Or did your mother never teach you the dirges for the Old Gods afore she passed?”

I swallowed and shook my head. “No.” I said, my heart clenching at the mention of my mam. “She didn't. She was far more interested in… in ensuring I wasn't taken from her.”

“I see,” Medrawd replied before he sang: “‘The chained sea calls to me/Llŷr mourns his love. Darkness restrains him/Euroswydd's gift.’” 

I let the words wash over me, enjoying the way the gruffness in his voice was smoothed away, mellowed out. All the while, I tried to ignore the odd tightening in my chest, the vicious tug on my heart. Yet I’m certain he saw the inquisitive furrow that marred my brow for he proceeded to say, “It's about Llŷr Llediaith, the sea lord and Manawydan’s father. How he was subdued by Euroswydd’s chair. He gifted it to him and then, once Llŷr accepted, Euroswydd sprung his trap and cast the chair - and Llỳr with it - into a prisoner within the bowels of the sea. “And then Euroswydd took Llŷr's wife, Lady Penarddun, for himself.”

“And that's how Efnisien came into being, isn't it?”

Raising a dark eyebrow in askance at how I knew that, he gave a sharp nod. The sharply whittled lines of his face, his cheekbones, his nose, made him akin to the mountains of my homeland, each line etched into my skin and bones. The wind had winnowed the harshness of the stone away, eroded it into screes and softly sloped plateaus, and - in the dark blood of the firelight - I thought I could see the same in his face. In his eyes. The scent of him muddled my head, a musky fug that made my mouth water.

“My brothers,” I continued, my hand tightening around the cool pewter of my goblet. “They told me. I had seven. I was the youngest. But one day they followed my father into war and, well, they died. My mam, she became Christian, like y Brenin Arthur, and raised me by herself. And, well, you know the rest, my lord. Better men than I have told you what became of me.”

Medrawd chuckled again. An amused smile played about his lips. His eyes twinkled like a spearpoint, like obsidian, and I found myself being drawn into his gaze as though I were a rabbit caught in a sling. “Better men? No. They are on par with you, even my brother though he'd loathe to admit it.”

I frowned. “Lord Gwalchmai? Are you certain?”

Medrawd nodded and leaned forward, his eyes gleaming conspiratorially. “Ay.” His breath ghosted across my cheek in a sour cloud of wine. “He won't tell you but he and our cousin used to have battles all the time when they were younger. And then there's what happened with our father. A tragedy really. My mother wept for days, so Haf said whenever he used to inform me of it.” He tapped the rim of his goblet thoughtfully, the rhythm in time with the whirling springtime current of Taliesin's harp. “No, my lord Efrawg, Gwalchmai will not tell you anything. His golden tongue will remain leaden on that.”

I hummed in response, half believing and half not. A drop of wine clung to his lips and I couldn't help but stare at it, watching the curve of his lips and the column of his throat as he drank again. 

“And what were you doing tonight?” I said once he'd finished. The drop was still there, clinging steadfastly to his skin, and he sighed, his shoulders tensing a little.

“If you really must satisfy your curiosity then it was an assignation, my lord.” He ran a hand through his dark, damp curls, the fire casting them to an auburn similar to his older brothers. 

“But she didn't show?”

“He.” He said with a level state and a calmness that took my breath away. “He didn't show. And so I came away drenched and unsatisfied.” 

I hummed, the noise echoed and dimmed by my goblet as I took a swig, my throat suddenly raw from the heat of the room. God above, when had the fire become an inferno? When had the room caved in, narrowed in my eyeline, consumed by Medrawd's mossy eyes? The air was rich with the scent of wine and rain. Of ambergris and mud.

“But…” his eyes flicked to my lips, tracing them. “I think I can still have some fun if you're willing.”

I took another sip of my drink and choked around it, “If I’m-”

Without any further preamble he reached forward, grasped my hair with his hands and tugged me towards him, laughing a little when I flung my hands against his chest so as to try and steady myself. My heart hammered in my chest and I couldn't help but flinch when he cupped the back of my head. His hold was surprisingly tender, and when he pressed our lips together he moaned softly. 

His lips were soft. 

A remnant of the rain-sweet outside air filmed my tongue. My eyes fluttered shut and I groaned as he deepened the kiss, demanding more and more from me with each brush of his lips. My heartbeat reverberated through my body, meshed with Taliesin's harp, and I gripped Medrawd’s tunic as hard as I was able until, with another dark, lovely laugh, he pulled away, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.

“Good,” He declared, a strange softness in his eyes. A feline smile graced his face and murmured, “Now, shall we retire?”

With a deep, sharp gasp I nodded, somehow feeling as though I'd drowned and then resurfaced for air. 

And then, tentatively, carefully, I stood. Then I offered him my hand. He gripped it firmly, the coolness of his fingers sending goosebumps up my arms. I willingly let myself be pulled off the bench by him and stumbled out the door behind him, Taliesin’s dulcet tones spilling out into the darkened corridor. 

[mordredpendragon]

CALLING ALL PEREDUR FANS!!!!!

VOTE FOR PEREDUR!!!!! SPREAD THE WORD OF PEREDUR THE SEXIEST GUY IN ARTHURIANA EVER AND OUR GOAT!!!!!!! VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!!

EVEN THE GREAT MORDRED THE FAMED TRAITOR WHO BROUGHT UPON KING ARTHUR'S DOWNFALL HAS CASTED HIS VOTE FOR PEREDUR!

LET'S GIVE PEREDUR HIS 2ND WIN! WE CAN'T FAIL OUR BOY NOW!

POLL TIME: Quarter Final 1 😈😈

A recap of each:

Myrddin - OG Merlin, he's not actually associated with Arthuriana - and the Welsh myth stuff - until much later. He's one of those who was an irl lad but got incorporated into the mythos at a later date. He was a bard gifted with the power of prophecy (as all bards were thought to be in Celtic society) and was said to have gone mad after the Battle of Arfderydd in which his king and bestie Gwenddoleu died and then he fled into the woods. This gave him the epithet 'Wyllt' or Wild cuz obviously if ur living in the woods then u ain't gonna exactly be living ur best life.

Olwen - She of the white track. MY WIFE. The woman who Culhwch does nothing for on his quest but still gets. She's the daughter of the giant Ysbaddadden Pencawr and little white trefoils sprout wherever she walks. She's great.

Culhwch - cousin/nephew to Arthur (I always get confused. He's the one who causes Glewlwyd no amount of pain after he arrives at Arthur's court after the knife is in the meat and the mead has been poured. Why? FOR A QUEST! He wants to marry Olwen, the daughter of Ysbaddaden Pencawr and needs his cousin's help to do it. He doesn't do much on his quest but he gets points for participation, I guess? Long story short he does marry Olwen though which is nice. Bet she was thrilled.

Peredur: the big lad shall we say, the one you're all the most likeliest to know. The undertaker of the Grail Quest before Galahad, thinks knights are angels, besties with Owain and Gwalchmai, @nekomaidmordred 's fave lad.