Into the Unknown

Lleu ydw i/ Englynion Lleu

Lleu am I,
Son of Arianrhod am I,
Despised,
Forlorn,
Unloved.

Lleu am I,
Son of Gwydion am I.
Protected,
Reared,
Nurtured.

Lleu am I
Many skilled am I,
Proud,
Strong,
Unyielding.

Lleu am I,
Husband of Blodeuwedd am I,
Belied,
Betrayed,
Unloved.

Lleu am I,
Taught by Manawydan,
Born of the sun,
Fostered by the woods,
Bright one.

Lleu am I,
The one who sings
The one who fights
The one who is reborn
Once slayed.

Lleu am I,
Summer song,
Midday rest
Music of freedom,
The one who shines.

Lleu am I,
Lugh they call me,
The skilful one,
Strong-armed one
Merciless.

Lleu am I,
Warmth of the sun,
Wisdom of the sky,
Fire in the night,
Blazing one.

Lleu am I,
Golden Lance,
Mighty as the storm,
Furious as the lightning,
The deliverer.

Caer Rigor/ Fort of stumbling

Rise up and look at me. Here you are, in Caer Rigor, all lost and trembling. The air here is dense, the light is dimmed almost to the point of darkness. Can you see?…

Hear the waves crashing upon endless rocks. There’s no way out. No one leaves Caer Rigor but the dead and the brave. Which one are you?

Only the blameless leave this place. Only the brave ones – those who are stupid enough to enter, lose their bearings as soon as they stumble at the entrance.

Worthy of attention, are you? Are you at all…deserving? The kings fall, the Saints die, the warriors get killed. Remember Cuchulainn, remember Tuan, remember Lleu. Remember Cyledr, remember Nuada, remember Bran. They were brave, noble and true. Where did that get them?

They died.

Do you still think you can leave without my permission? You’ve passed Caer Ochren, that makes you smart. But is cleverness enough?

Hear the storm outside. Hear the waves upon rocks. Death awaits outside. Death awaits inside. Death is here.

You panic, don’t you? You look for escape, but there’s none. You look for help, but I won’t grant it.

I am Gwyn ap Nudd, and this is my fortress. I am Gwyn ap Nudd, and I will see your mind destroy you.

Kneel. Bow to me. Tremble. Plead. It won’t help. Grovel. He did. That brave young man was ready to die for his beliefs, are you?

Belief can be lethal, you know. Do you trust your beliefs? I’d rather you didn’t. They are killing you.

You believe you’re trapped. You believe there’s the storm outside, you believe the waves are gnawing the rocks. You believe in obstacles, don’t you?

Look out of the window.

The sea is calm. The fort is all safe. The skies are clear. Now, where is the storm? I’ll tell you where – it’s in your head.

That’s the lesson of Caer Rigor: while you believe what the others say, you’ll never reach the objective. While you believe everyone but yourself, no one can help you.

That’s the lesson of Caer Rigor: trust your guts. Don’t look for the obstacles where there are none.

Free yourself.

You’ve made it into a trap. Undo what’s been done.

Free yourself.

Lleu/ My broken sunlight

Lleu/ My broken sunlight

My broken sunlight, my golden boy,
Will you still shine in pain?
My shattered sunlight, my wondrous boy, Will you remember her name?

My broken sunlight, my golden one,
Who’s gonna shelter you?
My darkened sunrise, beloved one,
Who’s gonna nurture you?

High up above the sun still shines,
Yet Lleu is silent and weak,
High up above the light still blinds,
Yet Lleu won’t sleep or speak.

High up above the moon is dimmed,
And Lleu is ashen-faced,
High up above the starlight won’t gleam, For Lleu’ s bright eye is hazed.

Open your eyes, my golden one,
Open your bright blue eyes,
Open your eyes, beloved one,
Forget all the pain and lies.

Open your eyes, and see me there,
Cling to me, long and fast,
Open your eyes, my sunlight fair,
Let me breath free at last.

My broken sunlight, my darling boy,
Will you forgive me, pray?
My shattered sun, beloved boy,
Will you call out my name?…

Winter king/ Gwyn’s courtship

Dance, dance through the years,
Sing the elven songs,
I will be your Winter king
Till the night is long.

Weave the sunlight in your hair,
Reach out for my hand,
Keep my heart: it shall remain
Yours until the end.

Smile to me, forget the pain
That once haunted you-
I shall always be the same
Love will guide you through.

Word, once given, will remain
Strong as rowan tree,
Just say yes and seize the day:
Stay, don’t part with me.

Dance with me across the years,
Let me soothe your mind:
Stay with me, forget your fears,
I’ll be by your side.

Hush, the lullaby of trees
Lingers in the air:
Let my gold and silver leaves
Chime all dark away.

Dance with me across the years,
Say that you’ll be mine,
You shall be my summer queen
Till the end of time.

Caer Ochren/ Maze of mirrors

Stand here, on the edge of reason, watch reflections dance and die. Broken mirrors of your conscience will reflect both day and night.

Night is long, and day is longer, long the patience of Arawn. Be prepared to lose your bearings, be prepared to be let down.

Caer Ochren never lets go, maze of mirrors never ends. Watch your life blend in with shadows, watch it pass in shadowlands.

If you’re here, you’ll never leave it, that’s the blessing and the curse. Watch and learn, approach the mirror, do not touch – you’ll make it worse.

Here, in shaded maze of mirrors, you will lose yourself in me. Stay until you get the feeling you are strong, and wild, and free.

When you need, be sure to come back,it is easy to return: Look for truth and let it lead you, darkest night or brightest morn.

Caer Ochren has forever, use it while you have the time. Dance with shadows, sing in silence, and remember that you’re mine.

My Lord

My Lord, he smells of roses that bloom by the graveyard gate. He smells of life in its fullest, of death and eternal spring. He smells of bitterest autumn, of jasmine and lily fair. His hands smell of darkened churches, wild roses adorn his hair.

My Lord, he rides at midnight that creeps from behind the trees. He rides with the glittering ladies and lords of the faery lands. He wears only finest leathers, his cloak is of silver silks. His eyes are like brightest starlight, his kisses like ice and flame.

My Lord, he leads the night hunt, that flies through the forest deep. He leads ancient kings and prophets, the bards and the poets fine. His arrows are swift and silver, his bright sword is by his side.

My Lord, he comes after nightfall, to soothe my all-troubled mind. His voice is the ocean calling, the leaves of the Wild and green. His songs of love and of yearning keep all human souls awake.

My Lord, he rules what is secret, the lands hidden in the mists. His wisdom is like the waters, that change from the turquoise to black. His heart is forever bleeding, yet he wouldn’t ever tell.

Godspouse/ Mother, oh mother

Mother, oh mother, i dreamed of the Hunt. Riders in mist, riders all clad in grey.

Mother, oh mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. Riders like shades, riders all flying by.

Mother,oh mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. Wind in their hair, wind howling loud.

Mother, oh mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. Wind swirling manes, wind flying past.

Mother, oh mother, I dreamed of the king. Silent and grave, he rode with the Hunt

Mother, oh mother, I dreamed of the king. Like fire in the night, like river in storm.

Mother oh mother, I dreamed of the king. Shining and still, as the moonlight he was.

Mother oh mother, I dreamed of the king. Darker than night, brighter than day.

Mother, o mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. It will come one fine day, I know.

Mother, oh mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. I wish it would come today.

Mother oh mother, I dreamed of the Hunt. My heart is forever lost.

Mother oh mother I dreamed of the Hunt. I wish it was more than a dream.

Mother oh mother…I’m dreaming again. I see his bright golden eyes.

Mother oh mother…I wish he would stay. Instead I am going away…

Daughters of Ceridwen

Do not cry, daughters of Ceridwen, for the Awen resides in your eyes.

Do not cry, daughters of Ceridwen, for the blessing of Annwfn rests upon your shoulders.

What have you to fear, daughters of Ceridwen, when the might of the wise blooms in you?

What have you to fear, daughters of Ceridwen,when old magic burns in you with the brightest flame?

Hear me, daughters of Ceridwen, for mine is the shield that protects you.

Hear me, daughters of Ceridwen, for mine is the mist that hides you.

The time of pain is past, daughters of Ceridwen. New dawn is here, new morn is minutes away

The time of suffering is done, daughters of Ceridwen. There is no need in hiding the truth.

Rise up, daughters of Ceridwen, daughters of Awen, the cauldron born!

Rise up, daughters of Ceridwen, for yours are the power and the glory, the stars and the sun!

Do not fear, daughters of Ceridwen, for I shall be there to guide you.

Do not fear,daughters of Ceridwen, for we share the same mother: her children are my children.

Keep in mind, daughters of Ceridwen: what is born of magic never changes spots.

Keep in mind, daughters of Ceridwen: one thought is enough to change the tide.

Hail ye, daughters of Ceridwen, for yours is the time.

Hail ye, daughters of Ceridwen,for you shall never be alone.

Godspouse/ I serve

I serve the king of Annwfn. Lord of the depths, Lord of the high tides, Lord of the winds is my Lord.

I serve the master of illusions. Master of mists, master of songspells, master of high magic is my master.

I serve the leader of the Hunt. The leader of bards, leader of stormclouds, leader of thunder is my leader.

I serve the Prince of shadows. Prince of crystal caves, Prince of Twilight, Prince of ancient wisdom is my Prince.

I serve the king of Tylwyth Teg. King of Glastonbury Tor, king of Avalon, king of the throne of Glass is my King.

I serve the Lord of the green. Lord of the wilderness, Lord of hidden ways, Lord of dark waters is my Lord.

I serve the Prince of healing. Prince of the high trees, Prince of golden middays, Prince of moonlit valleys is my Prince.

I serve the master of disguise. Master of songs, master of long paths, master of shadowlands is my master.

I serve the king of Annwfn. King of the bright eyes, king of the hidden treasures, king of the raven wings is my King.

I serve Gwyn ap Nudd. Of the Gwragedd Annwfn am I, the Annwfn born, the maid of the dark waters.

Godspouse am I. Child of the ways, storyteller.

Awenydd ydw i. Long I search, loud is my song: flying through the air, piercing the mists, emerging from the deepest waters.

Blessed is he who governs the mists. Blessed is he who sees all.

Fair is he who shines in the night, Fair is he who knows all.

Wise is he who stands between worlds. Wise is he who hides me.

I serve the king of Annwfn. Lord of the depths, Lord of the high tides, Lord of the winds is my Lord.

Fear me, tremble/ Erlkoenig

Fear me, tremble,
Cower before me,
Bow to my every will,
Love me, hate me,
Follow me closely:
I am the elven king.

Dance and sing ye
Through summer solstice,
Ask and you shall be bless’d.
Court and conquer
By fires of autumn,
Chase or ye shall be chased.

Wander, wander,
Walk through my forest,
Picking my flowers fair,
Wonder, wonder,
Dare to step closer,
And never go away.

Love and learn
While you are with me,
Ponder on my advice,
Fast or slow,
Twilight will catch ye
You’ll vanish out of sight

Fear me, maiden,
Run through the valleys,
Clutching your silken dress,
Tremble, maiden,
For by the shadows
Ye soon shall be caressed.

Fear me, tremble,
Cower before me,
Bow to my every will,
Love me, hate me,
Follow me closely:
I am the elven king!