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And I think it was something Taliesin would have done himself, if he had lived to see his son's wedding
day.
As the last notes of the harp faded, we left the chapel, emerging to find that the whole of Maridunum had
come to see us wed, thronging the chapel yard. As soon as they saw us, they gave forth a mighty shout
led by the warriors of my war band, who acted as ifthey were the ones taking a queen. They were so
pleased.
But then, Ganieda could have conquered any army with charm alone; the young men of my warband
were firmly under her spell, and they loved her.
We rode back to the villa surrounded by a noisy sea of well-wishers. Between the shouted blessings of
the townsmen and the singing of the warband, the far hills rang and rejoiced with the happy sound.
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Custennin had brought his cooks and stewards with him, and all the supplies they would need for the
feast including six head of fine, fat cattle on the hoof, a dozen casks of heavy mead, and some of his
good heather beer. The rest pigs, lambs, fish, mountains of turnips and tender spring vegetables he
bought in the market at Maridunum. Maelwys kept trying to get him to accept the use of his own stores
but, other than a few spices the cooks had forgotten to bring, Custennin would not hear of it.
Ah, we feasted well. It brings the water to my mouth to recall it. Although, at the time, my only appetite
was for Ganieda. It may well have been the longest day of my life: would the sunnever go down? Would
the twilight never come, when I would bear Ganieda away to the sleeping-place that had been prepared
for us to share our first night together? I kept looking at the sky and finding it still light.
So, we sang, and the jars and cups went round, and the meat was served up and the loaves of hot
bread, and the steaming vegetables, and the sweetmeats. We sang some more Blaise and his druids
provided endless music on their harps and I do not think even Taliesin could have filled that hall with a
better sound.
Oh, but Taliesinwas there; he was there, Wolf, he wasthere . You only had to look at my mother's face
to know it: Taliesin's spirit infused the day; his presence was a sweet fragrance everywhere. Charis had
rarely appeared more fair, more radiant. Likely, she was living her own wedding day in mine.
'Mother, are you enjoying yourself?' I asked; a needless question, for a blind man could have seen it.
'Oh, Merlin, my Hawk, you have made me very happy.' She drew me to her and kissed me. 'Ganieda is
a wonderful young woman.'
Then you approve?'
'How sweet of you to pretend that it mattered. But since you ask yes, I approve. She is what every
mother would have for a daughter, and as a wife for her son. No woman could ask for more.' Charis put
a hand to my cheek. 'You have my blessing, Merlin a thousand times if once.'
It was important for Charis to say this to me, since her own father's refusal to bless her marriage is what
had driven her and Taliesin away. Even though Avallach had become reconciled in the end, it had caused
them both considerable pain.
Subtle are the workings of God's ways: if Elphin and his people had not been driven from Caer Dyvi, if
the Cymry had not come to Ynys Avallach, if Charis and Taliesin had not been driven from the Isle of
Apples, and if they had not come to Maridunum, and if. . . and if. . . well, then I would never have been
born, and I would not have been taken by the Hill Folk, and I would never have met Ganieda, and I
would not be a king of Dyfed now, and this would not be my marriage day. . .
Great Light, Mover of all that is moving and at rest, be my Journey and my far Destination, be my Want
and my Fulfilling, be my Sowing and my Reaping, be my glad Song and my stark Silence. Be my Sword
and my strong Shield, be my Lantern and my dark Night, be my everlasting Strength and my piteous
Weakness. Be my Greeting and my parting Prayer, be my bright Vision and my Blindness, be my Joy
and my sharp Grief, be my sad Death and my sure Resurrection!
Yes, Charis loved Ganieda, a circumstance from which I derived unexpected pleasure. It was joy itself
to see them together, fussing over the preparations before the wedding, knowing that I was the object of
devotion in their warm womanly hearts, and the living link between them. May such love increase!
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They were, both of them, Faery Queens, tall of stature and elegant in every detail, perfection in
movement, harmony made flesh, beauty embodied. To see them together was to catch breath and pray
thanks to the Gifting God.
Men speak foolishly of the beauty that slays, though I believe such a thing may exist. But there is also a
beauty that heals, that restores and revives all who behold it. This is the beauty Charis and Ganieda
possessed. And it greatly cheered Custennin and Maelwys to see it; those two kings glowed like men
aflame with their good fortune.
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