Gronw

I had remembered the setup -- a valley on the Welsh border where the Mabinogion story of Llew Llaw Gaffes, Gronw, and Bloduwedd plays out eternally -- but not the strangely arbitrary ending, an ending which, due to Garner's decision to tell almost the entire story through dialogue a decision which pays off in spades, no doubt, I'm still not entirely clear on.

Kenneth Hite's Journal princeofcairo 2005

And the next day Gronw arose and took possession of Ardudwy.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Thereupon Gronw rose up from the hill which is called Bryn Cyvergyr, and he rested on one knee, and flung the poisoned dart and struck him on the side, so that the shaft started out, but the head of the dart remained in.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Gronw toiled at making the spear, and that day twelvemonth it was ready.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

"Be mindful," said Gronw, "of what I have said unto thee, and converse with him fully, and that under the guise of the dalliance of love, and find out by what means he may come to his death."

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Then they two went forth to the banks of the river Cynvael, and Gronw stood in the place where Llew Llaw Gyffes was when he struck him, and

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Then she sent unto Gronw, and bade him be in ambush on the hill which is now called Bryn Kyvergyr, on the bank of the river Cynvael.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Gronw took the slab and placed it between him and the blow.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

As soon as he departed Gronw and Blodeuwedd went together unto the palace that night.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889

Gronw likewise, so that it pierced through his back.

The Mabinogion Vol. 3 (of 3) Owen Morgan Edwards 1889