The Foundling Read Online Free PDF Page B

tinted leaves. The stars? A handful of bright pebbles. I only helped you imagine these things to be more than what they are. If this pleased you for a few moments, I could ask nothing better.”
    â€œHow dare you come to us in the guise of an enchanter?” demanded the Queen.
    â€œTo win Angharad’s hand,” replied Geraint, “I would dare more than that.”
    â€œEven so,” answered the Queen. “My daughter has chosen you in vain.”
    â€œNo!” declared Angharad. “Any other choice would be in vain. Those two inherited their skills. Geraint earned his. False? He’s the only true enchanter.”
    â€œPerhaps you are right,” Queen Regat answered. She sighed and shook her head. “Daughter, though I wish your happiness, by rule and custom your marriage to him is forbidden.”
    Since Angharad would consent to none but Geraint, the Queen regretfully commanded the Princess to withdraw and remain in her chambers. And Geraint was sent from the Castle of Llyr.
    But Angharad defied the ancient rule and followed Geraint, and found him waiting for her as if each had known the other’s mind.
    As the two made their way through the forest beyond the castle, suddenly the sky grew dark as midnight, though the day was barely past high noon. But, from her cloak, Angharad drew a golden sphere which glowed at her touch and whose light overcame this vengeful sorcery of Gildas.
    Then, in front of Angharad and Geraint sprang monstrous
creatures summoned by Grimgower. But the two clasped hands and kept on their way. And the creatures drew back and bowed their heads while the lovers passed unharmed.
    At the edge of the forest a thick curtain of snow began to fall, and icy gales lashed Angharad and Geraint. But they held each other closer and so passed through it, too, in warmth and safety.
    And where they left footprints in the snow, flowers bloomed.

T HE R ASCAL C ROW
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    M edwyn, ancient guardian and protector of animals, one day sent urgent word for the birds and beasts to join in council with him. So from lair and burrow, nest and hive, proud stag and humble mole, bright-winged eagle and drab wren, they hastened to his valley. No human could have found or followed the secret path to this shelter, for only creatures of field and forest had knowledge of it.
    There they gathered, every kind and degree, one from each clan and tribe. Before them stood Medwyn garbed in a coarse brown robe, his white beard reaching to his waist, his white hair about his shoulders, his only ornament a golden band, set with a blue gem, circling his weathered brow. He spread his gnarled and knotted arms in welcome to the waiting council.
    â€œYou know, all of you,” he began, in a clear voice unweakened by his years, “long ago, when the dark waters flooded Prydain, I built a ship and carried your forefathers here to safety. Now I must warn you: your own lives are threatened.”
    Hearing this, the animals murmured and twittered in dismay. But Kadwyr the crow flapped his glossy wings, clacked his beak, and gaily called out:
    â€œWhat, more wind and water? Let the ducks have the joy of it! Don’t worry about me. My nest is high and strong enough. I’ll stay where I am. Good sailing to all web-feet!”

    Chuckling, making loud, impudent quackings at the blue teal, Kadwyr would have flown off then and there. Medwyn summoned him back, saying:
    â€œAh, Kadwyr, you’re as great a scamp as your grandsire who sailed with me. No, it is neither flood nor storm. The danger is far worse. King Arawn, Lord of the Land of Death, seeks to enslave all you forest creatures, to break you to his will and bind you to serve his evil ends. Those cousins to the eagles, the gentle gwythaints, have already fallen prey to him. Arawn has lured them to his realm and trapped them in iron cages. Alas, they are beyond our help. We can only grieve for them.
    â€œTake warning from