since someone commented on hair-blessing

[incandescens]

Certainly a useful and productive day, but one that has left me feeling rather brain-dead. And there are several meetings over the next few days. Bah. One of my coworkers who's leaving soon was rather too cheerful when she pointed out that there was little point in her attending a meeting on the upcoming new release tracker methodology when she isn't going to be there for the next release. Double bah. (Mind you, she was sympathetic about it.)

Still, next week I have off. What a lovely thought.

---

"I would that thou bless my hair."

"That shall be granted thee."

And Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors, whereof the loops were of silver, and he combed his hair. And Arthur inquired of him who he was. "For my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou art come of my blood. Tell me, therefore, who thou art."

"I will tell thee," said the youth. "I am Kilhwch, the son of Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon, by Goleuddydd, my mother, the daughter of Prince Anlawdd."

"That is true," said Arthur; "thou art my cousin. Whatsoever boon thou mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what it may that thy tongue shall name."

"Pledge the truth of Heaven and the faith of thy kingdom thereof."

"I pledge it thee, gladly."

"I crave of thee then, that thou obtain for me Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr; and this boon I likewise seek at the hands of thy warriors. I seek it from Kai, and Bedwyr, and Greidawl Galldonyd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, and [and another three paragraphs] . . ."

-- from Kilhwch and Olwen, the Mabinogion

Comments

[archangelbeth]

*pats the brain-dead one*

...so not only did Arthur promise all kinds of things to a stranger, but now he promises anything, and is thus bound to Get His Cousin a Girl.

...doh.

[incandescens]

But it's his cousin, right? If you can't trust your family, who can you trust? (looks innocent)

Besides, there wouldn't be much of a story if he didn't. Sometimes you just have to take the quest and then start grinding the subquests and piling up the necessary inventory . . .

[archangelbeth]

Considering Arthur's family? NO ONE RELATED TO HIM! >_>

I think someone had too many points in Compulsive Vowing.

[incandescens]

It came with the package when he bought up on Generosity. ;)

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

This already feels like something that Ends Badly. Bride-stealing, cattle-rustling-- all in a day's work for yer average Celtic warrior.

[incandescens]

Well, it ends happily for Kilhwch and Olwen, at least. Less so for her father the giant, or for most of the various supernatural entities involved in the "fetch X for Olwen's wedding" requests from said father the giant. Plus those of Arthur's warband who get killed along the way, or the permanent rift that develops between Arthur and Kai after Arthur makes a witty comment about Kai at one point, if I remember correctly . . .