The shining crown of the sun was just breaking the horizon as Prince Gwyn arose. Looking out over the lake of Avalon, he sighed deeply. This was the seventh day of negotiations with Annwyn, and he grew weary of the entire exercise. They wanted peace, but what price would they pay for it?
Turning away from the window, he decided to go to the Garden of Tranquility to clear his mind. On his way, he passed by a lady with a young boy clutching her fingers in his tiny hand as they walked about the courtyard. The boy babbled excitedly at the sight of the elf prince. Gwyn paused, gently ruffled the boy’s tousled golden hair.
“Light has banished the darkness, Effa,” said Gwyn to the lady.
“And the night is lost in the light of day,” said the lady with a smile. “He’s been waiting for you to rise.”
The prince smiled. It pleased him that his ward was so eager to see him each morning. Though there was a sorrow to it as well; it saddened Gwyn that the boy would never know his father.
“Where are you off to?” asked Effa.
“I am going to the garden of tranquility,” replied Gwyn.
“A fine morning to go there.”
“Would you like me to take Gwion?”
“If it would please you.”
Gwyn raised the child up in his strong arms, carrying him through the large, circular gate into the garden. Together they wandered among the varied types of plant life that grew therein, including the apples for which the island was named. Exotic fowls, small beasts, and insects of diverse types and colors flitted and scurried among the branches of the trees. A small waterfall flowed musically down into a pool where lily pads grew in abundance. In the dim light of dawn, crickets chirped and buzzed peacefully.
Still, even in that peaceful place, Gwyn’s heart was bitter. He had not fought for so many years to watch the gods go unpunished for their crimes. In his youth, he had told himself that if he ever came within striking distance of Lord Tegid, he would kill him without a moment’s hesitation. And here the old wizard was, within Avalon’s very gates.
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