PWLL - PRINCE OF DYFED

LORD OF THE OTHERWORLD

While hunting one day, Pwll, the prince of Dyfed, insulted Arawn, king of the Otherworld, by driving his hounds from a stag they had caught. To make amends he agreed to a proposition.

There was a neighboring king called Hafgan who was always threatening Arawn's kingdom. Pwll was asked to take on Arawn's appearance and spend a year in the Otherworld in his place. At the end of this time he was to kill Hafgan.

Pwll was willing, but he was concerned about what would happen to his own lands in his absence. Arawn had thought of that; he would assume Pwll's appearance and take his place in Dyfed. This satisfied Pwll and the two exchanged shapes. Before they parted, however, Arawn warned Pwll that if Hafgan was struck a second time after receiving a mortal blow, he would revive.

Pwll behaved honorably and, although Arawn's wife believed him to be her husband, he did not lie with her once. At the end of a year he killed Hafgan with a single blow and returned home to find his kingdom had been in good hands. When he told his people what had happened they gave him the title Lord of the Otherworld.

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