The wind was beating against the mountains whilst men and women of Lhan Turch walked up the path towards the mountain. They carried the body of their dead chief to the summit where he would be buried after dying in the battle against the invaders. Cadfardd remembered it well whilst he followed the line, plucking his harp string silently.
He was a simple derudh who lived with his family in the community of Lhan Turch, by the Dunbog. The brenin of Lhan Turch was Ithel, respected and loved by farmer, hunter and derudh alike. Cadfardd was an average man. He had dark red hair swept across one side of his face and a red beard with brown eyes. He was medium height and athletically lean.
In the valley by Lhan Turch, the combined clans marched down along the fast water edge, through the trees as making their way to Wulf’s Cleft bringing their horses and weapons with them. They were led by a short man with lots of metal decorating him and now and then he would jump on a horse and ride along the marching line to order the clans. For many months now, these combined clans have been attempting to attack the small village of Lhan Turch after Ithel refused the White-Wizard’s offer.
In the woods on the valley side, the naked boars were creeping through the green shrubs and thick trees with weapons in their hands. They had paintings on their skins in blues and they blended in well with the surroundings as they crept towards the army. They were led by the chief - tall and strong, full of fire. Cadfardd followed, wearing nothing but an iron torc about his neck, he carried a sharp sword for cutting heads -- because the soul was the head of the man -- and alongside him was Eilonnwy the fierce raider.
They crawled closer and got their weapons ready. They chose a location to ambush the marching clans from where a clearing was in the woods with the river against the clans backs whilst they would fight off the charging farmers, warriors and their Chief. Everyone nodded back and forth and then horns were blown from the woods. Men and women shouted, loud voices reaching down to the panicking mass below. They ran down the slope of the hill, dodging trees left and right until they crashed into the men with a huge uproar.
The three clans were having their scaring by the angry boars and moved in close to one another, they were tight like herrings in the salt. They fell back into the river, their heavy furs meaning they drowned quickly when being dragged away by the current. The ones that didn’t fall into the river fought against the oncoming horde of angry warriors; using shields, spears and swords to keep them away. The chief killed many, but, a member of the Draig-Luth threw a spear into his chest and sent him to the ground and the shout went up, “Mae’r Brenin yn rhydiau'r afon!” (The chief's in the fords of the river), meaning he was on his deathbed after the harsh wound. The warriors fought their way to the fallen chief - including Cadfardd who already claimed a head - and they knelt besides him as the fight went on.
Cadfardd pushed through the warriors to see his chief on the floor. He was pale, cold and he had blood on his chest and face from the spear in him. The horn crown fell off the dead man’s head and his son picked it up, now being worn by Ithel’s son, the new chief, Derwen.
Panic. Women screamed in fear. Men fought in revenge. The Hebog-luth fought better in low numbers. Now, the boars ran back to the woods from the slaughter. Ithel was being carrying by his son through the trees, going to their homes to recover.
A week passed and it was time for the funeral of Ithel.
They walked up the tall mountain. They had aching feet and sore arms from carrying Ithel’s body. When they reached the peak, they saw a hole in the ground filled with gold, jewellery, leathers and other items for the Otherworld. Lots of people were on the mountain peak -- farmers, hunters and warriors -- but a lone figure stood out in front. He was Cadfardd, wearing white furs with plants in the collar of his torc and with a harp in his arms.
The men put Ithel into the hole and Cadfardd pushed a log into the ground, with markings on it. They read:
Ithel son of Iolo
Chief of Afon Fraster
Cadfardd started to laugh - because Ithel’s soul was going to the Otherworld and to Rhi Helvarch, also the reason why he cry at births because the baby must have died in the Otherworld to come to this world. He then started to play and sing the Cerdd Farwnad.
Ithel ab Iolo, roedd e’n ddewr a hael,
Roedd e’n ddoeth ond mae e’n gadael
byd hyn. Nawr, mae e’n teithio drwy’r rhyd!
Cleddyf a darian yn ei law i’r Arallfyd!
Sefyllodd e’n fawr erbyn y dyn.
Gorfododd e’n yn yr afon a’r llyn.
Gadawoch chi’n ei fab sydd wyllt iawn
a roeddech chi wedi mynd i weld Arawn.
Byth anghofio’r brenin fawr -
Rhoiodd e’n ei anadl olaf ar y llawr!
Byddwn yn cofio fe am byth.
Am byth, am byth, am byth.
Whilst he sang, people moved stones from around and they placed them on Ithel’s body. Eilonnwy the raider was first, followed closely by Frontan the Healer. When the Cerdd Farwnad finished, there was only one person to put a stone on the cairn. Derwen lifted a large boulder onto the cairn of his father. He faced the villagers before he spoke.
“My people, we will get revenge against the Old-man!”, he shouted to the crowd who cheered at him.
“Never forget the great chief, my father and your friend! Never forget this mountain because this peak is where he rests! Resting place of Ithel son of Iolo, Brenin of Lhan Turch!”
Translation of the poem
Ithel son of Iolo, he was brave and generous
He was wise but he leaves
This world. Now, he travels through the fords!
Sword and shield in his hand to the Otherworld!
He stood large against the men.
He forced them into the river and the lake.
You left your son who is very wild
And you have gone to see Arawn.
Never forget the great chief -
He gave his last breath on the floor!
We will remember him forever.
Forever, forever, forever.
