The Paradise War (38 page)

“Now, it happened that one day Beli was seized by a powerful
taithchwant
, a wanderlust intense and strong. Such was his longing to journey through his realm, to see for himself the marvelous things that were coming to pass under his rule, that he could not eat from his golden bowls, nor could he sleep in his fine featherbed. This taithch-want beset him most fiercely, each day more pressing than the day before. ‘Alas and woe!’ the Great King said to himself. ‘Most miserable among men am I if I continue on this way even one more day.’

“So saying, he sat down on his silver throne and bethought himself what he might do. ‘I will give the kingship to one of my sons, who will rule in my place while I take my leave. Then I will journey through my lands and see for myself the happiness of my people, and share their joy.’ All that remained was to choose which of his two sons was most worthy to rule in his place.

“Great Beli, Most Astute, Pillar of Judgment, Soul of Wisdom, sat on his throne and thought long and deep. He thought and thought, but at the end of all his thinking he was no closer to a decision than when he first sat down. And the reason for his dilemma was this: between Lludd and Nudd there was not the least bit of difference on which to make a choice. As one son was fair and able, so was the other; as the second was gracious and friendly, so was the first. Each was as generous in his giving as the other. Neither was the better, nor was either the worse. So alike in every way were these two that only by the color of the hair on their heads could they be told apart: for Lludd had hair like the sun’s bright dawn, whereas Nudd had hair like night’s glorious darkness. Sunbright yellow the first, black as precious jet the second.

“Beli, Monarch of High Renown, called his two sons to him and he said, ‘Full many a day I have longed to journey through my realm and see for myself how the people enjoy the great good that has come to them through my rule. Know you that the taithchwant is on me, so I cannot stay here even one day longer. Indeed, were I to stay even one night more in this house, my heart would burst from yearning. I must leave this very day.’

“The two sons looked at one another and agreed that their father’s plan was a good one. ‘A most excellent wish, Great King,’ they said. ‘Only allow us to accompany you and share your joy at contemplating the good fortune you have brought about through your wise and noble rule.’

“Beli Mawr gazed at his two sons and answered them, ‘It is not for you to accompany me, but to hold the realm in my stead while I am away.’

“The two sons answered, ‘So well have you ruled, father, that the lowest man among us could hold the realm in your stead, the most innocent child could prove himself adept at kingcraft. Choose who you like, that person can but increase the honor of your name.’

“These words did not fail to please Beli. His great heart swelled in pride and delight. Still, he was not moved. For once Beli had set his mind on a thing, that thing would he have and not another. And he had set his mind on roaming his realm alone: alone he would go, alone would he fare, alone would he savor the sweetness of his renown. Alone and unknown by any, lest his people discover his presence and make much over him. For he ever sought the truth of all things, and he knew that men will sometimes alter their conduct when a king approaches. Thus he replied, ‘As ever, your desires do you credit, my sons. Yet I have resolved to go my way alone, and alone will I go.’

“The two sons saw how the matter stood. ‘Go your way, father,’ they said. ‘And all blessings attend you while you are gone from us.’

“Nudd approached his father, and, laying his head against the king’s chest, he said, ‘May it go well with you; may you find all you seek to find, and nothing you do not seek.’

“Lludd then drew near, placing his head against his father’s chest, and said, ‘And may your kingdom flourish, so that you return to a better realm than the one you left behind.’

“Beli raised up his sons and spoke his mind to them. Many things he told them about the right ruling of a realm, and about how a king serves his people. And then he said, ‘I am going now. But one of you must rule in my place while I am gone.’

“‘Must it be so?’ the sons asked. For neither wanted to rule over the other.

“‘It must,’ replied Beli. ‘For I see the path stretching out before me, and indeed I see my feet already upon it.’ Then he asked them which would consent to rule in his place.

“Nudd answered, ‘My brother is more worthy than I. Choose him.’ To which Lludd replied, ‘Of we two, Nudd is more worthy. I insist you choose him.’

“Beli heard their words and, being a king of some discernment, peered into the empty places between the words and saw a way to discover at last which of his sons was the more worthy. He told them, ‘You have asked me to choose. Therefore, I choose Lludd.’ He rose from his silver throne and gave the sovereignty of Albion into the hands of Lludd. ‘Fare you well, my sons. May you grow in grace through all things.’

“Thus the Great King left his realm, and his people saw him no more for a time. But they saw his sons, and what they saw did not please them. No, not at all.

“At first they were pleased, for Lludd was as wise and good as his father. But Lludd had not reigned as much as from one moon to the next when a dispute arose between the prince and his brother. And the source of the disagreement was this: Nudd became jealous of his brother’s good fortune.

“In truth, it was no greater thing than that. But it was enough and more than enough to bring suffering most terrible to the paradise of Albion. Suffering so great that from that far-off time to this, Albion has never been the same. For, although there had never been so much as a harsh word between the brothers, from the moment Nudd saw the golden torc of kingship around his brother’s throat and not his own, and saw the rod of sovereignty in his brother’s hand and not his own, he began scheming how best to seize the kingship for himself. Day and night he paced the high ramparts, pondering how best to steal the throne. Day and night he turned his mind to thoughts of treachery and deception. And one fair night it came into his mind how he might trick his brother into giving him the kingship. And this is what he did:

“One bright night, not long after their father the king’s departure, Nudd and Lludd were making a circuit of the caer. Nudd looked up into the wide, star-washed sky. As they lingered on the gatewalk, Nudd declared, ‘Look yonder and see what a fine, far-spreading field I have.’

“‘Where is it, brother?’ asked Lludd, thinking no ill.

“‘Why, there it is above your head, and as far as your eye can see,’ answered Nudd, throwing wide his arms to the star-filled heavens.

“Lludd looked up at the sky. ‘But see how many fine, fat cattle I have grazing in your field!’ he replied.

“‘Where are these cattle of yours?’ asked Nudd.

“‘Why, there they are—all the shining silver stars of heaven, with the moon as their bright cowherd,’ laughed Lludd.

“This answer annoyed Nudd, who heard in it the sound of his brother’s superiority. ‘You would do well to remove your cattle from my field,’ Nudd muttered. ‘For I say they shall not graze on the field I have chosen for my own.’

“‘Why so vexed, brother?’ Lludd asked. ‘It means nothing to me where my cattle graze.’

“‘Yet it means something to me,’ Nudd insisted. ‘You take unfair advantage of me.’

“‘How so?’ asked Lludd, bewildered by his brother’s strange behavior.

“‘I would not expect you to understand,’ replied the sullen Nudd. ‘For you have never been made to endure the shame of living in another’s shadow.’

“Lludd understood then why his brother was unhappy. ‘Only tell me what I may do to make amends,’ he told Nudd. ‘And you may be certain that the sun will not set before it is accomplished.’

“Nudd frowned mightily. ‘I have already told you! Remove your cattle from my field!’ Then off he stomped, secretly singing to himself, for the task he had demanded of Lludd was impossible to perform.

“But Lludd took himself to his hall and gathered his bards to sing before him. He ate and drank the whole night and went to his bed and slept soundly. Nudd saw this and gloried in his heart, for he knew that his brother would not succeed. ‘No man can chase the stars from the sky, and Lludd has not even tried. He has already failed; I am as good as king.’ He, too, went to his bed and slept soundly.

“In the morning, Lludd rose and went at once to the rampart outside the hall. ‘Wake you, Nudd!’ he cried in a loud voice. ‘Come out to me!’

“Nudd woke and went out. ‘What is this unseemly noise so early in the morning?’ he asked. ‘I can see no reason for it, unless it is to give me the torc of kingship from around your throat.’

“Lludd smiled and clapped a hand to his brother’s shoulder. ‘There is no need, brother. For I have done all that you have demanded. I have removed my cattle, and your field is restored as you asked.’

“Nudd could not believe his ears. ‘How can this be?’ he wondered.

“‘You have only to look at the sky to see that what I say is true,’ Lludd told him.

“Nudd turned his eyes to the sky and saw the fair blue heavens spreading clear and bright above him as far as the eye could see. And there was not so much as one glimmering star to be seen. The sun had chased them all away.

“Lludd said to his brother. ‘I have done as you asked. Let us have no more disagreement between us but continue as we lived before.’

“But Nudd would not. He saw how easily his brother had bested him, and he appeared small and foolish in his own eyes. Nudd imagined that Lludd was mocking him, and he scowled. ‘You have tricked me once, but you shall not trick me again. From this day you are no brother of mine.’

“When Lludd heard this, his heart broke. ‘Great is your name in the land, and greater may it yet become. Tell me what I can do to make peace between us and that I will do.’

“Nudd crossed his arms over his chest and said, ‘Deliver to me the kingship of the realm, and remove yourself from my sight.’

“‘Would you had asked anything but that,’ replied Lludd sadly.

‘For this I cannot do.’

“‘Why not?’ demanded Nudd.

“Lludd answered, ‘Because the kingship of the realm belongs to the one who gave it to me. It is not mine to give as I please.’

“‘Yes it is,’ insisted Nudd.

“‘No, it is not,’ Lludd maintained. ‘And that is the end of the matter.’

“‘Very well,’ shouted Nudd, ‘since you will not give me what was promised me, I have no choice but to take it for myself.’

“Lludd told him, ‘Though you tear the torc from around my throat and place your haunches on the silver throne, that will not make you king. I tell you the truth, a man may not make himself king; only the blessing of him who holds the kingship can elevate a man to that high place. For sovereignty is a sacred trust that may not be bartered or sold; still less may it be stolen or taken by force.’

“Lludd spoke the truth. Nudd heard it and liked what he heard not at all. He fled the hall; he fled the caer. In far-off lands he gathered to himself those who were like him: greedy, grasping men, inflamed by haughty desires and cravings for wealth and rank beyond their rightful shares; men from Tir Aflan across the sea who were lured by high-sounding promises of easy plunder.

“Lludd ruled well. The people adored him and sang his praises wherever they wandered in the world. Each word of praise became a dagger blade in the heart of Nudd. And as Lludd’s light grew bright in the land, so did Nudd’s jealousy harden into hatred—fierce, stiffnecked, and proud.

“He summoned his war band and said, ‘You see how it is. My brother’s portion grows greater while mine is diminished. It is not right that I should live as a hound cast out from the hearth. The kingship of Albion should have come to me, but does Lludd consider this? Not at all. He goes his way with impudence. I am not lying when I say that I have endured the outrage of his arrogance long enough. The time has come to set this matter right.’

“Thus did Nudd take up his spear against his brother. Nudd and the men of his war band raised war upon Lludd. Warriors were armed. Battle hosts were gathered. And the Island of the Mighty— where not so much as an angry shout had been heard—echoed to the loud thunder of the carynx and the clash of sword on shield, of spear on helm.

“Great the battles between them, greater still the slaughter. The blood that flowed upon the land became a river which reached to the fetlocks of the horses and to the wheelhubs of the chariots. From dawn to dusk, the fair sky above Albion was rent with the clash of weapons and the pitiful cries of the wounded and dying. The land was laid waste; no man’s life was safe. The practice of war became paramount in Albion. Black the day; war had come to Paradise.

“War bands fought and warriors died. More war bands were amassed, and more were killed. Yet, for all the fighting and killing, neither brother could claim victory over the other. Indeed, the warriors of Nudd and Lludd would still be waging war each upon the other to this very day, had not their father suddenly appeared one day at the place of battle. The Great King approached where the hosts were drawn up waiting for the sound of the battle horn to attack; he came riding a wayward horse, passing between the two battle lines.

“He halted in the center of the battleground and summoned his two sons to him. ‘What is this that I am hearing?’ he asked them. ‘To and fro have I roamed from one end of this worlds-realm to the other, and nowhere have I heard that sound which is most hateful to my ears above all others. All I have seen and all I have heard has pleased me until now. And what do I behold? What do I hear? Morning to night there is no sound but that which I cannot abide; there is no sight but that which is an abomination to me: the sound of the battleclash and the sight of red blood spilled upon the earth and life snuffed out. Explain this, if you can. For I tell you truly, unless I know the reason why this has come to pass, though you are my own beloved sons and dearer to me than my life, you will curse the day of your birth.’