woman, "Kilhwch the son of Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon, by
Goleuddydd the daughter of Prince Anlawdd, his mother, who is come to
seek Olwen as his wife." And when she heard that, her feelings were
divided between the joy that she had that her nephew, the son of her
sister, was coming to her, and sorrow because she had never known any
one depart alive who had come on that quest.

And they went forward to the gate of Custennin the herdsman's
dwelling. And when she heard their footsteps approaching, she ran
out with joy to meet them. And Kai snatched a billet out of the
pile. And when she met them she sought to throw her arms about their
necks. And Kai placed the log between her two hands, and she
squeezed it so that it became a twisted coil. "Oh woman," said Kai,
"if thou hadst squeezed me thus, none could ever again have set their
affections on me. Evil love were this." They entered into the
house, and were served; and soon after they all went forth to amuse
themselves. Then the woman opened a stone chest that was before the
chimney-corner, and out of it arose a youth with yellow curling hair.
Said Gwrhyr, "It is a pity to hide this youth. I know that it is not
his own crime that is thus visited upon him." "This is but a
remnant," said the woman. "Three-and-twenty of my sons has
Yspaddaden Penkawr slain, and I have no more hope of this one than of
the others." Then said Kai, "Let him come and be a companion with
me, and he shall not be slain unless I also am slain with him." And
they ate. And the woman asked them, "Upon what errand come you
here?" "We come to seek Olwen for this youth." Then said the woman,
"In the name of Heaven, since no one from the castle hath yet seen
you, return again whence you came." "Heaven is our witness, that we
will not return until we have seen the maiden." Said Kai, "Does she
ever come hither, so that she may be seen?" "She comes here every