Cusp of the Moon: cobblers…

*

…“You must make a name for yourself,” said Branwen, and she looked from one to the other of them.

            “Now, how are we to do that?” said Greidyawl-the-Wise, and he scratched his chin as he chewed, looked to the far distance and set to, thinking.

Gwythyr-the-Bright thought too but he did not think for long, “Cobblers!” he said after a short space.

                “Say what?” said Greidyawl.

            “We shall become master cobblers,” said Gwythyr.

            “But I can’t cobble,” said the old hermit.

            “No, but I can, and I shall show you how,” said Gwythyr…

*

…In the House of Ceridwen at the foot of Sow Hill, Gwythyr-the-Bright ordered the best dressed leather in Annwn, cut some shoes from the leather, and taught Greidyawl-the-Wise how to stitch; next he forged clasps for the shoes and when gilding the clasps he taught Greidyawl how to smelt; finally he brewed the blue enamel known as Calch Lassar and treated the leather while the old hermit looked on attentively… and learned.

            And then, Gwythyr cobbled…

            “Marvellous!” said the Greidyawl-the-Wise holding up that first pair of blue and gold shoes.

He put them on and they were a perfect fit.

            “I cobbled for you,” said Gwythyr, “you must cobble for me.”

            So, Greidyawl cut, and dyed, and forged, and smelted, and stitched, and then, he cobbled…

             “Marvellous!” said Gwythyr, holding up the second pair of blue and gold shoes.

He put them on and they were a perfect fit.

            “Now what?” asked the Greidyawl-the-Wise.

            “Now, we walk and we wait,” said Gwythyr-the-Bright.

*

And that is just what they did, high and low they walked, up and down and along the paths and tracks about Sow Hill, and everywhere they walked the same question was asked of them by the folk that they met thereabouts, “Where did you get those shoes?”

For it seemed to the inhabitants of Annwn  as though the two of them together were walking about those paths and tracks wearing the brightest of summer days, wrapped around their feet.

            But every time they were asked, Gwythyr would place his forefinger across his lips, and Greidyawl would tap the side of his nose three times, and on they would walk, saying nothing in response to that question…

*