Woman of Flowers

Cue-sheet for Rhagnell

(Arianrhod) Once again there's a war to be fought.
 
(Llew) Rhagnell. Rhagnell!
(1, 1) 78 I'm coming.
(Llew) Rhagnell!
 
(Llew) Rhagnell!
(1, 1) 81 My Lord?
(Llew) Where's Blodeuwedd? In her chamber?
 
(Llew) Where's Blodeuwedd? In her chamber?
(1, 1) 83 Her chamber? Ha! Never by choice.
(1, 1) 84 I saw her walk towards the river in the woods.
(Llew) Go to her, and tell her this: my gifts for Math are ready.
 
(Llew) Gwydion and all the soldiers shall accompany me.
(1, 1) 88 And she's to remain here?
(Llew) Yes. She'd better hurry if she wants to say goodbye.
 
(Llew) Yes. She'd better hurry if she wants to say goodbye.
(1, 1) 90 I'll tell her.
(Arianrhod) {Voice from off.}
 
(Blodeuwedd) He didn't listen. He doesn't see.
(1, 1) 241 Three days, no more.
(Blodeuwedd) That's all it took to make me. How much less
 
(Blodeuwedd) Llew too fears the future. And he fears me.
(1, 1) 245 What makes you say that, child?
(Blodeuwedd) Before you came to seek me, in the woods,
 
(Blodeuwedd) I could hear them talking.
(1, 1) 248 Him and Gwydion. From the woods?
(Blodeuwedd) I have a kestrel's eye, a bat's ear.
 
(Blodeuwedd) I have a kestrel's eye, a bat's ear.
(1, 1) 250 Don't tell me that you can fly as well.
(Blodeuwedd) In my dreams I do.
 
(Blodeuwedd) In my dreams I do.
(1, 1) 252 We all do that. Even me. Who's too old to run
(1, 1) 253 Or to even see my path as I used to.
(Blodeuwedd) Why did they give me you as a maid?
 
(Blodeuwedd) Why did they give me you as a maid?
(1, 1) 255 What I lack in steadiness I make up for with wisdom.
(1, 1) 256 Gwydion knows that. I have the knowledge that you lack.
(Blodeuwedd) Llew hates his mother. I know that.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Llew hates his mother. I know that.
(1, 1) 258 No. But she resents him. And he despairs.
(Blodeuwedd) You know her history. Perhaps that's why
 
(Blodeuwedd) Gwydion chose you. You're meant to tell me.
(1, 1) 261 Her history is that shame begets shame.
(Blodeuwedd) How? I need you to tell me.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Who am I, Rhagnell?
(1, 1) 266 You're woman, Blodeuwedd.
(1, 1) 267 That gives you enough past
(1, 1) 268 And future to carry with you.
 
(1, 1) 270 I'll tell you about Arianrhod's shame.
(1, 1) 271 It will make you marvel at the world you've entered.
(1, 1) 272 Arianrhod and Gwydion grew up in the court
(1, 1) 273 Of their uncle, the Great King Math.
(1, 1) 274 So did their brother Gilfaethwy, an evil one, by all accounts.
(1, 1) 275 King Math had a foot maid. A young innocent.
(1, 1) 276 Gilfaethwy raped her. The brute. And apparently
(1, 1) 277 With Gwydion's help. Though I find that hard to believe.
(1, 1) 278 As punishment the brothers were banished to the woods,
(1, 1) 279 And turned into animals. I've heard it said
(1, 1) 280 They were forced to mate with each other
(1, 1) 281 And became father and mother to various beasts.
(1, 1) 282 After three years, their penance done, they returned to Math's court.
(Blodeuwedd) And Arianrhod?
 
(Blodeuwedd) And Arianrhod?
(1, 1) 284 Gwydion proposed her as Math's new foot maid.
(1, 1) 285 He accepted. But first, to prove her virginity
(1, 1) 286 Before the assembled court she had to step over a magic wand.
(1, 1) 287 Imagine her shock when during the test
(1, 1) 288 She gave birth to a sturdy boy.
(1, 1) 289 Math named him Dylan and he ran from the fortress
(1, 1) 290 Till he found the sea and swam away.
(1, 1) 291 In shame Arianrhod ran from the court but as she ran
(1, 1) 292 Something small dropped from her womb.
(1, 1) 293 Arianrhod didn't pause to look at it.
(1, 1) 294 Gwydion picked the thing up and secreted it in a chest
(1, 1) 295 In his chamber where it survived and grew.
(Blodeuwedd) And became Llew?
 
(Blodeuwedd) And became Llew?
(1, 1) 297 He did. Gwydion adopted him.
(1, 1) 298 In her anger Arianrhod cursed the boy and decreed
(1, 1) 299 He wouldn't have a name or weapons or a wife.
(Blodeuwedd) My part in this.
 
(Blodeuwedd) My part in this.
(1, 1) 301 Yes, Gwydion has spent his life
(1, 1) 302 Righting the wrongs Llew suffered.
(1, 1) 303 Gilfaethwy died. No one mourned him.
(1, 1) 304 Arianrhod lives alone, outside society.
(Blodeuwedd) Poor Arianrhod. And that little foot maid.
 
(Blodeuwedd) The women fared badly in this history.
(1, 1) 307 Now Blodeuwedd, has that helped
(1, 1) 308 You forget your own small despair?
(Blodeuwedd) No Rhagnell. It's reminded me
 
(Blodeuwedd) My lord has gone away!
(1, 1) 313 Why should you be afraid? This is your fortress.
(1, 1) 314 These are your lands and here your word is law.
(1, 1) 315 There's no one here who doesn't love you.
(1, 1) 316 I would lay down my life for you if need be.
(Blodeuwedd) No. It's not men I fear
 
(Blodeuwedd) My lord has gone away!
(1, 1) 320 What is this?
(1, 1) 321 I've heard you countless times wanting to flee
(1, 1) 322 And heard you curse the man who made you wife.
(1, 1) 323 Why this change?
(Blodeuwedd) You'll never understand my agony.
 
(Blodeuwedd) That's why I fear. What's that noise?
(1, 1) 335 Someone far off hunting in the woods.
(Blodeuwedd) My lord's gone away. Between us
 
(Blodeuwedd) When this harm falls upon us.
(1, 1) 346 That hunt's getting closer. You can see them now.
(Blodeuwedd) Yes. They're in full cry. Look!
 
(Blodeuwedd) I could love a hunter –
(1, 1) 355 Why d'you think they've stopped?
(Blodeuwedd) The horses are exhausted, the stag's escaped.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Where are they from d'you think?
(1, 1) 359 Shouldn't we offer them shelter for the night?
(1, 1) 360 They're looking at our fort. Turning their horses
(1, 1) 361 Towards us. Blodeuwedd?
(Blodeuwedd) Yes, offer them shelter. Food. Wine.
 
(Blodeuwedd) As dusk unseats the day.
(1, 1) 366 Lady, this is how you should be,
(1, 1) 367 Full of warmth and welcome. I'll go
(1, 1) 368 And talk to their lord. You, stay light of heart
(1, 1) 369 Set sorrows aside.
(Blodeuwedd) My beating breast, has the hour come?
 
(Blodeuwedd) A much more fitting match for mine.
(1, 1) 384 Lady, Gronw Pebr, Lord of Penllyn
(1, 1) 385 Is the man. He waits to greet you.
(Blodeuwedd) How barren are those words. A brazen bugle
 
(Arianrhod) But over cold custom now feverish needs holds sway.
(2, 2) 690 I was looking to the North. I saw
(2, 2) 691 Dust clouds on the horizon. Llew's approaching.
(Blodeuwedd) What shall we do?
 
(Blodeuwedd) What shall we do?
(2, 2) 693 Three days and nights you and Penllyn's lord
(2, 2) 694 Have lain here. Now we must hide
(2, 2) 695 All these traces of your loving.
(Blodeuwedd) Could you kill for love, sweet Rhagnell?
 
(Blodeuwedd) Could you kill for love, sweet Rhagnell?
(2, 2) 697 Killing and loving are opposites.
(Blodeuwedd) Not always.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Not always.
(2, 2) 699 In so many ways you're still a child
(2, 2) 700 And what does a child know?
(Blodeuwedd) Its own mind.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Its own mind.
(2, 2) 702 Let's hide these things away, then
(2, 2) 703 I'll prepare food and drink.
(Blodeuwedd) For whom?
 
(Blodeuwedd) For whom?
(2, 2) 705 For you and your lord, your husband.
(Blodeuwedd) And serve them to us in a grave.
 
(Blodeuwedd) And serve them to us in a grave.
(2, 2) 707 Come, Lady, make ready to receive him.
(2, 2) 708 I'll go and greet him.
(Blodeuwedd) Yes, go. Tell him my secret too.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Yes, go. Tell him my secret too.
(2, 2) 710 Do you think I'd betray you?
(Blodeuwedd) You're born of a woman's womb, like him.
 
(Blodeuwedd) You're born of a woman's womb, like him.
(2, 2) 712 And I'm also your maid for as long as I draw breath.
(Blodeuwedd) No, no. You shan't mock me. I know
 
(Blodeuwedd) But you're a woman and I can never chain you.
(2, 2) 717 A different chain ties me.
(Blodeuwedd) Yes, you have your chains. These ribbons
 
(Blodeuwedd) Wise and mute, forever the guardian of my secret.
(2, 2) 726 You're hurting me. Do you want to kill me?
(Blodeuwedd) I want to tie up this fragile neck with this silk,
 
(Blodeuwedd) To a deeper sleep than I've experienced ever.
(2, 2) 735 Alive or dead, I won't betray you.
(Blodeuwedd) You won't get that chance, old woman;
 
(Blodeuwedd) In case you're ever tempted.
(2, 2) 739 He's here.
(Llew) I've arrived sooner than expected?
 
(Blodeuwedd) Here's your chance.
(2, 2) 758 Master, since Blodeuwedd first came to Ardudwy
(2, 2) 759 I've been at her side, day and night.
(2, 2) 760 I never saw a tear stain her cheek
(2, 2) 761 Nor well up in her eye. She kept her own counsel
(2, 2) 762 And reined in emotion. But the day
(2, 2) 763 You left here, I found her
(2, 2) 764 Lying here, wailing and weeping,
(2, 2) 765 Her body racked by loss and worry.
(2, 2) 766 The only answer I could prise from her
(2, 2) 767 To all my questions was "My Lord has left".
(Llew) Oh, wife, why wasn't I
 
(Llew) With security and strength
(2, 2) 884 Master, Mistress... there's food prepared.
(Llew) I'll come. Let's feast today
 
(Blodeuwedd) Rhagnell, I thought of killing you.
(2, 2) 894 Yes Lady.
(Blodeuwedd) Then why didn't you betray me?
 
(Blodeuwedd) Then why didn't you betray me?
(2, 2) 896 You're a woman, so am I.
(2, 2) 897 Another woman's secret is safe with me.
(Blodeuwedd) I can't understand humankind. You act
 
(Blodeuwedd) Perhaps you love me?
(2, 2) 901 You're innocent, like a child.
(2, 2) 902 And like a child, destructive, petulant.
(2, 2) 903 To know you is to feel sympathy for you.
(2, 2) 904 I was given to you as your handmaiden.
(2, 2) 905 As long as I live I'll be loyal to you.
(Blodeuwedd) Forgive me. I know you're wise
 
(Blodeuwedd) Will you be my messenger to the Lord of Penllyn?
(2, 2) 910 Of course.
(Blodeuwedd) Tell him this:
 
(Blodeuwedd) Go, hurry, that no one sees you.
(2, 2) 919 Is that all?
(Blodeuwedd) That's all.
 
(Blodeuwedd) That's all.
(2, 2) 921 If he asks about you?
(Blodeuwedd) Tell him how happy Llew is, and that today
 
(Gwydion) I'll heal my son without your help.
(4, 2) 1333 A traveller came from the north today
(4, 2) 1334 From Nantlle. He told us a strange story.
(Blodeuwedd) Nantlle. I don't know any of these places.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Nantlle. I don't know any of these places.
(4, 2) 1336 Not far from Caer Arianrhod.
(Blodeuwedd) And the story?
 
(Blodeuwedd) And the story?
(4, 2) 1338 Answer me first. Have you seen Llew's grave?
(Blodeuwedd) No.
 
(Blodeuwedd) No.
(4, 2) 1340 Has Gronw?
(Blodeuwedd) I don't know. I don't think there is a headstone. Why?
 
(Blodeuwedd) I don't know. I don't think there is a headstone. Why?
(4, 2) 1342 There's comfort in a grave. It signifies a death.
(4, 2) 1343 Headstones on enemies' graves give the living a sounder sleep.
(Blodeuwedd) You needn't worry. Gronw's a sound enough sleeper.
 
(Blodeuwedd) You needn't worry. Gronw's a sound enough sleeper.
(4, 2) 1345 Is his sleep as sound as Llew's by the goat trough?
(Blodeuwedd) What do you mean?
 
(Blodeuwedd) What do you mean?
(4, 2) 1347 That's where Llew Llaw Gyffes was killed wasn't it?
(4, 2) 1348 But I've not heard anyone say they buried him.
(4, 2) 1349 Perhaps one of his soldiers stole the body?
(4, 2) 1350 Strange that Gwydion never came from Caer Dathl
(4, 2) 1351 Nor one of Arfon's bards to mourn above the grave.
(Blodeuwedd) You suspect that Llew Llaw Gyffes is alive?
 
(Blodeuwedd) You suspect that Llew Llaw Gyffes is alive?
(4, 2) 1353 That's what I was told by the man from Nantlle.
(4, 2) 1354 Gwydion fought against the poison for Llew's life.
(4, 2) 1355 And saved him. The man had seen Llew with his own eyes
(4, 2) 1356 In Caer Dathl's stables, or so he claims.
(4, 2) 1357 He's alive today, and well again. He's on his way here.
(4, 2) 1358 He has a score to settle with Gronw Pebr.
(Blodeuwedd) Ha! I've been expecting this.
 
(Blodeuwedd) Ha! I've been expecting this.
(4, 2) 1360 You've been expecting it, lady? Since when?
(Blodeuwedd) Since a year ago this day. Since the lands
 
(Blodeuwedd) Of Penllyn and Ardudwy were united.
(4, 2) 1363 You believe it's true? If that's the case
(4, 2) 1364 Gronw must make his escape, yourself too.
(Blodeuwedd) Did you hear Gronw?
 
(Gronw) Ready for your journey to Penllyn.
(4, 2) 1394 Is this the end of our time in Ardudwy?
(4, 2) 1395 My days here are over?
(Gronw) Yes. Your duties here are done. You must leave.
 
(Gronw) Yes. Your duties here are done. You must leave.
(4, 2) 1397 If that's your decision, I'll go.