The Birth Legend

[Victoria]

There is a legend that circulates among the Guardians and the Gewin. Some believe it, others disregard it as myth. It is referred to by the Guardian as The Birth Legend; the Gewin simply call it "the story". Most agree that it has been altered through the centuries, passed down through storytelling, but this is how it stands now.

Once, many centuries ago, the valley was called Branwen's Cauldron. It was as fertile then as now; as such, it was highly coveted by the people who lived there. Another tribe once invaded, and for many years fought to take the land from those who owned it. Ages of war turned them bitter against one another, and no love was lost between them.

The chieftain of valley tribe had a beautiful daughter named Selene. The girl was one day walking alone in the fields, seeking wildflowers, when she came upon a young man asleep. He was a glorious youth, with golden hair and long lashes. She loved him instantly. He was Dymion, a hunter of the invading tribe, the son of their wise woman, but her heart would not be denied. She woke him gently with kisses, and when he saw her he felt the stab of love as well. They courted and, eventually, exchanged marriage vows in secret.

After a time, it became apparent that Selene was with child. Her father was furious. He went to the River Branwen -- always the friend of his tribe and enemy to his foes -- which whispered to him the name of Dymion. The chieftain sent a messenger to his enemies, demanding Dymion's head in compensation for his misdeed. They refused, flinging insults instead. The war continued, bloodier than ever. Dymion and Selene were forced to stay apart while their child grew in her belly.

Months passed, and at long last the son of Dymion was born. The night before, Selene had met with Dymion in a dream and they had planned to meet at the edge of the woods when their child was born, and flee the valley. As soon as the child was free from her womb, Selene left her village under the cover of night and made her way to the edge of the forest, where Dymion was waiting. Together they ran, hoping to find a place where they could raise their child in safety.

Thinking the baby an abomination, the chieftain asked the spirits to find him and take him from the earth. The spirits had been watching the affairs of the humans, and were not pleased with the way things were going. The spirits of nature, as everyone knows, are as partial to lovers as they are to war. They went to the couple, appearing in the form of a wolf and a wildcat. The parents begged for their child's life, offering their own in compensation. The spirits took pity and granted their wish -- in a flash of light, the babe was the only remaining human in the valley.

The people of Selene became felines and the people of Dymion became wolves. Selene's people were commanded to protect the child and his kind as they had failed to do before, and Dymion's people were sentenced to sacrifice the fertile land in favor of exile to the forest, a punishment for their greed.

Dymion and Selene were taken into the heavens, where they still take turns watching over the children of men, like good parents do.

Those who believe in the legend agree that Dymion peers through the sun and Selene watches by the light of the moon. The Guardians call the howling of the Gewin "the great apology", a plea of forgiveness to Selene.

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