Queen Dindrane
Queen of the Viluthsi Dindrane fech Fann (a.k.a. Y Llw Ceidwad (The Oathkeeper)
The fierce warrior queen of the Viluthsi, a loyal and loved companion of King Arthwys. Dindrane survived the Battle of the Field of Blood and went on to mentor her grandson Morrigan who eventually would become known as "Morrigan the Dragonslayer".
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Dindrane is acclaimed in Cylch y Brenin as among the greatest fighters in King Arthwys' retinue. Dindrane's most noted skills were her archery, and javelin throwing, as well as her tactical mind and shrewd fighting style.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Dindrane, daughter of the deposed Queen Fann and her lover, the beautiful Preid who ferried his daughter away from the island Saethau, the home of the Vilusthi. When Queen Fann was deposed, the newborn Dindrane was cast adrift in a rowboat and bore stormy seas before landing off the coast of Morloi where she was taken in by a couple of fishers though, in some tales, she was taken in by a mother bear and raised alongside her cubs. In all tellings, Dindrane remained in obscurity before she made herself known in a tournament of arms and strength at Carfref during the rule of King Geraint. There, Dindrane disguised herself as a man, winning a contest of archery, a long footrace, and coming in second in a wrestling tournament, only being beaten either by the giant Carineas, the prince Einaun, or King Geraint's own son Arthwys. After being beaten, Dindrane apparently revealed herself to the audience and to King Geraint. Impressed with her skill and courage, Geraint asked her to be among his armed retinue to which she accepted.
There she lived for a time and where she is noted as having grown up alongside Prince Arthwys and among the first of his notable companions. Dindrane was further taught by Arthwys' own tutors Melion Wyllt and Ceidwad who each taught the exiled princess with Ceidwad becoming a pseudo father to her. At the age of only seventeen, Dindrane accompanied the fifteen-year-old Arthwys in his war on King Cawn for the killing of King Geraint. During the Battle of Fleyl, Dindrane is given a short list of the foes she slew, with the number reaching nearly fifty.
When the mysterious figure Gweledydd kidnapped Lady Maitemma, Dindrane was first among the followers who Arthwys chose to accompany him to the cave of Fynedfa to save her. Inside the magical cave, the group separated and Dindrane received a vision from an oak spirit imploring her to return to her homeland and ascend to the throne of her birthright. She was also told of a vague prophecy, that a time will come when she must shelter and train "Ceidwad y Cof" or "The Memory Keeper" and set them on the trail of their destiny. Returning to her companions, Dindrane regretfully bid farewell to Arthwys and the companions and set out aboard a ship to return home to Saethau.
Upon landing on the island, the imposing Dindrane called out to challenge the current Queen of the Vilusthi, Briae who is said to have slain her mother Fann. The two claimants duel and through Briae is a better duelist, Dindrane survives and throws a javelin with such strength that it pierces through Briae's armor and torso, killing her and claiming the throne of the Vilusthi. The returning princess was acclaimed by the prisoners of Briae who had supported Queen Fann and as Dindrane frees them, they acclaim her "Y Llw Ceidwad" or "the Oathkeeper". Now a ruling Queen, Dindrane recalls the exiled warriors of Saethau and rules the island justly and fairly.
Years later, Dindrane is invited to the wedding of King Arthwys' son Derun and upon returning to the court of Carfref, Dindrane is acclaimed by her old friends and the celebration in the court is raucous. It is here that, despite being married, Dindrane and Arthwys allegedly begin an affair that will produce their son Iaen. The tale of Queen Dindrane nearly comes to a close alongside that of Arthwys after she is seriously wounded by King Aligern at the Battle of the Field of Blood. Queen Dindrane is ferried to safety by her warriors and after the battle, the hobbled queen eulogizes the departed King Arthwys as well as his sons.
The last deed of Queen Dindrane is when her grandson Morrigan arrives in her court demanding to be taught the Vilusthi ways of war by her. Despite her own advanced age, Dindrane defeats Morrigan while the two train and she admonishes him for seeking glory despite being unable to beat an old woman. The tired and weary Dindrane remains her grandson's mentor, training him in all the martial skills in a very similar way to herself and Ceidwad, retelling tales of her adventures among the companions of Arthwys, and instructing him to remain valorous and brave in honor of her own departed friends. On the day that Morrigan finally bests her, Dindrane acquiesces, and remembering the prophecy in the cave of Fynedfa, Dindrane honors the youthful Morrigan and gives him her enchanted shield named "Gwarcheidwad" or Guardian, and an ax named "Taranwyr" or Thunderer, that she had forged for such an occasion. Morrigan is said to have dedicated it to his mentor and grandmother. After bidding her grandson farewell, the old Dindrane finally dies as she watches Morrigan's ship depart over the horizon simply remarking in her final moments, "Llw cadw" or "An oath kept".
There she lived for a time and where she is noted as having grown up alongside Prince Arthwys and among the first of his notable companions. Dindrane was further taught by Arthwys' own tutors Melion Wyllt and Ceidwad who each taught the exiled princess with Ceidwad becoming a pseudo father to her. At the age of only seventeen, Dindrane accompanied the fifteen-year-old Arthwys in his war on King Cawn for the killing of King Geraint. During the Battle of Fleyl, Dindrane is given a short list of the foes she slew, with the number reaching nearly fifty.
When the mysterious figure Gweledydd kidnapped Lady Maitemma, Dindrane was first among the followers who Arthwys chose to accompany him to the cave of Fynedfa to save her. Inside the magical cave, the group separated and Dindrane received a vision from an oak spirit imploring her to return to her homeland and ascend to the throne of her birthright. She was also told of a vague prophecy, that a time will come when she must shelter and train "Ceidwad y Cof" or "The Memory Keeper" and set them on the trail of their destiny. Returning to her companions, Dindrane regretfully bid farewell to Arthwys and the companions and set out aboard a ship to return home to Saethau.
Upon landing on the island, the imposing Dindrane called out to challenge the current Queen of the Vilusthi, Briae who is said to have slain her mother Fann. The two claimants duel and through Briae is a better duelist, Dindrane survives and throws a javelin with such strength that it pierces through Briae's armor and torso, killing her and claiming the throne of the Vilusthi. The returning princess was acclaimed by the prisoners of Briae who had supported Queen Fann and as Dindrane frees them, they acclaim her "Y Llw Ceidwad" or "the Oathkeeper". Now a ruling Queen, Dindrane recalls the exiled warriors of Saethau and rules the island justly and fairly.
Years later, Dindrane is invited to the wedding of King Arthwys' son Derun and upon returning to the court of Carfref, Dindrane is acclaimed by her old friends and the celebration in the court is raucous. It is here that, despite being married, Dindrane and Arthwys allegedly begin an affair that will produce their son Iaen. The tale of Queen Dindrane nearly comes to a close alongside that of Arthwys after she is seriously wounded by King Aligern at the Battle of the Field of Blood. Queen Dindrane is ferried to safety by her warriors and after the battle, the hobbled queen eulogizes the departed King Arthwys as well as his sons.
The last deed of Queen Dindrane is when her grandson Morrigan arrives in her court demanding to be taught the Vilusthi ways of war by her. Despite her own advanced age, Dindrane defeats Morrigan while the two train and she admonishes him for seeking glory despite being unable to beat an old woman. The tired and weary Dindrane remains her grandson's mentor, training him in all the martial skills in a very similar way to herself and Ceidwad, retelling tales of her adventures among the companions of Arthwys, and instructing him to remain valorous and brave in honor of her own departed friends. On the day that Morrigan finally bests her, Dindrane acquiesces, and remembering the prophecy in the cave of Fynedfa, Dindrane honors the youthful Morrigan and gives him her enchanted shield named "Gwarcheidwad" or Guardian, and an ax named "Taranwyr" or Thunderer, that she had forged for such an occasion. Morrigan is said to have dedicated it to his mentor and grandmother. After bidding her grandson farewell, the old Dindrane finally dies as she watches Morrigan's ship depart over the horizon simply remarking in her final moments, "Llw cadw" or "An oath kept".
Personality Characteristics
Virtues & Personality perks
Courageous
Honorable
Brave
Diligent
Just
Honorable
Brave
Diligent
Just
Vices & Personality flaws
Proud
Rash
Deceptive
Wrathful
Envious
Rash
Deceptive
Wrathful
Envious
Social
Family Ties
Daughter of Queen Fann and Preid
Half sister of Kan the Young
Mother of Iaen the Black
Grandmother of Meurig Danwyn and Morrigan the Dragonslayer
Half sister of Kan the Young
Mother of Iaen the Black
Grandmother of Meurig Danwyn and Morrigan the Dragonslayer
Social Aptitude
In the King's Cycle, Dindrane is often called "the sour and dour island queen" as she became well known for her stern and laconic attitude. She often butted heads with Carineas but due to the giant's own hot-headedness, the two held burgeoning respect for one another. The relationship between Dindrane and Queen Maitemma was an interesting one as Bedwyr describes Dindrane as "Swooned by the Queen, yet silent in her admiration." What this means could be that Dindrane was jealous of Arthwys for she had fallen in love with his wife. Her affair with Arthwys after she returns to Carfref could be seen as a way for her to try to attract the Queen's attention, though this seems to have not been the case.
Relationships
Ethnicity
Circumstances of Birth
Daughter of Queen Fann and Preid
Circumstances of Death
Died of old age on the island of Scathau
Birthplace
Scathau
Place of Death
Scathau
Spouses
Arthwys the Eternal King
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Long, Curly and Red
Quotes & Catchphrases
"In youth, I rowdily answered the call to war, now I answer the call of the morning and greet the day as if it will be my final."
Character Prototype
Scathach and Hippolyta
Comments