Merlin meets Sweeney

Myrddin, the Old Welsh character on whom Geoffrey of Monmouth's Merlin was based, is a much more intriguing character than the medieval reinvention Merlin. Myrddin was part of the great battle of Arfderydd, "One of the three senseless battles of the Island of Briton" and afterwards was driven mad by a sense of guilt. He fled to the woods and there met the Irishman Sweeney. Myrddin has a sacred apple tree that hides him from all his enemies and a piglet who he talks to. Sweeney is also mad and so he agrees to stay with Myrddin for a year. He then departs and leaves Myrddin alone again