While on a religious retreat in a cave on the mountains, Collen's peace is disturbed by two men talking about Gwyn ap Nudd (king of Annwn, the Otherworld of the Mabinogi and also king of the Fairies).

Collen tells them to stop talking about devils and go away. The men warn Collen that Gwyn ap Nudd doesn't like being talked about in such an offensive way, and that they'll report Collen's behaviour to him. 

Collen receives a summons from the king to meet him on the hilltop at noon and, after many refusals, he finally goes to meet the king of the fairies, but takes a bottle of holy water with him for protection against the 'devils'.

On the hilltop, Collen finds the most beautiful castle he has ever seen, surrounded by troops, minstrels, handsome youths and gorgeous women - the people of Gwyn's court - every one dressed in a clothes of red and blue. A courtier tells him that the king is waiting to eat inside the castle, and Collen walks in.

Inside, the king sitting on his golden throne shows Collen a lavish feast given in his honour, and tempts him with the pleasures of the Otherworld, where anything he wants he may have. But Collen won't eat the king of the Fairy's food.

When the king tries to draw Collen's attention to the beauty of his soldiers and courtiers and their colourful clothes, Collen sees only evil in it - he likens the red to burning (hell) and the blue to coldness (death). He draws out his bottle of holy water and throws over the king and his courtiers and they disappear, leaving him alone on the hilltop.

Re-told by Philip Palmer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk