SYNOPSIS:

After a group of his best spies are humiliated by “Rhiannon” – a pagan witch who protects the forests of Wales – the King of England Edward the First, invades the country to bring the independent-minded Welsh under his thumb. In a vicious battle, King Edward chases Rhiannon into a sacred meadow that lies at the heart of the woods. Cornered, Rhiannon unleashes a spell of black magic that drives King Edward off, but the black magic inadvertently kills his wife back in London and causes Rhiannon to fall into a magic trance. Awaking after ten years, Rhiannon finds her son, Pryderi, is now a man and in service to King Llywellyn, the leader of Wales. Rhiannon discovers that she’s been cursed by the black magic too. She cannot stray far from her woods or become emotional without becoming possessed by a “dark” demonic version of herself. Meanwhile, back in London, King Edward’s son, Prince Jon hears rumors of “the return of Rhiannon” and vows to get revenge for his late mother. Against his father’s wishes, Prince Jon travels in secret to Wales, hoping to discover the whereabouts of Rhiannon and kill her. However, when he’s shipwrecked by a storm, he’s rescued from the sea by Welsh peasants. Recovering in the Welsh village, Prince Jon learns that Rhiannon lives in the nearby woods. Rhiannon, meanwhile, tries to lift her “dark curse” by consulting with spirits in the sacred meadow. The spirits tell her that the only way to stop black magic is through “true love.” Rhiannon misinterprets the message and casts a spell, disguising herself as a local girl. She seduces Prince Jon at the harvest festival. But when he learns her identity, he’s horrified and tries to kill her. Rhiannon almost kills Prince Jon, but is able to contain her “dark side” long enough for him to escape. King Edward has the wayward Prince Jon captured by his spies and brought to him. Although he’s furious with his impulsive son, King Edward needs Jon’s help. He’s tricked King Llywellyn into starting a war against England and has a secret army lying in wait to attack the Welsh army. Rhiannon is shown a vision of Wales’ impending doom by her “dark self”. She tries to warn her son and King Llywellyn. However, the proud king won’t take her advice. Instead, he attacks the English army. Rhiannon does all she can, using her powers to fight against English, but she’s afraid to unleash her full magic because her dark side will take over. She hesitates when she has a chance to kill Prince Jon because of guilt over what she’s already done to him. In the ensuing battle, the English defeat the Welsh army, killing both King Llywellyn and her son, Pryderi. Rhiannon is taken prisoner and told she will be burned as a witch. During the night, Prince Jon comes to her and tells her that the horror of war has taught him an important life lesson. Prince Jon forgives Rhiannon, but she’s visited by her “dark self” during the night and shown a vision of the future where men and machines destroy the forests of Wales. Rhiannon’s dark self tells her that the only way to stop the English is to unleash a plague that will kill almost the entire population of Wales and England. At the moment of truth during her execution, however, Rhiannon refuses to unleash the spell since it will kill the Welsh peasants. In forgoing hatred, Rhiannon discovers that “true love” lies in loving everyone, even her enemies. Her body is destroyed by the fire, but Rhiannon’s spirit lies on, becoming an ethereal protector of the woods. In the final, scene she’s seen by a modern girl who’s planting trees to restore the woods. The modern girl sees Rhiannon riding her horse in the moonlight in the sacred meadow.