The Man and the Morgen: A Novelette

by Alyssa Roat

Ceridwen the morgen loves her llamhigyddion y dŵr more than life itself, and she will do anything to protect the habitat of the winged froglike creatures--including drown the men who keep intruding upon their home.

Human Bran's village suffers from drought, until the men come up with a plan to create an irrigation canal running from a secluded lake down to the crops of the local villages. If only Bran were better at digging ditches, like his brawnier brothers, he might feel less like a disappointment.

Unbeknownst to Bran and his fellow men, the lake they've selected is home to Ceridwen and her beloved creatures. Ceri won't let mankind touch her lake, and Bran sees killing the unknown water monster as a way to prove his worth to his family. When the two clash and worlds collide, will any survive?

Genres: Fantasy

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Alyssa Roat lives in the cornfields of Indiana, but she hopes to soon discover a portal to a fantasy world where she will run a bookshop for magical creatures. For now, she is a multi-published author and has worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as an agent, editor, writer, and publicist. She has four black cats who allegedly have never been fed in their lives and occasionally help her write by walking across the keyboard. Her name is a pun, which means you can learn more about her at www.alyssawrote.com or on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as @alyssawrote.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I love Welsh legends, and I loved this story. A water morgen, Ceridwen, is trying to protect her fellow water creatures and their lake from a group of men seeking to divert water from the lake into an irrigation canal. However, the boy sent to kill the lake "monster" is entranced by her, and curiosity leads him to look deeper into her story. The book is charming and has very timely themes. I plan to read more of the author's books!

[Megan Alms Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of reading this pre-release, and I’ll be getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as possible. Ceridwen and Bran’s story is all at once tender and heart-wrenching. I was mesmerized by this story and its world, not in small part due to the stunning prose. If you’re looking to be swept away to a land brimming with hidden myth for an hour or so, this book is made for you.

[Alexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully written novelette. I truly enjoyed every second of reading this! It was tragic and utterly breathtaking all at the same time. Our FMC, Ceridwen is a morgen who has assigned herself the role as keeper and protector of the llamhigyddion y dŵr. In order to keep them safe in their lake she has no choice but to kill the men who want to destroy their home. Meanwhile, Bran is helping his family and village who are suffering from drought. Ceridwen will do anything to protect her friends while Bran seeks to destroy the monster killing their men in order to prove himself and help his village.

This really was a tale of human vs. nature and doing what one believes is right even if it completely destroys someone or something else. Each choice that is made has a consequence and dictates the outcome long after the choice has been made. This was such a deep thought provoking book that ties in Welsh legends, love, and loss. You are immersed in this world right away and though it is a short book I feel like it conveyed such a strong and profoundly powerful message that I think many people will appreciate! Truly, so beautifully written and I definitely recommend! Thank you to the author for hosting this giveaway on Goodreads and giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this masterpiece!

[Maureen Kesterson-Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for letting me read an advanced copy!

"The Man and the Morgen" is a beautifully written piece that made me think about the consequences of humans on the nature around us and how our choices will affect generations to come. The prose is well done and transports you into the story and the inner thoughts of the two main characters.

[Lavender]

Placeholder.

I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting story based on Welsh lore. There is both beauty and sadness contained in these pages. A perfect short read.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love a beautiful tragedy and oh how this delivers. A calm and majestic tale, one that ends before it ever truly began.