Category: prydain recaps

It’s springtime at Caer Dallben, but Taran’s not in the mood to enjoy it. Coll good-naturedly teases him about pining for Eilonwy. Taran says he has to talk to Dallben about something important, and ignores Coll’s warnings that Dallben has weighty things on his mind …

Last year, I started recapping Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain series chapter by chapter, as a way to indulge my fandom and remember what it was like when I read the books for the first time. So far, I’ve made it through three books in the series …

Eilonwy awakens, and answers Taran’s anxious “Do you know us?” by addressing him as “Taran of Caer Dallben” and saying that “only an Assistant Pig-Keeper could ask a question like that.” So her memory’s back and she’s fine, yay! She tells the companions the story …

Achren runs screaming from the hall with Gwydion and Fflewddur in pursuit. Taran, assisted by Gurgi and Rhun, lifts Eilonwy and carries her out of the flaming chamber. Fflewddur returns to announce that Magg has opened the sea gates, and the water comes rushing in, …

Poor Rhun realizes his mistake immediately, and turns away in dismay. Achren says all she needs to fulfill her plans are the book of spells and the Pelydryn, and she commands Gwydion to turn them over. Gwydion says they are well-hidden and out of her …

Eilonwy seems to have completely lost her memory. She introduces herself formally, and asks Taran again who he is. He says she’s dreaming and implores her to wake up. She says yes, she was dreaming, before he so rudely awakened her: “A pleasant dream – …

Gwydion steps out of the shadows, still in his shoemaker’s disguise, with Kaw perched on his shoulder. Rhun asks where his sandals are. Taran quickly whispers to him – like, no dude, be cool, this guy is a Prince of Don – which cracks me …

Taran thanks Rhun for saving their lives, and asked how he managed to climb down into the cavern. An apologetic Rhun says he didn’t climb, just jumped, and now he’s afraid he’s trapped them again. Taran says they can form a ladder like last time, …

Having trapped the companions, Glew apologizes from the other side of the stone. He says he only asks one thing of them: to help him brew a potion that will change him back to normal size. Fflewddur protests that he can’t force them to be …

The giant, Glew, rises to his feet. He’s three times Taran’s height, and commands them again to “Tremble!” Fflewddur is like, “I don’t need to be told!” and Gurgi covers his face and wails. The giant is impressed that they are in fact shaking in …