Lloyd Alexander - Chronicles of Prydain 3 - The Castle of Ly.pdf

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2001-11-25
The Chronicles of Prydain
Book Three
THE CASTLE OF LLYR
Lloyd Alexander
Copyright © 1966
ISBN No. 0-440-41125-4
Published by
Bantam Doubleday
Dell Books for Young Readers
April, 1990
Author's Note
I N THIS CHRONICLE OF PRYDAIN ,
following The Book of Three and The Black
Cauldron , what befalls the heroine is as important,
and perilous, as the hero's own quest. Princess
Eilonwy of the red-gold hair does much more than
face the unavoidable (and, in her view, absolutely
unnecessary) ordeal of becoming a young lady. As
Dallben, the old enchanter, warns: "For each of us
comes a time when we must be more than what we
are." And this holds true for princesses as well as
assistant pig-keepers.
The Castle of Llyr is, in a sense, more romantic
than the preceding chronicles--- Taran is noticeably
aware of his feelings toward Eilonwy. And it is
sometimes more comic--- for example, the utter
despair of the companions in trying to cope with
the well-meaning but hapless Prince Rhun. The
mood, perhaps, is bittersweet rather than grandly
heroic. But the adventure should hold something
beyond the fairy-tale elements of a magic golden
bauble, a vengeful queen, a mysterious castle, and
rivals for the hand of a princess. The nature of
fantasy allows happenings which reveal most
clearly our own frailties and our own strengths. The
inhabitants of Prydain are fantasy figures; I hope
they are also very human.
Prydain itself, however, is entirely imaginary.
Mona, background for The Castle of Llyr , is the
ancient Welsh name of the island of Anglesey. But
this background is not drawn with a mapmaker's
accuracy. My hope, instead, is to create the feeling,
not the fact, of the land of Wales and its legends.
Some readers may indignantly question the
fate of several villains in this tale, especially that of
one of the most reprehensible scoundrels in
Prydain. I should point out that while The Castle of
Llyr , like the previous books, can stand as a
chronicle in its own right, certain events in it have
far-reaching consequences. Beyond that, I will hint
no further but only recommend one of the more
difficult virtues: patience.
-L.A.
Chapter 1
Prince Rhun
E ILONWY OF THE red-gold hair, the Princess
Eilonwy Daughter of Angharad Daughter of Regat
of the Royal House of Llyr, was leaving Caer
Dallben. Dallben himself had so ordered it; and
though Taran's heart was suddenly and strangely
heavy, he knew there was no gainsaying the old
enchanter's words.
On the spring morning set for Eilonwy's
departure, Taran saddled the horses and led them
from the stable. The Princess, looking desperately
cheerful, had wrapped her few belongings in a
small bundle slung from her shoulder. At her neck
hung a fine chain and crescent moon of silver; on
her finger she wore a ring of ancient
craftsmanship; and in the fold of her cloak she
carried another of her most prized possessions: the
golden sphere that shone at her command with a
light brighter than a flaming torch.
Dallben, whose face was more careworn than
usual and whose back was bowed as though under
a heavy burden, embraced the girl at the cottage
door. "You shall always have a place in Caer
Dallben," he said, "and a larger one in my heart.
But, alas, raising a young lady is a mystery beyond
even an enchanter's skill. I have had," he added
with a quick smile, "difficulties enough raising an
Assistant Pig-Keeper.
"I wish you a fair voyage to the Isle of Mona,"
Dallben went on. "King Rhuddlum and Queen
Teleria are kindly and gracious. They are eager to
stand in your family's stead and serve as your
protectors, and from Queen Teleria you shall learn
how a princess should behave."
"What!" cried Eilonwy. "I don't care about
being a princess! And since I'm already a young
lady, how else could I behave? That's like asking a
fish to learn how to swim!"
"Hem!" Dallben said wryly. "I have never seen
a fish with skinned knees, torn robe, and unshod
feet. They would ill become him, as they ill become
you." He set a gnarled hand gently on Eilonwy's
shoulder. "Child, child, do you not see? For each of
us comes a time when we must be more than what
we are." He turned now to Taran. "Watch over her
carefully," he said. "I have certain misgivings about
letting you and Gurgi go with her, but if it will ease
your parting, so be it."
"The Princess Eilonwy shall go safely to Mona,"
Taran answered.
"And you," said Dallben, "return safely. My
heart will not be at ease until you do." He
embraced the girl again and went quickly into the
cottage.
It had been decided that Coll would accompany
them to Great Avren harbor and lead back the
horses. The stout old warrior, already mounted,
waited patiently. Shaggy-haired Gurgi, astride his
pony, looked as mournful as an owl with a stomach
ache. Kaw, the tame crow, perched in unwonted
silence on T aran's saddle. Taran helped Eilonwy
mount Lluagor, her favorite steed, then swung to
the back of Melynlas, his silver-maned stallion.
Leaving Caer Dallben behind, the little band set
out across the soft hills toward Avren. Side by side

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