The High King

by Lloyd Alexander

     Arawn steals Dyrnwyn from Gwydion by appearing as Taran, calling our for help in the midst of a battle, Gwydion sets off with the companions to regain the powerful sword, despite an ominous prophecy from Hen Wen.  Gwydion, Taran, Coll, and Gurgi enter the hall of King Smoit, only to discover that it has been captured by Magg.  He throws them in a store room with Smoit as captives.  Fflewddur, Eilonwy, Rhun, and their unwilling assistants, Glew (the former giant) and Gwystyl (one of the Fair Folk on his way to report to King Eiddileg) launch a rescue operation, which goes awry but is saved by Prince Rhun.  Unfortunately, he dies in the process of saving everyone.  

     Nevertheless, Gwydion and Taran rush to rally Prydain for the final face-off against Arawn Death-Lord.  Taran is assigned to recruit the Commot folk.  He engages in battle with a band of raiders and defeats them, but then discovers that they burned Merin and killed the villagers, including Annlaw Clay-Shaper.  

     At Caer Dathyl, the companions meet the Chief Bard, Taliesin, who shows them the Hall of Lore.  King Pryderi arrives with his army, but rather than joining the coalition, he turns traitor and prepares for battle.  The coalition is winning until Pryderi's army is reinforced by the arrival of the deathless Cauldron-Born.  King Math dies as Caer Dathyl falls; even so, hope is not lost.  The coalition must race to attack Annuvin before the Cauldron-Born return.  Gwydion, now the High King, takes the main force to the ships that the Sons of Don used to sail from the Summer Country.  Taran leads a smaller force to attempt to hinder the Cauldron-Born as they travel by land.

     As Taran's force delays the Cauldron-Born, Coll dies in battle.  Along the way, they are aided by the bears and wolves, as well as a group of Fair Folk led by Doli.  When they come upon a group of Huntsmen one night, Doli proposes that they cut down trees, pile them on a frozen lake that feeds a waterfall, and burn them to release the water on the ravine of Huntsmen.

     During the final battle for Annuvin, Taran discovers Dyrnwyn atop Mount Dragon as he takes on the Cauldron-Born.  When he thrusts Dyrnwyn into one of them, they are all killed.

     After the companions return to Caer Dallben, Gwydion informs them that all the Sons of Don must now depart from Prydain, along with all magic.  Taran decides to stay and help rebuild Prydain.  He will have the help of the secret knowledge once stolen by Arawn, which was recovered by Gurgi. During the night, Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch appear to him as three beautiful women to give him their weaving, which is the unfinished tapestry of his life. Eilonwy mourns the fact she must leave only because she is an enchantress, Dallben informs her she can stay if she uses her ring to wish away her powers, which she cheerfully does.