| Taran (character) |
Article Index for Taran |
Information AboutTaran (character) |
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He is instrumental in assisting Gwydion in defeating Achren , the Horned King, and Arawn , and in destroying the Black Cauldron. In the last book, he becomes High King of Prydain . Taran was a foundling discovered by Dallben amongst the slaughter on a battlefield. Dallben brought the baby to be raised and educated at the small hamlet of Caer Dallben, where he would be protected by Dallben, the famed enchanter, and Coll, an aged warrior turned farmer. As Taran grew up he became restless and longed for adventures beyond the borders of Caer Dallben. His time would eventually come when, just after being granted the position of Assistant Pig Keeper to Hen Wen, Dallben's oracular pig, the animal escapes her enclosure. Taran follows her and soon finds himself caught up in an epic struggle that will determine the fate of the land of Prydain. During his adventures he befriends the great Prince Gwydion, is captured by the witch Queen Achren, meets (and eventually falls in love with) the enchantress Princess Eilonwy and helps to free the ancient sword Dyrnwyn from Achren's clutches, an event that will set in motion the war that could bring out the Death Lord, Arawn's, ultimate defeat. Taran's furthur adventures see him leading armies against the Death Lord, Arawn, meeting a trio of witches, attempting to rescue the kidnapped Eilonwy and struggling to come to terms with his own past. Eventually he proves his worth, both as a soldier and a man, and helps to defeat Arawn in pitched battle. It is only after this that Dallben and Gwydion reveal to him that he has earned more than his honor, but has also earned the title of High King of Prydain. Taran, it turns out, has fulfilled an old prophecy which stated that someone of no known birth would eventually rise up and, after defeating the Death Lord, have proven his worth enough to wear the crown. Taran, the only survivor of a long ago battle, has done just that. With Eilonwy as his Queen, Taran assumes the throne and rules with justice and wisdom till the end of his days. Like many figures in the series, Taran's name is derived from the Mabinogion , where his is named as the father of a man named Glineu. Taran is the Welsh word for thunder, and may be related to the Gaulish god Taranis . |
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