The High King

STORY

The story begins as Taran, the raven Kaw, and his companion Gurgi return to Caer Dallben in time to find that Princess Eilonwy , the love of his life, has returned to him. After Taran's adventure of self-discovery in Taran Wanderer , he realized that all he wants to do now is be with Eilonwy, even if he isn't of noble blood.

Before he confesses his feelings to her, however, companion and bard-king Fflewddur Fflam interrupted along with an injured Gwydion, Prince of Don. It is later discovered that Arawn, using Taran's form as a guise, tricked Fflewddur and Gwydion into an ambush and has taken the dark sword Dyrnwyn from him. Due to the nature of this event, as the dark sword is pivotal to the downfall of Arawn, Dallben uses Hen Wen to divine what to do. However, Hen Wen's prophecies are vague at best, and the last reading causes the letter sticks themselves to burst and break.

As the companions are once again gathered, it is revealed that war now looms on the horizon. Taran and his companions, under the Banner of the White Pig (made of an embroidery Eilonwy presented to Taran on their reunion), begin to go through the lands Taran had recently wandered through in his past adventures in an effort to gather supporters for the coming battles ahead. However, the betrayal of a former ally to Caer Dathyl, castle of the Prydain High King Math, leads to the downfall of the High King and a major victory for the forces of Annuvin.

Under the leadership of the new High King, Gwydion, the remaining loyal forces march on Annuvin in a last effort to stop Arawn. Eventually, the prophecies of Hen Wen are coming true, leading up to Taran finding Drynwyn in a hidden cache on Mount Dragon. The sword comes free from its sheath in his hand for the first time, (the words on it, previously unintelligible, come into full view stating that the weapon could only be handled by one of noble ''worth'' rather than noble birth) and he uses it to deal the killing blow to the once-invincible Cauldron-Born undead solders. Taran confronts the dark lord Arawn in his castle and slays him.

The final prophecies of Hen Wen then come true, as Drynwyn's power and all magic begin to fade away from Prydain. Taran and his friends all celebrate the end of Arawn, but this ending also means that those who still have the dwindling gift of magic, including those of the royal lineages of old, would leave for the Summer Country as was prophesised by their ancestors. All of them are invited to go, and at first Taran is eager to join them, now planning to marry Eilonwy.

However, after a final visit with the Three Sisters, he realizes that so much still needed to be done in Prydain, so many promises he made to departed friends and companions during this journey that he finally has the chance to fulfill. Therefore, he announces that he will stay in Prydain and finish what was left unfinished, feeling it is his responsibility to do so. Eilonwy, desperate to stay with him, gives up all her magical power to be able to remain with Taran in Prydain and, through a marriage ceremony, becomes his wife.

Dallben then gives Taran the Book of Three and reveals that this decision of Taran's was the last link in a path where Taran would thus become High King of Prydain. Thus, as all of his close friends finally depart for the Summer Country, High King Taran and High Queen Eilonwy step out of Dallben's cottage to greet the many people assembled there.

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The High King