Adaon
Encyclopedia
Adaon is the son of the Chief Bard
Taliesin
, in Lloyd Alexander
's fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain
. He is featured solely in the second book, The Black Cauldron
, although he is mentioned in the third and fifth books. He is a gifted minstrel, though not yet an official bard, a strong-hearted warrior, and a capable healer. His most precious possessions are his packets of healing herbs; his bay mare Lluagor; and a distinctive brooch
which was a gift from Arianllyn, his betrothed.
Adaon joins the protagonist, Taran
, and his companions in their efforts to find and destroy the Black Cauldron
, with which Arawn
Death-Lord creates his armies of deathless warriors, the Cauldron-Born
. He quickly endears himself to Taran, Princess Eilonwy
, Fflewddur Fflam
, and Gurgi
through his kindness, sense, and upright character. One night, Adaon, having glimpses of the future, extracts an unusual promise from Taran: should Adaon fall in battle, Taran will take his healing herbs, brooch and horse and keep them for his own. Taran is troubled by this request, but makes the promise, and Adaon professes his heart to be at ease.
During the ensuing struggles, Adaon is mortally wounded. He reminds Taran of his promise and, remarking that his thoughts are with his beloved Arianllyn, dies. The grieving companions give him a hero's burial as best they can; Eilonwy adopts Lluagor as her own preferred steed, and Taran carries the healing herbs and wears the brooch.
Adaon's brooch, as it turns out, is the source of his visions of the future, and more than once it compels Taran to undertake a course of action in the quest which, at first, seems like folly, but proves to be very wise. This helpful prescience remains with Taran for as long as he retains possession of the brooch.
In the Marshes of Morva
, however, they encounter the three enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
. The sisters have taken the Black Cauldron from Arawn's stronghold, noting that they are its rightful owners; they are willing to give it to the companions for the right price. The friends attempt a series of offers, including Fflewddur's harp
and Eilonwy's bauble
, but all are rejected. Finally, and reluctantly, Taran offers to surrender Adaon's brooch and this is accepted. This purchase is a vital act in order to ensure the destruction of the cauldron later in the book, and Adaon, by insisting that Taran take the brooch, is thus a hero even after his own death.
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
Taliesin
Taliesin
Taliesin was an early British poet of the post-Roman period whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin...
, in Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
's fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander...
. He is featured solely in the second book, The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron can refer to:* The Black Cauldron , the second novel in The Chronicles of Prydain series* The Black Cauldron , the Disney animated film based on The Chronicles of Prydain book series...
, although he is mentioned in the third and fifth books. He is a gifted minstrel, though not yet an official bard, a strong-hearted warrior, and a capable healer. His most precious possessions are his packets of healing herbs; his bay mare Lluagor; and a distinctive brooch
Brooch
A brooch ; also known in ancient times as a fibula; is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material...
which was a gift from Arianllyn, his betrothed.
Adaon joins the protagonist, Taran
Taran
- Given name :* Taran, a 7th century king of the Picts* Taran Taran, founder of the Taran Panth religious sect* Taran Adarsh, an Indian film critic* Taran Killam, an American comic actor* Taran Noah Smith, an actor...
, and his companions in their efforts to find and destroy the Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron can refer to:* The Black Cauldron , the second novel in The Chronicles of Prydain series* The Black Cauldron , the Disney animated film based on The Chronicles of Prydain book series...
, with which Arawn
Arawn
In Welsh mythology, Arawn was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn, appearing prominently in the first branch, and alluded to in the fourth. In later tradition, the role of king of Annwn was largely attributed to the Welsh psychopomp, Gwyn ap Nudd...
Death-Lord creates his armies of deathless warriors, the Cauldron-Born
Cauldron-Born
In Lloyd Alexander's series of fantasy books The Chronicles of Prydain, the Cauldron-Born are a race of deathless warriors in the service of Arawn, Death-Lord of Annuvin.- Origins :...
. He quickly endears himself to Taran, Princess Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy is a fictional character in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain and wife of High King Taran in the Chronicles of Prydain and also appears in Disney's 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron...
, Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo, is a cantrev lord in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. He is referred to as a King, but it is made clear that he is a very minor king of a tiny kingdom at best, much less important than the High King who rules Prydain. His...
, and Gurgi
Gurgi
Gurgi is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain, the series of fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander. Gurgi is the hero Taran's faithful companion, appearing in all five books.- Profile :...
through his kindness, sense, and upright character. One night, Adaon, having glimpses of the future, extracts an unusual promise from Taran: should Adaon fall in battle, Taran will take his healing herbs, brooch and horse and keep them for his own. Taran is troubled by this request, but makes the promise, and Adaon professes his heart to be at ease.
During the ensuing struggles, Adaon is mortally wounded. He reminds Taran of his promise and, remarking that his thoughts are with his beloved Arianllyn, dies. The grieving companions give him a hero's burial as best they can; Eilonwy adopts Lluagor as her own preferred steed, and Taran carries the healing herbs and wears the brooch.
Adaon's brooch, as it turns out, is the source of his visions of the future, and more than once it compels Taran to undertake a course of action in the quest which, at first, seems like folly, but proves to be very wise. This helpful prescience remains with Taran for as long as he retains possession of the brooch.
In the Marshes of Morva
Marshes of Morva
The Marshes of Morva is a region in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Prydain. It is most notable for being the home of the three Fates-like enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch.-Description:...
, however, they encounter the three enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch are fictional characters in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series.They are three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva...
. The sisters have taken the Black Cauldron from Arawn's stronghold, noting that they are its rightful owners; they are willing to give it to the companions for the right price. The friends attempt a series of offers, including Fflewddur's harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
and Eilonwy's bauble
Golden Pelydryn
The Golden Pelydryn is a fictional magical object in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series. It is owned by the young enchantress Princess Eilonwy and is used by her to light her way through darkness...
, but all are rejected. Finally, and reluctantly, Taran offers to surrender Adaon's brooch and this is accepted. This purchase is a vital act in order to ensure the destruction of the cauldron later in the book, and Adaon, by insisting that Taran take the brooch, is thus a hero even after his own death.