Llyan
Encyclopedia
Llyan is a fictional character introduced in book three of Lloyd Alexander
's The Prydain Chronicles, The Castle of Llyr
.
Llyan is described as a large female cat, roughly larger than a horse, with orange fur. Her size does not diminish her natural agility or speed, however. Taran
, Gurgi
, Fflewddur Fflam
and Prince Rhun
encounter her in an old cottage on the Isle of Mona
.
Originally Llyan was owned by Glew
. Glew wanted to be an enchanter, but was unable to read the book of spells he bought. In his desperation, he began dabbling in potions and testing them on Llyan. One, to make himself taller, worked too well and caused Llyan to grow.
When the companions first encounter her, Llyan keeps them at bay within the cottage. However, Fflewddur's harp music seemed to calm her.
When he escaped, she followed after them and would pull the companions and Achren
out of the sea when the Castle of Llyr fell. After that, she served as Fflewddur's mount and the most avid fan of his music.
In the last book of the series The High King
, she is allowed to accompany Fflewddur to the Summer Country, but is distressed that Taran is remaining behind.
on the Isle of Anglesey.
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 The Prydain Chronicles, The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr is the third volume in the children's fantasy series Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, first published in 1966.Taran continues his adventures and encounters new friends and old enemies.- Plot :...
.
Llyan is described as a large female cat, roughly larger than a horse, with orange fur. Her size does not diminish her natural agility or speed, however. Taran
Taran (character)
Taran is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain series, as well as in the film and game named after the second novel, The Black Cauldron.-Profile:...
, 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 :...
, 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 Prince Rhun
Prince Rhun
Prince Rhun is a fictional character in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series. He is featured prominently in the latter half of the five-book series.-Profile:...
encounter her in an old cottage on the Isle of Mona
Isle of Mona
The Isle of Mona is the original name of the Isle of Anglesey, and is also the name of a fictional island off the western coast of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series...
.
Originally Llyan was owned by Glew
Glew (character)
Glew is a fictional character in The Castle of Llyr, the third book in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Prydain. He is discovered by accident when the companions fall into and are trapped in an underground cavern on the Isle of Mona....
. Glew wanted to be an enchanter, but was unable to read the book of spells he bought. In his desperation, he began dabbling in potions and testing them on Llyan. One, to make himself taller, worked too well and caused Llyan to grow.
When the companions first encounter her, Llyan keeps them at bay within the cottage. However, Fflewddur's harp music seemed to calm her.
When he escaped, she followed after them and would pull the companions and Achren
Achren
Achren is a fictional character and villainess in the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain, written by Lloyd Alexander.-Profile:In the novels, Achren was once Queen of Prydain, and ruled many years as a harsh and vengeful tyrant, both as ruler and then as the Death-lord Arawn's consort...
out of the sea when the Castle of Llyr fell. After that, she served as Fflewddur's mount and the most avid fan of his music.
In the last book of the series The High King
The High King
The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander. It was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1969.-Plot overview:...
, she is allowed to accompany Fflewddur to the Summer Country, but is distressed that Taran is remaining behind.
Literary origin
In placing Llyan on the Isle of Mona, Alexander references the legend of the Cath PalugCath Palug
Cath Palug, also Cath Paluc, Cath Balug, Cath Balwg, Chapalu, Capalu, or Capalus, literally "Palug's cat", or maybe from the Welsh 'palug,' meaning 'clawing,' was a monstrous cat in French and Welsh legend. It was said to haunt the Isle of Anglesey, and to have killed and eaten nine score warriors...
on the Isle of Anglesey.