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Tarlonwy is the het ship between Taran and Eilonwy from The Chronicles of Prydain fandom.
Canon[]
Novels[]
Taran and Eilonwy first meet after Taran has been thrown in the dungeons of Spiral Castle, stronghold of Queen Achren. Eilonwy, who has been raised as Achren's apprentice and niece, finds Taran in his cell after dropping her magic bauble through a grate. She asks Taran to return the bauble, taking offense when he addresses her as "little girl" in spite of her already asserting that she is not a little girl. Taran, who notes internally that Eilonwy has "intensely blue eyes", seeks her help in escaping from his cell and freeing his companion Gwydion, but their conversation is interrupted when Achren discovers Eilonwy talking to the prisoner and punishes her. After she departs, Taran finds that his cell is even more oppressive without Eilonwy to talk to.
However, Eilonwy escapes confinement and makes her way into Taran's cell through a secret passage. Retrieving her bauble, she frees Taran from his bonds, and the two continue their earlier conversation. Taran, having let slip his name and occupation as assistant pig keeper of Caer Dallben, tries to conceal other details of what led to his imprisonment. Upon learning that there is another prisoner in the dungeons, Taran assumes it to be Gwydion and asks Eilonwy to free him. Loving the idea of antagonizing her guardian, Eilonwy agrees and departs the cell.
Eilonwy's return takes long enough that Taran begins to suspect that she was lying to him, probably on Achren's orders. Eilonwy returns, however, shortly after Taran takes note of a disturbance throughout the rest of the castle. Having gotten the other prisoner safely outside the castle and reclaimed the horse Taran and Gwydion had been traveling with, Eilonwy leads Taran out of the cell and through the castle's underground maze. At one point Taran expresses concern that Eilonwy will get into trouble with Achren again, and Eilonwy allays his fears while also complementing his thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, Taran ends up falling through a newly opened gap and ending up in a deeper part of the maze from which he cannot climb out.
Though Taran urges Eilonwy to leave him behind and return for him later, Eilonwy refuses to do so. She throws her bauble down to Taran so he can investigate his surroundings, which turn out to be another passage. Eilonwy then comes down to join him, initially irking Taran with the reckless move. Completely unfazed, Eilonwy insists they explore the passage in hopes of finding a way out. Along the way, Taran finds himself irritated by Eilonwy's attitudes, including her insistence that they aren't lost simply because they're in a part of the castle she's unfamiliar with.
After coming to a dead end, the two decide to explore a side passage, and end up locating the resting place of Spiral Castle's former king. The two also find a path to the outside, and manage to escape through it, though Taran has to help Eilonwy when a sword she picked up becomes caught. Spiral Castle then collapses, and the pair go to where the other prisoner and the horse Melyngar are waiting. However, upon seeing that the other former prisoner isn't Gwydion, Taran accuses Eilonwy of deceiving him, prompting her to run off in tears.
Taran eventually follows Eilonwy, intent on enacting justice, only to have an angry Eilonwy point out that the whole misunderstanding was Taran's own fault. The rescue of the other prisoner, a bard named Fflewddur Fflam, occurred entirely because Taran made assumptions and tried to conceal information from Eilonwy in spite of the fact that she was helping him. Contrite after this tirade, Taran apologizes and asks forgiveness, which Eilonwy is reluctant to offer. However, when she expresses unwillingness to help him and he accepts her reasoning and starts moving away, Eilonwy quickly follows him, acting disappointed that he gave in without even attempting an argument.
Joined by Fflewddur, the pair briefly attempted to search Spiral Castle in hopes of finding Gwydion but found nothing. Taran would later dramatically lament his time at the destroyed castle, only for Eilonwy to point out that it wasn't exactly paradise for her or Fflewddur either. The trio are then joined by the creature Gurgi, who informs them of the movements of the armies of the evil Horned King. Next morning, Taran finds Eilonwy examining the sword she took from the castle, which proves to be a magical blade called Dyrnwyn. Eilonwy refuses to allow Taran to examine or try to draw it, noting both a forbidding magical symbol and an inscription that she translates as "Draw Dyrnwyn, only thou of royal blood."
Eilonwy explains that the phrase "royal blood" isn't actually the best translation and actually refers to a quality of character. Taran, having attempted to argue that he might in fact have royal blood, then takes offense at the idea that Eilonwy thinks he lacks this attribute she's referring to. Eilonwy, for her part, dismisses Taran and Fflewddur when they discuss what to do with the sword, noting that-as the one who retrieved it-the fate of the weapon is entirely hers to decide. Taran mocks the idea of her carrying around a sword, sparking Eilonwy's anger when, in response to her referencing swordmaidens in her lineage, he retorts that it would be more fitting for her to carry a doll.
She later takes offense when Taran attempts to ask Fflewddur to take her back to her kinsmen, wishing instead to accompany Taran to Caer Dathyl. Taran ultimately agrees to this, though firmly points out that it's because he's realized that the strategy is a sound one and not because Eilonwy objected. As he states, he could just as easily have tied her to Melyngar's saddle so that Fflewddur could lead her away. The group of four then began traveling to Caer Dathyl to warn its inhabitants of the Horned King's march.
During the fast-paced trek, which saw the group pursued by a pair of Cauldron-Born, Taran would help an exhausted Eilonwy up onto Melyngar to ride over her own protests. Later, he and Fflewddur would take her down to rest, and Taran attempted to relieve her of Dyrnwyn only for Eilonwy to awake and remind him of her insistence that he does not handle the sword. Taran and Fflewddur later agree to give Eilonwy the last of their provisions. When the Cauldron-Born nearly caught up to them, Taran attempted to urge Eilonwy and an injured Gurgi to flee, only for Eilonwy to seize several arrows and a bow and rush forward.
Eilonwy worked an enchantment which failed to stop the Cauldron-Born, but the deathless warriors ultimately turned away due to having come too far from Annuvin. Taran would complement Eilonwy's spell craft, making her blush, but Eilonwy then became indignant at the thought that Taran was more impressed by her magic than concerned with her safety. Taran was left utterly baffled by her shifting moods. Hours later, Taran attempted to apologize, and Eilonwy was somewhat mollified, but when he made a comment about how fortunate he was to have her and the others for companions, Eilonwy interpreted it as him not caring about her as an individual, just someone destiny had apparently brought along for his convenience.
After a brief stopover in the valley of Medwyn, friend and protector of all animals, the group would continue on their way to Caer Dathyl. While camped one night, Fflewddur's harp played a song that made each of them think of their old homes. Eilonwy was reminded of the sea, ignoring Taran when he expressed amusement at her comment that she hadn't seen it since she was young. Later, when Taran proposed deviating from the directions given them by Medwyn, Eilonwy protested the course but was voted down. The group ended up being drawn through a lake into the realm of the Fair Folk, and the first thing Eilonwy did upon being reunited with Taran was give him an earful for getting them into the situation.
The companions were soon forced to negotiate with King Eiddileg, and Eilonwy would make a number of comments to the king but obviously directed at Taran given her references to "assistant pig keepers." With the aid of a dwarf guide named Doli, the group proceeded towards Caer Dathyl, only to find that the Horned King's forces had nearly reached it. Upon being set upon by a war band, Taran takes Eilonwy up on Melyngar with him and rides away while their companions fight a rearguard action. The two end up being pursued by the Horned King himself, and Taran seizes Dyrnwyn from Eilonwy after his own sword is broken by the villain. Unfortunately, Taran is unable to fully draw the sword and is struck down for his attempt; he is later brought to a chamber in Caer Dathyl where Eilonwy remains constantly at his side until he awakens.
Upon reviving, Taran asks Eilonwy for news of what happened after he fell unconscious but becomes frustrated by her rather roundabout explanations. Eventually the full story comes out, and Eilonwy eventually drives the rest of their friends from the room after a brief visit so that Taran can rest. The two are then joined by Gwydion, who relates his own adventures after parting from Taran, and Taran at one point asks Eilonwy to stop interrupting. Having accomplished his quest, Taran prepares to return home, and Eilonwy insists on accompanying him.
After being back in Caer Dallben for a time, Taran tries to ask Eilonwy about something but is interrupted. After making a second start, he leaves on an errand to his Master Dallben, whom he asks for leave to have Eilonwy stay at Caer Dallben with them. Upon going to Eilonwy to tell her the news, Eilonwy informs Taran that she already fully intended on staying, leaving him confused. Seeing his obliviousness, Eilonwy becomes somewhat huffy.
A year or so after the events of the previous book, Eilonwy continues to reside at Caer Dallben. After Taran gets into a fight with the visiting Prince Ellidyr, Eilonwy takes charge of him and helps him to get cleaned up. Taran later comes and asks Eilonwy to gird his new sword on him, making her blush with the request. However, her temper flares when Taran makes the true but thoughtless comment that she's the only girl at Caer Dallben to do so. Trying to make amends, he offers to tell her about a council meeting he attended, and Eilonwy finally agrees after briefly attempting to act disinterested.
Upon learning that a mission to steal the cauldron used to create the evil Cauldron-Born is taking place, Eilonwy immediately begins making plans to join it. Taran rejects this idea, once again dismissing Eilonwy as a girl. Affronted, Eilonwy drives him out of "her" scullery by throwing dishes at him, forcing Taran to retreat. When Taran and the band are about to depart, Eilonwy informs Taran that she's not on speaking terms with him, though she does bid him farewell before clarifying that she doesn't count it as talking to him.
Taran and the band haven't even gotten out of sight, however, before Eilonwy decides to follow them, eventually doing so in the company of Gurgi. Coming upon Taran and a few others at night, Eilonwy alarms Taran but becomes indignant when he swings his sword at her, prompting her to complain about his attitude ever since it was given to him. Taran becomes indignant at her presence but leaps to her defense when Ellidyr begins to speak ill of Eilonwy and nearly comes to blows with the haughty prince. As Eilonwy recounts her and Gurgi's travels, Taran becomes aghast that they took horses from Caer Dallben, though Eilonwy is quick to point out that the horses belonged to her and Gurgi anyway. She also mentions that Gurgi has brought his magical wallet of food, and reminds Taran that it was a gift to Gurgi from Gwydion before Taran can complain about their having taken it from Caer Dallben as well.
Forced to flee the Huntsmen of Annuvin, Taran takes Eilonwy with him on his horse Melynlass. Later, when they learned that the cauldron had been taken to the Marshes of Morga, Taran was in favor of setting out to find it. Eilonwy protested, reminding him of their instructions from Gwydion and rebuffing his attempts at justification. Taran nearly gave in to her reasoning, but reconsidered after being provoked by Ellidyr.
Eilonwy would remind both young men that Adaon was their superior. Later, when Taran spoke as though he were wiser than Ellidyr, Eilonwy promptly rejected this as ridiculous. To Taran's discomfort, she assert d that his primary reason for going after the cauldron was Ellidyr. When Taran later insisted upon pursuing this course after Adaon was killed, Eilonwy initially ridiculed him but soon admitted that his proposal was the best course.
After Taran discovered the properties of Adaon's enchanted clasp, Eilonwy was initially skeptical. However, she soon admitted that Taran was different since he had received the ornament. Eilonwy later supported Taran when he repeated his assertions to Fflewdyr. This didn't stop her from becoming vexed when Taran insisted that they must rush from shelter into rain. However, Taran's warning was soon validated.
Later, when they came upon the cauldron, Eilonwy apologized to Taran and agreed that he had been right to seek it out immediately. When the group were forced to bargain for it, Eilonwy willingly offered up both a prized ring and her enchanted bauble in exchange for it, rather than see Taran give up the clasp. When it became clear that no other offering would be accepted, among Taran's regrets was the thought of the admiration with which Eilonwy had regarded him. Afterwards, Eilonwy would angrily defend their right to destroy the cauldron by citing what Taran had given up for it.
That night, Eilonwy would console a despondent Taran.
When Eilonwy is sent to Mona to continue her education, Taran becomes depressed. Dallben reluctantly allows Taran and Gurgi to accompany Eilonwy in the hopes that it will make the separation easier on them all. While riding to meet Eilonwy's ship, Taran enumerates to Coll all the reasons he can think of for Eilonwy's departure being a good thing. Finally, he bursts out with the admission that he's going to miss her, and an amused Coll questions whether he's shared that feeling with Eilonwy. Taran explains that he had meant to, but the moment never seemed right, and he was worried how she might respond.
Eilonwy listened when Taran shares his low opinion of Prince Rhun and comes to the conclusion that Taran is jealous. After the group arrive on Mona, Taran learns that Achren is seeking Eilonwy for some evil purpose. On his next encounter with Eilonwy, he is perturbed to find that their hosts have made such changes to her appearance that he barely recognizes her. Eilonwy notes that, while she has already shared some tales of their adventures, she wanted Taran to be present to tell his part in the best ones.
When Eilonwy suggests that they depart the castle in search of adventure, Taran refuses. Under orders not to speak of the threat, he tries to dissuade her with words of practical caution. When this fails to persuade Eilonwy, Taran forbids her from leaving the castle. Shocked, Eilonwy comes to the conclusion that Taran is happy to see her exiled, and angrily and tearfully declares that she's not going to talk to him.
At the welcome feast that night, Taran's argument with Eilonwy and fears for her safety make him miserable. Eilonwy comments on his obvious despondency but cuttingly remarks that he isn't the one being forced to stay on Mona. After once again declaring that she's not talking to him, she turns her attention to Rhun. While investigating the castle on his own that night, Taran sees a shadowy figure and briefly worries that it is Eilonwy attempting to carry out her plan to escape the castle but soon discovers otherwise.
Upon discovering that the castle steward Magg is in league with Achren, Taran's fears for Eilonwy increase. Having asked Gurgi to stand watch outside Eilonwy's chambers for part of the night, Taran goes and takes over for him and is found by Eilonwy in the hall the next morning. Still determined not to alert her to the danger, the weary Taran makes up a rather flimsy excuse that makes Eilonwy despair of ever understanding him. Eilonwy departs for breakfast, and Taran begins to follow her only to be interrupted by Rhun.
As a result of this distraction, Magg is able to abduct Eilonwy and depart with her, and Taran quickly raises the alarm as to her capture. Taran puts himself at the disposal of Rhun's father, King Rhuddlum, only to be assigned to a party that is to be commanded by Rhun himself. Fear for Eilonwy's safety makes Taran protest this arrangement, but Rhuddlum admits that he's aware of his son's shortcomings and that Rhun is only nominally in command of the search party. Taran is then stunned to learn that Rhuddlum and his wife the queen hope that Rhun and Eilonwy will eventually wed and is overcome with grief.
Despite his feelings, Taran agrees to protect Prince Rhun, but later shares the news of the intended betrothal bitterly with his friends Gurgi and Fflewdyr. Taran is subsequently embarrassed, and angry, when Fflewdyr admits that he had long expected Taran and Eilonwy to eventually wed in spite of their argumentative relationship. Commenting on his own lowly position, Taran denies ever harboring such ideas himself, but Fflewdyr is privately unconvinced. The bard later tries to reassure Taran by remarking on Eilonwy's tenacity, but Fflewdyr's own concern is obvious.
After Rhun becomes lost, Taran urges Fflewdyr and Gurgi to rejoin the search for Eilonwy while he goes after the prince. Fflewdyr once again tries to encourage his young friend, noting that he believes Magg will seek to deliver Eilonwy to Achren rather than harming her himself. Sometime after locating Rhun, Taran is surprised to learn that Rhun is aware of his parents' intentions and wishes to be the one to find Eilonwy. Harboring that same desire himself, Taran is forced to concede that, due to the party having lost their horses, their only option at present seems to be returning to the castle and leaving the search for Eilonwy to others.
Fortunately, Taran's tame crow Kaw, whom he had sent out in search of Eilonwy, then finds the group and leads them to Eilonwy's trail. They come upon Eilonwy's bauble, and signs that she was taken aboard a boat and carried down a river. A series of mishaps in their pursuit lands the group in a series of underground caverns with no light. They attempt to light Eilonwy's bauble, and it is only as Taran fondly contemplates Eilonwy herself that the magical object begins to glow.
Knowing that they are Eilonwy's only hope of rescue, Taran begins leading his party in search of her. They encounter the self-made giant Glew, and Taran becomes impatient as his prattle delays them from continuing their search. However, he is later stunned when Glew begins to speak of Eilonwy's family, the House of Llyr. Taran soon becomes convinced that Eilonwy is being taken to her ancestral home of Caer Colur. After Glew traps the group, and they discover a means of escape, Taran insists that Rhun be the one to make use of it and gives him the bauble to take with him. He is unable to meet Rhun's eyes, however, as he speaks of Rhun's future wedding to Eilonwy.
The entire group manage to defeat Glew and escape him, but Taran once again becomes depressed at the idea that Eilonwy will marry Rhun. When the group meets Gwydion and learn that Eilonwy has indeed been taken to Caer Colur, Taran questions whether they might not be able to free her. He asserts how much Eilonwy means to him, and to the entire group, and eventually persuades Gwydion to let them accompany him. Upon learning that Achren needs Eilonwy for her schemes involving the powers of the House of Llyr, Taran is briefly relieved, thinking that Eilonwy is safe from harm.
Taran sets out to learn his parentage, partly in the hopes that he might prove to be of noble or even royal blood. Both Coll and Dallben sense his longing for Eilonwy, and Dallben's remarks on the subject make Taran flush. Among the possessions Taran carries with him is a horn given to him by Eilonwy. He later learns that it has the ability, once only, to summon the Fair Folk to his aid, and is all the more grateful to Eilonwy for it.
In his quest, Taran seeks out the enchantresses Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch, who demand payment. One of them, recalling Eilonwy, suggests that they take Taran's memories of her, much to Taran's horror. When King Smoit offers to adopt Taran as his heir, Taran is briefly tempted to accept the offer. However, he convinces himself that Eilonwy would not respect him for abandoning his quest, even if she respected his new title. As such, he continues on his quest, determined to accept Smoit's offer should he learn that he is indeed of royal blood.
During his journey, Taran meets Kaw returning from a visit to Mona and immediately asks after Eilonwy. The crow soon conveys that Eilonwy wishes to be back with Taran just as he wishes to reunite with her. Taran also recognizes a pendant worn by the evil wizard Morda as resembling one that Eilonwy wears. He thus learns of the death of Angharad, Eilonwy's mother, whose fate Eilonwy herself was ignorant of.
When the outlaw Dorath demands Taran's sword, Taran mentions that Eilonwy girt it on him among his protests. Dorath mocks this remark, but Taran later recalls Eilonwy's obvious pleasure in the moment. Later, after being told that he is the son of a herdsman, Taran remains in the home of his supposed father. Ashamed by this lowly heritage, he asks that nothing of it be said to Eilonwy but that he has found his father. He also resolves never to see Eilonwy again, finding the idea of her learning of his lowly birth status unbearable.
During this time, Taran speaks to his supposed father of his past but always breaks off in pain whenever he recalls Eilonwy. Later, as his supposed father lies on the edge of death, Taran thinks-and is later ashamed to think-that he can be rid of his lowly birthright and return to Eilonwy. Instead, he uses the horn she gave him to try and save the life of the man, even after learning that they are not in fact father and son. While overcome by fever, Taran dreams of Eilonwy. After arriving at Commot Merin, Taran muses that he not only believes it a place where he might be happy, but that Eilonwy might be as well.
Upon learning that Eilonwy has returned from Mona, Taran rushes home to see her rather than stopping for the night. He presents her with a clay bowl that he fashioned during his stay at Commot Merin.
During a brief separation of their traveling party, Taran becomes anxious over the delay in their reunion. Coll does his best to allay Taran's fears, before suggesting that Taran is more troubled by the lack of Eilonwy's company than by any possible peril to their companions. Taran voices to Coll his concerns about Eilonwy's insistence on accompanying them on a hazardous journey. Coll, somewhat amused, points out that Taran made no effort to dissuade her, and an equally amused Taran responds that he has realized the futility of such action.
When Rhun is mortally wounded, Eilonwy calls out to Taran for help in attending to him. Gwydion entrusts Taran with Eilonwy's safety as the companions prepare for all-out war with Annuvin. Eilonwy becomes annoyed when Taran tasks her to seeing to the supply trains, but reluctantly accepts it. However, she later accuses him of tricking her and declares once again that she refuses to talk to Taran, much to his amusement.Film[]
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Fanon[]
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Tarlonwy enjoys a fair amount of popularity, being the primary het ship of both The Chronicles of Prydain and its loose adaptation, The Black Cauldron. Though Taran and Eilonwy bicker throughout both works, it is also clear that they develop a strong relationship with mutual care for and concern about each other. It can be seen in the fact that Taran admits to missing Eilonwy's chatter when she's absent, and that Eilonwy continues to befriend Taran despite several occasions on which she has become angry enough to declare that she's never going to speak to him again. Eilonwy also often makes comments about Taran being an assistant pig keeper which, though at times critical, are also often expressive of her admiration and affection for him.
On AO3, Tarlonwy is the most written ship for either Taran or Eilonwy. There are currently 60+ written works.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Eilonwy/Taran tag on AO3