The Book of Three

Taran yells that the man next to the white horse isn’t Gwydion, draws his sword, and attacks the man, who darts behind a tree. Taran slashes at him while the man begs for a truce. Eilonwy tries to stop Taran, saying it’s wrong to attack his own friend, whom she so lately got out of the dungeon. Taran accuses her of being Achren’s accomplice and raises his sword. Eilonwy runs away, sobbing.

The stranger introduces himself as Fflewddur Fflam, an entertainer. He’s tall, sports a long nose and a halo of wild blond hair, and wears raggedy clothes. A beautiful harp hangs from his shoulder. He’s flattered that Taran mistook him for a great hero, someone Fflewddur knows and honors as a kinsman of the House of Don. Taran says Fflewddur has escaped the castle instead of Gwydion, who doubtless now lies dead. Fflewddur is sad to hear this. He suggests Taran find the girl before she escapes, to learn her explanation.

Taran finds Eilonwy sitting on a boulder, her head in her hands. She says Taran refused to name the prisoner, and Fflewddur was the only other man in the dungeon, so she got him out.