The Book of Three

Eilonwy, a student of enchantment spells, owns a ball that lights up on demand. It’s a magical lamp that she enjoys playing with—she calls it her “bauble”—and finds it highly useful during her time with Taran and his group. Eilonwy’s bauble symbolizes her still-childlike grasp of magic, her playfulness, and the light she brings to her friendships.

(The ball otherwise isn’t much discussed in the story; its other powers are revealed in later books in the Prydain series.)

Caer Dallben—caer means “castle”—is the stronghold of the ancient wizard Dallben. It’s basically a farm protected by Dallben’s magic. For Taran, it symbolizes a home that, at first, he’s anxious to leave, but later comes to respect for its subtle power to sustain and nurture those who live there. Taran’s shifting feelings for Caer Dallben reflect his growth; he values the stronghold as he comes to value love and friendship. Caer Dallben is a beacon of hope for Taran during the darkest hours of his trek across Prydain, and returning to it becomes his reward for a job well done. Though he returns to where he began, he is transformed.