The Book of Three

At dawn, Gwydion and Taran ride on Gwydion’s horse, Melyngar. Gwydion quickly finds the pig’s trail. He says Hen Wen once was captured by Arawn and imprisoned in Annuvin, but the brave warrior “Coll Son of Collfrewr” rescued the pig (24). Taran is stunned that it was Coll, who doesn’t look to him like a hero. Gwydion says Hen Wen won’t travel to Annuvin, in the north, nor to the Spiral Castle in the south, home of the evil queen Achren.

The two alight and track on foot. Gwydion and the horse walk silently, but Taran makes noise. Trying to be quiet, he falls behind. Something drops from a tree: It’s a furry half-man who grabs Taran by the neck. Taran struggles and cries out; Gwydion hurls the half-man against a tree.

The creature is named Gurgi. He bows and scrapes pitifully and begs for food—he calls it “crunchings and munchings!” (27) Gwydion offers food for information. Gurgi reports that the Horned King and his men passed by on their way from a great fire. They’re searching for the pig, who has crossed the river into Prydain.