The Book of Three

The Book of Three is a fantasy novel by the American writer Lloyd Alexander, published in 1964 and the first of the five volumes of The Chronicles of Prydain.

Taran is the Assistant Pig-Keeper at Caer Dallben, where he was raised by the enchanter Dallben, and he is not satisfied with the job; he wants to make swords and to learn how to use them. The pig he looks after is no ordinary animal, because Hen Wen is the only oracular pig in Prydain, and when she escapes Taran goes after her. The pursuit carries him much further from home than he has ever travelled and puts him in the path of the Horned King, who is abroad, and of King Arawn, who is gathering the forces of evil. Taran has to get word to the people of Prydain before it is too late. The series was inspired by Welsh mythology, and elements of the first book's plot were used in an animated film adaptation years later. Taran is taken along by Gwydion, the crown prince of the House of Don, and the pair are joined by the forest creature Gurgi, the princess Eilonwy and the bard Fflewddur Fflam. The Horned King's target is Caer Dathyl, the home castle of the House of Don.