Adaon - in The Novel

In The Novel

Adaon joins the protagonist, Taran, and his companions in their efforts to find and destroy the Black Cauldron, with which Arawn Death-Lord creates his armies of deathless warriors, the Cauldron-Born. He quickly endears himself to Taran, Princess Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam, and Gurgi through his kindness, sense, and upright character. One night, Adaon, having glimpses of the future, extracts an unusual promise from Taran: should Adaon fall in battle, Taran will take his healing herbs, brooch and horse and keep them for his own. Taran is troubled by this request, but makes the promise, and Adaon professes his heart to be at ease.

During the ensuing struggles, Adaon is mortally wounded. He reminds Taran of his promise and, remarking that his thoughts are with his beloved Arianllyn, dies. The grieving companions give him a hero's burial as best they can; Eilonwy adopts Lluagor as her own preferred steed, and Taran carries the healing herbs and wears the brooch.

Adaon's brooch, as it turns out, is the source of his visions of the future, and more than once it compels Taran to undertake a course of action in the quest which, at first, seems like folly, but proves to be very wise. This helpful prescience remains with Taran for as long as he retains possession of the brooch.

In the Marshes of Morva, however, they encounter the three enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch. The sisters have taken the Black Cauldron from Arawn's stronghold, noting that they are its rightful owners; they are willing to give it to the companions for the right price. The friends attempt a series of offers, including Fflewddur's harp and Eilonwy's bauble, but all are rejected. Finally, and reluctantly, Taran offers to surrender Adaon's brooch and this is accepted. This purchase is a vital act in order to ensure the destruction of the cauldron later in the book, and Adaon, by insisting that Taran take the brooch, is thus a hero even after his own death.