By all means," cried the bard, his eyes lighting up. "A Fflam to the rescue! Storm the castle! Carry it by assault! Batter down the gates!" "There's not much of it left to storm," said Eilonwy. "Oh?" said Fflewddur, with disappointment. "Very well, we shall do the best we can.

The muse in charge of fantasy wears good, sensible shoes. No foam-born Aphrodite, she vaguely resembles my old piano teacher, who was keen on metronomes.

Are you slow-witted? I'm so sorry for you. It's terrible to be dull and stupid.

True allegiance is only given willingly.

Do you not believe that animals know grief and fear and pain? The world of men is not an easy one for them.

The Prydain Companion is more than a quick reference or handy glossary, though it is all of that as well. Instructive, certainly. But, like any good companion, a pleasure to be with over a long period of time.

You know how chickens are, imagining the world coming to an end one moment, then pecking corn the next.