Rilian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rilian
Narnia character
Rilian, as portrayed by Richard Henders in the 1990 BBC miniseries
Information
Race	Human
Title	King of Narnia
Family	Caspian X (deceased) Ramandu's Daughter (deceased) See relations of Caspian.
Nationality	Narnia

Rilian is an important character in C. S. Lewis' famous book series, The Chronicles of Narnia. He is the son of King Caspian and the grandson of a star named Ramandu. Rilian's story is mainly told in the book The Silver Chair. He also appears briefly in The Last Battle.

Rilian's Story in Narnia

The Missing Prince: The Silver Chair

When the children Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole arrive in Narnia, Prince Rilian has been missing for ten years. He is the only son of the old King Caspian.

Rilian's mother was sadly killed by a green serpent. Rilian often went back to that area, hoping to find and kill the serpent. But one day, he disappeared himself, and no one could find him. Many people who went looking for him also vanished.

Eustace and Jill learn that King Caspian has gone on a journey. He wants to visit places from his youth. However, many people think he went to ask Aslan who should be the next King of Narnia. Caspian feared he would never see his son again.

The Search for Rilian

Eustace and Jill meet a marsh-wiggle named Puddleglum. Together, they travel north to the land of giants to search for Rilian. On their journey, they meet a mysterious woman called the Lady of the Green Kirtle. She has a quiet companion, a knight dressed in black armor.

Eventually, the three friends find their way underground. This place is called the Shallow Lands, and the Lady of the Green Kirtle rules it. Here, they meet the black knight again. He tells them that he has strange fits every night. During these fits, he must be tied to a silver chair. He warns that if he is set free, he will harm everyone and turn into a dangerous green serpent.

The Truth Revealed

Once the knight is tied to the magical chair, he suddenly remembers who he is and becomes clear-headed. He orders Eustace, Jill, and Puddleglum to untie him. He makes strong threats if they don't. Finally, he begs them to release him in the name of Aslan.

The children remember a promise they made: to obey anyone who asks for something in Aslan's name. So, even though they are scared, they untie him. The knight then destroys the chair with his sword. He reveals that he is Prince Rilian! He explains that the Lady of the Green Kirtle had kept him prisoner underground. She used magic to control him during the day, and he only became himself at night.

Rilian's Return to Narnia

The Lady of the Green Kirtle returns and tries to use her magic on the four companions. When her magic fails, she changes into a green serpent. Rilian then realizes that this serpent is the same one that killed his mother years ago.

Rilian and his friends fight and kill the serpent. They then return to Narnia. Rilian meets his father, King Caspian, just before the old king passes away. After his father's death, Rilian becomes the new King of Narnia.

Rilian's Legacy: The Last Battle

In the next book, The Last Battle, Rilian has been dead for over 200 years. Eustace and Jill help Rilian's descendant, Tirian, who is the last king of Narnia. Rilian appears briefly at the very end of the book, reunited with his father and mother.

The books do not say who Rilian married or the names of his children. However, he did have a family, as King Tirian is the great-grandson of Rilian's own great-grandson.

How Rilian Was Portrayed

In the 1990 TV show by the BBC, Prince Rilian was played by Richard Henders. In the show, when the children meet him underground, he wears a silver mask. This was to hide his true identity from the viewers. His excuse for the mask was that the Green Lady told him he looked ugly and needed to hide his face. After he becomes himself again, he takes off the mask to show who he really is.

See also

In Spanish: Rilian para niños