The Hero and the Crown facts for kids
Book cover
|
|
| Author | Robin McKinley |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Greenwillow Books |
|
Publication date
|
1984 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 227 pp |
| ISBN | 0-441-32809-1 |
| OCLC | 17421714 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M1988 He 1985 |
| Followed by | The Blue Sword |
The Hero and the Crown is an exciting fantasy novel by Robin McKinley. It was published by Greenwillow Books in 1984. This book won the famous Newbery Medal award in 1985.
The story is about a brave heroine named Aerin Dragon-Killer. She is also known as Aerin Firehair. You might hear about her as a legend in another book, The Blue Sword. This novel tells how Aerin changes from a shy princess into a powerful queen. She protects her people from dangerous enemies from the North.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
Aerin's Early Life and Training
Aerin is the only child of King Arlbeth of Damar and his second wife. Aerin looks different from everyone else in Damar. She has pale skin and bright red hair, like her mother. This makes people afraid of her and keeps her from fitting in.
A girl named Galanna is especially mean to Aerin. Galanna is beautiful but very proud. She spreads rumors that Aerin's mother was a witch. She also says Aerin is not a true princess. Galanna often teases Aerin for not having the "Gift," called kelar. This is a type of magic that all royal family members have.
One day, Galanna tricks Aerin into eating leaves from a plant called surka. This plant is poisonous to anyone who is not of royal blood. Aerin gets very sick, but she does not die.
While Aerin is getting better, she finds an old book. It tells the history of Damar and giant dragons that once lived there. Now, only smaller dragons exist. Aerin finds a quiet place with her father's injured warhorse, Talat. She reads the book and becomes good friends with the proud horse.
In the book, Aerin finds a recipe for a special ointment called kenet. This ointment protects people from fire. She starts making the ointment and also trains herself to fight while riding Talat. Soon, she secretly goes to fight a small dragon that is bothering a village. She succeeds, and people start to notice her. Other villages ask for her help. Meanwhile, problems start in the North. A baron named Nyrlol threatens to start a war.
Facing Great Dangers
King Arlbeth worries that a powerful item, the Hero's Crown, has fallen into the hands of evil Northerners. He thinks Nyrlol's strange behavior is a sign of their growing power. The King must ride west with many of his knights, including Tor. Tor is his male heir and Aerin's only friend. They go to deal with Nyrlol, but Arlbeth tells Aerin she cannot join them.
Just as Arlbeth is ready to leave, a messenger arrives. He brings news that the last great dragon, Maur, has appeared again. Maur is causing terror in Damar. Arlbeth has to deal with Nyrlol first. But Aerin, left behind, decides to fight Maur by herself.
Aerin has a huge battle with Maur and barely wins. She takes a red stone as a prize from the dragon's body. Maur's body burns to ashes. Aerin is badly hurt but manages to get onto Talat. Talat carries her home. Maur's skull is brought to the castle as a trophy. But its presence seems to make Aerin feel worse, and her health does not get better.
While sick, Aerin dreams of a blond man by a lake. He calls her to come to him for help. Aerin leaves a note for Tor and rides off with Talat to find this man, Luthe.
Luthe is a sorcerer. He heals Aerin by putting her in the Lake of Dreams. This makes her "not-quite-mortal." Luthe teaches her some magic. Aerin learns that the kelar is what gives the royal family their magic. Luthe then tells Aerin about her mother and her uncle, Agsded. They were students of a powerful mage, just like Luthe. Agsded was the best student, but he used his magic for evil.
A prophecy said that someone from Agsded's own family would defeat him. Because of this, Aerin's mother ran away to the south. She had Aerin with King Arlbeth to fulfill the prophecy. When Aerin is fully healed, Luthe sends her North. He gives her the dragon's red bloodstone and Gonturan, The Blue Sword. She must go to challenge Agsded.
As she travels, armies of large mountain cats (foltsza) and wild dogs (yerigs) join Aerin. After a long magic battle, Agsded is finally defeated. The Hero's Crown is found again. Luthe rescues Aerin and takes her back to his lake. They become close. Aerin leaves him but promises to return one day, as they are both immortal.
She returns home to find her kingdom losing a battle against the Northern demons. Aerin uses Gonturan and her army of foltsza and yerigs. She gives the Hero's Crown to Tor. She helps defeat the Northerners, but many lives are lost, including King Arlbeth's.
Aerin, with Tor's help, finally gets rid of Maur's evil skull. But when they do, the skull turns Damar into a desert. Aerin marries Tor, whom she truly loves. They work together to rebuild the kingdom as its new rulers.
Meet the Characters
Aerin, the Heroine
Aerin is the "Sol," or the King's closest female heir. She is King Arlbeth's daughter. People avoid Aerin because of her different looks. They also believe rumors that her mother was a witch. Even though she has few friends, Aerin slowly earns respect. She slays dragons, is skilled with horses, and knows how to make fireproof ointment. Aerin also appears briefly in The Blue Sword.
Luthe, the Sorcerer
Luthe is an immortal sorcerer. He teaches Aerin a lot about her magic and her family. He heals her after her fight with the dragon Maur. He makes her "not-quite-mortal" by dipping her in the Lake of Dreams. He also falls in love with her. Luthe also appears in The Blue Sword.
Maur, the Dragon
Maur is a very evil dragon. He causes a lot of fear and trouble in Damar.
Tor, the Prince
Tor is the "sola," or the male heir to the throne. He is Aerin's only friend and cares for her deeply.
Galanna, the Rival
Galanna is pretty but mean. She and her friend Perlith are Aerin's main enemies at the royal court.
Agsded, the Evil Wizard
Agsded is a powerful and evil wizard. He is also Aerin's uncle.
