The Black Cauldron

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[Narrator] Legend has it,

in the mystic land of Prydain,

there was once a king

so cruel and so evil...

that even the gods

feared him.

Since no prison

could hold him,

he was thrown alive

into a crucible of molten iron.

There, his demonic spirit

was captured...

in the form

of a great Black Cauldron.

For uncounted centuries,

the Black Cauldron

lay hidden, waiting,

while evil men

searched for it,

knowing whoever possessed it

would have the power...

to resurrect an army

of deathless warriors...

and, with them,

rule the world.

[Man] There's something wrong.

I can feel it in my bones.

- [Bones Cracking]

- The Fairfolk know it too.

- You dont see any of them around.

- [Meows]

The Horned King,

that black hearted devil.

- [Continues Meowing]

-What's he waiting for?

Yes, yes, cat.

I know you want your breakfast,

but, just now,

thinking is more important.

[Sighs, Gasping]

Taran,

the pot is boiling over!

-[Pot Boiling]

-Oh, Dallben. I was just thinking.

What if the war's over,

and I never had a chance to fight?

Hmm, and a good thing too.

War isnt a game.

People get hurt.

But I'm not afraid.

Ouch!

[Chuckling]

Yes, there you are.

If the Horned King

ever returns,

you'll have a great deal more

to worry about...

than a burned finger.

No, no, no, cat. That is not for you.

It's for Hen Wen.

Hen Wen, Hen Wen.

It's always Hen Wen!

And one day, my boy,

you may learn why.

Now, no more dreaming.

You have chores to do.

Yes, sir.

[Sighs]

He's so anxious...

and so blind

to the dangers ahead.

Look, cat. You're in luck.

Just enough left for you.

Hmm.

- [Quacking]

- Dallben doesn't understand.

I'm not a little boy

anymore.

[Squawking]

I should be doing heroic deeds

for Prydain, not waiting

hand and foot on a spoiled--

Hey!

[Chuckles]

Oh, all right, Hen.

I didn't mean it.

You'd better eat it.

Dallben made it

especially for you.

Is this to be my life ?

Pampering a pig ?

I'm a warrior

not a pig keeper.

Dallben thinks I'd be afraid,

but I wouldn't.

All I need is a chance,

and I could be

a famous warrior.

Look at me, Hen!

I can do it! Ha!

[Squealing]

[Taran Laughing]

Even you're afraid.

-[Quacking]

-Do you challenge me ? Run, you cowards.

[Squawking]

-There you are.

- [Bleats]

His Majesty,

the Horned King.

So we meet at last.

Ha!

[Laughing] Even the Horned King

shakes with fear.

See, Hen? Everybody runs

from the famous Taran of Caer Dallben!

[Laughing]

[Groans, Coughing]

Prydain's finest warrior...

draws his last... breath.

Dallben.

Hmm, not quite the blade

for a hero.

[Stammering] I was--

It's just that we were--

Hen Wen got dirty.

[Dallben] Oh, I see.

Another dream, Taran ?

But, Dallben, wont I ever be anything

but an assistant pig keeper?

She's a special pig, Taran.

- [Snorting]

- [Chuckles]

Now, give her a nice bath.

Well, Hen,

it looks as though...

I'll still be an assistant pig keeper

when I'm as old as Dallben.

[Laughs] You like that, dont you ?

[Laughing] Now for the part

you like best.

Hey, come on, Hen.

I havent finished scrubbing your ba--

- [Squealing]

- Hen, whats the matter?

Calm down, Hen.

- [Continues Squealing]

-Stop it, please! What's the matter?

- Hen Wen--

-Taran, whats going on ?

I-I don't know.

There's something wrong

with Hen Wen.

What? Quickly, lad.

Bring her inside.

-[Taran] What's that for?

- Put Hen Wen down.

I never use her powers

unless I have to,

but now I must.

- ''Powers'' ?

-Taran, what you are about to see,

you must never reveal to anyone.

Hen Wen, from you,

I do beseech...

knowledge that lies

beyond my reach,

troubled thoughts

beyond your heart.

Pray you now

those thoughts impart.

[Dallben Sighs] The Horned King.

- [Gasps]

-Shh-shh-shh. Don't interfere.

He is searching.

The Black Cauldron!

-So that's it.

- ''The Black Cauldron'' ?

[Dallben] An awesome weapon, Taran.

It's been hidden

for centuries,

but if the Horned King

should find it...

and unleash its power,

nothing could stand

against him.

[Taran] That's Hen Wen.

[Dallben] He knows.

Stop! Enough!

You must leave here at once.

Take Hen Wen

to the hidden cottage...

at the edge

of the forbidden forest.

Hide there and never bring her out

until I come for you.

''Hide'' ? But why?

Only I knew the secret

of Hen Wen's power,

but now the Horned King

has discovered it.

We must make sure he never uses

it to find the Black Cauldron.

I'm not afraid

of the Horned King.

Then you are a very foolish lad.

Untried courage is no match

for his evil.

Just remember that.

Now, off you go,

my boy,

and take care

of yourself.

Good-bye, Dallben.

I won't fail you.

So much, so soon...

to rest

on his young shoulders.

[Thunder Rumbling]

Oh, yes.

Yes, my soldiers.

Soon the Black Cauldron

will be mine.

Its evil power will course

through my veins,

and I shall make you...

Cauldron born.

Yes. Yes. Oh, yes.

Then you will worship me!

Me.

Oh, my soldiers.

How long

I have thirsted...

to be a god...

among mortal men.

[Taran] Gosh, Hen Wen.

I never knew...

you could create visions

and things like that.

I thought you were just

an ordinary pig.

I had no idea

you were so... special.

Dallben's going to be glad

that he put his trust in me.

Just you wait and see.

Now, don't go

wandering about.

And dont you worry.

Keep close to me,

and no one

will do you any harm.

Not while I'm around.

- I won't let the Horned King

get close to you, Hen.

- [Sniffing]

- I'll protect you.

-[Crowd Cheering]

[Cheering Continues]

[Man] Taran of Caer Dallben,

the greatest warrior

in all Prydain,

a true hero!

[Crowd Cheering]

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you all.

But without the help of my pig,

Hen Wen, here, I--

Hen Wen, where are you ?

Hen Wen ?

Oh, no!

Hen?

[Echoing]

Hen Wen!

[Twigs Cracking, Wings Flapping]

Is that you, Hen ?

Look what I've got.

-Come on out. Here's a lovely--

-[Yelling]

[Laughing, Kissing]

Ooh, great prince. Give poor, starving

Gurgi munchings and crunchings.

Nice apple.

Good prince. Good apple.

Oh, boy, what a juicy apple.

[Humming]

Hey. No, you don't!

I didn't give you that apple.

You took it. Ow!

Hey, hold on, you hairy, little thief.

Come back with my apple!

If you don't give it back,

you'll be sorry. I mean it.

I'm warning you.

Give it back.

Come on. The apple--

Where is it?

Uh-uh. Gurgi not know

where the ap-- Uh-oh.

Give it back.

I warn you.

[Slurping]

Come on.

-Aha.

-Come on, the apple. Let's have it.

You horrible,

greedy thing.

You should be ashamed

of yourself!

Oh, poor,

miserable Gurgi deserves...

fierce smackings and whackings

on his poor, tender head.

[Sniffling] Always left with

no munchings and crunchings.

[Sobbing]

Forgive poor Gurgi.

Oh, stop that sniveling.

I'm not going to hurt you.

Now, look here.

Have you seen my pig ?

Piggy?

Round, fat piggy?

- Big snout? [Snorting]

- Yes, yes.

-Curly tail ?

-That's her. That's Hen Wen!

Uh-uh. Nope.

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