Glew (character)

Glew was formerly a very small man. In his younger days he attempted a number of careers, including slaying dragons or and performing as a bard. None of these satisfied him, mostly due to his poor attitude. Finally, he settled on sorcery and attempted to buy a book of spells from the enchanter Morda. Upon returning home with the book, Glew concluded he had been cheated as the pages all appeared blank. (Later, the writing only became visible using the light from Eilonwy's bauble.)

Glew then turned his mind to creating a potion that would make him a giant, hoping to achieve the power and respect he desired. He tested his potions on Llyan, a small wildcat he had trapped and put in a cage. The potions worked and the cat grew larger, eventually reaching the size of a draft horse, at which point she broke free and attacked Glew. Forced to flee, Glew hid in a series of caverns, drinking the potion as he ran. He was forced to run deeper into the caverns to find large enough rooms to accommodate his steadily increasing size. He eventually found a huge chamber in which he could rest but he was trapped. Glew remained in the caverns for many years, until he encountered the companions in The Castle of Llyr. Although Glew unsuccessfully attempts to trap the group for use as a final ingredient for a shrinking potion, Taran promises to ask Dallben to help him. Dallben eventually sends a potion that restores Glew to his original small size, which enables him to leave the cave. He makes his way to the Castle of Mona, where he is given refuge though he tests everyone's patience with his constant comnplaining.

In The High King, Glew is taken by Prince Rhun from Mona to Caer Dallben, where he does nothing except eat and complain about how much he misses being a giant. He is then obliged to accompany Taran and the others when go in search of Arawn. Accompanying Taran's Commot men after the fall of Caer Dathyl, Glew inadvertently causes the collapse of a Fair Folk mine shaft. He greedily retrieves jewels while the Commot people are passing through the shaft and his greed forces the group to turn back. In Annuvin, he and Gurgi stumble upon Arawn's treasure room. Glew attempts to plunder it though Gurgi correctly suspects that it is booby trapped: Glew is nearly killed by one of the traps before Gurgi rescues him.

At the end of The High King, Glew admits his folly in Arawn's treasure room, much to everyone's amazement. He is allowed to journey with them to Summer Country, where he will grow into a normal-sized man. Before leaving, he gives Taran a present of a small crystal he had found and kept (another selfless action).

• Tunnell, Michael O., The Prydain Companion, Henry Holt, 1989. ISBN 0-8050-7271-3