The Runaway King

Running away, particularly from threat or danger, is a recurring motif throughout Jennifer A. Nielsen’s novel. Its very title, The Runaway King, alludes to the protagonist’s solitary quest to find the pirates and resolve the overlying conflict.

From the beginning of the story, Jaron’s stance on running away from danger is made clear. While talking about the four years he was in hiding, for instance, he quips: “I was never missing, [...] I always knew exactly where I was” (18). Additionally, Imogen guesses that Jaron will try to join the pirates precisely because she knows he would never shy away from danger. She points this out while trying to convince him to leave the pirates’ camp, in explain how she knew his reasons for leaving the castle the previous week, saying, “It was because you don’t run. Not even when it’s the only logical thing to do” (214).

Despite agreeing to the regents’ strategy, which is to keep him from harm by removing him from the throne, Jaron chooses to run toward the threat instead. This leads several characters, such as Mott and Imogen, to describe him as foolish and reckless. However, pretending to run away also enables Jaron to keep up his cover and fool his enemies.