The Horse and His Boy | Chapter 14: How Bree Became a Wiser Horse

Chapter Summary:

The beginning of this chapter returns us to the Hermit, Aravis, Bree, and Hwin. The narrator tells us that they know that Shasta has survived. The next morning, Aravis, Bree, and Hwin discuss the plan, and whether they should leave the Hermit. During this conversation, Aravis asks Bree why he always swears 'by the lion,' and Bree tells her about Aslan. However, Bree says that Aslan is not really a lion--only that he is as strong as, or similar to, a lion.

During Bree's speech, Aslan silently jumps into the garden and stands behind Bree. Aravis, Bree, and Hwin scatter in fright, but then one by one return to Aslan's side to meet him. Aslan tells Aravis that he has been the only lion throughout their journey, and that the scratches he gave her mirrored the lashes given to her stepmother's slave, who Aravis drugged into sleep prior to her escape from her home.

Aslan leaves, and Prince Cor arrives. Prince Cor is none other than Shasta. Aravis apologizes for her earlier rudeness. Shasta tells Aravis that King Lune is his rather--and Prince Corin is his brother. Cor (Shasta) then tells Aravis how he was born as a twin and kidnapped as a baby when a centaur predicted that he would one day save Archenland. Cor was kept alive by a knight when the kidnapper was killed, and then floated down a river, guided by Aslan, until he floated right to Arsheesh.

Cor then tells Aravis that King Lune wants her to come to Anvard to live with them as well, and Aravis agrees to do so. Then, Cor, Aravis, Bree, and Hwin leave the Hermit and head to Anvard. Bree is worried about being different from the other Talking Horses, and rolls on the ground one last time, in case this behavior is frowned upon in Narnia.

Reflection:

Let's definitely start with the obvious passage here--this is Aslan speaking with Aravis:

"'It was I who wounded you,' said Aslan. 'I am the only lion you met in all your journeyings. Do you know why I tore you?'

'No, sir.'

'The scratches on your back, tear for tear, throb for throb, blood for blood, were equal to the stripes laid on the back of your stepmother's slave because of the drugged sleep you cast upon her. You needed to know what it felt like.' 

'Yes, sir. Please--' 

'Ask on, my dear,' said Aslan. 

'Will any more harm come to her by what I did?' 

'Child,' said the Lion, 'I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own'" (p. 202-203).

Well, we now have finally had the big question answered--and it's an answer we look back to the earliest chapters of the novel to understand completely. If you recall, Aravis had drugged her stepmother's slave. She did this because this slave was supposed to accompany her on a supposed three-day spiritual journey that had been granted by her father. But, truth be told, the spiritual journey was never to occur--Aravis simply wanted a three-day head start before her father began to search for her. So, she drugged her stepmother's slave. Later, when Aravis is telling this to Shasta, she says that she doesn't really care what the consequences were for the slave. 

So, interestingly, we have a very eye-for-an-eye Aslan on our hands here, which was not necessarily the case in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But we most certainly do have an Aslan who tells the stories of each individual as they are meant to be told--to the individuals themselves, and no others. This makes me think that it is rather likely that Edmund does know--eventually--what Aslan did for him, to save him from the prophesy that said that the Witch would have dominion over any traitor in Narnia. Aslan is both fair and just--telling each person their story to give a better understanding of life and why it occurs--but never sparing anyone their just deserve. 

Of course, we have the repetition here as well--when Shasta asks Aslan why he attacked Aravis, Aslan tells Shasta that this is not part of his story, but hers. Likewise, Aslan will not tell Aravis whether her stepmother's slave will experience any further hardship--because this is not her story either. 

Aslan bids them farewell before Cor (Shasta) arrives, but says that he will see them again soon. On we go to the final chapter of The Horse and His Boy, where I suspect that Aslan will be making another appearance. 

Also, Cor and Corin? Who does that to their poor children?! Just had to get that one out there.