Lasaraleen
From WikiNarnia, the Narnian Encyclopedia
Tarkheena Lasaraleen was a Calormene during the Golden Age of Narnia, and a childhood friend of Aravis.
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[edit] Private Life
Lasaraleen was the wife of a rich and respected Calormene Tarkaan, and lived in the Tisroc's palace. However she had a summer home in Mezreel. Although part of the Calormene nobility, she was not quite in the royal circles.
[edit] Character
She was known as an annoying and "terrible giggler", always gossiping about weddings, engagments, parties, and scandals. Despite being prone to hysteria and cowardice, she assisted Aravis during her escape from Calormen by hiding her and smuggling her out of Tashbaan. She had great reverence for class distinctions, wealth, and power. She was also a noted gossip, scandalmonger, and a slave to fashion. She was caring towards her friends, even when she didn't agree with them, yet she grew up with the sheltered and spoiled life of most Tarkheenas.
[edit] Involvement with Aravis
Aravis and Lasaraleen were at school together when they were girls.
During the escape of Aravis and her companions from Calormen, Aravis was recognized by Lasaraleen. To keep her quiet, Aravis jumped into her palanquin and asked her old friend for help. Lasaraleen smuggled her into her apartments in the Tisroc's Palace. At Aravis' request she had her servants care for the two talking horses, Bree and Hwin, and take them to the Tombs of the Ancient Kings outside Tashbaan, the rendezvous point with Shasta.
While attempting to smuggle Aravis out through a secret water gate in the Tisroc's palace at night, the girls overheard a secret conversation between the Tisroc, Prince Rabadash, and the Grand Vizier Ahoshta. During the discussion, Rabadash revealed his plans to invade Archenland. Terrified, Lasaraleen panicked and almost revealed their presence, which would have resulted in their being put to death. However, she was convinced by Aravis to go through with the planned escape, and Aravis was smuggled out of Tashbaan that night.
[edit] Trivia
Lasaraleen's name comes from the Scottish lasar "leisure", and een the Gaelic feminine diminutive.
[edit] References
Paul F. Ford, The Companion to Narnia (San Francisco, 1994)
