Tairen Blood Stock...Bela?

[Orderofolde]

We've always loved Bela the shaggy old mare, but what do we know of her background?  Did she accompany Tam, baby Rand, and Kari Al'Thor back to the Two Rivers from Tam's time as second in command of the Illian Companions as perhaps a trophy captured from warring with Tear, or was she taken perhaps later during the Aiel War?  Tairen Bloodstock is rivaled only by Domani, and if we apply visual appeal she might have been of very fine stock but not much to look at so she might have been allowed to be retained by a young officer or given to him for killing Laman.  

 

Bela is clearly more than she appears to be from the beginning, I think that Rand's taking away her weariness was only something minor, that she had always been strong and all but a war horse enjoying retirement.  She never seemed to shy from Trollocs and had such heart.  Clearly whatever her story is, it is remarkable.

[Nyanna al'Meara]

Oooo! I love the idea of her being an ex-warhorse, actually :p  Rather doubt that she'd be Tairen bloodstock though, as they're described to be a much finer breed and, well.... she's stocky and shaggy, the exact opposite. Like comparing Arabs and Welsh Cobs.
Then there's her speed, I find it unlikely that she'd be used in battle if other normal mounts were around.... but you have a point, maybe Tam grew fond of her loyality and bravery XD I want to believe he brought her from travels in his former life, that would be awesome and add to her mystery

[Orderofolde]

Oooo! I love the idea of her being an ex-warhorse, actually :p  Rather doubt that she'd be Tairen bloodstock though, as they're described to be a much finer breed and, well.... she's stocky and shaggy, the exact opposite. Like comparing Arabs and Welsh Cobs.

Then there's her speed, I find it unlikely that she'd be used in battle if other normal mounts were around.... but you have a point, maybe Tam grew fond of her loyality and bravery XD I want to believe he brought her from travels in his former life, that would be awesome and add to her mystery

I am discovering more and more how well RJ knew the story and how exceedingly well thought out a lot of it was when he set pen to paper for the first book.  I started it again on audiobook and each evening I think of something or see how sarcastic remarks foreshadow what people eventually will become or endure.  Bela has something in her history, she's not just a common farm or cart horse, she is far too smart and turns up with aid of the pattern too many times to be otherwise.  I can only imagine Tam's story, Illian companions, Aiel War, meeting Kari Al'Thor, their inability for children, finding Rand, killing Lamen, his learning of the Blade.  Too bad the outriggers and prequels won't get done any time soon.

[mb]

The encyclopaedia site that the wars with Tear were between 957NE and 976NE.

That site also tells that the Whitecloak War occurred in 957NE.

The Aiel War was 976NE through 978NE.

The main series begins 998NE.

 

20 years I was told would be a long time for a horse; 41 years would be an even longer time.

Not sure what is the normal life expectancy for a horse in this series.

[Orderofolde]

The encyclopaedia site that the wars with Tear were between 957NE and 976NE.

That site also tells that the Whitecloak War occurred in 957NE.

The Aiel War was 976NE through 978NE.

The main series begins 998NE.

 

20 years I was told would be a long time for a horse; 41 years would be an even longer time.

Not sure what is the normal life expectancy for a horse in this series.

When Nyn goes through the rings to become accepted she sees Lan and their children feeding Mandarb apples or some such as an older horse put to pasture.  He's had Mandarb for a while and with the time to reconstruct the Seven Towers in the background, seems like maybe 30 years is RJ's average.  I was thinking that during the end of the Aiel War close to when Tam finds Rand he's married and acquired Bela.  Then again with Kari's red-gold hair she might have been a noble woman and Bela might have been hers they used for a cart because few people actually ride with a baby.  Bela would be around 20 by TEoTW, 22 when she dies.  I've had a neighbor that had an old swaybacked horse that lived until 29.  True, riding didn't happen the last 5 or so but still...

[Nyanna al'Meara]

Mm, well there are always exceptions - I know a 33 yr old riding pony that never walks but insists on trotting at the head of a horse trek :p

[mb]

The encyclopaedia site told that Kari was a merchant's daughter.

[Orderofolde]

Maybe she was Laman's horse?

[mb]

Most horses in this series tend to be the same gender as their riders; especially the horses of nobles.