Lan Mandragoran Lan Mandragoran is among the most dangerous men in the world. He is a
Warder, hard and unyielding. The Warders are the finest warriors anywhere, and Lan is the best of the best. Lan’s personal history is known by few outside the
Borderlands. He is actually the last king of Malkier, crowned as a babe while the nation he should have ruled was swallowed by the Blight. Lan
was sworn from birth to fight the Shadow, and avenge the death of his country and
people. Should Lan ever decide to raise the banner of Malkier, countless soldiers from the Borderlands would flock to his side. Among the Aiel he is known as Aan’allein
, or “Man Who Is an Entire People.” As Lan grew, he learned the sword and battle as other children played with
toys. He learned the ways of the Blight, and honed skills which would later serve him well as a Warder. Lan frequently campaigned in the Blight, waging a private war he could never hope to win.
It was Moiraine Damodred who first bonded him as Warder, and he took her cause as his
own. He followed her faithfully for years, protecting her from danger while continually throwing himself in harm’s way. Only Moiraine’s skill as a Healer
preserved a life Lan himself was only too willing to give up in her defense. Lan’s bond to Moiraine was severed when she fell through the ter’angreal doorway. His
bond was then transferred to Myrelle Sedai, who had instructions to hold him until he could be
given to another Aes Sedai. He lost all will to live when his bond to Moiraine was severed, and Myrelle had her hands full trying to keep him alive.
This other Aes Sedai will certainly be Nynaeve al’Meara. Almost since they
met, they shared strong feelings for one another. Initially, Lan did not want to become too close to Nynaeve. He did not feel he was worthy of her - a king without a land,
and a personal battle he could never win or give up. That has changed with time, though. Lan has since become married to Nynaeve, and will
certainly become her Warder once it can be arranged. She has given him a new reason to live, a life he now enjoys with the woman he loves. |