So who is Lan?
What is a Warder?
That's a good question. As a matter
of fact, it will probably be this site's most frequently asked question.
It will probably be... the only question. This page includes the
more commonly known facts, mostly obtained by Jordan's glossaries, but
includes my personal opinions and reflections on the Lan's character and
impeccable sense of honor.
~
Who is Lan? What are his Titles?
Lan is a character from Robert Jordan's Wheel
of Time series. Lan's full name is al'Lan Mandragoran, a musical
and rhyming name that perhaps suits Lan's exquisite mastery of sword forms
more than his personality. Because of his job, Lan is often seen
(mostly by women) as serious and even ignorant of certain things, though
being alert and on awares is a large part of his profession. Lan's
titles include: Lord of the Seven Towers, Lord of the Lakes, uncrowned
King of Malkier, Dai'shan, Diademed Battle Lord of Malkier, aan'allein.
Obviously respected by the Aiel people who have given him the aan'allein
title, "a man who unites an entire nation." (Or what also
might just mean "one man." Clearly this Old Tongue word has
some connection to the German word allein, meaning simply 'alone.')
Despite all of this legacy and destiny, Lan excels at focusing on the moment
in preparation for a long term goal, whether achieved through a battle
of steel, wits, or cat-and-mouse tactics.
Lan also goes by "Andra" when he travels
in secret with Moiraine.
~
Where does Lan come from?
Like all of the main and secondary characters
in the Wheel of Time series, Lan's significance goes beyond the role he
plays in the present storyline. Lan is a Malkieri Lord (uncrowned
King). The Blight has consumed Malkier, which is one reason why Lan
no doubt fights alongside the Shienarans to hold the Blight and its evil
Shadowspawn at bay. (For a more detailed early history of Lan's life,
check out WoT
Characters: al'Lan Mandragoran , but note
that there may be some spoliers, even if predicatble ones!)
~
What is Lan's Job?
He is a Warder, which is basically a prestigious
(and feared) warrior that gets to protect and guard an Aes Sedai.
Warders and Aes Sedai are bonded with the One Power, which leads to many
interesting storylines both in the series and in our fan-fiction.
According to Robert Jordan's glossary, there are some perks to Lan's job.
Because the One Power is involved in their bond, a Warder can heal faster
than most individuals. He can go longer without food, water, or sleep,
and can sense the Dark One.
Through the unique bond, an Aes Sedai can
sense her Warder's presence. She knows if he has been killed and
how it was done.
Also of note, different Aes Sedai Ajahs view
Warders differently, for the most part: Reds
do not take Warders, and Greens have been
known to take more than one at a time if they desire. Web culture
has shown that Greens are also likely to marry
their Warders or take them as lovers.
~
What does Lan look like? Why is
he sexy? What's his personality?
Lan is described as having long hair and
blue eyes. He wears a Warder's cloak, which is color-changing, and
is obviously strong in the face of danger, feared by his enemies, and very
loyal and trustworthy. Lan also wears armor on occasion, suggestive
of his knightly behavior and his committment to cause. I believe
that Lan's duty goes beyond a bond. On several occasions he has unquestioningly
gone beyond his duty to save the lives of others. He believes in
his cause more fiercely than anything, but never loses sight of other important
things that life will toss at him (such as Nynaeve).
Lan also wears a hadori, which is
a thin leather band that Malkieri men wear about their heads. (This
is appealing to any hippie chick).
~
Every important character has special
objects. What does Lan possess?
A Ring. What is commonly referred
to as simply "Lan's ring," which spends the majority of the time hanging
in Nynaeve's cleavage (well, close to her heart at least), is the ring
of the Malkieri Kings. Obviously this is no trivial promise gift.
A Sword. Lan also carries a sword
not unlike Rand's first, crafted to slay the appropriate enemies.
~
Can I marry Lan?! Where can I find
him? I want Lan!
Well, I doubt Lan would marry you.
First of all, Lan's a fictional character. Find your own Lan-like
man! Secondly, Lan always has prior obligations... he is either bonded
to Moiraine, promised to Nynaeve, or with Nynaeve, depending on where you
are in the series. Lan calls Nynaeve his mashiara, or beloved,
so I doubt you'll be prying a man like that away from her anytime soon.
~
So, do you have a thing for Warders or
something?
To me, Warders are very attractive and sexy.
The whole notion of a powerful man behind a powerful and intelligent woman
is very attractive. The fact that a Warder would die to save his
Aes Sedai is also attractive. Yes, I think Warders are so attractive,
that I had my character marry one-- an NPC modeled after my real-life boyfriend,
who introduced me to the Wheel of Time series.
~
Who can you parallel Lan and Nynaeve's
relationship to?
The more I read about this couple, the more
I think of Will Riker and Deana Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Riker and Troi are Imzadi, much like Lan's mashiara.
It is significant to note that both couples use terms to express their
love in other languages/tongues, suggesting that 'beloved,' 'soul mate,'
or any other common term does not describe their relationship enough; it
goes far deeper. I am sure I am not the only one who has been in
love, feeling far more than simply 'love,' but at a loss for other words
to describe it. It makes me curious about authors Peter David (Imzadi)
and Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time series), that they express the
minds of a woman in love so well-- about their own experiences in love.
Each couple also experiences an extreme amount of soul mate connection
in addition to attraction before their relationships become physical in
any way.
~
While I am the ultimate Lan fan, I have yet to complete the books of the WoT series that are written, so if you have more information or corrections, please let me know!