Also known as Lan, he is a character in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Lan often compares himself to death, and says he has a never-ending battle against the Blight and the Dark One. This is the reason he gives when refusing to marry Nynaeve al'Meara. He is well-known in the Boarderlands, as he is the uncrowned king of Malkier. He is, in fact, the only one of his country still living (Malkier was swallowed by the Blight when Lan was only a child). He was bonded to Moiraine Aes Sedai, as her Warder, for twenty years or so. To find out more, get to your nearest book store and pick up a copy of The Eye of the World. That'll get you started.