Galadedrid Damodred

Author: Estella Sharina Agadis

Gal-LAHD-eh-drihd DAHM-oh-drehd

General

Lord Galadedrid of House Damodred, commonly known as Galad, is Elayne and Gawyn Trakand's half-brother, and son of Taringail Damodred and Tigraine, who once was Daughter-Heir of Andor. He does not know the meaning of envy, and he never lies (TEotW, Ch. 40). His personal sign is a winged silver sword, point-down (TEotW, Glossary).

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By defeating Valda, he is a blademaster (KoD, Prologue).

Appearance

Galad is a young man, and very handsome, nearly too handsome for being masculine. He is slender and tall, with movements speaking of whipcord strength and confidence. His eyes are dark, as is his hair, and he wears his clothes as if he doesn't care about them (TEotW, Ch. 40). His hands are long and elegant, yet strong (TSR, Ch. 17). Galad moves with a cat-like grace. Nearly every woman in the White Tower likes to look at him when he's practicing, from novices to Aes Sedai (TGH, Ch. 38).

Personality

He will always do what he believes to be the right thing, no matter who it hurts. He has a good hand with the sword, and only needs to be shown something once before he learns it (TGH, Ch. 24). He does have a sense of humour, but he does not care to mock people (TDR, Ch. 24). Accomplishments mean nothing for Galad, and he never boasts about how he is very good in strategy and tactics (TFoH, Ch. 16).

Relationships with Other Characters

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Galadedrid Damodred was born as the only son of Taringail Damodred and Tigraine Mantear. When his mother disappeared and Morgase Trakand became the Queen of Andor, his father married Morgase, making her his step-mother. He has grown up with his half-brother Gawyn and his half-sister Elayne. Elayne doesn't like him, but Gawyn does, especially since Galad has saved Gawyn's life more than once during their days of childhood (TEotW, Ch. 40; LoC, Ch. 16).

Galad and Rand are half-brothers, and that Tigraine went to live with the Aiel after she disappeared. While there, she became pregnant, and gave birth to Rand before she died. The only one who knows for sure that he and Galad are related is Rand himself (TSR, Ch. 34; LoC, Ch. 16).

Egwene liked Galad for quite some time, before she fell in love with Gawyn. Galad is very fond of Egwene as well, and always tries to find out if she is alright.

Galad starts to date Berelain (ToM, Ch. 43).

Visions and Prophecies

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• Egwene once dreamt that Galad wrapped himself in white as if he was putting on his own shroud (TSR, Ch. 11).

Galad's Journey

The Eye of the World

• Galad comes out into the garden when Elayne and Gawyn are talking with Rand. He tells them to stand away from Rand, but Elayne refuses. After an argument, she orders him to leave, which he does. Elayne says that she hates him, and that he is envious, but Gawyn says that Galad has saved his life twice where he could have let his brother die. Before Elayne and Gawyn can get Rand out of the garden, an officer and several soldier comes, and the officer says Galad sent him (TEotW, Ch. 40).

The Great Hunt

• Egwene is introduced to Galad and Gawyn at the same time, but she is so occupied with staring at Galad that she doesn't notice Gawyn. Galad tells her that he would like to see her again. When he leaves, Elayne says that she is not his sister, and that he does not have any humanity. Gawyn defends his brother (TGH, Ch. 24).
• Min tells Egwene about a novice trying to get Galad's attention, but that he just asked if she knew where Egwene was. After Elayne has entered the room, she says that if Egwene is busy mooning over Galad, she will have no sympathy from Elayne (TGH, Ch. 38).

The Dragon Reborn

• After Elayne disappeared from the Tower, Queen Morgase came to Tar Valon, wanting to bring Galad and Gawyn home to Caemlyn. The two men managed to convince her that Elayne would need someone to look after her when she returned (TDR, Ch. 13; Ch. 16).
• Galad and Gawyn are in Nynaeve's room when Egwene and Elayne come to see her. They try to press Elayne into telling them where she has been, and Nynaeve throws them out (TDR, Ch. 16).
• Mat comes to the practice yard when Galad and Gawyn are training, and he challenges them to fight him, sword against quarterstaff, betting one silver mark of his against two from them. Galad does not wish to take Mat's money, but he finally agrees to fight. Mat very nearly loses the fight, but he manages to make Galad sink to the ground. Within seconds, Galad is surrounded by Aes Sedai and Accepted wanting to Heal him. Hammar Gaidin gives Mat his two silver marks, and says that he'll collect from Galad later (TDR, Ch. 24).

The Shadow Rising

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• The last time Galad bothered to come to the practice yard, he managed to win three out of five in fighting Hammar (TSR, Ch. 1).
• Min meets Galad and Gawyn in a Tower garden, when she is sitting with an embroidery hoop. Galad wants to know if he has met her before, and Min pretends to be someone else. Gawyn tries to get her to comment on the book Galad got from Eamon Valda, about the Whitecloaks. Instead of being herself, she acts as if she is only interested in her hair (TSR, Ch. 17).

The Fires of Heaven

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• An Aes Sedai named Andaya asks Elaida if she has heard anything from Galad, who has disappeared from the Tower (TFoH, Prologue).
• Galad enters the inn in Sienda where Elayne and Nynaeve are having a meal, and he wants to know what they are doing there. He is now wearing the armour and white cloak showing that he has joined the Children of the Light. He offers to accompany them back to Caemlyn, and Elayne says that she needs some time to decide what she's going to. Galad agrees, and leaves the inn, but he waits outside to make sure that they don't escape (TFoH, Ch. 16; Ch. 17).
• When Elayne and Nynaeve are in Samara, Juilin tells that he recognized the Whitecloak sitting across from the inn in Sienda (TFoH, Ch. 33).
• After Nynaeve has talked with the Prophet, and Ragan and Uno are following her back to the menagerie, Uno suddenly says that there is a Whitecloak following them. It is Galad, who has been sent from Sienda to Samara because of the Prophet. He follows the three into the alley they are hiding in, and Uno and Ragan are prepared to fight him. Nynaeve convince them to put away their weapons, and she and Galad talk. He offers to find a boat away from Samara, so that she and Elayne can travel to Andor. Galad swears by his mother's name that he does not mean to harm them, and Elayne later says that if he swore on their mother's name, he will never break the oath, no matter what (TFoH, Ch. 39; TFoH, Ch. 40).
• Galad comes to the menagerie to inform Nynaeve and the others that he has found a ship for them. He paid the captain, but before he could go and get the women, the Prophet had taken the ship, so Galad took it back, and started a riot (TFoH, Ch. 47).
• When Galad and the Shienarans are leading Nynaeve and Elayne to the ship, they have to fight a mob, and Galad kills many of the people in the mob. As they are leaving Samara, he tells them to stay clear of Rand al'Thor (TFoH, Ch. 48).

Lord of Chaos

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• Morgase Trakand finds out that her step-son is a Child of the Light, and she silently thinks that he is no more safe as a Whitecloak than Elayne and Gawyn are. She later tries to convince Pedron Niall to let her see Galad (LoC, Ch. 9; ACoS, Prologue).

A Crown of Swords

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There is no relevant reference to Galad in this book.

The Path of Daggers

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There is no relevant reference to Galad in this book.

Winter's Heart

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There is no relevant reference to Galad in this book.

Crossroads of Twilight

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• After Niall is murdered, the new Lord Captain Commander of the Children thinks about how Galad has gone from a useful lever to a normal young officer (CoT, Prologue).

Knife of Dreams

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• Galad accuses Valda of murdering Morgase and challenges him to a Trial Beneath the Light. They fight and Galad uses Valda's overconfidence to defeat him (KoD, Prologue).
• Trom declares Galad the new Lord Captain Commander. Galad decides to break free of the Seanchan and ally the Whitecloaks with anyone who will fight the Seanchan or the Last Battle (KoD, Prologue).

The Gathering Storm

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• Galad meets up with Perrin (TGS, Ch. 31).

Towers of Midnight

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• Galad gives a speech to the Whitecloaks with him about fighting in the Last Battle. He explains that they will need the Aes Sedai to win. After travelling through a swamp and wearing the men down Galad discovers that he has been betrayed by Barlett. A larger group of Children led by Asunawa meet up with Galad in a parley. After some discussion Galad gives himself to them on the condition his men are allowed to go free and not be questioned (ToM, Prologue).
• He is freed by Trom and Golever who inform him that they the Lord Captains have agreed to follow him (ToM, Ch. 2).
• The Children amke camp on the Jehannah Road. Harnesh asks Galad about his statement about allying with the Aes Sedai. he explains that the Aes Sedai are less evil than the Dark One and that they will need everyone they can gather. Galad is informed they have takes some merchants. After inspecting their wares Galad knows they are part of an army. He questions the leader of the group Basel Gill. Byar then says some of the people have talked and there is an army nearby lead by Perrin (ToM, Ch. 4).
• Byar explains Perrin's crimes to Galad who then feels a duty to take care of Perrin (ToM, Ch. 7).
• Galad meets with Perrin and based off Perrin's eyes thinks him a darkfriend. He tells Perrin to meet him on the field of battle (ToM, Ch. 10).
• After a demonstration by Perrin of his power Galad agrees to parley with him again. He takes 50 of his men and meets up with Perrin. Perrin asks for a trial but he refuses to give one and right before he leaves he is surprised by a serving woman who turns out to be his mother in law Morgase. He agrees to accept her as a judge and they agree to a trial in three days time (ToM, Ch. 26).
• Morgase explains to Galad what happened and explains what she has learned of Perrin. She tells him he is a good man but that good men make mistakes. She tells of a mistake she made and how it helped her learn (ToM, Ch. 28).
• Galad goes to Perrin's trial. After all the evidence is given Morgase finds Perrin guilty and leaves his punishment up to Galad. Perrin agrees to accept whatever punishment is given as long as it is after the Last Battle. Galad agrees but does not give a punishment yet (ToM, Ch. 34).
• Galad is awoken and told that Perrin's army is poised above their camp ready to attack. He orders the men to get ready and is disappointed in his judgement of Perrin (ToM, Ch. 40).
• Galad gets ready for Perrin's attack when all of a sudden Perrin's army fires over them and into a surprising army of Trollocs. Galad and his men fight the Trollocs and Galad is injured. Perrin rushes down to help them and has Galad ride his horse as Galad's ankle is injured. They kill all the Trollocs and Galad names Perrin's punishment, he must fight in the Last Battle with all his strength and he must pay 500 crowns to each of the people's families (ToM, Ch. 41).
• Perrin makes Galad an offer to join him in fighting in the Last Battle. Galad agrees and makes an oath to follow Perrin (ToM, Ch. 43.
• Galad attends Morgase and Tallanvor's wedding (ToM, Ch. 44).
• Galad and Morgase meet up with Elayne. Galad catches up with Elayne telling the story of how he became Lord Captain Commander and she tells her story (ToM, Ch. 45).

A Memory of Light

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• He signs the Peace of the Dragon (AMoL, Ch. 5).
• He is with the harrying forces at Caemlyn (AMoL, Ch. 10).
• He and the Whitecloaks fight alongside the Ogier (AMoL, Ch. 16).
• The Whitecloaks and the other forces completely obliterate the Trolloc army (AMoL, Ch. 32).
• After battle, he refuses Asha'man Healing as his exhaustion reminds him of what he has lost (AMoL, Ch. 32).
• He and the Whitecloaks fight with the Ghealdanin and the Two Rivers forces at the Battle of Merrilor (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Mat has him hold the position near the ruins (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Later in the battle, he has Ghealdanin, Winged Guards under his command as well as the Children.
• He realizes some of Mat's decisions have been good, but is not able to figure out Mat's plan (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Mat sends for him. When he gets to Elayne, he reads a letter from Mat, with one of the Foxhead Medallion copies and instructions to do what must be done. Mat includes a PS explaining that Galad is to kill Sharan channelers (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• He suffesfully kills multiple Ayyad, but is distracted when Alhanra finds Gawyn (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Before Gawyn dies, he tells Galad that Rand is also a son of Tigraine (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• He sends his men back and goes to fight Demandred himself (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• During the fight, Demandred throws a rock at Galad, and after Galad dodges it, cuts his forearm (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Galad cuts Demandred, but the muscle in his arm where he was injured tears and he drops his sword. Demandred severs Galad's arm and knocks him unconscious (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• Annoura recovers him and takes him to Mayene, burning herself out in the process (AMoL, Ch. 37).
• He gives Berelain the Medallion and asks her to return it to Mat (AMoL, Ch. 37).

Miscellaneous

• Gawyn does not think that Galad has any humour, just because Galad doesn't like to mock people (TDR, Ch. 24).

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• Moghedien used Galad to confuse Egwene in the World of Dreams, and she created and tried to trap Egwene in a dream where she and Galad were in love (TFoH, Ch. 25).

• He learned the basics of the sword from Gareth Bryne and Henre Haslin before he ever went to the Tower (TGS, Prologue).

Quotes

"Galad has not the smallest part of humanity in him. He takes right above mercy, or pity, or.... He is no more human than a Trolloc." Elayne talking about her half-brother. (The Great Hunt, Chapter 24).

"Egwene, Galad is so good he'd make you tear your hair out. He'd hurt a person because he had to serve a greater good. He wouldn't even notice who was hurt, because he'd be so intent on the other, but if he did, he would expect them to understand and think it was all well and right." Min telling Egwene about Galad. (The Great Hunt, Chapter 38).

This section contains spoilers relating to The Fires of Heaven. Please expand to view.

"I mean no harm to you, now or ever; I swear it by my mother's name. You say that you are what you are? I know what you are. And what you are not. Perhaps half the reason I wear this," he touched an edge of his snowy cloak, "is because the Tower sent you out - you and Elayne and Egwene- for the Light knows what reason, when you are what you are. It was like sending a boy who had just learned to hold a sword into battle, and I will never forgive them. There is still time for both of you to turn aside; you do not have to carry that sword." Galad in Samara. (The Fires of Heaven, Chapter 40)

"If you intend to be at Tarmon Gaidon, then you will have to fight alongside Aes Sedai." (Knife of Dreams, Prologue)