Éowyn Full Name: Éowyn Name Meaning: One who delights in horses (Old English) Aliases: White Lady of Rohan, Dernhelm, Lady of Ithilien, Shieldmaiden of Rohan Birth Date: TA 2995 Date of Death: Unknown Race: Human Parents: Father, Éomund. Mother, Théodwyn Siblings: Éomer Spouse: Faramir Children: A son, Elboron History: Éowyn was the daughter of Éomund, chief Marshal of the Mark, and Théodwyn, King Théoden's sister. Éomund died when Éowyn was only 7 years old, and Théodwyn died of grief soon afterwards. Théoden took in Éowyn and her older brother, Éomer, and attempted to raise them as his own children, but Théoden's evil counsellor, Grima Wormtongue, weakened the King and Éowyn was forced to take care of herself. She learned to ride and fight as well as any man, but the women of Rohan were not allowed to go to battles. Éowyn captivated Grima, and she became Grima's promised reward from Saruman. Éowyn herself loathed Grima and avoided him when possible, but his words still deeply affected her and added to her misery. In TA 3019, when Aragorn rode to the capitol of Rohan, Edoras, Éowyn fell in love with him. Aragorn was already betrothed to Arwen, and he saw that Éowyn loved only the shadow of his greatness. She desired to be set above the mean things that crawl upon the earth, and since Aragorn was the heir of kings, she wished to be his wife. When Aragorn took the Paths of the Dead and refused to let Éowyn ride with his company, she wished only for a glorious death in battle and disguised herself as a Rider of the Mark named Dernhelm. Éowyn rode with Théoden's army to Minas Tirith, and took Merry along with her, though he didn't realize who she was. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Éowyn stood by Théoden when all his guards had fled in terror, and she slew the Witch-king with Merry's help: thus they fulfilled the prophecy that the Witch-king would not be killed by any man. While fighting the Witch-king, she broke her arm and fell under the Black Breath of the Ringwraiths. She came close to death, but Aragorn healed her with the help of a plant called athelas, or kingsfoil. After the War of the Ring, Éowyn stayed at the Houses of Healing while her arm mended and she recovered from her ordeal. Faramir also remained in Minas Tirith, and the two met and enjoyed each other's company. Éowyn then fell in love with Faramir and no longer desired to be a queen. Faramir and Éowyn married and removed to Ithilien, where they lived for many years in peace and happiness. Their grandson, Barahir, wrote "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen."   < <Back to character biographies index