2995
III - Death sometime in the Fourth Age
Woman of Rohan
Father Éomund / Mother Théodwyn
Other Names: White Lady of Rohan, Lady of the Shield-Arm, alias Dernhelm
Notable Quotes:
"But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund’s daughter!"
"Thank you indeed!" said Merry. "... though I do not know your name." "Do you not?’ said the Rider softly. "Then call me Dernhelm."
"Too often have I heard of duty! But am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse?"
"What do you fear, lady?" he asked. "A cage," she said. "To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire."
"Speak not so! A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your return."
Biography:
The granddaughter of King Thengel of Rohan, and sister to Éomer Éadig, who rode in disguise to the Battle of the Pelennor as "Dernhelm", and there slew the Lord of the Nazgul, Sorcerer King of Angmar, The Witch King of the RingWraiths. She later wedded Faramir of Gondor whom she met while recuperating in the Houses of Healing, though at first resistant to his advances.
Throughout her life, as expressed in her own words, Éowyn felt "caged," doomed to wait on old men and women of the house while men went out and won renown. Her warrior spirit led her to disobey Théoden's orders to stay as the interim governor of Edoras while the King, Éomer and the warriors went off to war alongside Minas Tirith. She disguised herself as a warrior, and secretly transported Meriadoc ("Merry") of the Shire with her.
On the Pelennor Fields, after King Théoden had fallen beneath his horse Snowmane, the Lord of the Nazgûl descended upon the horse's body and taunted Éowyn. The serpent upon which he flew lunged at Éowyn and she hewed off its head. As the Witch King prepared to let fall his mace and kill her, he was oblivious to Merry creeping up behind him, who stabbed him in the back of the knee with a dagger forged in Westernesse by the Witch King's foes long ago. As he responded to the hobbit, with her last strength Éowyn plunged her sword through his invisible head and destroyed him. As it was written, "not by the hand of man shall he fall." At one point in fact the Witch King cited his own prophesy reference, saying "No living man may hinder me." Éowyn laughed and aptly responded, "But no living man am I. You look upon a woman." The Ringwraith, suddenly in doubt, met his doom moments later.
Pictures:
Before the doors of a silent house
