Éowyn
from
"The Lord of the Rings"
Éowyn
(Old English, probably from éo 'horse' and wyn 'joy') of
Rohan was born into the house of Eorl, daughter of Éomund
of Eastfold and the Lady Théodwyn of Rohan and younger
sister to Éomer. She was only seven years old when her
father was killed in battle and her mother died soon after of
illness;
King Théoden, brother to Théodwyn, adopted his sister's
children into his house and raised them along side his own son.
Growing up at Edoras, Éowyn was close to her Uncle and
to her grief watched him fall into an early old age - due to the
spells of Saruman, woven by Théoden's advisor Gríma
Wormtongue (a traitor, working for the Wizard). A graceful, beautiful
woman, she was greatly desired by Wormtongue: he stalked her,
waiting for the Fall of the Rohirrim so that he could take her
as his reward for loyally serving Saruman.
But
Éowyn was no helpless damsel: she was trained as a warrior
(possibly with her brother and cousin?), reputed to be fearless
and noble - a true Shieldmaiden of the Mark, though she remained
in the Golden Hall to nurse her uncle.
This was around the time of the War of the Ring - a war Rohan
was reluctant to enter one way or another...
When
Gandalf the White rode to Rohan and freed Théoden from
Saruman's spells, the King committed to aid Gondor in the fight
against Saruman and Sauron.
Travelling
with Gandalf, however, were Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn: upon her
very first meeting with Aragorn, Éowyn recognised the strength
and nobility in the King-to-be and fell desperately in love with
him. Being betrothed to the Elven Princess, Arwen Evenstar, Aragorn
was unable to requite Éowyn's love - nor would he accept
her offers and pleas to be allowed to ride into battle with him
for fear of endangering her.
Disguised as a man, the soldier Dernhelm, Éowyn rode to
the Battle of the Pelennor Fields by King Théoden's side
- carrying with her Merry Brandybuck (who was also supposed to
be left behind). Nearly at the cost of her own life -and with
Merry's aid-, Éowyn proved her mettle by slaying the Witch
King of Angmar -Lord of the Nazgul. Aragorn, with the healing
skills taught him by the Elves, healed Éowyn from the dark
poisonous breath of the Witch King and saved her life - which,
when she first awoke, she was far from grateful for. 'Trapped'
in the Houses of Healing with her healing body and her broken
arm, she sought out Faramir, the new Steward (following the deaths
of his brother, Boromir, and father, Denethor), who was also being
healed from his own encounter with the Nazgul. She met with him
in the hope that he could order the Healer to release her - or
at the very least, have her room moved to one facing east -where
the further battles were being played out. Faramir, being a kind
man with a gentle heart, saw the grief in her heart and was filled
with pity. He soon fell in love with her, though her heart was
given.
A
tentative friendship began there between the Last Steward of Gondor
and the White Lady of Rohan as they both waited, potentially,
for the end of the world. Éowyn was won over by Faramir's
nobility of spirit and kindness, and she came to love him. Through
his love she was able to overcome her despair, and renounced the
path of the warrior - choosing instead to become a healer and
take joy in life, not death. The two married and lived in the
Gondorian province of Ithilien... living out the closest thing
in Middle-Earth to a happily ever after.... "Would you have
your proud folk say of you: 'There goes a lord who tamed a wild
shieldmaiden of the North! Was there no woman of the race of Numenor
to choose'?" "I would," said Faramir. And he took
her in his arms and kissed herunder the sunlit sky, and he cared
not that they stood high upon the walls in the sight of many.
-- RotK, 'The Steward and the King'