Biography 

Born: III 2995 Died: unknown Place of Birth: Rohan Relative Age: 24 Parents: Éomund and Théodwyn Siblings: Éomer Spouse: Faramir (married III 3019) Children: Elboron Cool trivia: Éowyn is the youngest major character in 'The Lord of the Rings.' She is 24 years old when she kills the Witch-King of Angmar.	drawing by Mina Rho
Click here to read about Éowyn's children. Click here to read about the etymology of Éowyn's name.

Childhood

Éowyn and her older brother Éomer were the children of Éomund and Théodwyn. Their mother, Théodwyn, was the only sister of king Théoden. Their father, Éomund, was a marshal of the Riddermark, responsible for the safety of the east marches of Rohan where orc raids were a continual threat.

Famously hated by the orcs, Éomund's arrogant reputation finally cost him his life in 3002, when he was ambushed while pursuing a small raiding party into Emyn Muil.

When their mother Théodwyn later died of illness, oprhans Éowyn and Éomer were adopted by their uncle, King Théoden.

Growing up, Éowyn saw her kingdom suffer enemies on all fronts: the growing evil of Isengard to the northwest, Dunlendings to the west, orcs from the White Mountains in the south, and, of course, Mordor in the southeast.

Gríma "Wormtongue"

Gríma Wormtongue, one of Saruman's spies, influenced Théoden and gradually took over his kingdom. Éowyn was stuck in Meduseld tending to the maddening king while her brother Éomer, the Marshal of Riddermark, went out with the Riders of the Rohirrim to fight invaders.

Gríma confronting Éowyn in The Two Towers.

On 25 February 3019, Théoden's only son and heir, Théodred, was killed at the Fords of Isen while fighting Saruman's forces beside captains Grimbold of Westfold and Elfhelm.

Aragorn

With Théoden powerless under Saruman's spell, and Gríma always "haunting" Éowyn's steps, things in Edoras were pretty ugly by the time Gandalf the White showed up with Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn on 2 March 3019 (incidentally, a day after Aragorn's birthday).

Gandalf, with his smashing new powers as "the White", quickly expelled Saruman's evil from Théoden and booted Gríma out of the kingdom. Threatened by invasion from Saruman's forces and itching for vengeance against the evil wizard, Théoden decided to lead an attack on Isengard. Éowyn was left behind in Edoras to see her people to the safety of Dunharrow, but not before she'd taken notice of Aragorn.

"Dernhelm"

After the Battle of the Hornburg at Helm's Deep, Théoden and Gandalf continued on to Isengard and found it already destroyed by the Ents. Théoden took on the hobbit Merry as his squire, but left both he and Éowyn behind before hurrying to aid besieged Gondor. At the same time, Aragorn took leave for the Paths of the Dead.

Éowyn wanted to go with Aragorn, but he wouldn't let her. Refusing to be left behind by either Aragorn or her uncle Théoden, Éowyn disguised herself as a young male knight named "Dernhelm" and, carrying the unsuspecting Meriadoc Brandybuck on her saddle, accompanied Elfhelm's éored (a squadron of Riders) to the Pelennor Fields inside the walls of Minas Tirith.

At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Éowyn confronted the Witch-King of Angmar after he knocked Théoden off his horse. She revealed her identity to the great faceless captain, who believed no "man" could kill him, and slew him with Merry's help (since neither Éowyn nor Merry were "men").

Faramir

Éowyn and Merry were both injured in the battle--poisoned by the "black breath"--and Théoden was killed. At the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith, Aragorn used his herbal knowledge and healing powers as a king to revive Éowyn and Merry.

While recovering from her injuries, Éowyn met Faramir, the younger brother of Boromir and son of the Steward of Gondor. Faramir had also been injured, in the moments leading up to the siege of Gondor, and had nearly been killed by his own mad father, Denethor, who eventually committed suicide (Faramir's life was saved by Gandalf and the hobbit Pippin).

Éowyn and Faramir spent many hours walking through the gardens of Minas Tirith together, all the while Éowyn expressing her frustration at being once again left behind while others went off to war.

Eventually, Faramir told Éowyn that he loved her, and he helped her understand her misguided obsession with Aragorn. Seeing Faramir as an equal, Éowyn returned his love.

After the destruction of the One Ring, Aragorn was crowned King of Gondor. He installed Faramir as Prince of Ithilien. Faramir and Éowyn were married, and lived out their days in the hills of Emyn Arnen in Ithilien.