Name: Éowyn, Lady of Rohan; The White Lady of Rohan; Lady of the Shield-arm; Dernhelm
Actress’ Name: Miranda Otto
Show/Book/Film: The Lord of the Rings (both JRR Tolkien’s and Peter Jackson’s version)
Background: Éowyn was born 2995 of the Third Age, daughter to Éomund and Théodwyn; sister to Éomer. Both her parents died when she was 7. Both her and her brother were adopted by their uncle, Théoden, King of Rohan. As he slowly fell under the charms of Grima Wormtongue and Saruman the White, Éowyn, though brave and able in body, was resigned to wait on her uncle, feeling her place less that even of the household servants.
When Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas arrived at the Golden Hall of Meduseld, she instantly fell for Aragorn. When she discovered that Aragorn intended to take the Paths of the Dead she begged him to let her join with him, but he refused her. Despairing, she took on the alias of Dernhelm and, dressed as a man, rode to Pelennor, bearing with her Meriadoc Brandybuck of the Shire. She fought valiantly at the Battle of Pelennor Fields, coming to the aid of her fallen King in the face of the Witchking of Angmar, greatest of Sauron’s servants. There she stood firm, and along with Meridoc defeated the Witchking, though taking grievous injury herself.
She was found on the field of battle, seemingly dead, by her brother Éomer. When Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth realised she still lived, she was taken to the Houses of Healing. There she was tended to by Aragorn, who healed her bodily hurts. She was however not healed in mind or spirit, and did not begin to improve until she met there with Faramir, son of Denethor. With his help, she came to realise she never truly loved Aragorn, and she fell for Faramir, who did not only pity her, but loved her for who she was and what she had achieved. She vowed to be Shieldmaiden no more, but be a healer instead.
She married Faramir, and in the Fourth Age they became Lord and Lady of Ithilien. They had at least one son (it is likely they had more children than this), Elboron; and a grandson, Barahir, who is said to have written the full tale of Aragorn and Arwen, that is in included in the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings. Her date of death is unknown.
Picture from Admired Miranda
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