Éowyn, daughter of Éomund, sister of Éomer Third Marshal of the Riddermark, sister-daughter of Théoden King of Rohan.
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Shieldmaiden force to take care of an aged depressive King Théoden because of the counsels of Gríma Wormtongue, being herself victim of his advances and his caustic remarks regarding the House of Rohan, she grew a deep bitterness about life.
When the Fellowship came to Edoras, she fell in love with Aragorn, seeing him as a hero whose glory might be hers. But Aragorn only showed her friendship, pity and understanding.
When Théoden went to war, she was appointed to rule the country when she had rather gone too, whether with Théoden or Aragorn. Nevertheless, she could not suffer being left behind. She therefore joined the host of Rohan under the guise of a man and took the name of Dernhelm. She took in her luggage one Hobbit called Merry. He soon noticed in her eyes that she had the face of one without hope who goes in search of death.
Nobody suspected her identity until the battle of the Pelennor Fields. She closely followed Théoden and when the Nazgûl, the Witch-King of Angmar approached to deliver him a death-blow, she intervened. A prophecy said that no living man could kill the Witch-King:
" - Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!
A cold voice answered:
- Come not between the Nazgûl and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.
A sword rang as it was drawn.
- Do what you will; but I will hinder it if I may.
- Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!
Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed and the clear voice was like the ring of steel.
- But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him."
The Nazgûl first charged with his mount but Éowyn cut its head off. Then the Nazgûl let fall his mace and broke Éowyn's shield and arm. But suddenly Merry pierced the sinew behind his knee and the Nazgûl fell. Éowyn then drove her sword between the crown and the mantle of the Witch-King, destroying him forever thus fulfilling the prophecy.
She fainted. That's how Éomer found her; and he thought her dead. Imrahil of Dol Amroth was the first to notice she was still alive and she was taken to the Houses of Healing where she was healed by Aragorn. But her sorrow was still present.
Forced once more to stay when the host went to attack Mordor, she wished to leave the Houses of Healing. Therefore, she requested to talk to the Steward of Gondor to ask him to allow her to leave. The Steward, Faramir, fell in love with her and convinced her to give up her projects. During the following days, they spent much time together. Faramir asked her to give him her hand and she agreed.
After the War, they dwelt in Emyn Arnen in Ithilien of which Faramir became the Prince.
