Not just another princess

Here's another excerpt from The Two Towers that I like.
When they had all drunk, the king went down the hall to the doors. There the guards awaited him, and heralds stood, and all the lords and chiefs were gathered that remained in Edoras or dwelt nearby.

'Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding,' said Theoden. 'I have no child. Theodred my son is slain. I name Eomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as you will. But to someone I must now entrust my people that I leave behind, to rule them in my place. Which of you will stay?'
No man spoke.

'Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?'

'In the House of Eorl,' answered Hama.

'But Eomer I cannot spare, nor would he stay,' said the king, 'and he is the last of that House.'

'I said not Eomer,' answered Hama. 'And he is not the last. There is Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone.'

'It shall be so,' said Theoden. 'Let the heralds announce to the folk that the Lady Eowyn will lead them!'

Then the king sat upon a seat before his doors, and Eowyn knelt before him and received from him a sword and a fair corslet. 'Farewell sister-daughter!' eh said. 'Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to the Golden hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves, and if the battle go ill, thither will come all who escape.'

'Speak not so!' she answered. 'A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your return.' But as she spoke her eyes went to Aragorn who stood nearby.




Eowyn is not an ordinary princess. Her people love her, respect her, and follow her. Even the great chiefs and lords of Rohan would have Eowyn rule in her uncle's place.

Not many princesses would be willing to take on such a heavy burden, but Eowyn is ready and willing.
But that look at Aragorn as she spoke..........................ah, she was already so in love. How sad that she should love him, heir of Gondor, and love of the fair Lady Arwen.


She'll learn soon enough, I suppose.