Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Arwen

2009-04-01T19:56:37Z

68.230.122.118:

{{half-elf infobox
| image=[[Image:John_Howe_-_Arwen.jpg|250px]]
| name=Arwen
| quenya=
| titles=Undómiel, Evenstar, Queen of Gondor, Queen of Arnor, Queen of the Reunited Kingdom
| birth=[[Third Age 241|T.A. 241]], [[Rivendell]].
| realm=[[Imladris]], [[Gondor]].
| death=[[Fourth Age 121|F.A. 121]].
| age=2,901 [[Years of the Sun|years]].
| gender=Female.
| parentage=[[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]].
| heritage=[[Half-elven]] father, [[Elf]] mother.
| spouse=[[Aragorn II]].
| children=[[Eldarion]] and several daughters.
| hair=Dark.
|}}
{{quote|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw her whom few [[mortals]] had yet seen; '''Arwen''', daughter of [[Elrond]], in whom it was said that the likeness of [[Lúthien]] had come on earth again; and she was called [[Undómiel]], for she was the [[Evenstar]] of her people.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]}}
'''Arwen Undómiel''', often called '''Arwen Evenstar''', was the betrothed of [[Aragorn II]] in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. She is the daughter of [[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]] (and therefore grand-daughter of [[Galadriel]]). She rejects her [[Elves|Elven]] immortality (which she had the ability to do, since she was a [[half-elven|half-elf]], thus having the choice to be counted as an elf or a man) to marry Aragorn and die with him.

== History ==
The romance between Aragorn and Arwen is reminiscent of that between the Man [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and the Elf [[Lúthien]], but as with many other tales of the Third Age, theirs is considered to be a pale copy of the deeds of earlier ages (Lúthien, for example, once defeated [[Sauron]] to rescue Beren). Still, few other marriages between Man and Elf are recorded in the annals of Tolkien.

A very young Aragorn encountered Arwen for the first time at [[Rivendell]], where he had been living; she had been staying with her grandmother in [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]]. He fell in love with her when he first saw her, but it was not until they met many years later in Lórien that she fell in love with him.

Arwen's first appearance in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is at Rivendell, when the [[Hobbit|Hobbits]] arrive there, and Aragorn is seen with her at one point—the first hint of their relationship. Later, when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] come to [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lothlórien]], he remembers their earlier meeting.

She enters the story again when, before taking to the [[Paths of the Dead]], Aragorn is met by a group consisting of [[Dúnedain]], his people, from the North, and Arwen's brothers, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]. They bring to him a banner on black cloth: a gift made by the hands of Arwen, and a sign that encourages him to take the difficult path. When it is unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to reveal the emblem of [[Elendil]] in ''[[mithril]]'', gems, and gold, it is the first triumphant announcement of the King's return.

Arwen is mostly a minor character in Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'', but she is nevertheless described in detail in the Appendices after the third volume, ''[[The Return of the King]]''. She does, however, play a role in the plot which is disproportionate to the number of scenes in which she appears. When [[Éowyn]] falls in love with Aragorn it is his fidelity to Arwen that forbids him from reciprocating, thereby motivating Éowyn's subsequent actions during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] which have major repercussions for the defence of Middle-earth. Arwen continually serves as inspiration and motivation for Aragorn, who must become King before he may wed her—not an insignificant task, considering the many long years he devotes to this cause.

Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriages the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined. Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Olwë]] and [[Elwë]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]] blood through Arwen's great-great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].

Arwen gave up her life in 121 of the Fourth Age, at [[Cerin Amroth]] in Lórien, after the death of Aragorn.

== Etymology ==
''Arwen'' means "Noble Maiden" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ara]]-'' = "noble" and ''[[wen]]'' = "maiden"). Her [[epessë]], "'''Undómiel'''", means "Evenstar", from ''Undómë'' "evening twilight" and ''[[elen|el]]'' "star".

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Arwen from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|left|[[Liv Tyler]] plays as Arwen in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] Trilogy.]]
Arwen does not appear in [[Ralph Bakshi]]'s 1978 adaptation of ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', nor in the 1980 [[Rankin/Bass]] adaptation of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.

In [[Peter Jackson]]'s [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy]], Arwen is played by [[Liv Tyler]]. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by the ''Tale of Aragorn and Arwen''.

In the first film, she sneaks up to find Aragorn and single-handedly rescues [[Frodo Baggins]] from the [[Black Riders]] at [[Bruinen]], thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and [[Gandalf]] who arranged the flood. In the book, Frodo makes his own stand against the Black Riders; in the movie Arwen defends him. During this flight, Arwen wields the sword Hadhafang, stated to have once been wielded by her father in film merchandise. This sword, however, does not appear in the books at all; in fact, in the books, Arwen is never mentioned as armed (but she ''could'' have armed and defended herself as needed; see below).

Following the aforementioned scenes, the deviations include a scene in which Aragorn is injured and has a dream about Arwen (who kisses him), a scene where Arwen has a fight with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she (with [[Figwit]]) actually departs for Valinor and then suddenly returns when she sees an image of her future son, Eldarion. (In the books, it can hardly have been surprising to Arwen that she and Aragorn might have children together, since she herself is the descendant of two similar unions.)

Also, and perhaps most importantly, she apparently becomes sick with grief in the film version of ''The Return of the King'' — possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death — soon after she rides back from the road to the [[Grey Havens]]. Elrond takes the reforged [[Narsil]], now [[Andúril]], to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with the [[One Ring]], and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements, not even in the Extended Editions. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen shows up at Aragorn's coronation looking no worse for wear.

====Reaction====
[[Image:Arwen.jpg|thumb|Arwen Evenstar]]
Arwen had a very small visible role in the books outside of the [[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen|Appendix]] (due to Tolkien conceiving the character late in the writing; Aragorn was originally supposed to marry Éowyn, as related in ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''). In addition to making Arwen a more visible character, the change employs the principle of "economy of characters". Characters like [[Glorfindel]] (the Elf who helps Frodo by lending him his horse and later aiding his companions in driving the Ringwraiths into the water in the book), who appear once and perform only a few tasks, are often excised from film interpretations.

In earlier copies of the script (when the movies were supposed to be filmed in two parts under a different production company), Arwen actually fought in the [[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]] and brought the sword [[Andúril]] to Aragorn. Some attribute the elimination of her character from the sequence to an early script leak. Another story is that [[Liv Tyler]] herself felt that the character's involvement in Helm's Deep was inappropriate, and convinced Jackson and his team to leave her out of the sequence, although the team did film at least part of her planned appearance at Helm's Deep.

These changes have met with mixed reactions. Many fans were upset because they seemed to pander to the lowest common denominator — that in order to make Arwen a "worthwhile" or "strong" character, she had to be a warrior — while in the books, her strength stems from her brave choice to forsake immortality and live a mortal life with Aragorn, which did not involve martial skill. Furthermore, there is already a skilled female warrior present in the story — namely Éowyn, but she first appears in the second part of the film trilogy. Some fans felt it odd to make it a point to insert a female warrior into a story which already had a prominent one, because this detracts from Éowyn's bravery in riding to battle. Also, he dominance at the Ford scene detracts from Frodo's bravery in the book (though admittedly the film Frodo is barely conscious - a case of Jackson "upping the ante"). However, in the second and third films in which Éowyn appears, Arwen's martial abilities are not shown at all.

Some criticize ''The Lord of the Rings'' for including few named female characters (though of course unnamed women are present, along with unnamed men) and thus accuse Tolkien of sexism. However, in the essay ''Laws and Customs among the Eldar'', which appears in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Tolkien writes that male and female Elves are in fact viewed in Elven society as equals, save for the fact that only the females are capable of childbearing and are thus viewed as literally holding the future of their people in their hands. It is for this reason that they traditionally refrain from going to war (although they are still trained in all the aspects of combat taught to male Elves), usually occupying themselves during wartime as healers. As the text itself states:

:''In all such things, not concerned with the bringing forth of children, the ''neri'' and ''nissi'' (that is, the men and women) of the Eldar are equal – unless it be in this (as they themselves say) that for the ''nissi'' the making of things new is for the most part shown in the forming of their children, so that invention and change is otherwise mostly brought about by the ''neri''. There are, however, no matters which among the Eldar only a ''nér'' can think or do, or others with which only a ''nís'' is concerned. There are indeed some differences between the natural inclinations of ''neri'' and ''nissi'', and other differences that have been established by custom (varying in place and in time, and in the several races of the Eldar). For instance, the arts of healing, and all that touches on the care of the body, are among the Eldar most practised by the ''nissi''; whereas it was the elven-men who bore arms at need. And the Eldar deemed that the dealing of death, even when lawful or under necessity, diminished the power of healing, and that the virtue of the ''nissi'' in this matter was due rather to their abstaining from hunting or war than to any special power that went with their womanhood. Indeed in dire straits or desperate defence, the ''nissi'' fought valiantly, and there was less difference in strength in speed between elven-men and elven-women that had not borne child that is seen among mortals. On the other hand many elven-men were great healers and skilled in the lore of living bodies, though such men abstained from hunting, and went not to war until the last need.'' '''''(Morgoth's Ring, The Second Phase, Laws and Customs Among the Eldar)'''''

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Arwen|Images of Arwen]]

[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Arwen]]
[[fi:Arwen]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:semi-elfes:arwen]]

First Age 532

2009-03-26T01:29:06Z

68.230.122.118:

== Births ==
* [[Elros Tar-Minyatur]]
* [[Elrond|Elrond Peredhel]]
[[Category:First Age years]]

First Age 532

2009-03-26T01:28:29Z

68.230.122.118:

== Births ==
* [[Elros Tar-Minyatur]]
* [[Elrond|Elrond Peredhil]]
[[Category:First Age years]]

First Age 532

2009-03-26T01:27:51Z

68.230.122.118:

== Births ==
* [[Elros Tar-Minyatur]]
* [[Elrond Peredhil]]
[[Category:First Age years]]

High King of the Noldor

2009-02-07T03:07:45Z

68.230.122.118:

{{sources}}
'''High King of the Noldor''' was the title of six Elf-lords of the [[Noldor]]. They held titular rulership over all the Noldor of [[Middle-earth]], though in practice circumstances prevented the effective use of this power until the time of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]. The [[Sons of Fëanor]], in particular, while they acknowledged the Kingship, paid its bearer little heed; they preferred to follow their own policies under the general leadership of [[Maedhros]].

# '''[[Finwë]]''' (ruled c. 9,000 years before the beginning of the [[First Age]]) The first lord of the Noldor awoke at [[Cuiviénen]] and led his people into the [[West]] to dwell in [[Valinor]]. He was slain by [[Morgoth]] at [[Formenos]], and succeeded by his eldest son.
# '''[[Fëanor]]''' (ruled briefly during [[First Age 1]]) He led the host of the Noldor back to Middle-earth to avenge his father's death and recover the [[Silmarils]] from Morgoth. He was slain in his assault on [[Angband]]. After his death, the Kingship by right belonged to his eldest son Maedhros, but he refused it and the succession passed instead to [[Fëanor]]'s half-brother.
# '''[[Fingolfin]]''' (ruled 454 years to [[First Age 455]]) He dwelt to the northwest of [[Beleriand]] with his sons, and ruled the Noldor during the [[Siege of Angband]]. When Morgoth broke the leaguer in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], he rode in anger to the gates of Angband and died in single combat with Morgoth. He was succeeded by his eldest son.
# '''[[Fingon]]''' (ruled 16 years to [[First Age 471]]) His short reign was one of endless war with the forces of Morgoth. With Maedhros, he prepared a final assault on Morgoth, the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], which ended in disaster for the Noldor and Fingon's own death. He was succeeded by his brother.
# '''[[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]]''' (ruled 39 years to [[First Age 510]]) Turgon's kingship was titular indeed, for even his own kin did not know the location of his [[Hidden City]] of [[Gondolin]]. Gondolin's location was discovered by Morgoth through the treachery of Maeglin, and Turgon died in its Fall. After his death, the Kingship passed back to Fingon's line, to his only son.
# '''[[Ereinion Gil-galad]]''' (ruled 3,514 years to [[Second Age 3441]]) The last High King, Gil-galad held the Kingship longer than any of his forebears since [[Finwë]]. He formed the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] with [[Elendil]], and died during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] at the end of the Second Age.

Gil-galad was the last High King; after his time the title is never used. In order of succession, the Kingship would presumably have fallen on Turgon's descendants; [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] (who was in the West and could not exercise it) or his eldest son [[Elrond]] (who never made claim to the Kingship but ruled with all its authority).

[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Elven Titles]]

Talk:Aragorn II

2009-01-22T08:27:42Z

68.230.122.118: /* Aragorn II */

==Any siblings?==
According to [[Arathorn II]], Aragorn was "his only son" (unsourced), but did he have any sisters and would they be regarded as heirs of Isildur? If not, wouldn't an heir of Isildur have to ensure he had kids (instead of waiting for permission to marry Arwen) before doing what he did as Thorongil and in the war? -- [[User:Jeandré|Jeandré]], 2006-08-13[[User talk:Jeandré|t]]07:17z

:Aragorn was Arathorn's only child and thus the only possible heir of Isildur. I don't think Aragorn was someone who would be willing to have a child with anyone but Arwen simply to continue the line. Aragorn knew if he didn't stay focused on the [[War of the Ring]] having a child would be irrelevant as [[Sauron]] and Evil would reign supreme over [[Men]]. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:17, 13 August 2006 (EDT)

==Six daughters?==
Linathiel, where exactly did you get the number "six" from? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 03:25, 7 February 2008 (EST)

==Quote==
{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Steward and the King]]}}
What do you think about this quote? I think it describes better who Aragorn was and what an impression he made on others than the current one, doesn't it? -- [[User:Eldarion Telcontar|Eldarion Telcontar]] 15:21, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

:I agree. Don't like this quote -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 15:14, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

::Well, I have just now edited the article so the new quote is there. -- [[User:Eldarion Telcontar|Eldarion Telcontar]] 15:26, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

:My fellow senior editors, let's keep it civil. These are primary source quotes, and as long as they are on topic, should be beyond question. --[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 09:16, 17 May 2008 (EDT)

::We're civil. "This" quote referred to the then-current quote. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 09:18, 17 May 2008 (EDT)

== main pic ==

Is it me? Or the main pic is indeed one of Howe's worst moments? Anyone agrees to change? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 19:09, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

:It doesn't bother me personally but it can be changed if we can decide on a better one, do you have any in mind? --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 19:27, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

::Viggo [[User:Sage|Sage]] 19:43, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

:::Please no. Isn't there some book art available? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 02:39, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

::::I rather like it to be honest. It pays homage to the films while still not being a direct crib. It's a picture that people who had only seen the films could instantly recognise as much as those who had only read the book and represents Aragorn at possibly the highest point in his life. So while not particularly striking an image it does however tick all the boxes [[User:Dr Death|Dr Death]] 05:07, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

:::::The wiki definitely has plenty of room for images from the films, specifically when accurate and quality illustrations are lacking. But for Aragorn, surely we can do better than a picture of Viggo. I think more important than choosing an illustration or image which is recognizable and the fan has most likely already seen, is an illustration or image which the fan hasn't seen yet and still accurately represents the subject matter. There are so many hundreds of fantastic depictions of Aragorn, I'd hate to make the reader think an image of Viggo is the best there is after over 50 years. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 12:24, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

::::::My point was not to sacrifice the present image in favour of Viggo's; It was only a suggestion. My point was exactly what I said: We all like Howe but I really think he could do better with this one... his nose and eyes are out of place. Perhaps it's just me but something about it bothered me from the first moment. I don't have anything in mind to suggest, I trust that you are more into Tolkien art than me. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 16:13, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

== Aragorn II ==

Definatly a bad picture. He needs to look more like a battle hardened rustic Aragorn not a high, mighty poorly drawn Aragorn. {{unsigned|Pand.}}

:Disagree. see above discussion. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 21:12, 20 September 2008 (UTC)

:Poorly drawn? Seriously, I doubt many of us could do 1/2 as good as that. The drawing is fine. Besides, this site is for written content, not pretty pictures.

Talk:Aragorn II

2009-01-22T08:27:13Z

68.230.122.118: /* Aragorn II */

==Any siblings?==
According to [[Arathorn II]], Aragorn was "his only son" (unsourced), but did he have any sisters and would they be regarded as heirs of Isildur? If not, wouldn't an heir of Isildur have to ensure he had kids (instead of waiting for permission to marry Arwen) before doing what he did as Thorongil and in the war? -- [[User:Jeandré|Jeandré]], 2006-08-13[[User talk:Jeandré|t]]07:17z

:Aragorn was Arathorn's only child and thus the only possible heir of Isildur. I don't think Aragorn was someone who would be willing to have a child with anyone but Arwen simply to continue the line. Aragorn knew if he didn't stay focused on the [[War of the Ring]] having a child would be irrelevant as [[Sauron]] and Evil would reign supreme over [[Men]]. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:17, 13 August 2006 (EDT)

==Six daughters?==
Linathiel, where exactly did you get the number "six" from? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 03:25, 7 February 2008 (EST)

==Quote==
{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Steward and the King]]}}
What do you think about this quote? I think it describes better who Aragorn was and what an impression he made on others than the current one, doesn't it? -- [[User:Eldarion Telcontar|Eldarion Telcontar]] 15:21, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

:I agree. Don't like this quote -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 15:14, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

::Well, I have just now edited the article so the new quote is there. -- [[User:Eldarion Telcontar|Eldarion Telcontar]] 15:26, 16 May 2008 (EDT)

:My fellow senior editors, let's keep it civil. These are primary source quotes, and as long as they are on topic, should be beyond question. --[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 09:16, 17 May 2008 (EDT)

::We're civil. "This" quote referred to the then-current quote. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 09:18, 17 May 2008 (EDT)

== main pic ==

Is it me? Or the main pic is indeed one of Howe's worst moments? Anyone agrees to change? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 19:09, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

:It doesn't bother me personally but it can be changed if we can decide on a better one, do you have any in mind? --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 19:27, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

::Viggo [[User:Sage|Sage]] 19:43, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

:::Please no. Isn't there some book art available? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 02:39, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

::::I rather like it to be honest. It pays homage to the films while still not being a direct crib. It's a picture that people who had only seen the films could instantly recognise as much as those who had only read the book and represents Aragorn at possibly the highest point in his life. So while not particularly striking an image it does however tick all the boxes [[User:Dr Death|Dr Death]] 05:07, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

:::::The wiki definitely has plenty of room for images from the films, specifically when accurate and quality illustrations are lacking. But for Aragorn, surely we can do better than a picture of Viggo. I think more important than choosing an illustration or image which is recognizable and the fan has most likely already seen, is an illustration or image which the fan hasn't seen yet and still accurately represents the subject matter. There are so many hundreds of fantastic depictions of Aragorn, I'd hate to make the reader think an image of Viggo is the best there is after over 50 years. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 12:24, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

::::::My point was not to sacrifice the present image in favour of Viggo's; It was only a suggestion. My point was exactly what I said: We all like Howe but I really think he could do better with this one... his nose and eyes are out of place. Perhaps it's just me but something about it bothered me from the first moment. I don't have anything in mind to suggest, I trust that you are more into Tolkien art than me. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 16:13, 13 August 2008 (EDT)

== Aragorn II ==

Definatly a bad picture. He needs to look more like a battle hardened rustic Aragorn not a high, mighty poorly drawn Aragorn. {{unsigned|Pand.}}

:Disagree. see above discussion. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 21:12, 20 September 2008 (UTC)

:Poorly drawn? Seriously, I doubt many of us could do 1/2 as good as that. The drawing is fine, as is the picture. Besides, this site is for written content, not pretty pictures.

Éomer

2009-01-22T08:23:08Z

68.230.122.118: /* The Battle of the Pelennor Fields */

{{cleanup}}
{{claimed|[[User:Eldarion Telcontar]]}}
{{rohirrim infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Eomer2.jpg|250px]]
| name=Éomer
| othernames= Éomer Éadig
| position=[[King of Rohan]]
| noinline=18
| birth= [[Third Age 2991]]
| rule= [[Third Age 3019]] - [[Fourth Age 63]]
| death= [[Fourth Age 63]], aged 93 years
| gender=Male
| description=6' 6" tall, strong, dark blond hair
| parentage=[[Éomund]] and [[Théodwyn]]
| spouse=[[Lothíriel]]
| children=[[Elfwine]]
|}}
'''Éomer''', of the [[House of Eorl]], was the eighteenth [[Kings of Rohan|King of Rohan]], and first of the Third Line. He was the son of [[Théodwyn]], sister of King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]], and [[Éomund]], a Chief Marshal of the Riddermark. After he and his sister [[Éowyn]] were orphaned Théoden adopted them as his own children.

== History ==

=== Youth ===

Éomer was born in [[Third Age 2991|2991]] as son of [[Éomund]] and [[Théodwyn]]. When he was eleven years old his father was slain by [[Orc]] raiders in the [[Emyn Muil]]. His mother fell ill and died soon after. His uncle [[Théoden]] adopted him and his sister [[Éowyn]] as his own children and they went to live at [[Meduseld]].

Éomer grew strong and tall and became a valiant and skilled warrior and rider. Théoden made him third [[Marshal of the Mark]] and he was in command of the [[East-mark]] like his father. He had his home at [[Aldburg]] in the [[Folde]], one of the oldest towns of Rohan. With his [[Éored]] he defended Rohan mainly against Orcs from [[Mordor]].

=== Struggle against Saruman the White ===

But Rohans enemies were not only at the borders but also within. [[Gríma Wormtongue]], the King's advisor, was secretly a spy of the wizard [[Saruman]] the White, who dwelled at [[Isengard]] and had become a servant of [[Sauron]]. Gríma in secret worked to weaken Théoden and his kingdom and Théoden fell deeply under his influence. Gríma, however, did not manage to destroy Éomers loyalty to Théoden or his son Théodred, whom Éomer regarded as his brother although he actually was his cousin.

In the summer of [[Third Age 3018|3018]] [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]], son of [[Denethor II]], crossed Rohan on his way to [[Rivendell]]. Éomer learned from him about the dream of [[Isildur's Bane]]. On [[September 19]], [[Third Age 3018|3018]] [[Gandalf]] arrived at [[Edoras]] and warned Théoden of the threat from Saruman. But Théoden, under Grima's influence, told him to take any horse and go. Soon after Gandalf's departure Men, Orcs and Wargs in Saruman's service began to fight openly against the Rohirrim. Saruman claimed lordship over Rohan and blocked the [[Gap of Rohan]].

The chief obstacles to an easy conquest of Rohan by Saruman were now Théodred and Éomer. Therefore Saruman sent out all his fiercest warriors with special orders to slay Théodred at all costs. So it came to the first great battle in the conflict, the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]], on [[February 25]], [[Third Age 3018|3018]]. After untiring assaults on Théodred's position he was finally killed.

The day after the battle Èomer gained knowledge of a troop of Orcs entering Rohan from the east. Although Éomer didn't know that, it were the Orcs that had taken [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]]. Suspecting an alliance between Saruman and Sauron he wanted to hunt them down. Under the strong influence of Grima Théoden forbade Éomer to pursue the Orcs because Edoras would have been unguarded. But Éomer neglected the order since he already suspected Grima's treachery.

On [[February 27]] he set out with his [[Éored]]. At the end of the next day they caught sight of the Orcs at the border of [[Fangorn Forest]]. They surrounded them and remained watchful throughout the night. With several small attacks they weakend the troop till another Orc band from Isengard arrived. But the Rohirrim succeeded in defeating them and surrounded the first troop even closer.
With the first light of the new day the Rohirrim proceeded to attack. They killed all the Orcs and Éomer himself slew their leader [[Ugluk]]. The hobbits meanwhile were able to flee into Fangorn Forest.
Fifteen men and 12 horses didn't survive the assault. They were buried in a mound encircled with fifteen spears.

On the way back to Edoras the Rohirrim met [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], [[Gimli]] and [[Legolas]]. Éomer demanded their names and business and fighting broke almost out between Gimli and Éomer when Aragorn sprang between them, told Éomer his true name and showed him his sword, [[Anduril]]. Éomer now listened to their journey's story and learned about the losses of [[Gandalf]], [[Boromir]] and the two young hobbits. Although he was counteracting the law of Rohan he lent them two horses, [[Hasufel]] and [[Arod]], and asked them to prove his trust by bringing them back to Edoras.

Back in Edoras Éomer threatened Gríma because of his advances on Éowyn. But Grìma arested him and accused him of breaking the law because he had pursued the Orcs and had allowed strangers to roam freely without Theoden's permission.

Éomer was released when Gandalf had freed Théoden from the influence of Gríma. He was delighted to see that his king was recovering quickly from his weakness and was calling him sister-son again. Now Grima's treachery was revealed and only owing to Gandalf's intervening he was not killed but expelled from the [[Golden Hall]]. Théoden, now realizing the situation, decided to lead the Rohirrim into battle angainst Saruman instantly. The Three Hunters and Gandalf accompanied them when they left Edoras the same day.

The following day they met the scout [[Ceorl]] who had been sent out by [[Erkenbrand]] to warn Éomer. He was surprised to come across King Théoden's army riding north and brought news that Saruman had let loose his forces and that the Rohirrim had been forced to retreat across the Isen with great losses. These tidings caused Théoden to reconsider his strategy. After consultation with Gandalf he decided to ride to join Erkenbrand at [[Helm's Deep]] while the wizard left them saying that he would meet them there.

Éomer was with his king at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], where he and his éored drove the [[Orcs]] and [[Dunlendings]] of Saruman from the walls of the [[Hornburg]] and into the [[Huorn]] forest, where they were killed.

Afterwards he rode with Théoden, Aragorn, and [[Gandalf]] to [[Isengard]], where they confronted a trapped Saruman.

=== The Battle of the Pelennor Fields ===

In the year 3019 Éomer rode with his king to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], and fought bravely for Rohan and [[Gondor]]. He was one of only 3 people not to be injured in the fighting, the other two being [[Aragorn]] and [[Imrahil]]. Théoden was killed, and Éomer became his successor. He stayed long behind in [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] to help Aragorn rebuild his kingdom, before returning home to be crowned king himself.

=== The Fourth Age ===

Éomer renewed the [[Oath of Eorl]] for Aragorn after Aragorn had been crowned King Elessar of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and Éomer had been crowned King of Rohan, swearing everlasting friendship between Rohan and Gondor (and legalizing [[Cirion]]'s grant of [[Calenardhon]] to the [[Éothéod]].)

He became known as '''Éomer Éadig''', or "the Blessed", because during his reign Rohan recovered from the hurts of the War and became a rich and fruitful land again.

Éomer had met Princess [[Lothíriel]], daughter of Prince [[Imrahil]] of [[Dol Amroth]] during his stay in Gondor, and they were wed. She bore him a son [[Elfwine]] the Fair, who succeeded his father as the King of Rohan, after Éomer's death in the year [[Fourth Age]] 63.

== Personality ==

He was tall, strong and possessed of great passion and also was considered a valiant and splendid warrior and a discerning and decent man. Eomer became a great, wise and skilled warrior and rider. In a note written well after the initial publication of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien gave Éomer's height as 6 feet 6 inches tall ("of like height with [[Aragorn]]").

== Weapon ==

Éomer's sword was called [[Gúthwinë]] (Old English ''battle-friend'').

== Etymology ==

His name is likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "eoh" ("war-horse"), and possibly "mēre", ("grand, excellent, famous").

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Eomer from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|left|Éomer as portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
[[Image:Karl Urban as Eomer.jpg|thumb|[[Karl Urban]] as Éomer in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] Éomer is pictured in the film and is crucial to the plot, but does not have any lines.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] Éomer is portrayed by [[New Zealand]] actor [[Karl Urban]].

In both Ralph Bakshi's animated film and the Peter Jackson's movie trilogy, Éomer is an outcast and renegade until he arrives at Helm's Deep, summoned by Gandalf. In this sense, his character has been combined with the character of [[Erkenbrand]], who is the one that Gandalf returns to [[Helm's Deep]] with in the book.

In the [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings|Peter Jackson's films]], Éomer is explicitly exiled by Gríma before meeting Aragorn (which the animated film only hints at). He is more prominent in the book than in these films, since they focus on Théoden and Éowyn more.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Éomer|Images of Éomer]]
{{sequence
|prev=[[Théoden]]
|next=[[Elfwine]]
|list=18th [[King of Rohan]] <code>III</code> 3019 – <code>IV</code> 63
}}

[[Category:Rohirrim]]
[[Category:Rulers of Rohan]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

Wise

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The '''Wise''' were a group of people among the various kindreds of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] who had great knowledge and understanding of history and other lore. They were greatly respected, but always few in number. The Wise were both female and male; those who were female were sometimes referred to as [[Wisewoman|Wisewomen]].

The following people were often considered to be among the Wise:

* [[Adanel]]
* [[Andreth]]
* [[Bëor]]
* [[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]]
* [[Elrond]]
* The [[Istari]]
* [[Galadriel]]
* [[Círdan]]

[[Category:Epithets]]
[[de:Die Weisen]]
[[fi:Viisas]]
[[fi:Viisaat]]