One of the most impressive aspects of J. R. R. Tolkien’s genre-defining classicLord of the Ringsis its ability to make every character someone’s favorite. From the heroes who carry the One Ring to the craftsman who made it, fans flock to every figure in the franchise. Éomer Éadigmight not be a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, but he’s still one of the most engaging heroes of Middle-earth.
Whodoesn’t love the Rohirrim? The finest mounted combatants in Middle-earth, the writers of many great songs, and the trusted allies who saved Gondor from Sauron’s forces. Tolkien borrowed heavily from the Germanic Anglo-Saxon cultures whose language he mastered and taught to create the Rohirrim. Although Rohan might not get as much representation as the other kingdoms, it’s well worth exploring.
RELATED:What Happened To Rohan After Lord Of The Rings?
Where was Éomer at the end ofLOTR?
Éomer and his Riders of Rohan were instrumental in winning The Battle of the Black Gate. Despite terrible odds and almost no hope of success,Éomer felt duty-boundto stand with Gondor in the final conflict. He was the first to admit he did not know Gandalf’s long-term strategy. For him, fighting Sauron is a simple act of repayment for Gondor’s participation in The Battle of Helm’s Deep. As Éomer entered the battle, he held the rank of Marshal of the King Théoden, Éomer’s uncle, was slain in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The King’s only heir, Éomer’s cousin Théodred, was killed in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. Éomer was the lone member of Rohan’s nobility to fight at the Black Gate. He was acrucial part of Gandalf’s planto distract Sauron so that Frodo and Sam could destroy the One Ring. The plan worked, leaving Éomer victorious as the forces of Mordor were unmade.
After the final battle, Éomer spent two months in Minas Tirith. He supportedhis longtime friend Aragornat his coronation. With his friend’s ascension to the throne of Gondor and his new responsibility rapidly dawning on him, Éomer renewed the legendary Oath of Eorl. This crucial bond promised everlasting friendship between the realms of Rohan and Gondor. Éomer left Gondor for his home. At Théoden’s funeral, Éomer is formally crowned the 18th King of Rohan. Éomer ascends from military greatness to the highest rank in his homeland. His ascension reigns in a new era for the Rohirrim.
What happened to Éomer afterLOTR?
Éomer becomes King of Rohan near the final moments ofReturn of the King. The books and films address his ascension but don’t explore his tenure on the throne. One of Éomer’s first actions as King is to announce the wedding of his sister Éowyn to Faramir. Éomer honors the hobbit Merry with the nameHoldwine and an ancient heirloom called the Horn of the Mark. King Éomer would go on to eliminate or reorganize two military ranks. The Second and Third Marshals of Rohan became the Marshal of the West-Mark and the Marshal of the East-Mark. King Éomer wasn’t just busy with bureaucratic concerns. Sauron’s defeat didn’t eliminate all evil in Middle-earth. Éomer regularly honored the Oath of Eorl, riding into battle withhis brother-in-arms King Aragorn II Elessar. His adventures with Aragorn weren’t depicted, but their results were extraordinary.
Éomer gained the surnameÉadig during his time as King of Rohan. The name means “the blessed.” It’s a high compliment referring to Éomer’s successful reign. During his long kingship, Rohan regained its best natural aspects, many of which fell to Sauron. Rohan became beautiful, verdant, and plentiful again. His leadership strategies are unknown, but he aided the nation in recovering from its darkest age. Éomer settled down with Lothíriel, daughter of Prince Imrahil, the 22nd Prince of Dol Amroth. Lothíriel was initially betrothed to her cousin Boromir, much to the chagrin of both parties. Éomer met Lothíriel in Gondor, and they were married in the final year of the Third Age. They had one son, Elfwine the Fair. In the 63rd year of the Fourth Age, Éomer felt the specter of death upon him. He summoned his friends Merry and Pippin, who stayed with him in his final months. He died happily after 65 years of excellent rule. His son Elfwine took the throne after his passing.
Though information is limited, it appears Éomer lived a long, happy life after the events ofLord of the Rings. He became a great King, fought many battles alongside Aragorn, brought Rohan back to prominence, and died happily surrounded by loved ones. It’s hard to imagine a better life for one of the heroes who led an army at the Battle of the Black Gate.Éomer’s life after the One Ringwas a non-stop parade of impressive accomplishments. Éomer Éadig was one of a kind. Fans should rest easy knowing that Éomer enjoyed a wonderful final chapter.
