Eowyn

Niece of King Théoden of Rohan, she chafed at the restrictions placed on women in her society, striving to be a shieldmaiden of reknown, just as her brother Eomer was a doughty warrior.

Éowyn became the nursemaid of her uncle, Théoden, and was slated to be left behind with the women when the men rode off to war at Minas Tirith, after the Battle of Helm's Deep. While serving Théoden, she meets Aragorn, the future King, and falls in love with him, unaware that he is betrothed to Arwen.

During the flight to the refuge of Helm's Deep, she is again relegated to caring for the women and children, despite her desire to guard the group against attack.

After Aragorn and his companions took The Way of the Dead at Dunharrow, she was told to go back to the women while the men rode off to the aid of Gondor. She rebelled against this stricture and disguised herself as a man, Dernhelm, and rides off with the troops.

In battle with the forces of Sauron, she defeats the Witch Kind (a Nazgûl), fulfilling Glorfindel's prophecy that the Witch King would never die by the hand of man.