Have I ever talked about how much I love the whole concept of Éowyn and Dernhelm as one in the same person?
Like look at this beautiful quote showing how Éowyn is Dernhelm and Dernhelm is Éowyn and she's one coin with two sides working together to make up a whole fierce shieldmaiden of Rohan.
"...the helm of her secrecy had fallen from her, and her bright hair, released from its bonds, gleamed with pale gold upon her shoulders. Her eyes grey as the sea were hard and fell, and yet tears were on her cheek. A sword was in her hand, and she raised her shield against the horror of her enemy's eyes. Éowyn it was, and Dernhelm also."
Seriously how have I never taken the time to gush about this concept?
It encompasses the idea that Éowyn can be a warrior and a maiden at the same time and doesn't have to sacrifice her femininity to be fierce and strong because her femininity is as much a part of what makes her fierce and strong as her ability to take up a sword and fight alongside the men.
And golly I just really do love that whole thing a lot.
