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Ferthu Theoden Hal! - Page 3

© Michael Martinez

Theoden was only 4 or 5 years old when his father was recalled to Rohan in 2953. 10 years later Theodwyn, last child of Thengel and Morwen, was born in Edoras. Theoden was then only about 15 years old, but he became very fond of his youngest sister. The other three sisters are never mentioned again, but presumably they married and had children. Only, they probably did not marry prominent men. Theoden, on the other hand, seems to have become involved with the family of Eastfold. His wife was Elfhild of Eastfold. Although her name doesn't necessarily imply she was a descendant of Eofor, she must have come from some prominent family in the region. Their son Theodred was born in 2978, and Elfhild died in childbirth so he was their only child. Although we don't know when Eomund was born, he married Theodwyn in 2989, nearly 11 years after Theoden and Elfhild were married. It's quite possible that Elfhild was Eomund's older sister. Eomund was probably born sometime in the years 2960-4. Elfhild could have been born in the years 2950-58 and therefore would have been of an appropriate age to marry Theoden, but still would have been young enough to be Eomund's sister. Uruks from the Misty Mountains began raiding Rohan after 2953. Their raids would have been mostly into the Wold, the northernmost region of Rohan, and the two Emnet regions. The purpose of the raids would most likely have been to acquire food and perhaps slaves. There may also have been attempts to communicate with Mordor. Thengel reigned until 2980, and Theoden probably served in the Muster of Edoras at least from 2968 to 2980. He probably was made a Marshal before Thengel died, and may have known Thorongil, although there seems to be no sign that Theoden remembered Aragorn years later. Aragorn told Eomer (in "The Riders of Rohan") that he had been in Rohan many times, and that he had both served in the Muster of the Riddermark and that he had in fact ridden with Eomund. Eomund was too young to have served with Aragorn during his period of errantries (2957-80), so Aragorn probably served Thengel in actions against the Dunlendings and Uruks of the Misty Mountains and probably had nothing to do with Eastfold. Aragorn must have known Eomund years later. Around the time that Eomer (2991) and Eowyn (2995) were born, Orcs from Mordor began raiding Rohan. By this time Eomund had himself become a Marshal of the Mark, and must have commanded the East Muster. What happened to his father? Quite possibly Eomund's father had fallen in battle, either against the northern threat or soon after Mordor began attacking. Aragorn would have had to visit Rohan again during the years 2995-3000. In the year 3001 he was again in Eriador, for then Gandalf confided in him concerning the Ring. Eomund died fighting Orcs in the next year (3002), and Theodwyn died soon after. Theoden then took the two children into his household and raised them as his own.

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