Ferthu Theoden Hal! - Page 5
© Michael Martinez
So we can look back at the nearly 40 years of Theoden's reign prior to 3017 as a period when he would have been a vigorous king. Even if he became considerably less active and decisive in 3014, Theoden's strength and confidence as a leader would have been recent in the minds of his people, many of whom would have grown to adulthood under Theoden. Their devotion to Theoden would thus be derived from long years of peace and prosperity.
Rohan was troubled by Orcs and other evils in those years, but it wasn't forced to war. And Tolkien notes that in Theoden's day there were far more Riders than the full Muster of Rohan called for (12,000). Rohan didn't just prosper under Theoden, it became more powerful than ever before. It was therefore strategically necessary for Sauron to neutralize Rohan before he could take action against Gondor.
Sauron seems to have begun moving against Rohan in earnest around the year 3000, which the Tale of Years suggests was the year when Saruman first dared to use the palantir of Orthanc. The battle in which Eomund was lost, where he pursued a small band of Orcs to the Emyn Muil only to be ambushed by a larger force, may therefore be a sign that Sauron was seeking to eliminate Theoden's greatest asset. Erkenbrand had once been an officer in the Muster of Rohan (according to "The Battles of the Fords of Isen" in Unfinished Tales) but Tolkien doesn't say he was ever a Marshal before the War of the Ring. So it would seem that Eomund was indeed the most prominent of Theoden's officers when Sauron turned his attention to Rohan.
With the loss of Eomund Theoden would actually have to groom his own son and Eomer to become Rohan's next great captains. Hence, the great affection the three felt for each other would have worked to Theoden's strategic advantage. He would have eager students. And the difference between Eomer and Theodred's ages ensured that Theoden would not have to train two young boys together. Theodred must have been put on the fast track to command as soon as Eomund was killed, and there could be no doubt that Eomer, rightful Lord of Aldburg, would receive the best training a Rider of the Mark could expect.
Eowyn is a different matter. Many people feel she was an unusual example among the women of Rohan, but I'm not so sure of that. She was a shieldmaiden, and Appendix A says there were many valiant men and women among the Rohirrim and their ancestors. Eowyn's battle with the Witch-king, where she lopped off the head of his winged steed with one stroke, and, despite suffering the great pain from her broken arm, subsequently dealt him a deft death-blow, clearly demonstrates she knew how to use a sword.
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