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He was the 17th King of Rohan. Secretly deceived and poisoned by his chief advisor,
he would be freed and would go on to lead his people in the most important battles
of the Third Age. So great was he in battle that he is once compared to one of the Valar.
Today, on Nerd of the Ring, we cover the life and travels of Theoden.
Theoden is the son of Thengel, the heir to the throne of Rohan,
and Morwen of Lossarnach - a fiefdom in southern Gondor. When he had come of age, Thengel had left
Rohan and lived for quite some time in Gondor. Presumably, it is during his time in Gondor
when he would meet and marry Morwen. Theoden is born in 2948 while their parents are still living
in the realm. For the first 5 years of his life, Theoden would live with his family in Gondor.
In 2953, King Fengel dies, and Thengel would take his family back to Edoras as he takes his
place as the 16th King of Rohan. We are told that the speech of Gondor is used in Thengel’s halls,
likely meaning that Theoden was raised to know Westron or the Common Speech,
the elvish language of Sindarin, as well as their native Rohirric.
Around four years into Thengel’s reign, a man from the north named Thorongil
comes and enters the service of the king. He would ride with and serve the king for some time
before answering the summons of Steward Ecthelion of Gondor. This man, who Theoden would have met
when he was just nine years old, would later fight alongside Theoden in defense of their great realm.
In 2980 TA, Thengel dies at the age of 75, and as his only male heir, Theoden becomes the 17th King
of Rohan. By this time, Theoden has already been a widower and single father for two years. His wife,
Elfhild, dies giving birth to their only child, Theodred, in 2978.
Theoden is one of 5 children, and while we know nothing of three of his sisters, we know a fair
amount of the fourth. Her name is Theodwyn, and we are told Theoden loved his sister dearly.
22 years into Theoden’s rule (3002 TA), Theodwyn’s husband
Eomund is killed in one of an increasing number of raids by orcs. Shortly afterward,
Theodwyn grows ill and dies. Their children, 11 year-old Eomer and 7 year-old Eowyn
are left orphaned. Theoden adopts the pair and raises them as his own alongside Theodred.
Their family would live in Edoras throughout Theoden’s rule, and as they grow into mighty
warriors themselves, Theodred would become Second Marshal of the Riddermark,
with Eomer having the title of Third Marshal. As Saruman has already begun to build his forces
and seeks to hold greater control in the region, he corrupts Grima Wormtongue to his service.
Through the work of his chief counselor and the white wizard,
Thoeden’s health begins to fail in 3014 at the age of 66. Through the poison administered by Grima,
and his manipulative words, Theoden becomes a shell of his former self.
As the War of the Ring draws ever closer, Theoden is increasingly misled by his advisor.
Grima attempts to undermine Theodred and Eomer by turning them against the king.
When their loyalty does not falter, he attempts to turn them against one another. Yet again, these
men of Rohan show their loyalty to their family that was forged through hardship and heartache.
After Gandalf’s escape from the pinnacle of Orthanc, Gwaihir takes the wizard to Rohan so that
he may secure a horse and travel with speed to the Shire. Still firmly under Grima’s manipulation,
Theoden orders the wizard to take a horse and be gone. Gandalf takes Shadowfax,
the greatest horse in all the land - in what some consider to be an insult to the king.
A turning point for Rohan comes on February 25,
3019, when Theodred is killed in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. Saruman had
given orders to his forces that Theodred was to be killed in their attack - no matter the cost.
Under Grima’s influence, Theoden had forbidden Eomer to move against the orcs crossing the plains
of Rohan. However, Eomer disobeyed, destroying Saruman’s that had attacked the Fellowship and
was now making their way back to Isengard with Merry and Pippin. Upon his return to Edoras,
Eomer is arrested and imprisoned at the command of Wormtongue.
On March 2, Gandalf and the Three Hunters come to Edoras, where Theoden is finally healed
of the illness inflicted by Grima’s poison. In the gloom they heard the hiss of Wormtongue's
voice: 'Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Háma, has betrayed us!'
There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof.... Wormtongue sprawled on his face.
'Now Théoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?' said Gandalf. 'Do you ask for help?'
He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear,
and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky.
'Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not
find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give,
and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them?... I bid you come out before your doors and
look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.'
Gandalf leads the king out of his hall to gaze upon his kingdom.
And to once again breathe the free air.
'It is not so dark here,' said Théoden.
'No,' said Gandalf. 'Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders
as some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!'
From the king's hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones.
He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil.
Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky.
'Dark have been my dreams of late,' he said,
'but I feel as one new-awakened. I would now that you had come before, Gandalf.
For I fear that already you have come too late, only to see the last days of my house.
Not long now shall stand the high hall which Brego son of Eorl built.... What is to be done?'
'Much,' said Gandalf. 'But first send for Éomer.'
Restored to his right mind, Theoden frees and reinstates Eomer. He also grants Gandalf the
use of Shadowfax to be his steed throughout the rest of his duties in Middle-earth.
With their newfound allies, they ride to strike back at Isengard.
As for his people who were not warriors, they would make for Dunharrow - a more defensible
location than Edoras. As Theoden and Eomer ride to a battle from which they may not return, the King
names Eowyn - who is both fearless and loved by all - to be ruler of Rohan in his absence.
On their way, Theoden receives word that the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen was lost,
and that Saruman had unleashed a great force, marching into the realm. Theoden leads his
people to Helm’s Deep, where Saruman’s forces would seek to destroy the warriors of Rohan.
Saruman’s mighty army comes to the Hornburg on March 3. As we know,
the people of Rohan are victorious in their defense of Helm’s Deep - thanks
in part to a late arrival of Gandalf the White along with Erkenbrand and his riders.
After this victory, Theoden is know as Theoden
Ednew, meaning the Renewed - for he had finally become completely free of Saruman in every way.
In their victory, Theoden, Gandalf and the others travel to Isengard.
After Gandalf expels Saruman from their order, and later makes for Minas Tirith with Pippin,
Theoden leads those left behind back to Helm’s Deep. Noticing the lone halfling feeling out of
place among the men of Rohan, Theoden invites him to ride together for the rest of their journey.
Meriadoc Brandybuck offers his sword to the King, and Theoden accepts his service to Rohan.
On March 6, Theoden leads his people to Dunharrow, arriving on March 9. After
reuniting with Eowyn at Dunharrow, Theoden is receives a messenger from Denethor.
A Gondorian soldier carrying the Red Arrow - requesting Rohan’s aid in war. The following day,
they depart for Minas Tirith. As they make their way to assist the Gondorians, they
find out there is a host of orcs heading toward them on the road. Coming to the Druadan Forest,
they meet Ghan-buri-Ghan, leader of the woses. Ghan-buri-ghan agrees to help the Rohirrim,
leading them on secret paths through the forest, coming to Minas Tirith unscathed.
On their way to Minas Tirith, they discover the same messenger who had delivered the red arrow
to be dead on the road. Thus, the Rohirrim came unlooked for to the White City. As Minas Tirith is
under siege, Theoden orders his troops to charge, and so begins the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
In the battle, we are given a new description of Theoden,
one showing he is truly renewed. This mortal man, not one descended from Numenor and the Edain,
but great nonetheless, is compared to one of the Valar themselves:
"Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne
up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the
world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the sun..."
In this great clash of armies, Theoden comes to the chieftain of the Haradrim,
flanked by his standard-bearer with a flag of a black serpent upon scarlet.
Theoden strikes down the chieftain and his standard-bearer and the black serpent flounders.
After wreaking havoc upon the armies of Mordor, Theoden is attacked by the Witch King of Angmar.
His great steed Snowmane is spooked by the Fell Beast and Theoden is pinned and mortally wounded
under the body of his fallen steed. As his body is broken and he lies at the Ringwraith’s mercy,
Eowyn in her guise as Dernhelm, stands between her uncle and the Lord of the Nazgul.
Together with Merry, Eowyn kills the Witch King.
As Eowyn lies unconscious from the Black Breath of the nazgul, Merry comes to Theoden,
hearing his final words: 'Farewell, Master Holbytla!' he said. 'My body is broken.
I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. I
felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!'
'Where is Éomer? For my eyes darken,
and I would see him ere I go. He must be king after me. And I would send word to Éowyn.
She, she would not have me leave her, and now I shall not see her again, dearer than daughter.
Theoden is unaware that his niece, whom he holds dearer than a daughter, lies mere feet away. Eomer
rides in haste to the king, and seeing his banner raised by one of the knights, Theoden indicates it
should go to Eomer. 'Hail, King of the Mark!' he said. 'Ride now to victory! Bid Éowyn farewell!'
And so he died, and knew not that Éowyn lay near him. And those who stood by wept.
Eomer King would lead the Rohirrim through the remainder of the battle,
and in the battle of the Black Gate, seeing the downfall of Sauron. Months later,
after his bodies lies in honor in Minas Tirith, Theoden is taken back to his home of Rohan.
There, on August 10, 3019, he is laid to rest, joining his son Theodred in death.
Theoden leaves behind not only his legacy of greatness, the inspiration
of throwing off the cloak of evil influence, and persevering through great person tragedy,
but also those who considered him family. His niece and nephew, who were raised as his own
children, as well as Meriadoc Brandybuck, who considered him like a father in their
short time together. The greatness of Theoden King would live on in those he held most dear.
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