ERKENBRAND WAS LEADING ROHAN IN ÉOWYN’S ABSENCE IT WAS FINE THEY HAD A CANONICALLY VERY FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO QUESTIONS OF SUCCESSION AND TOLKIEN NEVER EVEN HINTED AT THE IDEA THAT A SINGLE ROHIRRIM BEGRUDGED HER THE CHOICE TO GO TO GONDOR TO FIGHT!
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ERKENBRAND WAS LEADING ROHAN IN ÉOWYN’S ABSENCE IT WAS FINE THEY HAD A CANONICALLY VERY FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO QUESTIONS OF SUCCESSION AND TOLKIEN NEVER EVEN HINTED AT THE IDEA THAT A SINGLE ROHIRRIM BEGRUDGED HER THE CHOICE TO GO TO GONDOR TO FIGHT!
Which of these characters should not have been cut from the Lord of the Rings movies?
Imrahil
Glorfindel
Fredegar Bolger
Goldberry and Tom
Radagast
The Maggots and their dogs
Elrohir & Elladan
Halbrand
Beregond
Bregalad
Erkenbrand
Gildor Inglorion
Oops, I forgot Ghân-Buri-Ghân, sorry.
Eowyn and Power
I've seen people try to refute the idea that Eowyn wasn't in a position of powerlessness even after she was put in control when Theoden left. The fact is, even when she was "regent", she was put in charge on non-combatants, women, children and the elderly. She was put in charge of them and managed them well, but her charge of them did not give her significant power. Not over herself, not over her kingdom. Any power she did have was fleeting, and pretty much instantly disappeared after the battle of Helm's Deep, when Erkenbrand was put in charge of the armed forces left behind in Rohan, and stationed in Edoras.
Eowyn had charge of civilians and non-combatants and was sent to hide in the hills of Dunharrow. Erkenbrand had charge of armed soldiers and was stationed in Edoras, the capital of Rohan and the city of kings.
Between Eowyn and Erkenbrand, who had power? Who was in a position of control?
Eowyn could try to use her royal blood to influence Erkenbrand's decisions, but it's the guy with the big army who is going to be having the final say.
Eowyn was never put in a practical position of real authority. Not over nobles or armies who dictate how the country was run. Her authority was over the commoners, and her role was to ensure they followed the wishes of the men in authority above her.
Legendarium by Alexander Mokhov
Galadriel, Gift-Giver
Smite the Deathless
Radagast the Brown
Erkenbrand, Lord of Westfold
Saruman of Many Colors
How did I not know about this?!
A wonderful short film following one of our dear Rohirrim textual ruins, Dúnhere, as he travels to sound the alarm after the first battle of the Fords of Isen.
It is a fan film, but the scenery and score are AMAZING and I had many ~feels~.
Elfwine Chronicles (new LoTR stories, Fate posted, 3-30-24)
Eomer and Lothiriel ponder how things might have been different (Angst, Family)
[This story follows on to “Guilt” (https://archiveofourown.org/works/41467341/chapters/104622678. It is best to read that first as this one assumes you are familiar with the circumstances there.]
(very early August, 3020 III)
“My lord!” Erkenbrand exclaimed, hurrying toward Eomer as he dismounted and moved to help his wife do the same. “We were not expecting you.”
With Lothiriel safely on her feet, the king turned and smiled at his longtime friend. “We were not anticipating a visit, but I went to the Fords of Isen, and since we were so close it seemed appropriate to come by and see how things are progressing.” He turned to draw his wife forward with a wave of his arm, which he then placed around her shoulders. “You remember Lothiriel, do you not?”
“But of course,” Erkenbrand smiled, taking her offered hand and kissing it. “It is a pleasure to see you again. You look well.”
Smiling, Lothiriel nodded. “I am, and I am pleased to meet you again also. But, please, do not go to a great deal of trouble for us. Think of us only as friends dropping by.”
He grinned in response and answered, “I see you still fit well with the Eorlingas, my lady! But, then, I could not imagine Eomer marrying a dull, formal woman!”
The three of them chuckled as Eomer offered his arm to his wife and they followed Erkenbrand inside. The conversation quickly turned to the continuing work on repairs to the fortress, and the state of affairs in the West-mark. When Erkenbrand’s wife appeared, Lothiriel took the opportunity to slip away with her to the room they were to be given during their stay.
continue reading on AO3:
(https://archiveofourown.org/works/54834652/chapters/138992203)
Erkenbrand: so we're upgrading Helm's Deep.
Grima: tell me more.
Erkenbrand: well, we're improving the battlements here and here and the emrbasures at these key points, and reinforcing the gates in this way.
Grima: excellent.
Erkenbrand:
Ekrenbrand: you've never been interested in this previously. Literally never. King's counsel meetings I start talking battlements and your brain clearly starts going WHEEEEEEEEEEE with not much happening between the ears as I talk.
Grima: I'm allowed to develop new interests
Grima: tell me more about how drainage works for the fortress.
Erkenbrand:
Erkenbrand: i feel like this is a trap and i don't know why.
Basically half a chapter for What Makes a King is this and Eomer is like: SUSPECT. THIS IS SUSPECT BEHAVIOUR.
Grima: i am just taking an interest in our fortifications, Eomer. I thought you of all people would approve of that.
Eomer:
Eomer:
Eomer:
Grima: anyway, i have to take a quick trip north-west of Edoras for a few days. king's business. or something. won't be a minute.
“'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,' said Háma. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. 'Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.'" "Gamling the Old looked down from the Hornburg, hearing the great voice of the dwarf above all the tumult. 'The Orcs are in the Deep!' he cried. 'Helm! Helm! Forth Helmingas!' he shouted as he leaped down the stair from the Rock with many men of Westfold at his back." "There suddenly upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shining in the rising sun. Over the low hills the horns were sounding. Behind him, hastening down the long slopes, were a thousand men on foot; their swords were in their hands. Amid them strode a man tall and strong. His shield was red. As he came to the valley's brink, he set to his lips a great black horn and blew a ringing blast. 'Erkenbrand!' the Riders shouted. 'Erkenbrand!'”
I just love those Rohirrim side characters *sob*
I actually called Erkenbrands name out loud when he appeared, because every time I read it, the horror of the long night of Helm’s Deep really gets to me and I’m so relieved when it is over.