Aethaelwynne is the only surviving child of a family on the edge of the Rohirric nobility.  One sister was born before her, who caught sick and died before reaching the end of her first year of life.  No other children followed her, as her mother died in giving birth to Aethaelwynne.

Aethaelwynne's father, though he mourned the death of his wife and the lack of a son, never remarried.  Instead, he brought his daughter up as though she had been a boy, teaching her to ride almost as soon as she could walk, and instilling the basics of close combat in her from a very young age.  On her tenth birthday, Aethaelwynne's father gave her a sharp dagger, perfect for killing unarmored enemies up close.  On her eleventh birthday, he gave her a bay mare, whom she named Aelfwynne.  On her twelfth birthday, her father dug out a bundle from a chest long kept hidden away.  When the girl opened it, she discovered a beautiful long green dress and an exquisitely woven hooded green cloak, with the image of a tree skillfully woven on the back using golden thread.  These had been her mother's before her, and now they were hers.

By age 15, Aethaelwynne had had her first taste of actual combat, when she rode with her father to protect one of their outlying properties from marauding Dunlendings.  Her quick and fluid movement and the way she used her sword and shield as though they were part of her caused her father to exclaim, "Now I know that I have not taught thee in vain!  Now I know that, when I go to the halls of my fathers, I will be able to rest in peace."  Two months later, he was brought back dead, having given his life to defend his lord when they were ambushed by orcs.  Aethaelwynne, grief-stricken at the death of her father, was not prepared when the news came that their lord also was dead, his wounds having proven mortal.  The young shieldmaiden was convinced that she was dishonored, as she had not accompanied her father, nor been there to defend their lord in his hour of need.  She swore above her father's grave that she should leave Rohan and never return, until she had redeemed herself of this perceived stain.  She vanished from her father's hall the same night, taking only her father's sword, her shield, her dagger, her mother's cloak and dress, and Aelfwynne, her beloved mare.  In a pack on Aelfwynne's back were some campaign rations and a small bag full of silver coins to pay Aethaelwynne's way.

Some years later, Aethaelwynne reappeared serving House Thalanduin.  She never shrank from danger, nor admitted to fear, but always stood strong whether in the front lines, or in the rear when they were forced to retreat.  Here, also, her training and experience stood her in good stead, allowing her to pass on some important lessons to the other soldiers of House Thalanduin, lessons that they may not have learned otherwise without the loss of much blood, often their own.

((OOC Note:  Aethaelwynne and Aethaelwyme are ICly the same person.  Aethaelwynne is the original character.  I created Aethaelwyme primarily because she uses a javelin for ranged combat, and, unfortunately, only Wardens may wield the javelin.  I still really enjoy both Guardian and Warden, however, so I am keeping both characters.  Only these two spellings of the name are mine--any other variations are characters belonging to other players.))