[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Alfirin

I though a bit about that. The only logical explanation (and it relys on that oh so risky "things we weren't told about" specualtion) would be if Eowyn already thought the WK was dead/disabled. Say if she had actually leaped for the intital attack (against the winged beast) and decapitated it while it was still off the ground, so that the WK actually fell, or if the dying beast had partially fallen on him. Knowing (now, thanks to what the WK said) the prophecy, Eowyn might have assumed that the fall itself (or being trapped under the beast) had been the WK end/incapacitated him (the old "chosen one can kill the bad guy with one blow thing). Eowyn might very well then turn her attention to the king, (who is, after all, still alive) to render him aid (maybe even try and get Snowmane's corpse off him). The WK coud then have gotten up without her knowing (the fact that while uncloaked he can almost pass as undectable save emotionally has always made me think that, when he wishes, he can move quite quietly and on a noisy battlefield, hearing someones armor clink might be difficult even at close range, if he is even wearing heavy armor (since he as far as he knew he was invicible, his armor may have been light to nonexistant. The fact that all that is left after he is dead is the crown and a cloak (as opposed to a crown, cloak, set of armor etc.) seems to give some credence to this) and have been planning to deliver his blow while Eowyns back was turned (He's a bad guy after all, there's no reason to assume he feels any need to fight fair. And since he also knows the nature of the prophecy (and hence he is sort of vulnerable) he may be being a bit more cautious than he normally would be). Eowyn may have only become aware the WK was still alive and whirled around at the last minute (Indeed had the WK not decided to say something before he delivered the blow, she might not have turned around in time). The blow that broke her shield and arm may have been a deflecting blow, the WK may not have been aiming for that (given he had a mace he was probably going for her head/face to brain her. The idea of having her helpless before him may have appealed to him, but that does not neccecarily mean he had not orginally planned to kill her in one blow.

I mean, really elaborate explanation, but I have a much better explanation, only in one sentence: it is art. It is not supposed to show realism in that picture, it is only showing the protagonists, and solving the problem that you cannot have both people facing the observer. Here you have. Artistic license.