Hearts

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Theodred, Theoden's son and heir killed at the Fords of Isen, was Eomer's cousin. However, Eomer and his sister had been effectively adopted by Theoden and raised in Edoras after their own father died.

---------------------

In the RK:EE (and at least one trailer) there is a shot of Eomer's mad grief on discovering Eowyn apparently dead on the field. But nothing showing either his generalship of the Rohirrim following Theoden's fall, nor of course his friendship (and meeting in the midst of battle) with Aragorn. That was, I agree, a far greater weakening of the character than substituting him for Erkenbrand strengthened it.