Éowyn delivers the fatal attack on the Witch-king in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Return of the King.
During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Witch-king of Angmar confronts Théoden, king of Rohan. After Théoden is mortally wounded, the Nazgûl leader turns toward the disguised Éowyn, who has ridden to battle despite being ordered to remain behind.
Éowyn reveals that she is not the man the Witch-king expects. Merry Brandybuck has already helped by stabbing the Witch-king with a Barrow-blade, which weakens or makes possible the attack. Éowyn then strikes him with her sword and destroys his physical form.
The prophecy that no living man could kill him is fulfilled through its wording: Éowyn is a woman, not a man. A common oversimplification credits her alone, but Tolkien’s scene gives both Merry and Éowyn essential roles in the defeat.