The prohpecy refers to man the gender. That is why the Witch King is all cocky untill Eowyn reveals herself to be a woman. This makes him pause, as he knows that the prophecy does not apply here. I doubt that Merry's sword did anything other than hurt the witch-kings knee, and thus distracting him so Eowyn could finish him off. If Merry's blow had killed him, then Eowyn would not have experienced any ill affects from stabbing him (the black breath I think it is called). Chances are, her sword would be as good as his, as she comes from a royal house, and Gondor probably would have given Rohan some heirlooms such as old swords.
|