[Mithalwen]

I think the films may have confused your memory of the books. Aragorn avoiding his destiny is a film gimmick. In the books there is nothing lesser about Rangers save among those who are ignorant of who they truly are. Aragorn has spent seventy years preparing for this momemt.

I think the shadow and thought comment is quite straight forward if you look at the context. the comparison is not with a different aspect of Aragorn but with her brother whom she truly knows and so loves a reality. Eowyn feels a strong reaction to Aragorn because he was a catalyst against the despairing passivity of Theoden's decline. she loved what he represented not the man himself. This does not mean Aragorn is unworthy of her love.