Born January 14, 2983 in Imloth Melui, a valley in the region of Lossarnach, Gondor. Her parents were Ingrod, a farmer, and Elanor, a tailor. Her childhood was happy, though not carefree. She was raised with a sense of duty and honor, and knew the merits of hard work and responsibility.

 In February 3000 Aethylwen married Taradan, a blacksmith  from Minas Tirith of some renown. She moved to Minas Tirith with him after they were wed, where he taught her his trade. Being a proficient tailor already, she showed an aptitude for Armoring which only increased Taradan's already successful weaponsmithing business. 

Though Aethylwen spent most of her days assisting Taradan in the business, her husband indulged his much younger wife in other pursuits. She was very much an independent woman, and insisted in learning the practical uses behind their craft. He hired a retired soldier to teach her the basics of swordfighting, and was very much surprised when she seemed to take to it naturally. 3001 and 3002 brought the arrival of their children Andriel and Arandor,  but throughout the years, one could often find Aethylwen sparring with customers while they "tested" their potential purchases. 

Tragedy struck in 3014 when Tarandor died suddenly at his forge. The healers suspected that his heart simply gave out, not uncommon for a man of his age. He was then 54. Despite their age difference, Aethylwen loved her husband deeply, and though many offers of marriage would again come her way, she would refuse them all. Determined to assert her independence,  Aethylwen continued to run their shop, though only as an Armorsmith and Tailor. Her son Arangor showed no interest in the trade, and her daughter Andriel had no aptitude for either.  

In May of 3018, Andriel, now 17, married the merchant Barahad. It was a bittersweet time for Aethylwen, as her son Arandor found his calling and joined the Gondor Army. In June, when Sauron's forces attacked Osgiliath, Arandor was among the forces sent to defend it. He was killed in battle at the young age of 16.

Upon hearing the news of her son's death, Aethylwen withdrew. With her daughter off and married, she felt alone for the first time in her life. She closed up shop, suddenly finding the home that she shared with her family no longer gave her any sense of purpose. After the battle of Osgiliath, Aethylwen felt that there was much more to come. She would not let her son die in vain, and was determined that she would join the battle. 

Arandor was among the youngest of those who served under Captain Faramir, and as such, The Captain felt he should extend his condolences to Aethylwen. When he met her, he expected to find a grieving mother to console. Instead, he found a woman geared as a soldier, offering her sword in allegiance. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he knew that despite any protest he may have, this woman would have her way. Rather than send her along with the army, Captain Faramir sent her along with Berengol, who was on a mission of his own...