As day broke on Sam, Frodo, and Gollum sought cover as they were dangerously close to Mordor. Fear grew in each of them the closer they went. It would be another two days of journeying by night.
As day broke on Theoden and the Rohirrim they could sense a great storm coming from the East. Also there was a darkness around Isengard. Gandalf asked Legolas what he could see. The Elf couldn't quite make it out but he knew it was not cloud or mist: "'It is as if twilight under endless trees were flowing downwards from the hills'" (p. 132, The Two Towers). Haste drove Theoden and onward his men rode. It was dusk when a solitary rider, weary from battle, approached them. He was sent by Erkenbrand of the Westfold to find Eomer. He told of the fall of the Fords of Isen; how the forts were broken and men scattered. A great host had come against Rohan. Any survivors that Erkenbrand found were sent to Helm's Deep; he was sending word to Eomer to hold out at Edoras rather than be overtaken be Orcs and wolves.
Theoden revealed himself and gave great joy and courage to the rider, Ceorl. He declared that they would not return to Edoras but rather seek to aid Erkenbrand. "While Theoden was speaking, Gandalf rode a short way ahead, and he sat there alone, gazing north to Isengard and west to the setting sun" (p. 133, The Two Towers). The Wizard returned to the host declaring he needed to perform a swift errand. He encouraged Theoden to make for Helm's Deep and bid them to look for him at the Gate. He spoke to Shadowfax and was gone in an instant. It seemed that Gandalf, with all haste, went to Isengard some 90 miles away. "He reached Isengard in the early darkness, and left again in no more than twenty minutes" (p. 364, Unfinished Tales). Gandalf most likely wanted to make sure that Legolas had seen the Ents advancing on Isengard for he knew the coming of Merry and Pippin would most likely have roused them. As he returned from Isengard Gandalf searched for any Rohan soldiers he could find and met Grimbold and Elfhelm.
Theoden, in some doubt, rode on as Gandalf advised to the fortress. "Men of that land called it Helm's Deep, after a hero of old wars who made his refuge there" (p. 133, The Two Towers). Scouts had encountered wolf-riders and bodies of people who were overtaken in their flight to the Deep. Theoden asked for news of Gandalf as night fell. "'Many have seen an old man in white upon a horse passing hither and thither over the plains like a wind in the grass. Some thought he was Saruman. It is said that he went away ere nightfall towards Isengard'" (p. 134, The Two Towers). Reports of great numbers of the enemy were abroad and in all haste and readiness to drive through resistance Theoden pressed on. They met little resistance on the road and any Orcs they did encounter ran away immediately. Aragorn, Legolas, and Eomer road in the van. They could hear harsh singing behind them and when they turned to look saw countless torches. "'It is a great host that follows us hard,' said Aragorn" (p. 135, The Two Towers).
Aragorn was loathe to flee but they could not withstand such a host in the open. At long last they made the Deeping-coomb past Helm's Dike. Eomer wished to set up defense but Theoden called for the main host to be withdrawn into Helm's Deep. Reaching the rampart they were challenged by guards. To the sentinals' joy they realized it was the King's host from Edoras coming unlooked for. They reported that a thousand men fit for battle were in the Deep, though most too old or too young. Most of the people of the Westfold were inside with a great store of food. Being a wise man, Erkenbrand did not let Helm's Deep fall in disrepair and it was a strong defense. However, Erkendrand was not present and there was no news of him. It was clear that no others could reach the Deep at this point. With the King's host there were now enough defenders for Helm's Deep and this brought hope and courage to those already inside (men, women, and children).
Quickly defenses were set. Gimli and Legolas went to the parapet to look over the valley. Gimli was in high spirits with battle and mountains near. "'Ever my heart rises as we draw near the mountains. There is good rock here. This country has tough bones. I felt them in my feet as we came up from the dike. Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and I would make this a place that armies would break upon like water'" (p. 137, The Two Towers). Legolas was encouraged by his friend's words but he had no love of mountains and was not comforted by them. He wished there were more Dwarves present along with archers from Mirkwood. Time passed and the torches moved toward the Deep. "Suddenly from the Dike yells and screams, and the fierce battle-cries of men broke out" (p. 137, The Two Towers). A small defense had been left at the Dike and they surprised the front ranks of the Orcs. They reported that they killed many but they could only stall the enemy a bit but that would be all.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 3rd
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 236-238; 132-137
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