Meanwhile the Three Hunters had an uneasy night. Sleeping uneasily knowing that with every halt they lost ground in their pursuit of Merry and Pippin. Early in the morning as they set out it was obvious something was on the move. Listening to the ground Aragorn realized horsemen approached and Legolas' keen eyes had already counted 105 along with three empty horses. Aragorn decided they would wait until the Riders came in order to learn some news that may aid them. As they waited Aragorn told his companions what he knew of the Rohirrim; their character and their long friendship with Gondor after Eorl the Young brought them out of the North. Apparently they were closest in kin to the Bardings of Dale. Gimli wondered if the rumors were true that they paid a tribute of horses to Mordor. Aragorn did not think it to be true.
Soon the horsemen road by the Three Hunters swiftly. Covered by their Elvish cloaks they went unseen by the Rohirrim until Aragorn stood and called for news from the North. The riders turned and quickly surrounded them with spears drawn and bows tense. Their leader, tallest of all, rode forward with his spear pointed into Aragorn's chest. He demanded to know who they were. "'I am called Strider,' answered Aragorn. 'I came out of the North. I am hunting Orcs' (p. 34, The Two Towers). The leader dismounted and drew his sword inspecting the three and wondering how it was they avoided sight of the riders. Aragorn explained they were a Dwarf, Elf, and Man that went with the Lady of Lothlorien's favor. This caused more wonder for the leader of the Riders for he heard no good things about the Lady of the Woods. This made Gimli quite upset and he demanded to know who would insult Galadriel. "'...I am named Eomer son of Eomund, and am called the Third Marshal of Riddermark'" (p. 35, The Two Towers).
Gimli introduced himself as Gloin's son and rebuked Eomer for his words against Galadriel. Now it was Eomer's turn to be angry. "'I would cut off your head, beard and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground'" (p. 35, The Two Towers). This made Legolas angry and quick as could be his bow was fitted with arrow and pointed toward Eomer. "'You would die before your stroke fell'" (p. 35, The Two Towers). Aragorn moved quickly to diffuse the situation asking Eomer to hear their story before judging their intentions. Eomer agreed. Aragorn first asked Eomer if he served Sauron; this he denied saying he only served Theoden, King of Rohan. Aragorn then began to share that they had entered the lands of Rohan to rescue their friends taken by Orcs. He revealed his true identity as Aragorn, Elessar, Heir of Isildur, Lord of Gondor and drawing his sword asked Eomer to decide to aid or thwart him. "Gimli and Legolas looked at their companion in amazement, for they had not seen him in this mood before. He seemed to have grown in stature while Eomer had shrunk; and in his living face they caught a brief vision of the power and majesty of the kings of stone. For a moment it seemed to the eyes of Legolas that a white flame flickered on the brows of Aragorn like a shining crown'" (p. 36, The Two Towers)
Eomer was taken aback and told Aragorn how his riders had destroyed the Orcs and no others were found. Even after further questioning Eomer was sure that no hobbits had been found. By now his men were impatient. Eomer commanded them to ride off while he decided what to do with the three strangers. He then questioned Aragorn further recognizing that while he did not lie he had also not told everything. At this Aragorn revealed the death of Boromir (who was known in Rohan) as well as the fall of Gandalf. This news greatly discouraged Eomer and he told them how Gandalf had not been well received by all in Rohan. He told of how Gandalf came with tidings that Saruman was a traitor and had taken Theoden's best horse Shadowfax. It was not long after when trouble began on the borders with Saruman. He also revealed to Aragorn that Theoden had an evil counselor and that war was coming whether the King would listen or not. In fact, as Third Marshall, he had removed all people out of the East-mark for safety leaving only scouts behind for tidings.
Gimli then inquired about the Rohirrim paying tribute to Mordor which Eomer emphatically denied. Sauron had offered to buy horses from Rohan and they refused. Since then Orcs had raided the lands always stealing the black horses. Even so Eomer recognized their chief danger was Saruman. "'He has claimed lordship over all this land, and there has been war between us for many months...he is a wizard both cunning and dwimmer-crafty, having many guises. He walks here and there, they say, as an old man hooded and cloaked, very like to Gandalf, as many now recall'" (p. 39, The Two Towers). Eomer wondered if Aragorn had arrived in time to help the Rohirrim in their plight. Aragorn refused. "'The Heir of Elendil would be a strength indeed to the Sons of Eorl in this evil tide'" (p. 39, The Two Towers) said Eomer to persuade Aragorn. Indeed, he revealed he had left without the King's consent to destroy the Orc party the Three Hunters had pursued. Learning the Orcs were from both Morder and Isengard he had because of his deepest fear: a league between Orthanc and Barad-dur, the two towers.
Seeing that Aragorn would not abandon the search for his friends, even against hope, Eomer had to make a decision. In the end he decided to lend Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli the riderless horses but made them swear to return to the King's house of Meduseld in the chief city of Edoras. There they would prove to Theoden that Eomer had not misjudged them. He reminded them that by this act he was placing his very life in their hands for it as not permitted that strangers roam the land without the King's approval. Aragorn promised to return. Gimli too, for he wanted to teach Eomer about Lady Galadriel. Eomer said in parting: "'So many strange things have chanced that to learn praise of a fair lady under the loving strokes of a Dwarf's axe will seem no great wonder'" (p. 42, The Two Towers). That line made me smile. With that they parted and Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas sped toward the eaves of Fanghorn Forest.
Merry and Pippin awoke after a long night's rest. After taking breakfast with Treebeard (a draught again) he informed them they were going to an Entmoot, a gathering of Ents. Through the morning they travelled and finally arrived at the location. Many Ents were there and others were still coming. Merry and Pippin were surprised to see the Ents were as different as any trees are: As a beech is from an oak; or even as two pines are different from each other. Long the Ents spoke in their slow language and the hobbits became bored. Treebeard informed them they had decided Merry and Pippin were not Orcs and they would be added into the list of living creatures. They had not gotten any further and he suspected it would be some time before the Ents decided anything else. Merry and Pippin roamed the gathering area and wondered where they were and how close to Isengard they might be. They longed to see their friends again, especially Sam, Frodo, and Strider. As the day went on Strider arrived at the battle field where the Riders had destroyed the Orcs. No sign of the hobbits could be found. Aragorn was not ready to leave and wanted to spend the night near the forest.
Around this time there was a break in the Entmoot and Treebeard introduced Merry and Pippin to another Ent who was called Quickbeam. He was as hasty for an Ent and had already decided in regards to the Entmoot. Treebeard thought he'd be a good companion for the hobbits. He explained his name to them: "'They have called me that ever since I said yes to an elder Ent before he had finished the question'" (p. 86, The Two Towers). Merry and Pippen enjoyed Quickbeam as he laughed far more than any other Ent. He took them around the area and they soon learned why he had made up his mind so soon. It was his part of the forest that had been decimated by Saruman. Into the evening he took Merry and Pippin to his home where they could sleep. They drifted off to the sounds of the Entmoot nearby.
Sam awoke to find that he had slept the day away, a good nine hours at least. It was nearing darkness and he berated himself for not watching Gollum. Still he and Frodo, who was still sleeping, were fine. Gollum was nowhere to be seen. Frodo awoke and assured Sam it was fine, that for the time being, the promise Smeagol had made would keep them safe. He was also sure Smeagol would return. Sam busied himself with wondering how they would make their food last to Mordor and what to do for sustenance on the way back. Frodo was touched by the optimism: "'But Samwise Gamgee, my dear hobbit--indeed, Sam my dearest hobbit, friend of friends--I do not think we need give thought to what comes after that'" (p. 231, The Two Towers). Again a glimpse of the affection between these two friends; I love it. Of course, Frodo's comment made Sam choked up but just then Gollum returned, apparently off to find food. "'Are we rested? Ready to go on? Nice hobbits, they sleep beautifully. Trust Smeagol now? Very, very good'" (p. 232, The Two Towers).
As night set in on Fanghorn Forest Gimli wished to make a fire and Aragorn agreed warning him to cut no living branches. As the fire roared it seemed to Legolas that one of the trees drew closer as if thankful for the heat. They wondered the story of the forest and why Celeborn had warned them against it. Aragorn had only heard tales and Legolas knew little else other than Ents had dwelt in it long ago. Finally it was time to sleep and Gimli drew the first watch. Looking up Gimli saw an old man in a cloak and hat leaning on a staff and the dwarf jumped up rousing his companions. "'Well, father, what can we do for you?' said Aragorn, leaping to his feet" (p. 45, The Two Towers). The man disappeared and they noticed their horses were missing. They were certain that it had been Saruman. Aragorn noted this man had a hat instead of a hood as Eomer had described Saruman. Still, they were on extra guard throughout the night.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, February 30th
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 227-230; 31-43; 81-85; 43-46; 86-87; and 230-232.
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