Ghan-buri-Ghan

In the early hours the gate of Minis Tirith was shut. Through the night fires could be seen spreading over the Pelennor. As day progressed the watchers on the walls could see trenches being dug, closer to the walls, springing with fire. The siege had begun. They did not fear the main City wall being broken; it was built at the height of Númenorean power--akin to the walls of Orthanc. But the wise among them knew their enemies had the best weapon of all: hunger. If Rohan could not come they would starve. Still, Sauron's forces would not be content with the slow death of starvation. Catapults began sending missiles over the wall and soon fire broke out everywhere in the first level of the City. Many men hurried about to begin to fight the spreading flames inside the city that matched the flames outside of it.

"Then among the greater casts there fell another hail; less ruinous but more horrible. All about the streets and lanes behind the Gate it tumbled down, small round shot that did not burn. But when men ran to learn what it might be, they cried aloud or wept. For the enemy was flinging into the City all the heads of those who had fallen fighting in Osgiliath, or on the Rammas, or in the fields. They were grim to look on; for though some were crushed and shapeless, and some had been cruelly hewn, yet many had features that could be told, and it seemed that they had died in pain; and all were branded with the foul token of the Lidless Eye. But marred and dishonoured as they were, it often chanced that thus a man would see again the face of someone that he had known, who had walked proudly once in arms, or tilled fields, or ridden in upon holiday from the green vales in the hills" (p. 96, The Return of the King). Talk about psychological warfare--wow.

Adding to the dread the Nazgul constantly flew over the city. Out of sight their wails would bring even the most stouthearted man to his knees. All through the day Faramir struggled against a fever. Rumors spread of his death and yet Denethor did nothing to stave them. He simply sat in silence beside his son. And there Pippin was for his command was to wait on the Steward. Pippin tried to comfort Denethor but it was clear that the Steward had lost all hope thinking Sauron had the Ring and all was lost. His captains came seeking orders but Denethor told them to follow whomever they wished. And so Gandalf took command of the last defense of Minis Tirith. He went non-stop through every level of the City encouraging the soldiers. With him was Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth. "For he and his knights still held themselves like lords in whom the race of Númenor ran true. Men that saw them whispered saying: 'Belike the old tales speak well; there is Elvish blood in the veins of that folk, for the people of Nimrodel dwelt in that land once long ago'" (p. 98, The Return of the King).

Merry looked all around. He heard drums some nearer, some farther. He had been riding with Dernhelm for four days but his riding partner would say nothing. It seemed that Elhelm, the leader of Merry's eored had some sort of understanding with Dernhelm. For the hobbit could roam freely during rests and no one said anything about it. This particular rest was taking place in the Druadan Forest. Merry longed for news as the waiting was bearing on him. He knew danger was near for not all the scouts sent forward by Theoden returned. Elfhelm walked by and bumped into Merry and the hobbit asked about the drums he heard. "'You hear the Woses, the Wild Men of the Woods: thus they talk together from afar. They still haunt the Drúadan Forest, it is said. Remnants of an older time they be, living few and secretly, wild and wary as beasts'" (p. 105, The Return of the King). These folks are the Drúedain of old; given Elfhelm's statements about them (like using poisoned arrows), the name of the Drúadan Forest, and the description of Ghan-buri-Ghan we shall soon see.

Elfhelm said they would not go to war, however, for fear of the Dark Years returning they offered service to Theoden. Elfhelm departed to get his Riders ready to move. Wanting more information Merry snuck quietly to the King's tent. "There sat Theoden and Eomer, and before them on the ground sat a strange squat shape of a man, gnarled as an old stone, and the hairs of his scanty beard straggled on his lumpy chin like dry moss. He was short-legged and fat-armed, thick and stumpy, and clad only with grass about his waist" (p. 106, The Return of the King). Merry was reminded of the Pukel-men statues he viewed. Merry was surprised to hear the strange man could use the common speech though haltingly. The wild-man was telling them the Stone City was shut; gorgun (Orcs) everywhere, and fire was both inside and outside of the City. Furthermore a large host of gorgun were waiting on the road the Rohirrim were traveling on toward Minis Tirith.

Eomer did not trust the wild-man's information. "'Wild Men are wild, free, but not children...I am great headman. Ghan-buri-Ghan. I count many things: stars in sky, leaves on trees, men in the dark. You have a score of scores counted ten times and five. They have more. Big fight, and who will win?'" (p. 106, The Return of the King). This answer inclined Theoden to trust Ghan-buri-Ghan who offered to show the Rohirrim and secret and quick way to Minis Tirith. In consultation with Eomer Theoden accepted the offer and promised rich reward to Ghan-buri-Ghan and his people should they prove faithful. "'Dead men are not friends to living men, and give them no gifts,' said the Wild Man. 'But if you live after the Darkness, then leave Wild Men alone in the woods and do not hunt them like beasts any more'" (p. 107, The Return of the King). That is a puzzling comment not explained--it appears that the Rohirrim have had run-ins with the Wild Men before. Merry hurried back to his camp and the orders were to saddle up and ride; still Theoden knew they would not be able to aid Gondor this day.

They travelled on through the day with no incident. The hunters of the Wild Men made sure no Orc or spy made it near the Rohirrim. Ghan-buri-Ghan went along with Theoden and as the day waned the Wild Men spies came forth and counseled with their headman. He reported to Theoden that they must still be careful but that the defense walls in the fields (Pelennor) were destroyed and the enemy unwary for they thought all roads to be guarded. This was good news; Eomer had been concerned their charge would be cut short by the defense walls in the Pelennor; the Orcs could have held those walls against the Rohirrim. Theoden thanked Ghan-buri-Ghan and blessed him; the Wild Man said the only pleasing words to his ears were: kill Orcs. He bid the Riders goodbye in the custom of his people and turned to leave. "'Wind is changing!' he cried, and with that, in a twinkling as it seemed, he and his fellows had vanished into the glooms, never to be seen by any Rider of Rohan again" (p. 109, The Return of the King).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 13th-14th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 95-98; 104-109