Merry was awoken by a man of Rohan and wondered why the King would call so early for it wasn't even sunrise. "'No, and it will not rise today, Master Holbytla. Nor ever again, one would think under this cloud. But time does not stand still, though the Sun be lost. Make haste!'" (p. 74, The Return of the King). He found Theoden listening to a new messenger from Gondor saying the darkness came from Mordor, the first strike of war. Theoden now decided to ride light and fast to aid Gondor as quickly as possible; he had Eomer marshal the Riders. He told Merry he was released from service but not friendship for the hobbit could not ride to war with them. This left Merry quite upset saying he'd rather be tied to a horse or a stirrup then remain behind. This made Theoden smile and he granted Merry to ride with him to Meduseld in Edoras.
Eowyn took Merry with her and had him dressed in gear for war that she said Aragorn asked to be prepared for him. In two hours nearly 5500 Riders were marshaled; Eomer was essentially the First Marshal of the Mark, ready to lead the Rohirrim should Theoden fall. "Elfhelm became a Marshal of the Mark, leading the first eored, the King's Company" (p. 368, Unfinished Tales). When all was ready King began to ride. "Foremost went twelve of the king's household-men, Riders of renown" (p. 76, The Return of the King). I enjoy the Riders of renown; it makes one think about all sorts of grandiose adventures. Merry rode just after Theoden along with the messengers of Gondor. He looked at the Riders as they went by, stern and ready for war; one young Rider caught his attention. "He caught the glint of clear grey eyes; and then he shivered, for it came suddenly to him that it was the face of one without hope who goes in search of death" (p. 76, The Return of the King).
The ride of the marshaling of Rohan's strength would live for ages in song. Here is but a sample: "Forth rode the king, fear behind him, fate before him. Fealty kept he; oaths he had taken, all fulfilled them" (p. 77, The Return of the King). By noon they reached Edoras and now Theoden would not relent. He wished for Merry to stay there for none of the Riders would be able to bear him with any speed. Merry pleaded to go once again but to no avail. As he left the King's presence, very unhappily, a Rider approached him--the same young Rider he saw hours earlier. The Rider offered to bear Merry wishing that his good will not be denied. Merry accepted the offer and wished to know the Rider's name to say thank you. The Rider seemed surprised Merry did not know the name and asked to be called Dernhelm. As they moved further East rumors of war met them along the road.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 10th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 73-78 and Unfinished Tales, pages 368-369
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