The Mustering of Rohan

"And even as Pippin stood at the Great Gate of the City and saw the Prince of Dol Amroth ride in with his banners, the King of Rohan came down out of the hills" (p. 64, The Return of the King). It was twilight on the third day of their journey. Merry had ridden long and was, for the most part, lonely. "Sometimes where the way was broader he had ridden at the king's side, not noticing that many of the Riders smiled to see the two together: the hobbit on his little shaggy grey pony, and the Lord of Rohan on his great white horse" (p. 65, The Return of the King). The two would take turns telling of the histories and doings of their respective peoples. Often Merry road alone trying to decipher the Rohirrim tongue which sounded similar to Shire speech but he couldn't quite understand. When the Riders would break into song Merry's heart would rise all the same.

He wondered where Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were and all of a sudden he remembered Frodo and Sam. "'I am forgetting them!' he said to himself reproachfully. 'And yet they are more important than all the rest of us. And I came to help them; but now they must be hundreds of miles away, if they are still alive.' He shivered" (p. 65, The Return of the King). Eomer anounced they had reached Harrowdale and tried, in vain, to persuade Theoden not to go on. The King was resolved to ride on. The company was met be sentinels who recognized their King. This sent trumpets sounding through the valley as the victors returned from battle. Dunhere, of Harrowdale, spoke with Theoden telling him that Gandalf had blazed through on Shadowfax three days previous counseling the mustering troops to not assemble in open fields and make little light at night. He reported also that winged Shadow had passed by near to Meduseld. Theoden asked for all his captains to meet him at the Hold as quickly as possible.

Merry followed the King's guard to the Hold going up a steep, snake-like path. He noticed statues along the path that the Rohirrim called the Pukel-men. "At each turn of the road there were great standing stones that had been carved in the likeness of men, huge and clumbsy-limbed, squatting cross legged with their stumpy arms folded on fat bellies" (p. 67, The Return of the King). At the top of the road, a flatland at the foot of the Dwimorberg the Haunted Mountain, Merry found himself several hundred feet up. Tents were waiting them and a woman with helm and sword greeted them. It was Eowyn and she reported to Theoden. "'All is well,' she answered; yet it seemed to Merry that her voice belied her, and he would have thought that she had been weeping" (p. 68, The Return of the King). She gave news of the refugees of Rohan and also of Aragorn travelled to the Paths of the Dead. Eomer was disheartened thinking Aragorn lost.

As they settled in Merry had many gloomy thoughts about his friends all traveling to their imminent deaths; he figured he too would travel that path soon. Merry was summoned to dine with the King but it was a solemn dinner. Merry asked what the Paths of the Dead were and Theoden said they were not certain but it was ill omen. Only one of the Rohirrim ever attempted to enter in, Baldor son of Brego, and he never returned. "'A rash vow he spoke, as he drained the horn at that feast which Brego made to hallow new-buily Meduseld, and he came never to the high seat of which he was the heir'" (p. 70, The Return of the King). Eomer wondered what purpose Aragorn had to attempt that road. Eowyn was clearly distraught. Theoden tried to offer them comfort. He told them how Brego and Baldor found the door long ago but did not enter in. Beside that door was an old man who did not move; so old they thought he was a statue until he spoke. "'The way is shut, his voice said again. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes. The way is shut'" (p. 71, The Return of the King). Theoden held out hope that perhaps the time had come and Aragorn was permitted to pass.

There conversation was cut short by yelling. The guards reported that an errand runner had come from Gondor and Theoden ushered him in. Merry choked back a cry for he so resembled Boromir. His name was Hirgon and he presented Theoden a single arrow, black-feathered with a steel tip painted red. He gave a message from Denethor calling for all of Rohan's strength and speed. "'The Red Arrow!' said Theoden, holding it, as one who recieves a summons long expected and yet dreadful when it comes. His hand trembled. 'The Red Arrow has not been seen in the Mark in all my years! Has it indeed come to that?'" (p. 72, The Return of the King). I have yet to find reference to the Red Arrow in past histories of Middle-earth, Theoden's response shows it has deep significance. Theoden was unsure how much speed and strength Rohan had since they were newly come from battle and the mustering of Rohan had just begun. Hirgon answered: "'My lord does not issue any command to you, he begs you only to remember old friendship and oaths long spoken, and for your own good to do all that you may'" (p. 72, The Return of the King). He also told the King reports of Men from the East and South had come to aid Sauron while rumors of war were heard in the North.

Theoden promised to ride to Gondor's aid. He promised at least 6,000 spears; it would have been more but given Hirgon's tidings Theoden thought it prudent to leave some of his Riders in the Mark to protect their borders. He felt they would come in one week's time, for they needed to save strength to fight. "'A week!' said Hirgon. 'If it must be so, it must. But you are like to find only ruined walls in seven days from now, unless other help unlooked-for comes. Still, you may at least disturb the Orcs and Swarthy Men from their feasting in the White Tower.' Theoden bid Hirgon to rest that night and look upon Rohan's forces before he departed in the morning to be encouraged. He called the counsel and bid all to rest for an early morning. Merry indicated he was eager to ride out with the King but Theoden said he would not be asking him to do so. As Merry drifted off to sleep he said to himself over and over again: "'I won't be left behind, I won't'" (p. 73, The Return of the King).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 9th
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 64-73