The Lord of the Rings: The Muster of Rohan (Part Two)

 

The Tale

They reach Harrowdale. ‘The paths out of the narrow gorge fell steeply. Only a glimpse, as through a tall window, could be seen of the great valley in the gloaming below. A single small light could be seen twinkling by the river.’ Theoden says he will ride in the morning to Edoras and the gathering of the army.

Eomer advises the King that once they are there, Theoden should stay there, for safety’s sake until the war is over, for good or ill. Theoden smiles, and calls Eomer son, but tells him not to speak the words of Wormtongue again. If the war is lost, it won’t do him any good hiding in the hills. And even if it is won, but he falls in the fight, it will be no grief. But he wil lie in the Hold of Dunharrow tonight ‘One evening of peace at least is left us.’

In the deepening dusk they descend into the dale. Soon they come to a ford across the Snowbourne where they are met and challenged by many guards. But when they see it is the King returning a shout of joy goes up, and he is welcomed by one long horncall that turns into a chorus of trumpets throughout the valley. Theoden’s company is met by a company of the captains of his remaining forces, led by Dunhere, chieftain of the folk of Harrowdale.

Dunhere tells the King how three days ago Gandalf on Shadowfax came to them, bearing the news of Theoden’s victory, but also the King’s order to hasten the gathering of the Riders. And then came the winged Shadow.

Theoden says they had seen this Nazgul before, when Gandalf was still with them, but Dunhere says it came again, ‘a flying darkness in the shape of a monstrous bird’ flying over Edoras, swooping down almost to the gables of Meduseld, screeching a freezing cry. Gandalf advised them not to meet in the fields but to bring the army to Dunharrow, and light no more fires than needed, to mask the size of their host. The advice seemed good, as no such evil thing has been seen in Harrowdale, and since Gandalf spoke with authority, they obeyed him, and hope they have done what the King wishes.

‘It is well,’ said Theoden. ‘I will now ride to the Hold, and there before I go to rest I will meet the marshalls and captains. Let them come to me as soon as may be!’

Notes

Dunharrow is a fortress hidden high in the White Mountains, south of Edoras, built on a level upland. It was occupied even before the Men of Numenor came over the Sea in the second Age. Its name means “the heathen fane(temple) on the hillside.”

The name Dunhere translates to “hill-warrior”. He was Erkenbrand’s nephew. He will be one of those who fall at the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

In this passage we are given a foretaste of the stirring horns of the Rohirrim.