Summary — Chapter 7: Helm’s Deep
Gandalf’s group rides south of the River Isen. Legolas
sees shapes moving in the distance, but he is unable to distinguish
them clearly. The next day, Gandalf becomes alarmed, and with a
word to his trusty horse, Shadowfax, speeds off, ordering the group
to proceed to Helm’s Deep and to stay far from the plains of Isen.
Obeying Gandalf without knowing his reasoning, the group
goes to the Deep, a narrow gorge in the mountains on the far side
of the Westfold Vale. Théoden reveals that Saruman knows the region very
well, and he foresees that there will be a great battle between the
Orcs and the armies of Rohan. Théoden and his Riders arrive at the
Deeping Wall, a great fortification near Helm’s Deep. They do not
have enough provisions for a long encampment, having prepared for
a quick battle rather than a long siege.
Suddenly, the battle begins with a great thunder, as the
area around the Deeping Wall is flooded with Orcs. Many arrows are launched
on both sides, and Legolas and Gimli fight valiantly. After many
hours, the forces of Rohan grow tired. Aragorn is worried to see
that the Orcs have crept beneath the Wall and have lit a flaming trail
of Orc-liquor below the Riders. Aragorn goes into the Hornburg,
the nearby citadel, to find that Éomer has not arrived. Aragorn learns
that the Orcs have used their flaming liquid to blast through the
Wall and seize it. Aragorn feels demoralized even though he is told
that the Hornburg has never once been taken. The Orcs jeer at the
Riders in the citadel, telling them to come out and meet their fate at
the hands of the Uruk-hai. Suddenly, the roar of trumpets is heard,
and King Théoden appears in martial splendor. The Orcs, gripped
with fear, begin to retreat, dispersing throughout the land surrounding
Helm’s Deep. The Hornburg yet again remains safe. Suddenly, a horseman
clad in white appears in the distance. The Riders of Rohan hail
Gandalf, the White Rider, on the back of Shadowfax.
Summary — Chapter 8: The Road to Isengard
Éomer, Théoden, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn all
gather on the plain near Helm’s Deep after the victory over the
Orcs. Éomer expresses wonder that Gandalf came at just the right
time. Though the men are weary from battle, Gandalf urges the King
to assemble a party to ride with him to Isengard to meet Saruman.
Théoden chooses Éomer and twenty Riders to accompany them. Gandalf rides
in the company of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. They sleep in preparation
for the journey the next day. The slain Orcs are gathered on the
fields.
The party sets out for Isengard the next day, passing
through a forest of strange trees along the way. Gimli praises the
beauty of caves to Legolas, who prefers the woods. Legolas is surprised
to see eyes among the trees, and Gandalf explains that the forest
is full of Ents, who are not enemies. The Riders of Rohan grieve
over their slain fellow warriors, whose bodies litter the fields
around them. Eventually, they reach the Misty Mountains. They sense
that the area known as Nan Curunír, or the Wizard’s Vale, is burning.
They see a strange black liquid pass over the ground near them.
Gandalf orders his men to ignore it and wait until it passes.
Riding on for several days, the group finally arrives
at Saruman’s stronghold at Isengard. They see the great stone tower
called Orthanc, where Saruman lies in wait, surrounded by a deep
gorge on all sides. Once Isengard was abloom with gardens and orchards, but
ever since it has been under Saruman’s control, it has been barren
and desolate. At the gates of Isengard, Gandalf’s group is surprised
to find Merry and Pippin lounging and smoking. It is the first time
Théoden has ever seen Hobbits. After a brief chat, Merry and Pippin
deliver the message that Fangorn is waiting to meet with Gandalf
on the northern wall of Isengard. Gandalf sets out to meet the Ent,
accompanied by Théoden.
