March 5, 3019

I wish even more now that I had been allowed to go with the Rohirrim.  A messenger, Hengest [1], arrived today bearing the news that our men had been victorious in a battle.  The Battle of Helm's Deep.

Hengest reported that on the way to Isengard a rider approached the host.  Not recognizing Theoden King the scout hurriedly asked for Eomer.  My uncle revealed himself, much to the surprise and joy of the scout.  The scout then reported that all had gone ill since Eomer departed.  Saruman had mustered and army of orcs and wild men, and had emptied Isengard of it.  This army, the Uruk-hai they are called, had killed many of the men protecting the western regions of Rohan, near Isengard [2].  He said the riders with Theoden King would be better off returning to Edoras.

However, according to Hengest, during this time Gandalf the White had ridden a few yards ahead of the host and stopped.  He sat there, still as stone, staring towards the west.  He then suddenly turned around, and rode quickly back crying "Ride Theoden!  Ride to Helm's Deep!  Go not to the Fords of Isen, and do not tarry in the plain!  I must leave you for a while.  Shadowfax must bear me now on a swift errand.  Keep well the Lord of the Mark, till I return.  Await me at Helm's Gate!  Farewell!" [3]

He then galloped off, telling no one of his destination.

Hengest said my uncle took Gandalf's advice and turned his course southward to Helm's Deep.  On the way, though, they were attacked by a group of orcs and wargs.  They triumphed, but not with out loss.  They reached Helm's Deep by nightfall, knowing most likely Saruman would put up a fight there as well.

They were correct.  Hengest said that past midnight there were attacked by an army of thousands of the Uruk-hai.  He said they fought until dawn, their numbers growing fewer and the Uruk-hai seeming only to multiply.  They fought on until dawn.  Then, as the sun began to rise, they saw Gandalf return with an army of Erkenbrand of Westfold and a large number of his men.  Gandalf raised his staff high over his head and a white light like no other shone across the land.  The orcs turned, and the men of Rohan looked out over the plains.

Here Hengest stopped.

"Hengest?" I asked, "Hengest, what happened."

"The trees, lady, the trees." Was his reply.    

"Trees?  Hengest, what trees?  Helm's Deep is in a vale!"

"Lady Eowyn, we looked out and there had grown a forest overnight!  The Uruk-hai ran to it for protection, and they never came out."

"A forest?" I asked confused.

"Yes, lady, a forest."

I took a moment to ponder these words.  Entire forests do not just grow overnight.  But I suppose many different things can happen, whether they seen possible or not.  The events of the past few days have taught me that.  I decided to move on.

"Does the king send word of what he plans to do next?"  I asked.

"He plans to ride with a few to Isengard, the rest he sends to Dunharrow, where he has decided to muster the troops of Rohan.  He wishes thee meet him there."

"When?"

"He makes plans to arrive on the ninth."

"Thank you Hengest.  Wilt thou ride to Dunharrow now, or ride with me?"

"I am to arrive with thee, lady."

"Then I will have a room prepared for thee in Meduseld."

I wish I could have gone with them.  I wish I could have fought alongside them in battle and earned glory and respect in a way I cannot have because I am a woman.  Not that I resent being a woman, but that I wish there were not so many limitations.  There are many women who are strong.  Many who can fight for what we believe in and those we love just as well as a man.  But will we ever be able to?  Will it ever be acceptable for a woman to stand up for what she believes in?  I hope so.  And I hope I will have a part in making it acceptable.

Eowyn

[1] Hengest is a character I created for this story.  I took the name from Beowulf.  Seems fitting to choose a Boewulfian name as how Tolkien based Rohan on Beowulf. Yes I am 14, and yes I have read Beowulf.   

[2] I couldn't find a specific place in the book.  I looked at a map and saw that Isengard was near western Rohan.  If this is incorrect, please notify me in a review please! : )

[3] "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" book 3, chapter 6, "Helm's Deep"

*AUTHOR'S NOTE*

~ This Chapter ends the Two Towers part of the story!  But the story is not over!  I still have Return of the King and beyond to cover!  I plan to go to the wedding of Eowyn and Faramir, though I'll have to pick a date, as Tolkien never specified one.

Also, I went back through and read this on ff.n and realized I had made quite a few mistakes I was in a hurry yesterday and wasn't paying very much attention.  Sorry.  So I went ahead and revised it and replaced it with the revised edition (oooh, that sounds so…professional!  Eeee!)

Also I know that I'm not exactly following the book here, I needed something to do.  Don't worry, it will all be back to book with her next entry!

Thank you all for reading this far!~

~*~flor~*~