Disclaimer: I have no creative rights over the characters and places you can identify in this story and have no way profited from this work.
09/03/2013
This story is now over 100,000 words. Nearly 20 years ago, I did my Honours dissertation that was only 15,000. For some reason, this story has not been as boring to write despite being seven times the length.
scottie: I have only seen that movie once and I did not recall that character. As I understand, Tolkein based the Riddermark tongue heavily on Old English. Seeing that 'Cynric' is an OE name that means 'with royal might', I thought it an appropriate name for a Rohan Royal Guard.
mikabronxgirl: You're more patient with my writing than I am! Hopefully the rest of the story shall continue to entertain you.
Chapter 20 – War Plans
Banner, Pippin and Merry had commenced their next journey within Fangorn. Treebeard was carrying the trio as he walked south-west through the forest. Merry and Banner respectively sat on Treebeard's right and left shoulder. Pippin sat among the branches that formed the top of Treebeard's head. The Ent woke his guests early that morning, saying the four of them; "Must go to a place to consider important matters, hroom."
Currently, it was about the same time when Theoden and his riders had returned to Helm's Deep. The three Fellowship members felt Treebeard walking uphill as they neared their destination. Banner was feeling the best he had in over a week. Whatever the composition of the Ent-draught, it seemed to have completely purged the effects of Saruman's tranquilliser. Banner felt well enough to finally tell Treebeard something he hadn't been able to over the last couple of days.
"Um, Treebeard," Banner awkwardly addressed him. "I'm sorry I threw up on you before." He self-deprecatingly added, "If I'd known about Ents, I would've thrown up on a pile of rocks."
"Pay it no mind, Master Bruce," Treebeard magnanimously replied. "It would not be the first time that a creature of red-blood treated me as such. Allow me to tell you the story of when a warren of rabbits decided to dig a burrow under me." Treebeard cleared his throat before embarking on the tale he was sure that his three guests would find as fascinating as he did. "It was a crisp autumn morn when I was awoken from my slumber by something gnawing at my feet. When I woke I saw before me two little brown rabbits che-"
"Look!" Pippin interrupted having spotted something. "There's smoke to the south."
Treebeard heaved a sigh that his story telling had come to a sudden end.
"There is always smoke rising from Isengard these days," he casually observed as if it was of minor importance compared to his story.
"Isengard," a curious Merry concluded.
The two hobbits and Banner lifted themselves up from where they sitting on Treebeard. Merry climbed to where Pippin so he could see over Banner's head. To the south, the trio could see in the distance the Orthanc with numerous smoke plumes rising from the area around the tower. Banner guessed the tower to be shorter than many New York skyscrapers (including Stark Tower). But given its design, Saruman's tower would be distinctive along any city skyline.
"There was a time when Saruman would walk in my woods," Treebeard recalled to the trio as they continued their observations. "But now he has a mind of metal and wheels. He no longer cares for growing things."
Banner's wonder at the Tower of Orthanc was quickly overtaken by what he saw just beyond Orthanc's ringed wall. Just leaving it was a long, thick black line of movement heading in a southerly direction. It looked like a giant python had escaped the bounds of the Orthanc and was sliding along the countryside. Merry and Pippin had seen it as well.
"What is it?" a confused Pippin asked to his friends and himself.
After a short silence, Merry exclaimed in a whisper, "It's Saruman's army! The war has started."
"My God," Banner gasped at what was likely to be an army of Uruk-hai. "There must be thousands of them. Where they're headed?"
"Before leaving us with Treebeard," Pippin recalled, "Gandalf said he was going to get the rest of the Fellowship – except Frodo and Sam – to help defend the horse riders."
"Rohan," Merry reminded his cousin of the said riders' country.
Banner dryly commented, "I hope Rohan's got a big army – they're going need it!"
Banner hoped that Thor was having better luck than he was in regaining full power. Banner meant no offence to his friend Rogers. But a fully powered Thor could decimate Saruman's army on his own. If Thor was still feeling the effects of the vortex, then the chances of the Avengers being part of a successful defence of Rohan were a lot slimmer. Especially against an army of the size that had just left the Orthanc. Banner's thoughts made him reflect that if he had a full strength Hulk under his control, Isengard's offensive could be ended right now.
Banner and the hobbits sat back down on the still moving Treebeard. Banner continued to ponder what he had just witnessed. Banner considered himself to be a committed environmentalist. Since commencing work at Stark Industries, most of Banner's research had been in the area of alternative energy. In fact Banner liked the look Pepper Potts gave him after telling her that he was proud of his 'green' conscience. That being the case, he was puzzled at Treebeard's seeming ambivalence on Saruman's activities. Unlike other ecosystems, it would appear Fangorn had the ability to consciously resist exploitation if it wanted to. Banner sought clarification about this from the Ent.
"Look, Treebeard," Banner began arguing. "Saruman's army's on the warpath and Fangorn's being chopped down." He decided to come straight to the point. "Are you planning to do anything about it?"
"We Ents have not troubled about the wars of men and wizards for a very long time," Treebeard replied. Banner wondered if 'very long time' for an Ent meant centuries or millennia as Treebeard continued. "But now something is about to happen that has not happened for an age...Ent Moot."
"What's that?" Merry asked.
"'Tis a gathering" Treebeard enigmatically answered.
A confused Merry sought further clarification. "A gathering of what"?
It was now that Treebeard had come to a halt. He and his passengers had come to their destination which was a large clearing surrounded mostly by oak trees. Pippin, Merry and Banner heard groans and rumblings come from the forest surrounding the clearing. The noises were similar to those they heard when the orcs were chopping down trees at the Eaves of Fangorn. Unlike then, the beings that made those noises revealed themselves to the trio. About a dozen Ents had come into the clearing and formed a circle around Treebeard and his passengers. Banner couldn't help but give an awed grin at the sight of the Ents who were all around Treebeard's height. Each Ent had different 'facial' features, such as some having twigs for beards or leaves for eyebrows.
If only I had my phone to take a group shot, Banner mused in relation to the Ents.
Treebeard began to individually acknowledge his fellow Ents. "Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Ash…Good, good, good. Many have come".
"So this an Ent Moot?" Banner sought to confirm.
"Burarum, yes, Master Bruce," Treebeard acknowledged. "Though rare, we Ents still convene to discuss important matters. Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war against Saruman." After he had spoken these words, Treebeard set his three passengers on to the ground before telling them, "Please excuse us, little folk. We have matters to discuss among ourselves first. I will talk to you later."
Merry, Pippin and Banner walked several paces away from the huddle that Treebeard and the other Ents had formed. The Ents seemingly whispered in a rumbling tongue that the trio didn't understand a word of. Those of the Fellowship started their own conversation.
"We could be helping our friends sooner rather than later!" Merry remarked with barely contained anticipation.
"I hope you're right, Merry," Banner agreed with a touch of uncertainty.
Picking up Banner's tone, Pippin asked, "What's wrong, Bruce?"
"We've a saying back on Earth," Banner replied. "A committee's a group that keeps minutes and loses hours."
Thor made his way through the refugees that had set up camp in the ground between the Deeping Wall and cliff face at Helm's Deep. He tuned out the whispers the refugees exchanged among themselves as he passed by them. The stories of what Thor did against the warg-riders had circulated all around the fortress. Many Rohirrim felt a mixture of awe and fear that Helm's Deep contained a 'man' who could run down wargs and dispatch scores of them and their riders with an unmatched fury all on his own. It was mid-afternoon and the overcast sky was becoming more heavy and dark. Although Thor did not know it at the time, it was ominous portent of the dark night the defenders of Helm's Deep would face.
Thor eventually reached a flight of steps that lead to the top of the Deeping Wall. After he had climbed them, Thor noticed the Wall was practically deserted except for the two Rohirrim sentries just to his right and the Fellowship member he had been looking for to his left. Legolas looked out over the barren valley that led from Helm's Deep to the northern horizon. After he had closed the distance between Legolas and himself, Thor noticed that the Elf was fingering the Evenstar in his refined right hand.
"Estel," Legolas simply said without even looking at Thor.
"Pardon?" Thor replied for Legolas to clarify the word.
"In order to keep Aragorn's heritage a secret from Sauron," Legolas began, "Lord Elrond did not tell Aragorn what his true name was until he entered manhood. Aragorn was given the name 'Estel' as a boy – the Elvish word for 'hope'."
Aragorn not being told his true heritage until manhood got Thor thinking. Thor often wondered if Odin should've told Loki earlier about being Laufey's son. Maybe, just maybe, Loki wouldn't have embarked on his rebellion against Asgard like he had.
"Eomer said that hope has forsaken Rohan." Legolas continued before concluding with the tinniest quiver on his lips, "It would now appear that hope is gone from all Middle-earth."
"We may be immortal," Thor sadly agreed. "But we're no less hurt by the death of a friend than mortals are. Maybe even more so. We have to bear the pain of our loss for much longer."
Thor's thoughts came back to Loki again. The one act of Loki's that Thor had not forgiven was his cold-blooded murder of Coulson. Part of the reason for this was that Thor felt that Coulson's death was partly his fault. The God of Thunder reasoned that if only he hadn't fallen for that simple holographic trick of Loki's, he could have prevented his stepbrother from committing such a terrible crime. Nor would he still have to bear the pain from having to helplessly witness such a brave and noble man as Couslon murdered in front of him. Thor remembered his mother Frigga's advice to him when he confided in her about this – To be able to forgive Loki, you must first forgive yourself. Thor was still unable to accept this advice. Thor instead vowed he'd never again allow another to be killed due to a lapse of foresight on his part. That was part of the reason that he had argued strongly against leaving Frodo and Sam.
The ruminations of the two princes ended when they noticed a lone horse rider slowly heading towards Helm's Deep across the valley in front of them.
"A straggler from the column?" Thor quietly pondered aloud to Legolas and himself as they both focused on the rider.
The pair's eyes widened in disbelief and then joy after realising the rider's identity. Legolas had a gleam in his eye as he turned and faced Thor.
"We immortals should know it takes more than a fall to lose hope," Legolas observed with a half-grin.
Thor put a supporting hand on Legolas' shoulder.
"Let's see how hope is faring," Thor knowingly responded. "As well as if it would like its pendant back!"
Theoden sat on a simple wooden throne within the Main Hall of Helm's Deep. The Hall was carved into the southern cliff face that the arches bordering the outside courtyard led in to. Compared to the Main Hall of the Meduseld, the Main Hall of Helm's Deep was quite Spartan in appearance. There were some dull wooden benches and a simple hearth. A light green banner with a prancing white horse was the only decoration on its walls. Light streamed into the hall through a series of narrow arched windows high up on its north wall.
Theoden was holding audience with the senior Rohirrim officers that had survived the journey from Edoras as well as the current commanding officer of the fortress. Boromir was also present and, at the Gondorian's insistence to Theoden, Rogers as well. This was despite Rogers telling his friend that he had no practical experience in what he called 'medieval warfare'. Boromir and Rogers stood to Theoden's left while the Rohirrim officers stood to the King's right. Theoden had a clear view of the Hall's pair of wooden front doors that were currently closed. Privacy was needed while he and this coterie of military men discussed strategy for the defence of Helm's Deep.
The Lord of the Mark privately admitted that Boromir was right to have included Rogers in this planning session. Whenever Rogers spoke, Theoden could not help but be greatly impressed by the deep understanding of warfare displayed by the American. Rogers was currently advising the meeting about the current supply situation within Helm's Deep.
"Sir," Rogers followed Boromir's earlier lead by speaking to Theoden directly. "It goes without saying the length of our food supply is inversely proportional to the number of mouths we have to feed. Lady Eowyn told me we've currently only got enough to feed everyone for five days."
Theoden frowned in concern at this figure. "And all our stores have been accounted for?"
Rogers nodded before saying, "I have an idea that could help, sir."
"Then by all means please share it, Captain Rogers," Theoden politely encouraged him.
Rogers reflected this planning session was the first time that he was having a serious business-like conversation with a reigning monarch of any kind. The photo opportunity he had with George VI during the War didn't really count. A couple of months after the Chitauri invasion, Rogers found himself going to Europe as part of a (to him another) good will tour. History repeated itself somewhat when he had a photo opportunity with the current British Queen. Rogers remembered her from seventy years earlier as George VI's precocious teenage daughter. The Queen told Rogers that her father often privately remarked that one of his life's honours was meeting the world's First Avenger during the War.
Bringing his attention back to matters at hand, Rogers said, "A lot of refugees carry their own food supplies, some have more than others. We could get them to surrender their personal supplies to the quartermaster. That way, we increase our total supplies as well as ensuring everyone's rationed a fair share."
"That is indeed a sensible suggestion," the King agreed with a nod. Theoden then turned to speak to the new Captain of his Royal Guard. "Gamling, please get the quartermaster to organise this."
"Yes, milord," Gamling responded.
Boromir then decided to speak up. "Your Majesty, the level of our food supplies may be inconsequential in the end."
Theoden and every other planner looked at the Gondorian.
"What do you mean, Lord Boromir?" a puzzled Theoden enquired.
"From what Gandalf's told us, Saruman wants a quick victory," Boromir explained. "He won't get that from a siege." After a beat, Gondor's Captain-General advised, "We should commence preparations to defend against a direct assault."
Both Rogers and Boromir noted the surprised and concerned frowns the Rohirrim gave in response to the suggestion.
"I do not disregard your advice, Lord Boromir," Theoden stated. "But from the reports I've read, the White Hand's attacks are isolated bands pillaging farms and settlements. This doesn't indicate Saruman has the force to take this fortress by storm."
"Sir, it goes without saying everyone in this room knows more about Rohan's enemies than I do," Rogers humbly said as a pretext to support Boromir's argument. "But Boromir's right. Our Fellowship was lucky to escape Amon Hen without loss. We underestimated what Saruman's forces are capable of."
At this, Boromir inwardly winced for a number of reasons as he recalled the Fellowship's clash with the Uruk-hai.
"Given your experience, what would you suggest we do to avoid a similar mishap?" Theoden questioned the pair.
For a moment, Rogers wondered if the King was having a subtle dig at Boromir and himself. Rogers thought best to ignore it and focus on the job at hand.
"One advantage we've got is Eomer and his men," Rogers answered. "Gandalf said he would bring them here by tomorrow morning. If we need to defend against a direct assault, we only need to fight a delaying action until reinforcements arrive."
"Steve is right, sire," Boromir concurred. "Now would be a good time to start deploying any defensive engines you may have. As well as preparing any burning oil, pitch or tar."
The Rohirrim present seemed to be embarrassed at what Boromir and Rogers had just said. Theoden shared a knowing look with Gamling before the latter began to speak. Rogers later concluding that giving uncomfortable news in the King's place was part of the Captain of the Royal Guard's job description.
"We have no such engines or materials," Gamling awkwardly explained. "We've only got rocks to throw at any who attack the main gate."
Now it was Boromir and Rogers turn to exchange a look. Both did not need to say a word to know they were both thinking the same thing. Rohan's whole military doctrine was obviously based around the use of their superb cavalry that the plains of the Riddermark allowed them. Such a doctrine was fine when the enemy was roving bands of orcs and brigands. Their country's terrain and historic experience meant this doctrine was almost silent when it came to planning a defence against a siege or assault though. Before either Boromir or Rogers could respond, everyone's attention was grabbed by the hall doors loudly creaking open. All present were stunned to see that it was Aragorn who had pushed them open. Thor, Legolas and Gimli stood behind Isildur's heir that had all but been given up for dead.
After his initial shock had subsided, Rogers quietly asked Boromir, "Does everyone in Middle-earth have a habit of coming back from the dead?"
Thor, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn had joined Theoden and his military planners within the Main Hall. After he had fallen off the cliff being dragged by the warg, Aragorn had the fortune of falling into the river below. But the Ranger did not have the time to detail how he found the horse that enabled him to continue to Helm's Deep. More pressing matters needed to be reported. In particular, on his way to Helm's Deep he had spotted the force that Saruman had sent to attack it. Aragorn's report did not make for attractive listening.
"A small number appeared to be constructing a supply depot," Aragorn advised the group. "The rest, a great host, continue marching towards us."
As the first part of what Aragorn said did not seem to present an immediate problem, Theoden sought clarification on the report's second part.
"A great host you say?" Theoden queried.
"All Isengard is emptied," Aragorn confirmed.
"How many?" Theoden asked needing Aragorn to be more specific.
After taking a deep breath Aragorn answered with the slightest trace of alarm, "Ten thousand strong at least."
"Ten thousand?!" Theoden repeated in worried disbelief.
Rogers noted that even Thor seemed to flinch a little at Aragorn's estimate. Rogers thought that if the God of Thunder was concerned about the size of the enemy, then everyone else should be.
Aragorn's report got worse as he gave his assessment of the Isengard army's true objective. "It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men."
"When do you think they'll get here Aragorn?" Rogers asked.
Captain America wanted to figure out how long the defenders Helm's Deep would have to hold out until Gandalf's promised arrival. Aragorn then gave the most important piece of information of his report.
"They will be here by nightfall, Steve," Aragorn grimly answered.
Like the Duke of Wellington said about Waterloo, Rogers privately reacted. This battle's going to be a close run thing.
For a man who just had all his planning assumptions torn asunder, Theoden displayed surprising purpose.
"Let them come!" he defiantly stated in reference to the Uruk-hai.
Theoden walked out the Main Hall with resolution in every step. Gamling and the Fellowship followed him down the ramp that led down to the main gates. Theoden stopped at the inner entrance before putting a hand on Gamling's shoulder.
"Gamling," Theoden firmly ordered his Captain. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall."
Gamling stiffly bowed at the neck to Theoden before leaving to carry out his orders.
"Is Theoden conscripting young boys?" Rogers whispered in alarm to Boromir who stood next to him.
Boromir gave the smallest nod as he reluctantly confirmed Rogers' question. Fortunately, Rogers was too professional a soldier to openly argue with Theoden about the order. However, Boromir had come to know Rogers well enough to see how appalled he was at Theoden's decision. Boromir hoped that Captain America did not assume that all the Free Peoples used underage soldiers. Even with the dire situation it was facing, no one in Gondor had even suggested recruiting children to be part of its defence.
Walking past some soldiers working to strength the main gate, Theoden and the Fellowship stopped on the causeway just in front of the Gatehouse.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above," Theoden strongly stated. "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
Gimli thought that not all Men were as bright as the Fellowship's.
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs," he sternly warned Theoden. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armour is thick and their shields broad."
"And they'll fight to the death in carrying out Saruman's orders," Thor added in support.
"I have fought many wars, my lords," Theoden curtly told the pair. "I know how to defend my own keep."
Thor grasped a miffed Gimli's shoulder as a show of support before they followed Theoden and the rest of the Fellowship back into the fortress. Before too long, Theoden was leading the six along the top of the Inner Wall. Aragorn and Rogers were the ones closet to the King as he detailed how he saw the Uruk-hai's attack unfolding.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock," Theoden confidently forecast. "Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be resewn; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
The Fellowship was silently aghast that Theoden, again, seemed to be in denial over the danger his country was facing. The confidence he displayed almost bordered on arrogance.
"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages!" an exasperated Aragorn explained with arms wide.
Rogers resolutely backed up his Co-leader. "Sir, I've fought armies like Saruman's where I'm from. His plan isn't war but genocide!" Rogers immediately realised that 'genocide' may not be a word in Middle-earth, so quickly clarified his remarks. "Saruman wants to wipe Rohan off the map by exterminating its people. From its King to its newborn."
Feeling that Aragorn and Rogers were undermining his authority in front of his soldiers, an angry Theoden drew close to the pair.
"What would you have me do?" he quietly growled. "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread."
Rogers concluded that Theoden obviously understood the situation better than he was saying. The King's bravado was understandable in keeping up the morale of his subjects. That theory was quickly disproved by Theoden's next words.
"If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!" Theoden fatalistically vowed.
Rogers and Aragorn were alarmed that Theoden seemed to be approaching the defence of Helm's Deep as a last stand. How could the Rohirrim hope to hold if their King had privately concluded he was leading them to their doom? Aragorn indirectly tried dissuading Theoden of this attitude.
"Send out riders, milord," Aragorn insisted in suggestion. "You must call for aid."
"And who will come?" Theoden cynically responded before pointing his chin in the direction of the three non-Men. "Elves? Dwarves? Asgardians? We are not so lucky in our friends as you are. The old alliances are dead. And I do not have time to negotiate new ones."
Boromir was standing just behind Rogers and Aragorn. He had heard nearly all of what Theoden had told the pair. After what Theoden had said about alliances, Boromir could no longer remain silent.
"Even if that is so milord," Boromir argued, "there's one ally who will never abandon you. As always, Gondor stands ready to aid Rohan in her hour of need!"
A stressed Theoden found Boromir the perfect proxy to unleash years of pent up anger and distrust he had for Denethor. With a seething rage in his eyes and voice, Theoden pointed at Boromir while firing a series of angry questions.
"Gondor?!" Theoden vehemently hissed in response. "Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in all around us? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? What was your father's response to our many requests for aid? Where were you, Lord Boromir, when my so-"
Theoden bit his lip at the thought of Theodred. He took a deep breath so his anger didn't lead to him releasing further tears of grief for his beloved son. The last thing his subjects needed to witness was their king falling on his knees and weeping – despite the need of his body and soul to do so.
Boromir made no response but Theoden's tirade genuinely hurt his feelings. He remembered when the Fellowship had set up camp along the Anduin. He argued with Aragorn over which direction Fellowship should take. Some of Aragorn's words still stung like they did at the time.
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us".
Boromir knew Aragorn and Theoden's remarks were spoken in anger. But had the rest of the Free People's opinions of his beloved Gondor really fallen so low? Boromir began to feel some anger of his own towards Denethor. The Steward had obviously not been entirely truthful about Gondor's standing among the rest of the Free Peoples. Meanwhile, having quelled his anger for now, Theoden resumed his conversation with the Fellowship.
"I'm sorry, Lord Boromir," he said as an apology and observation. "But Rohan stands alone."
At this, Theoden turned on his heel before resuming his journey along the Inner Wall. The Fellowship chose not to follow as they heard him ordering Gamling and the rest of the Royal Guard. The attention of the six of them was drawn skyward at the sound of birds cawing. A small flock of crebain was circling over the fortress. They all knew the crebain would go and report to Saruman the meagre defences his 10,000 Uruk-hai would face at Helm's Deep. But the crebain had an unhealthy symbolism of carrion birds waiting to feed on the corpses of the defenders.
Aragorn and Rogers returned their attention to Theoden as they spoke to each other in hushed tones.
"Now we know why Gandalf feared for the survival of Rohan," Aragorn grimly observed. "And its king."
With uncharacteristic bitterness, Rogers mused, "I wonder if those birds heard anything we said. If they did – Saruman would feel he's well on the way to victory."
A dialogue heavy chapter but most planning sessions are (military and non-military alike). PJ did a fantastic job in TTT of building the tension among the defenders (and audience) leading up to the battle. I've tried to create similar tension in this chapter as well. Even though, unlike the movie, the defenders will have Boromir and two Avengers helping them out.
As the owner of a pet one, I am well aware of what rabbits are capable of. All I can say is that Treebeard's reaction to the bunnies digging a burrow was much more sanguine than when I caught my rabbit digging one in my garden.