| ! | The title of this article is conjectural. While the content of this article is based on official information, the actual name of the subject is conjectural, and is yet to or cannot be officially named. |
! |
| ! | Non-canon alert The subject of this article originates from non-canonical sources. To learn about what is considered "canon", see LOTR:Canon. |
! |
An ambush was enacted by Warg-riders of Isengard upon the Rohirrim of Edoras. The attack was ordered by Saruman the White after he learnt that King Théoden of Rohan was leading his people to the relative safety of Helm's Deep. The battle ended in a costly victory for the forces of Rohan, but gave the innocent civilians the time they needed to reach the fortress.
History[]
Prelude[]
- "Send out your Warg-riders"
- —Saruman orders the attack on the people of Rohan
After Gandalf the White liberated King Théoden of Rohan from the influence and leechcraft of Saruman and his agent Gríma Wormtongue, Théoden was brought up to speed on the state of his kingdom. With Saruman's force rampaging across the land, Théoden knew that it was only a matter of time before the evil wizard turned his forces upon the capital city of Edoras. Having lost some of his best fighters, including his own son and nephew to either Saruman's forces or manipulations, the King realized that it would be impossible to defend the wooden city with his current forces.
For this reason, he ordered a mass evacuation to the stone fortress of the Hornburg, which had defended his people well in the past. This decision did not sit well with Gandalf, who told Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli that whilst strong, the fortress had only one way in or out. Instructing Aragorn to help Théoden in whatever way possible, the wizard left with Shadowfax to search for reinforcements.
Whilst this was happening, Gríma, who had been spared by Théoden at Aragorn's request, rode straight to his master in Isengard. There he notified Saruman about Gandalf's companions, making the latter realize that his former friend was travelling alongside Isildur's heir. Gríma also correctly anticipated what move Théoden would make, reminding Saruman about the vulnerable state that the helpless refugees would be in.
This information intrigued the fallen wizard, who recognized a golden opportunity to destroy all of his enemies in one fell swoop. Journeying down into the caverns of Isengard, Saruman approached a heavily scarred Isengarder, who was looking into a pit filled with snarling beasts. Upon being ordered to ride out, Sharku grinned evilly.
The Battle[]
- "Wargs! We're under attack!"
- —Aragon notifies Theoden of the Wargs' presence
As the refugees of Edoras entered the final stage of their march to Helm's Deep, two Men of Rohan, Háma and Gamling rode ahead of the column, watched on by an uneasy Legolas. Cresting a ridge, Háma's steed suddenly began to panic, much to the two men's confusion. Suddenly, a large beast leapt from the rock formation above them; a Warg. With a cry, Háma was knocked from his horse, which died under him. Before Gamling could react, Théoden's bodyguard was killed. Drawing his sword, Gamling engaged the beast's rider. A split second before the Warg could dispatch Gamling's steed, Legolas appeared. The Elf shot the Warg dead, its death throws launching the Orc out of the saddle. Drawing his dagger, Legolas charged in, dispatching the Isengard scout, but not before the Orc shrieked loudly, alerting his comrades to his and their target's location.
Hearing the commotion, Aragorn arrived just in time to see Legolas finishing off the Orc. Realizing what was happening, the Ranger ran back down the hill to alert Théoden. Meanwhile, Legolas rushed on ahead, where he saw Sharku and his entire force bearing down on their position. Knowing that a massacre would ensue if the Orcs and their mounts reached their position, Théoden ordered every available rider to follow him, entrusting the safety of the non-combatants to his niece Éowyn. Though they had been caught off guard, the King of Rohan accompanied by Aragorn, Gimli and many riders, led a desperate charge against their enemies to protect his people.
Using his bow, Legolas managed to dispatch a couple enemies, before leaping onto Gimli's horse and joining in the charge. With respective battle cries from both Sharku and Théoden, the two forces collided. In the ensuing battle, the men of Rohan were shown to have the superior weaponry and horsemanship. The Orcs however, had the more lethal mounts and superior numbers. The battle was brief, but brutal. For every Orc and Warg that the men of Rohan killed, one of their own fell in turn. During the battle, Gimli ended up getting trapped underneath the corpses of several enemies, with Aragorn saving his life.
In the final stages of the confrontation, Aragorn was knocked from his horse by a rogue Warg. Spotting what he believed to be a helpless target, Sharku, the Orc commander charged in. His strike missed however, allowing Aragorn to mount the Warg's saddle, where he tried to knock Sharku off. The Man and Orc struggled for a moment, before Sharku successfully managed to knock Aragorn off. However, Aragorn's wrist got trapped in the harness. Drawing his dagger, the Ranger managed to mortally wound Sharku, throwing the Orc from his mount. However, the Warg, who was likewise trying to attack Aragorn did not pay attention to its surroundings and failed to notice that it was running straight towards a cliff edge. Before Aragorn could cut himself free, both man and the beast toppled over the ravine and down into the river below.
With their leader defeated and their numbers dwindling, the surviving Warg-rider's retreated, scattering in every direction. Thus, victory went to Théoden and the people of Rohan.
Aftermath[]
- "Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives."
- —King Théoden to Eowyn at Helm's Deep following the battle.
Any Orcs and Warg's that could not escape from the battlefield, were put down by Gimli, Legolas and the men of Rohan. Théoden's victory however, proved was a pyrrhic one. Although their actions had given the women and children the opportunity needed to reach Helm's Deep, dozens of his men had perished and many of the survivors were badly wounded, thus depleting his already limited forces even further. Whilst Saruman's cavalry had been routed, his Warg-riders were only a small part of his massive army. Soon, the evil wizard would unleash the full might of his Uruk-hai upon the people of Rohan, leading to the Battle of Helm's Deep.
Aragorn was initially believed to be among the casualties of this battle. Legolas and Gimli were told as much by the dying Sharku, moments before the Orc expired. With no sign of the Ranger and with his people still in danger, King Théoden ordered the survivors to mount. He told them to bring the wounded but leave the dead. Fortunately, Aragorn survived and would later arrive at Helm's Deep. He brought with him news of the advance of Saruman's army, which gave Théoden and his people a chance to prepare for the coming confrontation.
The men who died in this encounter, would later be mourned and honored by the survivors of Helm's Deep following their victory at the Hornburg and return to Edoras.