Part 2: The Ride of the Rohirrim

“You have failed,” said the Witch-king of Angmar, “the world of men will fall!”. But before he was able to offer Gandalf a fatal blow, a horn call was heard from over the horizon; a refreshing sound of honour and hope amidst the dark shroud of Sauron’s armies. It was The Rohirrim, the Rohan army. At once, the Witch-king turned and fled upon his fellbeast to go and confront this new threat. More sonorous sounds of the Rohan horns began to ring out, further emphasising their presence on the battlefield. Aligned in their thousands, and with the warm glow of the sunrise in their wake, the horse lords had arrived at the Pelennor Fields, ready to fight!

At the helm was King Theoden, and he stared long and hard at the foul sight of Sauron’s armies rampaging and plaguing Minas Tirith. His forces were in the thousands to the orc’s tens of thousands, but his plans to lead Rohan into battle were unwavering.

“Eomer! Take your Eored down the left flank. Gambling! Follow the King’s banner down the centre. Grimbold! Take your company right after you’ve passed the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered! A sword day! A red day! ‘Ere the sun rises!”

Riding up and down the front line, Theoden’s assertive words rang out pure and true, galvanising his troops. Filled with tenacity, vigor and spirit, Theoden continued.

“Ride now! Ride now!! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the world’s ending!!”

His voice cried out, “Death!!” and the Rohirrim echoed him, also crying out, “Death!!”. In unison and harmony, they made a large chorus sound, and were ready for war! Theoden then called, “Forth Eorlingas!”, whilst pointing his sword towards the enemy, and they began to ride out to battle.

This was an answered call for help. This was the courage of men in the face of evil and darkness. This was ‘The Ride of the Rohirrim’.