Assembly of the Rohirrim at Dunharrow
In the novel, a rider from Gondor arrives at Edoras with a red arrow, a distress signal and symbol of the Oath of Eorl and the Oath of Cirion of the alliance of Gondor and Rohan.
King Thedoen sends words to the Westfold and the Eastfold of Rohan to muster the Rohirrim at Dunharrow.
In the novel, the messenger of Gondor was found slayed so the Riders of Rohan knew that Gondor didn’t know whether Rohan answered their call.
King Theoden and the Rohirrim had to hurry and take a detour as they’ve found orcs in the paths to Minas Tirith in the novel. A total of 6,000 cavalry of the Rohirrim assembled at Dunharrow.
Merry, esquire of Rohan
After Pippin left with Gandalf to Minas Tirith, Merry or Meriadoc Brandybuck became the esquire of Rohan by king Theoden.
King Theoden allowed Merry to escort them to Dunharrow but he didn’t allow Merry to ride to Minas Tirith as he thought Merry would be a burden.
However Merry was picked up by Eowyn who also disobeyed Theoden and joined the Rohirrim’s ride to Minas Tirith in the movie.
In the novel, Merry joined the ride to Minas Tirith while the marshals and troops of the Rohirrim condoned Merry’s actions.
Eowyn’s disguise into the Rohirrim
In the novel, Theoden had to leave at least one person to the heir of the throne in case of his death. Theoden thought of leaving Eomer, as he only thought of men, however his men reminded him of Eowyn.
Like the old customs of Rohan that limited women from joining battle, Theoden asked Eowyn to stay at Edoras.
However, Eowyn took disguise as a man called Dernhelm as a man and joined the riders of Rohan and headed to Gondor.
Eowyn also discovered Merry so she picked him up on her horse and went to battle. In the movie, Eowyn joined the camp at Dunharrow and although her brother Eomer doubted Merry’s battle skills and bravery, Eowyn claims that Merry was also brave enough to fight for his beloved.
Aragorn and the blade Anduril, the Flame of the West – Movie
At the camp of Dunharrow, Elrond visits Aragorn and informs him that Arwen eventually chose to stay on Middle Earth for Aragorn.
Elrond also informs Aragorn that the evil of Sauron started to consume Arwen as she chose to become a mortal for her love with Aragorn.
Elrond insists that Aragorn must defeat Sauron and presents him the blade Anduril forged from the shards of Narsil. Anduril means the flame of the west and it was a blade forged with the master craftsmanship of the elves.
Elrond’s guidance to the Paths of the Dead to Aragorn - Movie
Elrond advises Aragorn to assemble the Army of the Dead, the Oathbreakers of Dunharrow and take the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn objects to Elrond’s advice as he believed the Army of the Dead will answer to no one.
Elrond insists that the dead men of the Oathbreakers of Dunharrow will follow the king of Gondor, and recognize Isildur’s heir Aragorn himself that wields the blade Anduril made from the shards of Narsil. Elrond like Gandalf warns Aragorn of the corsairs and pirates of Umbar that were pillaging Gondor from the south as well.
Aragorn’s journey to the Paths of the Dead
In the novel, Aragorn already received Anduril from Elrond since the Fellowship of the Ring’s first journey. Also, Aragorn’s men the Grey Company led by Halbarad joins Aragorn along with Elrond’s twin son Elrohir and Elladan.
In the novel Elrohir and Elladan delivered the message of Elrond to take the Paths of the Dead of Dwimorberg where the ghosts of the Oathbreakers of Dunharrow resided.
The novel didn’t mention they were the Army of the Dead. Aragorn along with Legolas, Gimli and the Grey Company with Halbarad, Elrohir and Elladan heads to the Paths of the Dead.
Theoden’s Firm Determination as King of Rohan and Acceptance of Death
Aragorn had doubts on the Oathbreakers of Dunharrow joining their cause against Sauron nor did he believe they would try to fulfill their oath with Isildur.
However, Aragorn takes the chances and leaves for the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn now knew that Theoden was determined and assertive to lead the Rohirrim to Minas Tirith by himself. In the movie, there was some defeatism and terror that spread among the Rohan riders.
Some of the officers were even concerned that Aragorn suddenly left the assembled Rohirrim to the Paths of the Dead of Dwimorberg .
However, Theoden now didn’t need aid or needed to receive courage from somebody else and assured the riders of Rohan that Aragorn must have plans that would help save Middle Earth. Theoden with assurance leads the Rohirrim and rides to Minas Tirith.
In the novel, the Druedain, another mysterious tribe of men also known as the woses helped Theoden and the Rohirrim arrive at Minas Tirith undetected by avoiding the orcs through the secret passages.
Beginning of the Siege of Gondor, Siege of Minas Tirith
Despite the call to arms to all the lands of Gondor that Denethor 2nd sent, only 1/10 of the expected Gondor troops arrived at Minas Tirith in the novel.
The Black Fleet of the Umbar pirates and corsairs along with numerous mercenaries hired by Sauron attacked Southern Gondor that prevented additional reinforcements.
The elite forces of Mordor from Minas Morgul led by the Witch King of Angmar and his lieutenant Gothmog prepares siege towers and weapons to prepare the assault on Minas Tirith.
The nazguls in their flying fell beasts discouraged the Gondor defenders by bringing terropr upon them.
Denethor 2nd already caught up with defeatism refuses to take command of the defense and Gandalf leads the defense against the forces of Mordor. (In the novel, Imrahil took command)
The Black Speech Marching Chants of the Orcs
Katmuda Gorosh Katmuda Gorosh Katmuda Gorosh chadar
Death to men Louder Death to men Louder! Death to men Loud enough
