But it was no orc-chieftain or brigand that led the assault upon Gondor. The darkness was breaking too soon, before the date that his master had set for it: Fortune had betrayed him for the moment, and the world had turned against him; victory was sliping from his grasp even as he stretched out his hand to seize it. But his arm was long. He was still in command, wielding great powers. King, Ringwraith, Lord of the Nazgul, he had many weapons. He left the gate and vanished
Theoden King of the Mark had reached the road from the Gate to the River, and he turned towards the City that was now less than a mile distant. He slackened his speed a little, seeking new foes, and his knights came about him, and Dernhelm was with them. Ahead nearer the walls Elfhelm's men were among the siege-engines, hewing, slaying, driving their foes into the fire-pits. Well nigh all the northern half of the Pelennor was overrun, and there camps were blazing, orc were flying towards the river like herds before the hunters; and the Rohirrim went hither and thither at their will. |
