2626 � 2798
The year 2758 was ushered in with invasions in all parts of the allied realms � with Umbar and Harad into Gondor, and a full scale Balcoth invasion into Rohan. In 2710, Deor, 7th king of the Mark, had made the discovery that the leading family of Angrenost (now Isengard), being of mixed blood, had let the Balcoth within it�s gates and slain the Gondorian guard. For the next fifty years it would seem that raids from the Isen were recurrent, and at first the advent of the Long Winter would seem to seal the Mark�s fate. In actuality, it was the Long Winter that allowed the Mark to regain its border security.
The story of Helm�s retreat into the Hornburg is well known, and the stronghold of Frealaf in Dunharrow and his successful takeover of Meduseld as well, but of his campaigns after regaining the kingdom, little is often remembered. After the five month�s occupation and fighting within Rohan, Frealaf began the first steps to eradicate the Balcoth/Orcish threat that would culminate in Folca�s reign.
Meduseld was regained in the early spring, and Frealaf was crowned shortly after. Realizing the danger of an occupied Isengard on his borders, he laid siege, and found that the Long Winter had taken as much toll upon the Balcoth as it had upon the Rohirrim - thus within a year the Balcoth force capitulated to the war-wearied Rohirrim, and Frealaf surrendered the keys of Orthanc back into the hands of the Steward Beren, who in turn handed them into the keeping of Saruman, who took up residence some time in 2759. In the years rebuilding the Mark that occupied the most of Frealaf�s reign, having a strong and wise neighbour in Isengard was most likely a welcome boon.
