The Lord of the Rings, #3
The Return of the King
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
Chapter 6: THE BATTLE OF THE PELENNOR FIELDS
Overview
On the Pelennor, the Witch-king fells Théoden, but Éowyn reveals herself and, aided by Merry, destroys him. Théoden dies, naming Éomer king, who rallies Rohan in grief. As Mordor’s reinforcements and Corsair ships threaten doom, Aragorn arrives bearing Elendil’s signs, reversing the battle and securing a hard-won victory with heavy casualties.
Summary
Théoden leads the Rohirrim through the northern Pelennor, scattering Southrons and casting down their chieftain’s banner. At the height of his charge, the Lord of the Nazgûl descends on a fell beast; Snowmane is struck, crushing Théoden. Dernhelm stands fast—revealed as Éowyn—while Merry, shaken and unseen, struggles to act.
Éowyn defies the Witch-king, declaring she is no man. She slays the fell beast, but the Witch-king shatters her shield and breaks her arm. Merry, mustering courage, wounds the Witch-king’s knee with his Barrow-blade, breaking the sorcery that bound him; Éowyn strikes between crown and mantle, and the Nazgûl’s form vanishes with a wail. Merry’s sword withers, its purpose spent.
Théoden briefly awakens, bids farewell to Merry, and names Éomer his heir before dying, unaware Éowyn lies near. Éomer arrives, receives the banner, discovers Éowyn, and, seized by grief and wrath, calls a charge. The battle swells as Morgul hosts, Haradrim, mûmakil, and reinforcements from Osgiliath press Rohan and bar Gondor’s aid.
Black sails rise on Anduin, spreading despair—until a standard of the White Tree, Seven Stars, and Crown unfurls: Aragorn has seized the Corsair fleet and brings southern levies, the Dúnedain, Legolas, Gimli, and Elrond’s sons. Gondor and Rohan hammer Mordor’s hosts between city and river; Éomer and Aragorn meet and rejoin the fray.
Through the day, hard fighting continues. As the sun sets blood-red behind Mindolluin, the field is won; none of the enemy remain within the Rammas. Many captains fall—Forlong, Hirluin, Duilin and Derufin, Grimbold, and Halbarad—while Aragorn, Éomer, and Imrahil survive, spent. Théoden’s body and Éowyn are borne toward the City; Imrahil discovers Éowyn still lives.
Who Appears
- Éowyn (as Dernhelm)Reveals herself, defies the Witch-king, kills his fell beast, and with Merry’s aid destroys the Witch-king; gravely injured.
- Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)Overcomes terror to stab the Witch-king’s knee with a Barrow-blade, enabling Éowyn’s killing blow; mourns Théoden.
- ThéodenWins early victories, is crushed when Snowmane falls; dies after farewell to Merry, naming Éomer as heir.
- ÉomerReceives kingship in battle, discovers Éowyn wounded, rallies Rohirrim in wrath, later joins Aragorn to press victory.
- Lord of the Nazgûl (Witch-king)Slays Snowmane and assails Éowyn; undone by Merry’s blade and Éowyn’s stroke, perishing with a wail.
- Aragorn (Elessar)Arrives on captured Corsair fleet bearing Elendil’s signs, bringing reinforcements; joins Éomer to turn the battle.
- Imrahil, Prince of Dol AmrothLeads Gondor’s counterattack, honors Théoden, discovers Éowyn still lives, then returns to battle.
- LegolasLands at the Harlond with Aragorn’s host and joins the northern sweep that crushes Mordor’s forces.
- GimliDisembarks with Aragorn’s reinforcements, fighting in the northward surge from the Harlond.
- HalbaradBears Aragorn’s standard into battle; falls before day’s end among many valiant dead.
- Elladan and ElrohirFight beside Aragorn with the Dúnedain, aiding the decisive advance from the river.
- Gothmog, lieutenant of MorgulHurls reinforcements from Osgiliath—Easterlings and Southrons—renewing the assault before the tide turns.
- Haradrim chieftainLeads a cavalry charge under the black serpent; overthrown by Théoden early in the battle.
- SnowmaneThéoden’s horse; pierced by a dart, falls and fatally crushes the king; later buried on Snowmane’s Howe.