The Lord of the Rings, #2
The Two Towers
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 3: THE URUK-HAI
Overview
Pippin and Merry, captured by Orcs, are driven west under Uglúk while Grishnákh seeks the Ring. Pippin leaves a trail and later tricks Grishnákh, who is slain by Riders of Rohan. The hobbits free themselves and enter Fangorn. At dawn Éomer destroys the Orcs, killing Uglúk, severing Isengard’s raid.
Summary
Pippin awakens bound among Orcs beside an unconscious Merry and recalls Boromir’s last stand. The captors quarrel: Uglúk’s Uruk-hai of Isengard demand speed and live halflings; Grishnákh of Mordor insists on orders from the Eye. Uglúk asserts command by killing dissenters and drives the company west, forcing the hobbits to run after dosing them with orc-draught.
During a chaotic march through mist, Pippin secretly cuts his wrist-bond and later drops his Elven brooch as a sign. At dawn the column splits: many Northerners flee; Uglúk presses on with the hobbits as Grishnákh returns with Mordor-orcs. Horsemen are sighted gaining—Riders of Rohan harry the rear, encircling the Orcs by night near Fangorn.
On a hillock under siege, Uglúk posts guards over the hobbits. In the dark, Grishnákh, seeking the Ring, gropes them; Pippin mimics “gollum,” inflaming his greed. Grishnákh snatches them to escape alone but is struck by an arrow and then speared by a Rider. Unnoticed under their cloaks, the hobbits remain prone outside the tightening ring.
As Mauhúr attacks from the forest and is repelled, the riders close in. With Uglúk distracted, Pippin cuts their bonds with a knife taken from Grishnákh. Merry and Pippin eat lembas, follow the river north-west, and at first light choose Fangorn’s eaves over the battlefield.
At sunrise the Riders charge. Most Orcs are slain or scattered; a black wedge drives for the forest. Merry and Pippin retreat deeper among the trees and miss the final duel, where Éomer kills Uglúk at Fangorn’s edge. The Riders honor their dead and burn the Orcs; no tidings return to Mordor or Isengard.
Who Appears
- Pippin (Peregrin Took)Captured hobbit; secretly frees his hands, drops his brooch, tricks Grishnákh, cuts bonds, and escapes into Fangorn.
- Merry (Meriadoc Brandybuck)Captured hobbit; wounded then revived by orc-medicine; aids Pippin’s ruse and leads their retreat into Fangorn.
- UglúkUruk-hai leader from Isengard; enforces orders, drives the march west, clashes with Mordor-orcs, slain by Éomer.
- GrishnákhMordor-orc seeking the Ring; abducts the hobbits at night, is detected and killed by a Rider’s spear.
- ÉomerThird Marshal of the Mark; commands Riders encircling the Orcs and personally kills Uglúk at Fangorn’s edge.
- MauhúrUruk reinforcement from the forest; attacks Riders briefly but is driven off or slain during the night fight.