The Lord of the Rings, #2
The Two Towers
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Contents
CHAPTER 9: FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
Overview
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reunite with Merry and Pippin at flooded Isengard and hear how the Ents stormed the gates, broke Saruman’s works, and drowned his foundries. Gandalf briefly returned to enlist Treebeard’s help against Saruman’s armies. Wormtongue arrived and was sent into Orthanc. Shire pipe-weed among Saruman’s stores hints at troubling ties.
Summary
After Gandalf and Théoden depart, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli share food with Merry and Pippin in Isengard’s ruined guardroom. The hobbits provide man-food and prized pipe-weed salvaged from floating stores. Noting the hobbits’ health and growth, the hunters settle outside the gate to hear their tale.
Pippin recounts their capture, Boromir’s last stand, and escape attempts, including Grishnákh’s intervention. Aragorn returns the hobbits’ knives and Pippin’s brooch. Merry then describes meeting Treebeard, the Entmoot, and the Ents’ sudden decision to go to war, with Huorns shadowing their march to Isengard.
Merry details Saruman emptying Isengard to strike Rohan, including Orcs, wolves, Men, and half-orcs. After the army’s departure, the Ents shattered the gates and walls; Saruman fled into Orthanc, Quickbeam nearly caught him, and Saruman’s fires burned Beechbone, enraging the Ents. Treebeard restrained their assaults on the impervious tower and set a plan in motion.
Working through the next day, Ents and Huorns dug channels and dams. That night they loosed the waters, flooding Isengard, quenching furnaces, and destroying Saruman’s works. Gandalf briefly arrived earlier, consulted Treebeard, and sped away, sending Huorns to aid the battle in Rohan. By morning the waters began to subside, and the hobbits sheltered above the arch.
At dawn Treebeard returned. Soon Gríma Wormtongue arrived alone, claimed to bear messages from Théoden, and tried to flee. Treebeard forced him to cross the fouled waters; a hand drew him into Orthanc. The hobbits then salvaged provisions, discovering barrels of Southfarthing Longbottom Leaf, implying secret Shire dealings with Saruman. Aragorn resolves to mention this to Gandalf.
Who Appears
- Meriadoc (Merry) BrandybuckRecounts Entmoot, the Ents’ assault, and Isengard’s flooding; helps host friends and salvage supplies.
- Peregrin (Pippin) TookShares capture ordeal, aids storytelling, produces pipe and pipe-weed; observes Gandalf’s visit and Wormtongue’s arrival.
- AragornListens, returns the hobbits’ knives and brooch; notes suspicious Shire pipe-weed and plans to tell Gandalf.
- GimliEats, smokes Pippin’s spare pipe, comments on the hobbits’ growth; questions Wormtongue’s arrival.
- LegolasJoins the reunion, prompts the tale, reflects on Ent-draught songs and the hunters’ pursuit.
- TreebeardLeads Ents against Isengard, plans the flood, consults Gandalf, and sends Wormtongue into Orthanc.
- SarumanEmpties Isengard to attack Rohan, retreats into Orthanc, unleashes fires, then endures destruction of his works.
- GandalfArrives briefly at Isengard, coordinates with Treebeard, directs Huorns, and departs to the war.
- QuickbeamSwift Ent who nearly seizes Saruman and burns with hatred for the tree-killer.
- BeechboneTall Ent burned by Saruman’s liquid fire, triggering the Ents’ furious onslaught.
- Gríma WormtongueArrives claiming messages for Saruman; forced through the flood and admitted into Orthanc.
- GrishnákhMordor-orc whose actions during the march imperiled the hobbits before his death.