It is also to their benefit that Gimli and Éomer have reappeared, for they were on the wrong side of the wall when the orcs made their final advance. The rising and sinking of the fortunes of Théoden's men becomes literal and metaphorical when the "tide" of Orcs is described as a sea-surge threatening to capsize a ship.Īfter the battle, Gandalf and Théoden are reunited. Also, the word "helm" refers to a part of a ship and the dug-out valley fort is outfitted with rocks. The understatement here suggests that the trees do more than cast a shadow on the orcs. The motif of nature is complicated in this chapter as we find the Ents in battle, standing as a forest under whose "shadow" none of the orcs escaped.
In archetypal terms, the evil orcs excelled in the nighttime battle but when the day arrives, Gandalf (the White Rider) is victorious. Here, dawn is symbolic of hope and a new beginning because it is the beginning of the new day. The battle scenes are marked by a suspense that is only relieved at the climax of the chapter, which comes at dawn. Gandalf (the White Rider) returns with Erkenbrand and his troops and none of the orcs escape. Suddenly, a forest of trees (the Ents) has appeared, inspiring fear in the orcs and wildmen. With dawn comes the hope of a new day and the allies of Théoden converge upon the scene and the orcs are soon ambushed. The tide of battle turns at the very end of the chapter. At one point, Éomer and Aragorn nearly lose their heads but their axe-wielding friend, Gimli, arrives at the nick of time.
The siege lasts all night and as dawn approaches, the orcs are making great gains because they are using Saruman's sorcery. Orcs and wildmen do not wait long to initiate a siege on the rocky fortress, and Gimli, Legolas, Éomer and Aragorn are exceptionally brave in battle. Meanwhile, Théoden continues towards Helm's Deep and when he arrives with his troops, he learns that the main wall has been breached and even worse, the valiant warrior, Erkenbrand, is nowhere to be found.
After a day on the journey, Gandalf separates from the group. Gandalf advises Théoden to advance to a fortified valley called Helm's Deep, rather than head directly for Isengard. Gandalf's deceit in regards to smuggling his staff into the Golden Hall, out-trumps the more wicked but also less capable treachery of Gríma. Indeed, neither man is as old and frail as he pretends to be and this can be considered within the theme of knowledge. The tone of the chapter is generally optimistic even though war looms ahead, we find a symbolic resurrection in terms of the two old men (Gandalf and Théoden) who now return to the brave enterprises of their younger days. This is also an allusion to the character Grendel in Beowulfin fact, Grendel is often named as "the wyrm (worm)" just as Gríma is doubly named Wormtongue. Gríma is the image of a treacherous worm/dragon who plots, schemes and steals. Like Smaug, Gríma has hidden the sword of the king, along with many other things which develop the motif of a hidden treasure. There is a parallel between Gríma, the Wormtongue, and the dragon Smaug. Gandalf wins Shadowfax as gift (rather than a mere loan) and the cowardly traitor, Gríma, proves his true nature when he spits at the king and makes a hurried exit. He has his soldiers rallied and he decides that he will also take up arms against the enemy, especially as it seems that Saruman will soon be defeated. Taking Gandalf's advice, Théoden decides to join forces with Gandalf and proceed to battle. When Théoden sends for Éomer, who has been imprisoned by Gríma, Gandalf's accurate account is validated. The political climate is significantly altered and things are not as Gríma has suggested. Gandalf exposes the treachery of Wormtongue and he also advises Théoden about his current options. Théoden does not hide his immediate displeasure, but his animosity towards Gandalf is the result of his wicked counselor, Gríma, who is more often referred to as Wormtongue. In the end, Gandalf is able to bring his walking-stick with him. At the door to the Golden Hall, they are again stopped by a guard named Hama, who explains that they must leave all of their weapons at the door. At the gate, the group expresses the wish to see Théoden, the king, but they are held at the gate and the guard must get permission to let them enter the city. It takes several hours for the group to arrive at Meduseld. Gandalf leads the way and Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn follow his guidance.