The Ride of the Rohirrim

The Ride of the Rohirrim started at Edoras and went down the Great West Road, along the same route followed less than a week earlier by Gandalf and Pippin. The first camp of the Riders was in the willow thickets where the Snowbourn joined the Entwash, 36 miles east of Edoras. (The Muster of Rohan; Bk 3.) They camped twice more, once probably in Firien Wood, and once more, possibly under Min-Rimmon, before reaching the bivouac in the pinewoods of Drúadan Forest. Mering Stream, which ran out of Firien Wood and down to the Entwash, was the eastern border of Rohan, and was fortified. (Cirion and Eorl; Unfinished Tales.)

Three of the beacons, Halifirien, Calenhad and Min-Rimmon, are shown on this map. Halifirien was the highest and was a sacred place, known as the Holy Mountain and the Hill of Awe. It was reached by a secret path through the wood and a rock stair. (Cirion and Eorl; Unfinished Tales.)

43. Drúadan Forest

The four easterly beacons are shown on this map: Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach and Amon Dîn, from which the Citadel of Minas Tirith could be seen.

On the fourth night of the Ride, the Riders bivouacked among the pinewoods under Eilenach, and here they met the Woses. They were now less than a day’s ride (which judging by their progress to date would have been between 60 and 70 miles) from Minas Tirith.

Stonewain Valley ran south of Eilenach, between thickly wooded ridges, joining the road again south of Amon Dîn. Orcs were camped 3 miles west of Amon Dîn and were pushing west along the road. When the Riders came out onto the road again they were some 21 miles from the Rammas Echor, the Wall of the Townland. (The Ride of the Rohirrim; Bk 3.)

The Forest of Druadan and the Greywood, under Amon Dîn, were given to the people of Ghân-buri-Ghân in gratitude for their help against Sauron. (Many Partings; Bk 3.)

The Battle of Pelennor Fields

As King Théoden drew near to the Gate of the City he turned aside to attack the Southrons, and was sweeping them back when the Ringwraith flew down and settled on his horse, Snowmane. There the King was killed, and in his turn the Ringwraith fell, immune from attack by living man, but slain by a woman and a Hobbit.

The Rohirrim charged forward to avenge Théoden, and were supported by a great sally from the beleaguered City. The footmen drove south while the horsemen under Hurin, Hirluin and Prince Imrahil raced eastwards to support the Rohirrim who had been outnumbered and scattered by the Haradrim and their 'Mûmakil'.

Gothmog, the Ringwraith’s successor, threw reinforcements from Osgiliath into the battle, Easterlings and Variags, and things were going badly until at the last moment Aragorn and his ships reached Harlond and attacked the enemy from the flank and rear. (The Battle of Pelennor Fields; Bk 3.)

Aragorn and the Grey Company

Aragorn passed through the Dark Door and into the caves under the Haunted Mountain before dawn on 8th March, and came out into a ravine, where the river Morthond ran beside the path, two hours before sunset (some ten hours). The distance was not great – probably not more than about 25 miles – but the Riders must have gone very slowly in the dark and with many delays and interruptions. When they emerged from the caves they were in the uplands of a great vale and still had a long way to go to Erech, but they could now travel faster and reached the Stone – perhaps another 40 miles – just before midnight. (The Passing of the Grey Company; Bk 3.)

From Erech to Pelargir was 93 leagues (279 miles). The road passed Tarlang’s Neck into Lamedon. This may have been a ridge; there was certainly a ridge of hills stretching south-west from the main range at this point, according to the Map of Gondor in The Return of the King,but to my mind it seems more likely that the Neck was a long narrow gully among the hills through which the road ran. (The Passing of the Grey Company; Bk 3.)

From there they went on to Calembel, a township on the Ciril, and thence to Ethring where they crossed the Ringló, and on the third day to Linhir, which was above the mouth of the Gilrain. It must have been some way up the river, as Legolas never in fact actually saw the sea, though he heard the gulls crying. (The Last Debate; Bk 3.)

There was a battle there between the men of Lamedon and those of Umbar and Harad before the Riders arrived, but both contestants fled on seeing the Grey Company. After crossing the fords, Aragorn’s followers chased their enemies for a night and a day before reaching Pelargir where there was another great battle.

From Pelargir up the river to Harlond was 42 leagues (126 miles). On the first half of the journey they had to row, until the wind changed (as King Ghân of the Woses had sensed in Drúadan Forest) and they were able to sail up the last stretch in time to take part in the Battle of Pelennor Fields. (The Last Debate; Bk 3.)