The Lord of the Rings: Rohan’s Greatest Trilogy Moments

Fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy have to wait only one week to return to Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will whisk audiences away on December 13 to the Kingdom of Rohan, nearly two centuries before the events of the original trilogy.

The story will focus on the legendary King Helm Hammerhand and his family as they protect their kingdom from the Dunlendings. In anticipation of revisiting Rohan, here are 10 of the most powerful moments featuring the Rohirrim in The Lord of the Rings.

---

10. Celebration after Helm’s Deep (The Return of the King)

Following many losses and a hard won victory at the Battle of Helm’s Deep, the people of Rohan gather to celebrate in the Golden Hall of Meduseld. This grants the audience a glimpse into what Rohan is like during merrier times before Saruman’s power and armies descended upon the kingdom.

King Théoden toasts those that gave their lives to protect their country. Despite the larger war for Middle-earth on the horizon, the Rohirrim allow themselves to feel joy in honor of those who died to defend it. With free-flowing ale, music provided by Merry and Pippin, and smiles among even the more serious characters, the resilience that defines the people of Rohan is palpable.

---

9. The Three Hunters Meet Éomer (The Two Towers)

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli tirelessly pursue the Uruk-hai that kidnapped Merry and Pippin at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring. Their path takes them to the Plains of Rohan. It is here that they encounter an exiled Éomer and his company of riders. Their meeting is at first full of mistrust with arrows and spears pointed in both direction, but soon all present realize that they are not facing foes.

Éomer, the king’s nephew, informs Aragorn that Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe, not even in his own family. He gifts the companions two horses, and directs them to the smoldering Uruk-hai encampment with a warning: “Do not trust to hope, it has forsaken these lands.” His somber words and exile set expectations for the kind of welcome the three hunters will receive in Edoras.

---

8. Merry’s Pledge (The Return of the King)

When Gandalf whisks Pippin away to Minas Tirith, Merry is left behind in Rohan with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. As the Rohirrim prepare to head toward the encampment at Dunharrow, Merry approaches Théoden.

After watching his companions fight and even die for Middle-earth, Merry wants to play a part. He takes a knee before Théoden, saying, “I have a sword. Please accept it. I offer you my service, Théoden King.” Théoden smiles at him, admiring and recognizing the courage of any true Rohirrim man. He accepts his offer, naming him Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan.

---

7. Introduction to Edoras (The Two Towers)

Éowyn stands outside Meduseld as she realizes how alone she is with her brother gone, her cousin dead, and her uncle’s mind possessed. She watches as the strong winds in Edoras tear Rohan’s flag from its pole as a lone fiddle plays a subdued version of Rohan’s iconic theme for the first time.

The flag lands at the hooves of Aragorn’s horse, foretelling the sobering scene they are about to step into. Gimli rightly observes that one would “find more cheer in a graveyard.” The tension and despair are palpable. The four travelers are greeted by wary guards. Within the halls of Meduseld, they witness how strong Saruman’s hold over the Théoden and his kingdom has become.

---

6. “Where is the horse and the rider?” (The Two Towers)

The people of Rohan prepare for the all but hopeless battle at Helm’s Deep. Gamling assists Théoden in putting on his armor in an empty hall. As Théoden grapples with his role as king and the fate before his people, Gamling assures Théoden that his people will follow him to “whatever end.”

Théoden laments their dire circumstances and grieves the days of glory from the past. Bernard Hill delivers the words of J.R.R. Tolkien with haunting effectiveness as alternating shots of the boys and men of Rohan preparing and the marching Uruk-hai roll across the screen. Théoden asks, “Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow.”

---

5. Théoden’s Transformation (The Two Towers)

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli enter the Golden Hall and are immediately recognized for the threat they pose to status quo in Rohan. When Wormtongue realizes that Gandalf was permitted to keep his staff, fights break out and are quickly ended by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Gandalf advances on the throne, and reveals that he is now Gandalf the White.

Now, as the most powerful White Wizard, Gandalf casts Saruman out of Théoden’s mind. Éowyn catches her feeble uncle as he slips off the throne, and before the eyes of all present, Théoden’s feebleness is replaced with strength. He rises as Rohan’s theme plays with renewed vigor, and holds his sword Herugrim once again as the true King of Rohan.

---

4. The Horn of Helm Hammerhand (The Two Towers)

The Rohirrim have retreated to the Keep in the Battle of Helm’s Deep, and all present recognize that their odds of claiming victory are slim. As Aragorn gives the order for the women and children to go through the mountain pass away from the battle, Théoden despairs. Aragorn tells Théoden to ride out with him to meet the enemy host in the name of Rohan and its people.

Théoden heartily agrees, announcing, “The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep, one last time!” He turns to Aragorn, and tells him, “Let this be the hour when we draw swords together.” The King of Rohan and future King of Gondor lead the charge down the causeway together as the horn sounds from the top of the keep.

---

3. Éomer at Helm’s Deep (The Two Towers)

The remaining warriors at Helm’s Deep are overwhelmed outside the keep where they valiantly decided to make their final stand. As the sun rises on the fifth day, as promised, Gandalf comes to Rohan’s aid.

He observes that Théoden stands alone against the enemy host, and Éomer joins him at his side, saying, “Not alone.” He rallies his bannermen, and gives a single command: “To the king!” With the rising sun blazing at their backs, the loyal Rohirrim charge into the fray and quickly turn the tides of the battle. With its people united, Rohan claims victory against Saruman and his army.

---

2. Éowyn Defeats the Witch-king (The Return of the King)

Women in Rohan are trained in combat from a young age as they understand all too well that war does not spare anyone, especially the defenseless. Despite her training and yearning to fight for her country, Éowyn often finds herself relegated to the sidelines, watching those that she loves ride into and often be claimed by war.

Disguised as a man, Éowyn rides to the Battle of Minas Tirith, with Merry in tow. As the Witch-king and his fell beast advance on Théoden, Éowyn stands between them. Despite warnings and attacks from both the fell beast and the Lord of the Nazgûl, her courage does not falter and she beheads the fell beast. When the Witch-king gains the upper hand and tells Éowyn that no man can kill him, Merry stabs him in the back of the knee, giving Éowyn her chance. She removes her helmet, saying, “I am no man,” and defeats the Witch-king by driving her sword through the Witch-king’s helm.

---

1. The Charge of the Rohirrim (The Return of the King)

Hope for Minas Tirith, and for Middle-earth, dwindles with every passing moment. As Sauron releases the hordes of Mordor upon Gondor, horns ring out on the horizon. Bathed in the golden light of sunrise, Théoden leads all the riders Rohan could muster against the armies of Mordor. Théoden issues orders to Éomer, Gamling, and Grimbold, and rallies the Rohirrim.

Théoden then delivers what is all but universally regarded as the best speech in The Lord of the Rings. He acknowledges the peril that they are riding into as Rohan’s musical theme steadily builds in the background. Riding down the front line, he strikes his sword against the spears of his riders. He bids them to “Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending!” Pointing his sword toward the battle ahead, he cries, “Death!” and his riders echo his cry, courageously acknowledging and embracing the likelihood of the ending that lies before them. As they charge, the light of the blinding dawn follows them. The musical theme of Rohan swells to its greatest strength, creating one of the most inspiring moments of the entire trilogy.

---

The country of Rohan and the characters who inhabit it are responsible for some of the most courageous and inspiring moments in The Lord of the Rings. Their steadfast belief in what is right, their loyalty to their people, and their ability to boldly face death and darkness embody the spirit of what makes The Lord of the Rings one of the greatest fantasy stories ever told.

We’ll see even more of the history of the mighty Rohirrim in The War of the Rohirrim, coming to theaters December 13. What are your favorite Rohirrim moments? Join the conversation with other LOTR fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!