Chapter 11 Section 7 Helm's Deep

The sun had begun to set when they left Edoras, and the rays of the setting sun had set the prairies of Rohan before them with golden flames.They followed a great road to the northwest against the White Mountains, and crossed many small rivers.Far to their right stood the Misty Mountains, which grew taller and darker as they walked.The sun was setting slowly before them, and dusk was falling with it. The caravan went on, fearing it would be too late, so they went at full speed, pausing only now and then to rest, but there were still many miles to go.The straight-line distance from Edolas to the crossing of the Isin River was about one hundred and twenty miles, and they hoped to join forces there to stop Saruman's invasion.

The night surrounded everyone.Had to stop and camp.They have been driving non-stop for five hours, but there is still more than half of the distance in front of them.They formed a great circle under the sky full of stars and moonlight, and pitched their tents.Since they were not familiar with the surrounding conditions, they did not dare to start a fire, but they still set up heavy guards around them, and scouts also rode far to inquire about the enemy's situation.The night passed without incident, and at dawn the horn sounded again, and within an hour they were on their way again. There was not a cloud in the sky, but they could feel the air heavy; it was a hot day for the season.The rising sun was blood-colored, followed by a large black cloud, as if a storm was about to fall in the east; in the northwest, there seemed to be another black shadow constantly wandering, slowly moving over the Valley of Wizards.

Gandalf rode back to Legolas and Eomer. "Legolas, you have the keen sight of an elf," said he, "and can tell the difference between a sparrow and a young for miles. Tell me , did you see any abnormalities in the direction of Isinger?" "It's a long way from there," said Legolas, shading the daylight with his hand, "I saw a dark shadow, and there were some creatures moving in it; and there were many tall figures moving by the river. , but I couldn't see what it was. It wasn't clouds that obscured my view, but some force over the earth that was spreading down the river; It poured out collectively from the mound."

"And behind us is the storm from Mordor," said Gandalf. "It will be a dangerous night." The next day everyone continued on their way, but the air became heavier and heavier.After Zhongshi, the dark clouds began to catch up with them, and the light of thunder and lightning flashed in the towering clouds, and the sun was shrouded in a cloud of smoke, and rolled down the earth red.The hussars' spears reflected blood-red flames, and before them were the three northernmost peaks of the White Mountains; and before night fell, the vanguard of the cavalry saw a black spot rushing towards them.It was a galloping knight, and they stopped to wait for him.

He came at last before the cavalry, a knight with a soiled helmet and a shield split in two.He got off his horse feebly, gasping for breath, and finally managed to speak: "Is EMer there?" He asked, "You are finally here, but it's too late! There are too few troops! After the death of Iod in battle, the battle situation took a turn for the worse. We suffered heavy sacrifices yesterday and were forced to cross the Aisin River. Many soldiers died in the process of crossing the river. That night, the opponent's new force attacked our camp at night, and the whole Aisin Singer's forces must have been dispatched, and Saruman took the wildlings from the mountains and the shepherds from Dunland into his soldiers, and drove them to attack our army. We were outnumbered, the shield wall was defeated by the enemy, and the West Valley Erkenbrand retreated to Helm's Deep with the remnant soldiers, while the other warriors fled in all directions...Where is Eomer? Tell him that the battle ahead is hopeless. The wolf in Isinger arrived at Edoras Before, he should have defended me towards the final palace."

Theoden didn't say a word, deliberately hiding behind the striker, and as soon as the other party finished speaking, he immediately rode forward. "Come to me, Theo!" he said. "I lead. The last of the hussars has come here. We will not retreat without a fight!" Transcoding typesetting: Dragon Knight Castle ( The man's face was suddenly full of joy, he immediately straightened his waist, and stared at the scene in front of him with wide eyes; then immediately knelt down and offered the long sword full of gaps to the king: "Your Majesty, please order! he shouted, "forgive my ignorance! I thought—"

"You thought I was hiding in Medusi, like an old dog. It was true when you sent your troops, but a west wind woke up the sleeping lion..." Theoden said: "To this man A new horse! Let's go support Erkenbrand!" While Theoden was speaking, Gandalf rode forward some distance, looking alone at Isengard in the north and the setting sun in the west, and at last he came back. "Theoden, let's move fast!" he said. "Go to Helm's Deep! Don't go to the Ford of Eshin, and don't wander the plains! I have to leave you for a while, and Shadowfax must take me there. Another urgent mission." He turned to look at Éomer and Aragorn and all the hussars, and shouted, "Protect the king of hussars until I return, wait for me at the gate of the helmet ! Farewell!"

He whispered a few words in Shadow Disease's ear, and the steed shot out like a flying arrow. Under the setting sun, his figure rolled across the grassland like a silver light and a whirlwind; Snowmane raised its head and neighed, wanting to follow He galloped after him, but only Asuka could outrun the galloping Shadowfax. "What's going on here?" a Janissary asked Hama. "Gandalf has business to do," answered Hama; "he often comes and goes without a trace." "If sweet talk is here, I'm afraid there are many reasons that can be made up," said another.

"Indeed," said Hamar, "as for me! I would rather wait for Gandalf to come back." "Perhaps you'll have to wait a long time," another Praetorian remarked. The troops left the road towards the ferry of the Aisin River and turned southward. As night fell, they still ran without looking back.The hills were getting closer, and the peaks of the White Mountains had been swallowed up by night.On the other side of the West Valley a few miles away, there is a dark green canyon, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The local people call it Helm's Deep, in memory of a hero who hid here in ancient times.

.The terrain of this valley stretched from the north, getting steeper and steeper, rising in the shadow of the white mountains, until the cliffs on both sides rose like towers and shut out all light. At the entrance of Helm's Deep, before the Helm's Gate, a great stone jutted out from the northern cliff; beneath it was a high wall built of ancient times, and within the wall stood a towering tower.Human beings have legends that when Gondor was in its heyday, the king of the sea built this fortress with the hands of giants.It is called the Horn Fort because the horns blown on the tower will circle back in the deep valley behind, as if the ancient warriors would wake up from the cave in the deep valley to fight.Ancient humans also built this high wall, extending from the Horn Keep to the southern cliffs, completely blocking the entrance to the canyon.Deep Creek flows from the channel below, it turns a corner at the location of the Horn Rock, flows from Helm's Gate to Helm's Ditch, then falls into Deep Creek Valley from there, and finally flows into West Valley.Erkenbrand, the lord of the West Valley, was stationed in the Horn Fort at the Helm's Gate. In this crisis-ridden era, he had the foresight to repair the city wall and strengthen the fortress' defense capabilities.

Most of the main force of the army was still in the deep valley, and the scouts ahead had already heard the sound of killing and the blowing of horns, and arrows roared in all directions in the darkness.Soon, a scout rode his horse and reported that wolf knights were haunting the valley, and a group of orcs and wildlings were marching from the ferry of the Aisin River, and the goal seemed to be towards Helm's Deep. "We found the bodies of many of our compatriots who were killed during the retreat," the scout reported. "We also encountered stragglers running aimlessly without leaders on the road. No one seemed to know what happened to Erkenbrand. Even if he hadn't died in the encounter, he might have been overtaken by the enemy before reaching the Helm's Gate." "Has anyone seen Gandalf?" asked Theoden. "Yes, Your Majesty, many people saw an old man in white riding a horse, running around on the grassland like the wind. Some people thought he was Saruman. It is said that he was seen running towards Isengard before dark , and some also said that they had seen the Whisperer earlier, and fled north with a pack of Goblins." "If Gandalf meets him, it will be a disaster for the tongue," said Theoden. "I do miss both advisors, old and new. At times like this, though, we have no choice but to go on, regardless of If Erkenbrand is here, we must all go to Helm's Gate, as Gandalf has commanded. Does anyone know the strength of the troops in the north?" "The number of the enemy is very large," said the scout, "Although the retreating soldiers will exaggerate the number of the enemy because they are all soldiers, but I have talked with more experienced fighters face to face, and I believe that the number of troops on the other side is several times the number of troops we have assembled here. times." "Then we must be quicker!" Eomer said. "Let's charge and kill the enemies who stand between us and the stronghold. There are many caves in Helm's Deep that can hide hundreds of people, and there are caves leading to the mountains. Secret passages." "Don't believe in the secrecy of the secret passage," said the king. "Saruman has observed this place for a long time. However, we should still be able to hold it. Let's go!" Aragorn, Legolas, and EOmer rode side by side, and they rode off into the night without looking back, their speed growing slower as it grew darker and steeper. .There were not many enemies in front of them, and they would occasionally encounter a group of scattered half-orcs, but before the hussars had time to make a move, these guys ran away and couldn't catch up with them at all. "What I am worried about will happen soon!" Eomer said, "The leader of the enemy army may soon know that our troops are coming. I am not sure whether the opponent is Saruman or which general. .” The threat behind them also approached quickly, and by this time they could already hear hoarse singing coming from behind them.When they looked back, the troops had entered the deep ravine.The scene in front of them was astonishing. On the black ground, they could see countless red dots caused by torches blooming like red flowers, or extending like long snakes. Occasionally, raging fires would ignite in certain places. "The enemy's strength is indeed formidable, and they are in hot pursuit!" said Aragorn. "They set fire all the way," said Theoden. "They burned everything, every plant and tree. This once was a valley with plenty of water and grass and lots of livestock, and now it's all ruined by these fellows!" "If it were still day, we could charge into their ranks like a storm that sweeps down the mountains!" said Aragorn. "It fills me with rage to be forced to flee before them." "We don't need to run far," said Éomer, "and just before us is the Helm's Quay, an ancient ditch that runs for miles under the Helm's Gate, and there we can turn and fight. " "No, we don't have enough numbers to hold the Helm's Aqueduct," said Theoden. "It's about a mile long, and the gap in it is quite wide." "If we can get through there, guards must be stationed at those gaps," said Eomer. When the knights came to Helm's Quay, there was no star or moon in the sky, and the stream flowed from the mountain, and the roads on both sides led to the Horn Keep.The fortifications in front of him appeared in front of them like a shadow, and there was a deep pit before that.As they rode closer, a guard asked for their identities. "The Hussar King is going to the Helm's Gate!" replied Eomer. "I am Eomer." "This is really great news!" said the guard, "Quick! The enemy is hot on our heels!" The troops passed through the gap and stayed on the slope.They were pleased to find that Erkenbrand had left behind many men to guard the Helm's Gate, and that many soldiers who survived the disaster returned to help defend the place. "We may be able to gather a thousand infantrymen who can fight," said Gamlin, a veteran who led his men to defend the Holy Helm Canal, "but among these people, either they have experienced too much cold and heat like me, or they are like my grandson. The same sucker. Any news about Erkenbrand? We heard yesterday that he was retreating with the remnants of the strongest cavalry regiment in the West Valley, but he didn't show up." "I fear he will not come," said Éomer. "Our scouts have heard nothing of him, and the valley behind us is full of enemies." "It is my sincere hope that he escapes this calamity," said Theoden. "He is a brave man, with the courage and will of an ancient hero reborn, but we must not wait here, we must hurry All the troops must retreat inside the city walls. Do you have enough supplies? We were preparing for a decisive battle with the enemy, but we did not expect to face a siege.” "In the Helm's Deep behind us, the old and weak women and children of the West Valley are gathered," Gamlin said. "Not only that, but also a lot of food and livestock, as well as fodder for them are also gathered there." "Very well," said Éomer, "the enemy has set fire to the valley behind and destroyed everything." "If they want to come to Helm's Gate and beg for our food, they'll have to pay dearly!" said Gamling.The king and all his troops went on, and as soon as they had crossed the brook they dismounted and assembled, and all the hussars led their horses, and entered the gate of the Horn Castle.There the garrison again welcomed the arrival of these fresh troops with enthusiasm; with these forces they at last obtained sufficient forces to defend the fort and the walls. Soon Éomer ordered his troops to prepare for battle, and the King and his Janissaries, and many warriors from the West Vale, were in charge of guarding the Horn; Near the high tower, because if the enemy concentrates its forces to attack here, the defense here is the most vulnerable.The horses were led into the depths of Helm's Deep and guarded by the few remaining troops. The Deep Creek Wall was twenty feet high and wide enough for four men to walk abreast. The parapet that defended the defenders was so large that only a tall man could look out. The wall was full of arrow holes for archers to aim at the enemy.This fortification has one staircase from the clearing outside the Horn Keep, and three more staircases from Helm's Deep behind it.However, right in front of the enemy is a smooth and flat high wall, and the huge stones are tightly connected to each other, without any place to stay.For the attacking troops, there was an insurmountable obstacle like a cliff in front of them. Gimli leaned against the city wall in a daze, while Legolas sat on the parapet and plucked his bowstring, looking at the darkness in front of him. "I just like it!" said the dwarf, stomping on the rocks under his feet. "The closer we get to the mountains, the better my mood. The rocks here are solid, and this is solid ground. I'm going from the ditch." When you come up, you can clearly feel their strength with your feet. As long as I have a hundred compatriots and a year, I can transform this place into a fortress that can dispel that kind of force." "I believe you," Legolas said, "you're a dwarf after all, and dwarves are queer creatures. I don't like this place, and I wouldn't change it at daybreak. But, Gimli, you're a man who can make me Rest assured man; I am glad to see you standing beside me with an axe; I wish more of your countrymen would join us. But I would rather have a hundred archers of Mirkwood defend this place, we will need They. Hussars have their own unique style of archers, but there are too few, too few!" "It's kind of dark for archery," Gimli said. "It's time for sleep. Sleep! Now I'm probably the most sleep-hungry dwarf ever. Riding is tiring. But my ax Jumping in my hands unwilling to be lonely, as long as you give me a whole row of orcs and space to swing an ax, I think this tiredness will be swept away!" Time passed slowly, the valley below was still full of wildfires, and Essinger's troops were advancing silently.The defenders could clearly see their torches lined up in many rows, heading towards the place at the same time. Suddenly, human screams and battle cries came from the direction of the Holy Helm Canal, and the torches seemed to be crowded near the ferry, and then they scattered and disappeared.People began to retreat into the city wall and hide in the defense of the Horn Fort. The defenders of the West Valley had been driven out of their previous positions by the enemy. "The enemy is coming!" they shouted. "We have shot out our arrows and filled the Orcs' corpses in the Helm, but this will not stop them for long. They have crossed the ditch from many places at the same time. Swarming like ants. But we've taught them a lesson the hard way: don't bring torches!" It was very late at night, the sky was dark, and the dreary air predicted the coming storm.Suddenly, a blinding light pierced the clouds, and the fangs of lightning pierced the hills to the east. At that moment, all the defenders saw what was like a daytime nightmare below: the ground was crowded with people. Black figures, some short and fat, some tall, wearing helmets and black shields, hundreds of enemies kept rushing through the trench, passing through the only opening, this black wave splashed all the way to the two sides. side cliff.Lightning rolled in the valley, and torrential rain fell mercilessly. The rain of arrows was aimed at the city wall like heavy rain, but they were all blocked by the solid rocks, and only a few hit the target.The attack on Helm's Deep has been launched, but the defenders have not responded, nor have they fired back arrows. The attacking force halted, held back by the silent threat of the rock and the high wall.Lightning ripped through the darkness again and again, and the goblins roared hoarsely, brandishing swords and spears, and firing arrows at anything that moved within the fortifications.The hussars looked at the black sea agitated by the vigorous fighting spirit in surprise, and couldn't help but be shocked by their momentum. The piercing sound of the horn sounded, and the enemies rushed forward, some against the wall of the deep stream, and others on the intersection and slope leading to the gate of the Horn Keep. Wildlings were also assigned there.They hesitated for a moment, and then rushed forward. Under the light of lightning, Isinger's white palms on each helmet and shield were very dazzling.The attacking troops reached the edge of the cliff and began to rush towards the gate. Finally, the defenders responded with a thick rain of arrows and boulders falling from the walls.The attacking party hesitated for a moment, and the formation was broken immediately, so they had to turn around and flee, and soon after, they assembled again to attack.This went on and on again, each time they went a step further and captured a few inches of land.When the horn sounded again, a group of yelling humans rushed out. They held up their huge shields like a roof to block the attacks from above. In the formation were the trunks of two big trees, and behind them were It was a group of half-orc archers swarming up, suppressing the defenders on the city wall; they rushed to the gate in this way, and under the waving of many pairs of strong arms, the big tree slammed into the gate again and again.If anyone was killed by a boulder thrown by the defenders, two men immediately came to their aid.Time and time again, the huge battering hammer slammed into the city gate. EMer and Aragorn stood side by side on the wall of the deep brook, and they heard the battering hammer strike again and again, and in a flash they saw that the gate was in danger. "Come!" said Aragorn. "This is the hour when we draw swords together!" The two hurriedly ran along the city wall, climbed the stairs, and walked to the Horn Rock. At the same time, they also gathered a group of powerful swordsmen.There was a small gate leading to the place where the wall and the cliff meet on the west side, and beyond the gate a narrow path led between the rock and the wall to the outside of the gate.EMer and Aragorn rushed out of the small gate side by side, followed closely by their men, and the two swords were drawn at the same time, shining like a single sword. "Guswin unsheathed!" EOmer shouted. "Guswin fights for the hussars!" "Anduril!" cried Aragorn. "Anduril fights for the Dundans!" The two rushed towards the savages desperately from the nearby mountain wall, and Anduril kept waving, emitting white flames.The defenders began to shout: "Anduril! Anduril is on the battlefield! The broken holy sword has reappeared tonight!" The enemy army who was in charge of breaking the city was overwhelmed by this momentum, so they had to drop the big tree and turn to fight; but their shield formation seemed to be broken by a flash of lightning, and they were defeated.The defenders cut down the wildlings like melons and vegetables, or pushed them into the river below.The half-orc archers also fled after shooting wildly. Éomer and Aragorn stood before the city gate and looked around. The thunder had faded away now, and the lightning was still raging in the mountains to the south.Strong winds blew from the north again, the thick clouds in the sky were torn apart, and the stars also poked their heads out. The west-sinking moon sprinkled yellow light on the hillside from the gaps in the clouds. "We are still too late," said Aragorn, looking at the gate.The huge door hinge and the iron bars on it were bent, and cracks appeared on many wooden boards. "However, we can't resist the enemy's attack even if we stand outside the gate," Éomer pointed to the road leading to the entrance of the fortress. There was already a whole group of orcs and humans gathering again beside the river.Arrows roared, crashing into the rock beside them. "Come on! We have to go back and see how we can mend this door from the inside. Come on!" They turned around and were about to rush back into the fortress again. At that moment, dozens of orcs who were lying on the ground and pretending to be dead jumped up and followed silently. The two orcs threw Io down. Mo, push him to the ground.In the nick of time, a small figure that no one noticed before jumped out of the darkness and shouted hoarsely: Baruk Khaz 古 d! Just like that, the head flew into the air, and seeing that the momentum was wrong, the other orcs immediately turned around and ran away. Before Aragorn had time to run to Éomer, he broke free from his entanglement and stood up. The side door was closed again, and the city gate was also reinforced with stones piled up from the inside and bolted with iron bars.After everything was arranged, Eomer turned around and said, "Gimli, thank you for saving your life!" He said, "I didn't know you rushed out with us, it seems that unexpected guests are often the best guest. How did you show up there?" "I ran out with you to get rid of sleepiness," Jin Li said, "but I looked at those wild men and found that they seemed to be too tall, so I sat down on the stone next to you and admired your sword skills Performance." "Your kindness cannot be repaid!" said Eomer. "You'll have plenty of chances before tonight's over," said the dwarf, laughing. "I'm quite content, though. I haven't chopped anything but wood since I left Moria." "Two!" said Gimli, striking the axe, as he returned to his former post on the city wall. "Two?" said Legolas. "It seems I'm doing much better, and I'll have to borrow arrows later. I've shot at least twenty enemies. But the fallen and the Compared with the opponent’s entire army, it’s just a drop in the bucket.” The sky became very clear at this time, and the slowly sinking moon shone brightly, but this light did not bring any hope to the hussars. There seemed to be more and more enemies in front of them, and there were still enemies in the valley far away. More enemy troops were gathering, and the assault on the Horn Rock only won a very short time; later, the attack on the city gate became more violent, and Essinger's troops kept beating the deep stream wall like a raging tide , Goblins and wildlings crowded the open space in front of the wall.The grapples that were constantly thrown from below exhausted the defenders, and the action of cutting the ropes could hardly keep up with the speed at which they were thrown up.Hundreds of long ladders were erected beside the wall, many of which were smashed by the defenders, but more rushed up; the goblins scrambled up the ladders, like the beasts in the southern forests. Apes are generally vigorous.The corpses in the corner were piled up like a mountain, but the enemies swarmed in without seeing them. The warriors of Rohan were weary. Their arrows were almost spent, their swords were chipped and their shields were scarred.Three times Aragorn and Éomer rushed to slay the enemy to boost their morale, and three times the flames of Anduril burned in despair on the walls. Then there was a commotion in Helm's Deep behind the keep, and Orcs scrambled like mice through the channels of the stream.They gathered quietly in the shadow of the cliff, and only ran out when the battle was at its most intense and almost all of them rushed up the city wall.Some half-orcs have already rushed to the mouth of Helm's Deep, and began to clash with the guards of the horse herd. Jinli leaped down from the city wall, and the deafening battle cries echoed between the mountain walls. "Caessad! Cassad!" Soon, he was no longer bored and lonely. "Hey!" he shouted, "Goblins are in here! Watch out! Legolas, come here!" This is enough for the two of us to have a good meal. Go!" Veteran Gamlin looked down from the Horn Keep and heard the dwarf's roar amidst the din of the hills. "The half-orcs have entered Helm's Deep!" he shouted, "Attention Helm's Deep defenders! Go!" He rushed down from the huge rock with many warriors from West Valley. Their counterattack was violent beyond the opponent's imagination, and the formation of orcs completely disintegrated in front of them.Soon after, they were besieged in a corner of the canyon. These invaders were either killed or forced to fall into the deep valley with screams. "Twenty-one!" Gimli said.With a wave of his hands, the last orc fell at his feet. "Now I have finally surpassed Legolas in kills." "We must plug this rat hole," said Gamlin. "It is said that dwarves are wizards who control rocks. Master, please help us!" "We can't sculpt rocks with nails or tomahawks," Gimli said, "I can only help you as best I can." They collected as many small stones and rock fragments as possible. Under Jinli's guidance, the soldiers of the West Valley blocked the end of the channel, leaving only a small opening.Fueled by heavy rain, deep streams scurry through clogged ditches and slowly accumulate puddles between the cliffs. "The higher ups will do a little better," Gimli said, "Come on, Gamlin, let's go back and see how the defenders are doing!" He climbed the wall and found Legolas standing beside Aragorn and Éomer, and the elf was sharpening his knife.After the failed attempt to intrude through the channel, the enemy's attacks seemed to have temporarily slackened for a while. "I killed twenty-one!" Gimli said. "Very well," said Legolas, "but I have made it to twenty-four, and there has just been a furious hand-to-hand fight." Both Éomer and Aragorn leaned on their swords wearily, and on the Horn Rock to their left, there was a fierce battle again, but the Horn Castle stood still like an island in the sea facing the waves.Its gates are dilapidated, but under heavy fortifications and rocks, no enemies can invade the fortress yet. "The night is as long as a year," said Aragorn, looking at the pale stars and the moon that was about to set in the valley. "How long will the day be?" said he. "It's almost there!" Gamlin climbed up the wall, "However, I'm afraid the sun won't help us." "The Dawn will always bring hope to Man!" said Aragorn. "However, these mutant monsters of Isengard, under Saruman's magical modulation and hybridization, will not be afraid of the sun," said Gamlin, "similarly, the savages in the mountains will not retreat because of this. You Did you hear their voices?" "I heard it," said Eomer, "but to my ears they sounded like the roar of birds and beasts." "Many of them are in Dunland's language," said Gamlin. "I can understand that language. It is an ancient language spoken by humans. This language was once popular in the valley west of the Hussar Kingdom." Humph! They hated us, and were glad now, because it looked like we were doomed. "Their King! The King!" they cried, "We'll kill their King with our own hands. Strawheads! Die! Die the robbers of the North!' These are the nicknames they have given me. For five hundred years, they have never forgotten the hatred of Gondor for giving this land to Io. Saruman fanned This past hatred, driven by hatred, they are fierce fighters, and unless King Theoden dies in battle, or they are all destroyed, their anger will not be stopped by night or day." "Whatever it is, the day will bring me hope!" said Aragorn. "Isn't it said that the Horn Keep will never fall as long as someone guards it?" "That's what the bards say," said Éomer. "Then let us guard it with hope!" replied Aragorn. While they were talking, another blast of horns sounded.A burst of explosions, flames and smoke drifted past, and the water of the deep stream flowed out of the fortress with blue smoke: the water flow was no longer blocked, and a big hole was blown out of the wall, and a large group of dark figures poured into the hole. "It is Saruman's plan!" cried Aragorn. "While we were talking, they crept into that ditch again, and lit the faerie fire of Orthanc at our feet. . . . Kill!" He yelled and jumped off the city wall, but at the same time, hundreds of ladders were also erected facing the city wall, and the last wave of the enemy's offensive spread wildly from the city wall and under the city wall. Open, the defenders were dispersed by the enemy.Some of the hussars were forced to retreat towards Helm's Deep, fighting desperately along the way, hoping only to have time to retreat into the cave for the final battle, while the rest of the enemy army cut off their retreat back to the fortress.There is a wide staircase in Helm's Deep, leading to the Horn Rock and the back door of the Horn Fort. Aragorn is standing at the bottom of the staircase, and Anduril is shining in his hand. The power of the holy sword temporarily drives back the enemy. The defenders who had easily retreated to the side of the stairs withdrew into the fort one by one.Legolas knelt on one knee on the steps behind Aragorn. He bent his bow and aimed, but there was only one feathered arrow left in his hand. He stared intently ahead, ready to shoot the first half that dared approach the steps. orc. "Aragorn, the defenders who have retreated to the steps are safely inside the fortress," he shouted, "Come back!" Aragorn turned, and ran swiftly up the steps; but the weariness of his battle made him miss his step, and fell on the steps.The enemies rushed forward immediately, the orcs roared and stretched out their long hands to grab him. The first half-orc was shot in the throat by an arrow from Legolas, but the others rushed forward. Come up... Just then, the defenders threw a boulder from the wall, knocking the other orcs back into Helm's Deep.Aragorn seized his opportunity, and with a single stride rushed to the door, which slammed shut. "This is bad, old friend!" he said, wiping sweat from his brow with his arm. "Things are bad enough," said Legolas, "but as long as you're here, it's not hopeless. Where's Gimli?" "I do not know," said Aragorn, "the last time I saw him, Gimli was fighting outside, but the enemy scattered us." "Oops! This is really bad news!" said Legolas. "He is a battle-tested warrior," said Aragorn. "We can only hope that he may flee to the cave, where he may be safe for a while, at least much safer than we are, in places like that. Maybe it's more suitable for dwarves." "I hope so too," Legolas said. "However, I really hope that he retreats in this direction. I really want to tell Boss Gimli that this time I have thirty-nine people!" "If he can get into the cave, he can beat you again," said Aragorn, laughing. "I never saw such a tricky battle-axe." "I must get some arrows quickly," said Legolas, looking around; "if daylight comes, I shall be in better condition to aim." At last Aragorn returned to the stronghold, disappointed to find that Éomer had not had time to withdraw into the Hornhold. 「不，他没有往号角岩这方向走，」一名西谷的战士说：「我最后看见他的时候，他在圣盔谷口集结人马，准备反攻。加姆林和矮人都和他在一起，但我无法冲到他们身边去。」 亚拉冈越过要塞的内院，进入塔中最高的房间。国王站在那边，站在窗后的阴影中凝视著山谷中的战况。 「亚拉冈，有什么消息吗？」他说。 「王上，深溪墙已被攻陷，守军都被冲散了，但还是有很多人躲进了号角岩。」 「伊欧墨回来了吗？」 「没有，大人，但你有不少兵力撤入了圣盔谷，有人说伊欧墨就在他们之中。藉著该处狭窄的地形，他们或许可以挡住敌人的入侵，撤退入洞穴中，之后该怎么办我就不知道了。」 「我想至少比我们有希望多了，据说里面有很丰富的补给，而且，因为山壁上有很多的裂缝通风，洞穴中的空气也还算乾净。只要守军决心坚守，没有任何的力量可以强行侵犯，他们应该可以支撑很长的一段时间。」 「但半兽人们从欧散克塔带来了可恶的魔法，」亚拉冈说：「他们有种会爆炸的火焰，靠著那火焰，他们轻易地炸开了城墙。就算他们攻不进洞穴中，也可以把守军封死在里面。唉，多说无益，我们还是仔细想想该怎么守住号角堡才行。」 「我被困在这牢笼中，」希优顿说：「如果我可以带著部队冲上战场，或许可以身先士卒地享受那种置死生于度外的感觉，就这么战死沙场也比困守在此地好多了。」 「在这里，至少你是在骠骑国最坚强的要塞中，」亚拉冈说：「在这里比在伊多拉斯，或甚至是登哈洛都要容易防守多了。」 「据说号角堡从未被攻陷过，」希优顿说：「但我现在也不禁感到有些动摇，世事多变化，一度强胜的国家可能在转眼间崩溃，世界上怎么可能有任何建筑，能够抵御这种狂暴的攻势和无边无际的仇恨？如果我早知道艾辛格的势力已经如此坐大，或许我就不敢这么狂妄地上战场，就算有甘道夫的所有魔法在背后支援也一样。他的建议现在看起来并没有白天时那么的妥当！」 「在大势底定之前，不要轻率评断甘道夫的忠告，王上，」亚拉冈说。 「不久一切就会结束了，」国王说：「但我可不愿意像是只鼠辈一样被困在这牢笼中。雪鬃和哈苏风以及禁卫军的座骑都在内院里，只要天一亮，我就会下令部属吹起圣盔谷的迎战号角，亲自策马出阵。亚拉冈，你愿意和我一起上战场吗？或许我们可以杀出一条血路来，或至少来上一场可歌可泣的战斗──希望到时还会有人活下来，记载我们的事迹。」 「这是我的荣幸！」亚拉冈说。 他向国王告退，回到城墙上，把握每一个机会激励守军，哪里战况最激烈，他就奋不顾身地前去支援，勒苟拉斯和他一同冒险犯难。城下不停爆炸的火焰一次又一次撼动城墙，敌方又丢出了许多抓勾和攻城梯；半兽人一次又一次的意图冲进城内，而守军也一次次 将他们击退。 最后，亚拉冈站在城门上，不顾敌方的箭雨，看著东方天空逐渐泛白。然后，他举起右手，对著敌人伸出掌心，示意对方要谈判。 半兽人们欢声雷动。「下来！下来！」他们大喊著：「如果你想要和谈，快下来！把你们的国王带出来！我们可是善战的强兽人；如果他不来，我们就会把他抓下来！把你们懦弱的国王带出来吧！」 「国王爱来就来，爱走就走，」亚拉冈说。 「那你在这边干什么？」他们回答：「你为什么看著这个方向？你想要亲眼看见我们壮盛的军容吗？我们可是骁勇的的强兽人啊。」 「我想要看看黎明的景色。」亚拉冈说。 「黎明又怎么样？」他们轻蔑地回答：「我们是强兽人，不管白天黑夜、风霜雨雪，我们都不会停止战斗，黎明又算是哪根葱？」 「没有人知道崭新的一天会带来些什么，」亚拉冈说：「你们最好赶快撤退，免得必须面对厄运。」 「你不下来，我们就把你射下来，」他们大吼著：「这根本不是什么和谈，你根本无话可说。」 「我还有几句话要说，」亚拉冈不为所动地回答：「号角堡从来没被敌人攻陷过，赶快撤退，否则我们将会把你们赶尽杀绝，没有人可以活著回去向北方的主人回报军情，你们还不知道自己正面对著末日。」 亚拉冈身上散发出举世无匹的王者之气，让地面上的野人停下动作，不安地回头看著山谷的入口，有些甚至抬头看著天空。但半兽人们则是毫不留情地哈哈大笑，亚拉冈从高墙一跃而下，身后的箭矢如雨激射。一声震耳欲聋的巨响和刺眼的火光爆射，亚拉冈之前所站立的地方，一瞬间在浓烟中崩塌了下来，城门底下的防御工事似乎受到闪电击打一般地崩溃了。亚拉冈狂奔向国王所在的高塔， 但是，就在大门被攻陷、半兽人们狂吼著准备冲锋时，他们的身后忽然响起了低语的声音，彷佛是远方的和风带来了不祥的预兆。号角岩上的半兽人听见这声音，不禁转头回顾；就在那时，从要塞中的高塔响起了圣盔谷的迎战号角。 所有听见这声音的人都不禁浑身颤抖，许多半兽人伏倒在地，用爪子捂住耳朵。从圣盔谷中传来了不断的回响，一声接一声，彷佛每座山峰上都有一名号手回应这呼唤。守军们专注地倾听著，号角声不停地在山谷中回响，不但没有减弱，更显得越来越狂野奔放、越来越高昂振奋。 「圣盔！圣盔！」骠骑们大喊著：「古代的勇士复生了，将协助希优顿王打胜仗！」 国王在众人的欢呼声中出现了，他的马匹洁白胜雪、盾牌金黄耀眼、长枪无比锐利，他的右边是伊兰迪尔的子嗣亚拉冈，身后则是伊欧皇室的禁卫军。曙光划破天际，夜色悄然消退。 「骠骑们，冲啊！」一声大吼，所有的马队全都朝敌人冲锋。他们冲出了倒塌的大门，一路所向披靡，像是狂风吹过草原一般席卷过艾辛格的部队。在圣盔谷中则是传来之前幸存者的回应，他们从洞穴中杀出，赶走了流连在该处的敌人。号角岩所有残存的守军全都一涌而出，震耳的号角声依旧在山丘中不停地四处回响。 国王带领著禁卫军奋勇冲杀，敌人的统帅和军官，不是死于长枪之下就是四散奔逃，没有任何的半兽人或是人类可以阻挡他们的攻势。骠骑不停地追赶，敌人没命的奔逃，艾辛格的部队溃不成军──黎明的确给他们带来了意想不到的致命打击。 希优顿王就这样，一路从圣盔之门冲杀到圣盔渠，部队在那边停了下来，天色越来越明亮。阳光开始从东方的山丘后一道道的跃出，反射在他们的枪尖上。但他们只能沉默不语地坐在马上，目瞪口呆望著深溪谷的景象。大地的容貌已经完全改变了，原先那里是一块倾斜的大草原，现在却出现了一座森林。这些树木沉默地矗立在草原上，纠缠的枝枒间几乎没有任何的空隙，它们扭曲的根部深深钻入土壤中，森林中则是漆黑一片。在圣盔渠和这座无名的森林之间，只有不到一哩的空隙，萨鲁曼引以为豪的大军就被困在该处，因为骠骑的威力加上恐怖的树林而无法动弹。他们没命地奔逃，却被困在深溪谷中；他们徒劳无功地攀爬著峭壁，想要逃开这困局，却只是白费力气；而他们真正的致命一击，则是从西方出现了。一名穿著白袍的骑士，在刺眼的阳光下突然出现在山坡上，号角声再度从山下响起，一千名手握钢剑的步兵从他身后出现。在他们的队伍中有一名高大强悍的战士，他握著红色的盾牌，当他来到谷口时，他举起一只巨大的黑色号角，凑到唇边吹响── 「鄂肯布兰德驾到！」骠骑们欢欣鼓舞地大喊：「鄂肯布兰德！」 「还有白骑士！」亚拉冈大喊道：「甘道夫又回来了！」 「米斯兰达！米斯兰达！」勒苟拉斯说：「这可真是奇迹！快来！我要在魔法消失之前，看看这座森林。」 艾辛格的部队仓皇狼狈地四处碰壁，偏偏每个方向都是死路。高塔中又再度响起号角声，国王领著骠骑沿著圣盔渠的开口冲了出来，西谷的领主鄂肯布兰德也带兵从山坡上冲下来；而影疾则以飞快的速度冲向山谷，白骑士的出现让他们恐惧得快要发狂，野人们趴在地上不敢动弹，半兽人狂叫著丢下武器只管逃命。他们像是被强风吹散的黑烟一般四散奔窜，在走投无路之下，他们只得哭喊著冲入森林的阴影中，再也没人活著离开这里。