[HCIsland]

No sweat. I was likely a little snippy in my comeback anyway and probably could have explained it better at the beginning.<P>As for my purpose, I really didn't have one at first. It just seemed likely something fun to do (though others are likely dubious as to what I consider fun). I wasn't thinking of the likelihood of any event, just whether they could fit together. To be honest, it worked better then I thought. I figured the detour to Osgiliath would be a problem but it wasn't. In fact there were only two problems that I could see.<P>1. It seems Merry and Pippin were with Treebeard for four days before Entmoot started. I guess they got the royal tour of Fangorn. Hope they didn't overdue he Entdraught. <P>2. When did the elves leave Lorien to get to Helm's Deep? I guess this all comes down to what did Galadriel know of Rohan's danger and when did she know it? There are four days between when Theoden decides to go to Helm's Deep and when the Elves arrive there. Is that enough time? Probably not, though I was trying to make it fit. You can argue that she knew of Saruman's purpose long before that, though perhaps not the particulars of Helm's Deep. Maybe the decision to send Haldir and the archers was made shortly after the Fellowship left Lothlorien and that Haldir only heard about Theoden seeking refuge in Helm's Deep upon arriving in Rohan.<P>Of course, if I'm going to allow myself to be a slave to the book none of this works anyway because Lorien has their own problems and wouldn't be sending the elves in the first place. I'm letting that go in order to see if the events presented in the movie conflict with eachother, not with the book.<P>I'm not trying to slam the film. I still greatly enjoy it. I believe I understand why the changes were made and I am not convinced (unlike many) that if PJ had stayed closer to the book it would have made a better movie. To be honest, I think PJ and the other writters are thinking about this stuff though I believe that when it comes down to what they think will be better for the film, they'll ignore a plot point that only 5% of their audience will catch. I'm cool with that. <P>H.C.