Unfinished Tales - Part Three - V - The Battles of the Fords of Isen

[Inziladun]

I've read this chapter many times. I do like the different perspective of Saruman's attacks from field commanders Grimbold and Elfhelm.

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

One of the things that raised more questions than it answered when I first read LotR was the fact that Théodred died off-stage, so to say. I didn't understand why such an important event was not told in greater detail. The addition of his death to the movie was one of the positive aspects, strengthening the background of the Rohan plot. However, as we read here, he did not die at home, but on the battlefield within a brief time after his injury. What do you think is the significance of his last words, which were passed on to his father?

I've never been that fussed about Théodred's non-appearance in TTT. There wasn't time to develop him as a character, so his death scene might have just felt tacked on. All the reader needs to know is that Éomer becomes the King's Heir when he's killed.
His final words were passed on to the King in the hope that he would then authorize a full scale military action against Saruman, but Wormtongue merely twisted them to suit his ends.
I find it interesting to contrast Théoden's reaction to the death of his son to Denethor's. Théoden, I think, used the memory of his son as a motivation to overcome Saruman, and I think that could have been a factor in his throwing off the shadow of Wormtongue and finally listening to Gandalf. After all, Gandalf had tried to talk to Théoden before (after being Saruman's prisoner) and had been rebuffed.
Denethor, however, closed himself off emotionally after Boromir died, and became even more determined to listen only to his own counsel.

An overarching theme I see time and again in Tolkien's books, the tendency of evil's hate to hurt itself, is apparent in the fact that we are told Saruman harmed his own efforts because of his obsession with killing Théoden.

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

There is also a bit of speculation on what might have happened if things had gone differently. Do you think they could have been better?

Probably not. I don't see how the Rohirrim could have come out of the battles differently, without either having more warning of Saruman's intentions, or the earlier removal of Wormtongue's influence.

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Quite frankly, had I not been committed to posting on this chapter, I probably would not have read it. But I found myself interested in some of the information anyway! Have you read this chapter (before)? If so, what was/is your impression?

As I said, I've read it, and the entire book, many times. I like the feel of the story, the sense of breathless edginess the knowledge of an imminent attack brought to the rank-and-file.