Russell, Can I Trust You?

"Eomer, pass on my orders! Sound the war horn! The Kingdom of Rohan officially declares war on Isengard!" Théoden was reborn, returning to his former self as the 'reckless and impulsive' King of Riders.

"My lord, the king's warriors will obey your commands!" Eomer said, bowing.

"Besides..."

Théoden paused, his stern face softening as he said with satisfaction, "Eomer, you have not disappointed me. You have allowed my bloodline to continue."

"No, I didn't do anything; it was all Gandalf's doing." Eomer shook his head slightly.

Théoden smiled but didn't say much, instructing Eomer to relay the order as soon as possible: he wanted to fight the Uruk-hai army to the death at Helm's Deep.

It was indeed a decisive battle. Helm's Deep was strategically important, and once surrounded, there would be no way to retreat. However, Hornburg Helm's Deep was the most fortified stronghold in the Kingdom of Rohan, and only here could withstand the Uruk-hai army.

Théoden has no choice; Hornburg will save Rohan once again, just like in history!

In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Théoden refused to declare war on Isengard and led his people to migrate to Helm's Deep, essentially avoiding battle. Théoden attempted to use the formidable walls to force Isengard's army to retreat without a fight, only launching a desperate counterattack after the Uruk-hai army breached Hornburg.

This time was different. Russell's butterfly effect changed Théoden's decision. Although the troops were still being assembled at Helm's Deep, the significance was completely different.

Russell didn't do anything intentionally; the Fellowship of the Ring inadvertently saved Théoden's son, allowing his bloodline to continue.

This is very important!

This directly changed Théoden's view of war. With a son, he could not escape it. For the people of Rohan and for the royal family's rule, he had no choice but to fight to the death.

Théoden was indeed prepared to die in battle. The time he was under control was like a nightmare, during which he made many foolish decisions that led to the decline of Rohan's power.

Grima mere courtier, was not qualified to bear this heavy burden. In order to quell the people's resentment, he had to die in battle, or at least be seriously wounded.

His son Theodred, was brave and skilled in battle, and his nephew, Eomer, was devoted to public service. The two were like brothers and were capable of carrying the future of the nation.

With these two outstanding Inheritors, what has Théoden to worry about? It's time for him to dedicate himself to the last stand for the monarchy!

Kidney... cough cough, Helm's Deep!

Helm's Deep is a large valley located northwest of the White Mountains, blocked by a series of hills known as Helm's Canal. Behind the hills lies the Hornburg Keep, the only barrier to Isengard.

"That is Hornburg, Rohan's strongest shield. No battle has ever been lost since it was defended!" Aragorn said nostalgically. Helm's Deep was originally Gondor's territory, but was later given to its little brother Rohan.

Upon hearing this, Russell looked towards the castle in the center of the canyon. The valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a hidden channel leading to the river to provide water for the garrison that had been fighting in the castle for a long time.

If I remember correctly, in the Battle of Helm's Deep, the Rohan warriors, like the Spartans, with only 300 defenders, fought against an army of 10,000 Uruk-hai. With their do-or-die courage, they won a glorious victory.

This time, Théoden had ample time to assemble his forces. The garrison at Hornburg surged to 2,000 men, with another 2,000 cavalrymen on their way.

At that time, the Uruk-hai army will enter the valley, encircle from both sides, and a single charge will secure victory.

"So, Russell, what do you think of this castle?" Gandalf asked softly, gently steering his horse.

"The walls of Hornburg are very strong, stronger than I imagined. In the present Middle-earth, unless dragons, Balrog, stone giants, undead, Ents, white wizards, the Elf Queen, the Ringwraiths, Sauron, and others take action, this city is indestructible!"

Russell nodded, his words filled with recognition and affirmation of Hornburg.

Gandalf rolled his eyes. He knew Russell was never one to say nice things, but in truth, he, like Russell, was not optimistic about winning the war.

Gandalf's pessimism wasn't due to a belief that the Rohan were weak, but rather to his understanding of Saruman. The latter had long coveted Rohan, and once he made his move, it would be swift and decisive, potentially leading to Rohan being wiped out in one fell swoop.

"Saruman isn't so easy to deal with. My intuition tells me that his trump card is definitely more than just the Uruk-hai army," Gandalf said softly, afraid that if someone overheard, it would affect the morale of his troops.

What is the intuition of the white-robed man?

Russell was speechless. Gandalf had been holding a grudge ever since someone called him "Gandalf the Grey Robe" in front of Kingdom of Rohan, and he kept talking about white robes. Russell was so tired of hearing it.

"That noble white-robed wizard Gandalf, Saruman still has a trump card up his sleeve. How are you going to deal with him? You must know that you are now the real white-robed wizard, you can't let him outdo you!" Russell teased.

Gandalf felt completely at ease after hearing the white-robed wizard's two words, inwardly laughing like a pig. However, being a mature Maiar, he remained outwardly unmoved. "I'm going to find some powerful reinforcements to help me?"

"Reinforcements... do you mean the elves?"

Russell recalls the plot, saying that apparently 200 elven archers, at Elrond's behest, participated in the Battle of Helm's Deep, suffering heavy casualties, including the death of their leading elven hero.

"No, the elves have confirmed that they will not get involved in the war. Placing our hopes on them will only be a waste of time." Gandalf shook his head decisively. He had already tested them before. The age of the elves was over, and they would not sacrifice themselves for the rise of mankind.

"If not an elf, could it be Gondor?"

Russell wondered, "If Gandalf said the Elves wouldn't come, then there's a 99% chance they won't. He's the know-it-all of Middle-earth; he's unlikely to be wrong."

"Gondor is no good. The Regent is short-sighted, stubborn, and good at maintaining the status quo but not at making progress..." Gandalf shook his head. "Even if I take Boromir with me, he won't send a single soldier to aid Rohan. He might even detain me in the capital, Minas Tirith."

"Who is the great Gandalf the White going to find?" Russell didn't want to guess anymore.

"Ents!"

Gandalf grinned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Saruman is destroying the Ents' habitats to expand his army. The Ents and Rohan have a common enemy and are allies."

Russell: "..."

Why do I feel that Saruman's current predicament is partly due to your underhanded machinations?

Russell didn't voice his thoughts; he knew Gandalf was a mature Maiar, and even if he asked, the other wouldn't know anything.

"I must go into the forest to search for the Ents, but Isengard's army could arrive at any moment. I need someone to assist Théoden in my place..." Gandalf said solemnly, "Russell, can I trust you?"

"Cannot!"

Gandalf: "..."