While the armies led by Allen and Círdan rested and refitted in Aldburg.
Éowlos sent a party of messengers to bring Thengel news of the reinforcements' arrival.
After all, the main force would enter Gondor through Rohan, and Éowlos had a duty to inform his prince in advance.
Thengel and Alger were naturally delighted by the arrival of reinforcements, especially at such a difficult stage of the war.
With Cair Andros fallen, vast stretches of land around Minas Tirith lay defenseless before the enemy.
These included not only Anórien to the north, but also the broad lands surrounding the White City-the Pelennor Fields.
This fertile land was the true heart of Minas Tirith, filled with orchards, farms, wine cellars, livestock pens, and other facilities. Rich fields stretched into the distance, lush with fruit trees.
In these difficult times, its annual yield not only sustained Minas Tirith but also provided the essential supplies that kept the various reinforcing armies fit to fight.
In war, keeping the soldiers at the front well fed was crucial.
And the Gondor Council, which commanded this war, could not allow the enemy to ravage this land under any circumstances.
Thus, at the Steward of Gondor's request, Thengel's reinforcements from Rohan, together with the few hundred infantry Alger had painstakingly mustered, held fast near the Drúadan Forest.
With support from the Amon Dîn Beacon Hills, they guarded against Mordor's army breaking out of Cair Andros.
With a force of elite Variags and a handful of Warg Riders, Sauron had effectively tied the hands of the many lords on the Gondor Council.
They had no choice but to station substantial forces to defend this land, lest the enemy destroy Minas Tirith's granary.
If they lost these fertile lands and still wished to defend Minas Tirith, Gondor would have