Timeline Event
Saruman closes the Gap of Rohan after Gandalf's escape
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: September 18, 3018
Description:
An event in the aftermath of Gandalf's Imprisonment in Isengard; see that entry for an overview:
'Then I spoke to [Gwaihir] and he bore me away, before Saruman was aware. I was far from Isengard, ere the wolves and orcs issued from the gate to pursue me.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond
... Saruman sent out wolves and Orcs in vain pursuit of Gandalf; but in this he had other purposes also, to impress his power upon the Nazgûl [who had just left the Gate], perhaps also to prevent them from lingering near, and in his anger he wished to do some injury to Rohan, and to increase the fear of him which his agent Wormtongue was building up in Théoden's heart. Wormtongue had been in Isengard not long since, and was then on his way back to Edoras; among the pursuers were some bearing messages to him.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 4, The Hunt for the Ring: Other Versions of the Story
[Said Éomer,] 'But at this time our chief concern is with Saruman. He has claimed lordship over all this land, and there has been war between us for many months. He has taken Orcs into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil Men, and he has closed the Gap against us, so that we are likely to be beset both east and west.
'It is ill dealing with such a foe: he is a wizard both cunning and dwimmer-crafty, having many guises.... His spies slip through every net, and his birds of ill omen are abroad in the sky.'
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 16May05, 22Apr08
