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Timeline Event

Denethor sends for aid from Rohan for the Siege of Minas Tirith

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Date: March 8, 3019

Description:

An event in the prelude to the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Pelennor; see those entries for an overview:
Gandalf cried aloud.... 'On, Shadowfax! We must hasten.... See! The beacons of Gondor are alight, calling for aid.... See, there is the fire on Amon Dîn, and flame on Eilenach; and there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

'I saw the beacons last night and the errand-riders; and Gandalf said that it was a sign that war had begun. He seemed in a desperate hurry. But now everything seems to have slowed up again.'

'Only because everything is now ready,' said Beregond....

'But why were the beacons lit last night?'

'It is over-late to send for aid when you are already besieged,' answered Beregond. 'But I do not know the counsel of the Lord and his captains. They have many ways of gathering news....

'But if you would know what I think set the beacons ablaze, it was the news that came yestereve out of Lebennin. There is a great fleet drawing near to the mouths of Anduin, manned by the corsairs of Umbar.... They... have allied them with the Enemy, and now make a heavy stroke in his cause. For this attack will draw off much of the help that we looked to have from Lebennin and Belfalas.... All the more do our thoughts go north to Rohan....'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

'Hirgon I am, errand-rider of Denethor, who bring you this token of war. Gondor is in great need. Often the Rohirrim have aided us, but now the Lord Denethor asks for all your strength and all your speed; lest Gondor fall at last.'

'The Red Arrow!' said Théoden.... 'The Red Arrow has not been seen in the Mark in all my years! Has it indeed come to that?'....

'It is reported to us that many kings have ridden in from the East to the service of Mordor. From the North to the field of Dagorlad there is skirmish and rumour of war. In the South the Haradrim are moving, and fear has fallen on all our coastlands, so that little help will come to us thence.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 3, The Muster of Rohan

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 1Sep04, 23Oct06, 6Nov07, 7Mar08

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