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Timeline Event

Éomer pursues the Orc-raiders towards Fangorn

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Dates: February 27, 3019 ~ February 28, 3019

Description:

An event in the aftermath of the Orc-raid at Parth Galen and the prelude to the Attack on the Orc-raiders at Fangorn; see those entries for an overview:
Éomer against Théoden's orders sets out from Eastfold about midnight to pursue the Orcs.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age

'Indeed in this riding north I went without the king's leave, for in my absence his house is left with little guard. But scouts warned me of the orc-host coming down out of the East Wall four nights ago,1 and among them they reported that some bore the white badges of Saruman. So suspecting what I most fear, a league between Orthanc and the Dark Tower, I led forth my éored, 2 men of my own household; and we overtook the Orcs at nightfall two days ago, near to the borders of the Entwood.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan

[Some] even of [Uglúk's] own followers were looking uneasily southwards.

'I know,' growled Uglúk. 'The cursed horse-boys have got wind of us. But that's all your fault, Snaga. You and the other scouts ought to have your ears cut off. But we are the fighters. We'll feast on horseflesh yet, or something better.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 3, The Uruk-Hai


Notes
1Editions of The Lord of the Rings prior to 2004 rendered the quote as "three nights ago", a remnant of an earlier conception of the timeline that was not fully amended. Éomer's words were spoken on the 30th of February, so the corrected statement conforms with the date in the Tale of Years of his receiving the warning.

Commentary by Elena Tiriel
From: The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, by Wayne G Hammond and Christina Scull, Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan

2In times of war or unquiet each Marshal of the Mark had under his immediate orders, as part of his "household" (that is, quartered under arms at his residence) an éored ready for battle which he could use in an emergency at his own discretion. This was what Éomer had in fact done; but the charge against him, urged by Gríma, was that the King had in this case forbidden him to take any of the still uncommitted forces of the East-mark from Edoras, which was insufficiently defended....

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 28Dec04, 26Feb10

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