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helm’s deep 691
such foes as are already between us and the fastness. There
are caves in Helm’s Deep where hundreds may lie hid; and
secret ways lead thence up on to the hills.’
‘Trust not to secret ways,’ said the king. ‘Saruman has long
spied out this land. Still in that place our defence may last
long. Let us go!’
Aragorn and Legolas went now with Éomer in the van. On
through the dark night they rode, ever slower as the darkness
deepened and their way climbed southward, higher and
higher into the dim folds about the mountains’ feet. They
found few of the enemy before them. Here and there they
came upon roving bands of Orcs; but they fled ere the Riders
could take or slay them.
‘It will not be long I fear,’ said Éomer, ‘ere the coming of
the king’s host will be known to the leader of our enemies,
Saruman or whatever captain he has sent forth.’
The rumour of war grew behind them. Now they could
hear, borne over the dark, the sound of harsh singing. They
had climbed far up into the Deeping-coomb when they
looked back. Then they saw torches, countless points of fiery
light upon the black fields behind, scattered like red flowers,
or winding up from the lowlands in long flickering lines. Here
and there a larger blaze leapt up.
‘It is a great host and follows us hard,’ said Aragorn.
‘They bring fire,’ said Théoden, ‘and they are burning as
they come, rick, cot, and tree. This was a rich vale and had
many homesteads. Alas for my folk!’
‘Would that day was here and we might ride down upon
them like a storm out of the mountains!’ said Aragorn. ‘It
grieves me to fly before them.’
‘We need not fly much further,’ said Éomer. ‘Not far ahead
now lies Helm’s Dike, an ancient trench and rampart scored
across the coomb, two furlongs below Helm’s Gate. There
we can turn and give battle.’
‘Nay, we are too few to defend the Dike,’ said Théoden.
‘It is a mile long or more, and the breach in it is wide.’