towers

692 the two towers
‘At the breach our rearguard must stand, if we are pressed,’
said Éomer.
There was neither star nor moon when the Riders came to
the breach in the Dike, where the stream from above passed
out, and the road beside it ran down from the Hornburg.
The rampart loomed suddenly before them, a high shadow
beyond a dark pit. As they rode up a sentinel challenged
them.
‘The Lord of the Mark rides to Helm’s Gate,’ Éomer
answered. ‘I, Éomer son of Éomund, speak.’
‘This is good tidings beyond hope,’ said the sentinel.
‘Hasten! The enemy is on your heels.’
The host passed through the breach and halted on the
sloping sward above. They now learned to their joy that
Erkenbrand had left many men to hold Helm’s Gate, and
more had since escaped thither.
‘Maybe, we have a thousand fit to fight on foot,’ said
Gamling, an old man, the leader of those that watched the
Dike. ‘But most of them have seen too many winters, as I
have, or too few, as my son’s son here. What news of Erkenbrand?
Word came yesterday that he was retreating hither
with all that is left of the best Riders of Westfold. But he has
not come.’
‘I fear that he will not come now,’ said Éomer. ‘Our scouts
have gained no news of him, and the enemy fills all the valley
behind us.’
‘I would that he had escaped,’ said Théoden. ‘He was
a mighty man. In him lived again the valour of Helm the
Hammerhand. But we cannot await him here. We must draw
all our forces now behind the walls. Are you well stored? We
bring little provision, for we rode forth to open battle, not to
a siege.’
‘Behind us in the caves of the Deep are three parts of the
folk of Westfold, old and young, children and women,’ said
Gamling. ‘But great store of food, and many beasts and their
fodder, have also been gathered there.’