return

1398 the return of the king
powerful, having wide lands on either side of the Adorn. 1 Near
its source he made himself a stronghold and paid little heed to
the king. Helm mistrusted him, but called him to his councils;
and he came when it pleased him.
‘To one of these councils Freca rode with many men, and he
asked the hand of Helm’s daughter for his son Wulf. But Helm
said: ‘‘You have grown big since you were last here; but it is
mostly fat, I guess’’; and men laughed at that, for Freca was wide
in the belt.
‘Then Freca fell in a rage and reviled the king, and said this
at the last: ‘‘Old kings that refuse a proffered staff may fall on
their knees.’’ Helm answered: ‘‘Come! The marriage of your son
is a trifle. Let Helm and Freca deal with it later. Meanwhile the
king and his council have matters of moment to consider.’’
‘When the council was over, Helm stood up and laid his great
hand on Freca’s shoulder, saying: ‘‘The king does not permit
brawls in his house, but men are freer outside’’; and he forced
Freca to walk before him out from Edoras into the field. To
Freca’s men that came up he said: ‘‘Be off ! We need no hearers.
We are going to speak of a private matter alone. Go and talk to
my men!’’ And they looked and saw that the king’s men and his
friends far outnumbered them, and they drew back.
‘ ‘‘Now, Dunlending,’’ said the king, ‘‘you have only Helm to
deal with, alone and unarmed. But you have said much already,
and it is my turn to speak. Freca, your folly has grown with your
belly. You talk of a staff ! If Helm dislikes a crooked staff that
is thrust on him, he breaks it. So!’’ With that he smote Freca
such a blow with his fist that he fell back stunned, and died soon
after.
‘Helm then proclaimed Freca’s son and near kin the king’s
enemies; and they fled, for at once Helm sent many men riding
to the west marches.’
Four years later (2758) great troubles came to Rohan, and no
help could be sent from Gondor, for three fleets of the Corsairs
attacked it and there was war on all its coasts. At the same time
Rohan was again invaded from the East, and the Dunlendings
1 It flows into Isen from the west of Ered Nimrais.