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 e。'
'I fear that he will not e now；' said Jomer。 'Our scouts have gained
no news of him； and the enemy fills all the valley behind us。'
'I would that he had escaped；' said Thjoden。 '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。'
'That is well；' said Jomer。 'They are burning or despoiling all that is
left in the vale。'
'If they e to bargain for our goods at Helm's Gate； they will pay a
high price；' said Gamling。
The king and his Riders passed on。 Before the causeway that crossed the
stream they dismounted。 In a long file they led their horses up the ramp and
passed within the gates of the Hornburg。 There they were weled again with
joy and renewed hope； for now there were men enough to man both the burg and
the barrier wall。
Quickly Jomer set his men in readiness。 The king and the men of his
household were in the Hornburg； and there also were many of the
Westfold…men。 But on the Deeping Wall and its tower； and behind it； Jomer
arrayed most of the strength that he had； for here the defence seemed more
doubtful； if the assault were determined and in great force。 The horses were
led far up the Deep under such guard as could be spared。
The Deeping Wall was twenty feet high； and so thick that four men could
walk abreast along the top； sheltered by a parapet over which only a tall
man could look。 Here and there were clefts in the stone through which men
could shoot。 This battlement could be reached by a stair running down from a
door in the outer court of the Hornburg； three flights of steps led also up
on to the wall from the Deep behind； but in front it was smooth； and the
great stones of it were set with such skill that no foothold could be found
at their joints； and at the top they hung over like a sea…delved cliff。
Gimli stood leaning against the breastwork upon the wall。 Legolas sat
above on the parapet； fingering his bow； and peering out into the gloom。
'This is more to my liking；' said the dwarf； stamping on the stones。
'Ever my heart rises as we draw near the mountains。 There is good rock here。
This country has tough bones。 I felt them in my feet as we came up from the
dike。 Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and I would make this a place
that armies would break upon like water。'
'I do not doubt it；' said Legolas。 'But you are a dwarf； and dwarves
are strange folk。 I do not like this place； and I shall like it no more by
the light of day。 But you fort me； Gimli； and I am glad to have you
standing nigh with your stout legs and your hard axe。 I wish there were more
of your kin among us。 But even more would I give for a hundred good archers
of Mirkwood。 We shall need them。 The Rohirrim have good bowmen after their
fashion； but there are too few here； too few。'
'It is dark for archery；' said Gimli。 'Indeed it is time for sleep。
Sleep！ I feel the need of it； as never I thought any dwarf could。 Riding is
tiring work。 Yet my axe is restless in my hand。 Give me a row of orc…necks
and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me！'
A slow time passed。 Far down in the valley scattered fires still
burned。 The hosts of Isengard were advancing in silence now。 Their torches
could be seen winding up the coomb in many lines。
Suddenly from the Dike yells and screams； and the fierce battle…cries
of men broke out。 Flaming brands appeared over the brink and clustered
thickly at the breach。 Then they scattered and vanished。 Men came galloping
back over the field and up the ramp to the gate of the Hornburg。 The
rearguard of the Westfolders had been driven in。
'The enemy is at hand！' they said。 'We loosed every arrow that we had；
and filled the Dike with Orcs。 But it will not halt them long。 Already they
are scaling the bank at many points； thick as marching ants。 But we have
taught them not to carry torches。'
It was now past midnight。 The sky was utterly dark； and the stillness
of the heavy air foreboded storm。 Suddenly the clouds were seared by a
blinding flash。 Branched lightning smote down upon the eastward hills。 For a
staring moment the watchers on the walls saw all the space between them and
the Dike lit with white light： it was boiling and crawling with black
shapes。 some squat and broad； some tall and grim； with high helms and sable
shields。 Hundreds and hundreds more were pouring over the Dike and through
the breach。 The dark tide flowed up to the walls from cliff to cliff。
Thunder rolled in the valley。 Rain came lashing down。
Arrows thick as the rain came whistling over the battlements； and fell
clinking and glancing on the stones。 Some found a mark。 The assault on
Helm's Deep had begun； but no sound or challenge was heard within； no
answering arrows came。
The assailing hosts halted； foiled by the silent menace of rock and
wall。 Ever and again the lightning tore aside the darkness。 Then the Orcs
screamed； waving spear and sword； and shooting a cloud of arrows at any that
stood revealed upon the battlements； and the men of the Mark amazed looked
out； as it seemed to them； upon a great field of dark corn； tossed by a
tempest of war； and every ear glinted with barbed light。
Brazen trumpets sounded。 The enemy surged forward； some against the
Deeping Wall； other towards the causeway and the ramp that led up to the
Hornburg…gates。 There the hugest Orcs were mustered； and the wild men of the
Dunland fells。 A moment they hesitated and then on they came。 The lightning
flashed； and blazoned upon every helm and shield the ghastly hand of
Isengard was seen： They reached the summit of the rock； they drove towards
the gates。
Then at last an answer came： a storm of arrows met them； and a hail of
stones。 They wavered； broke； and fled back； and then charged again； broke
and charged again； and each time； like the ining sea； they halted at a
higher point。 Again trumpets rang； and a press of roaring men leaped forth。
They held their great shields above them like a roof； while in their midst
they bore two trunks of mighty trees。 Behind them orc…archers crowded；
sending a hail of darts against the bowmen on the walls。 They gained the
gates。 The trees； swung by