Summary

“The Muster of Rohan” opens with Theoden and the Riders reaching the outer hills of Rohan after three-days’ journey. Theoden decides to ride to the Hold at Dunharrow, where people are taking shelter to prepare for war.

At dinner, Theoden explains to Merry the legend of the Paths of the Dead. A messenger of Gondor brings a red arrow from the Steward of Gondor. Theoden says that six thousand Riders will set out for Minas Tirith in the morning, but they will not arrive for a week.

The next morning, there is no sunrise. The land is covered by a great Darkness coming from Mordor. As they set out, Theoden asks Merry to stay behind when they pass Edoras since none of the riders can afford to be slowed by carrying the Hobbit. Eowyn does what she can to give Merry the armor of...