Timeline Event
Gandalf takes command of the defence in the Siege of Minas Tirith
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 14, 3019
Description:
An event in the Siege of Minas Tirith; see that entry for an overview:
During all this black day Faramir lay upon his bed in the chamber of the White Tower.... And by him his father sat, and said nothing, but watched, and gave no longer any heed to the defence. ...
Men came to the door crying for the Lord of the City. 'Nay, I will not come down,' he said. ... 'Follow whom you will, even the Grey Fool, though his hope has failed. Here I stay.'
So it was that Gandalf took command of the last defence of the City of Gondor. Wherever he came men's hearts would lift again, and the winged shadows pass from memory. Tirelessly he strode from Citadel to Gate, from north to south about the wall; and with him went the Prince of Dol Amroth in his shining mail. For he and his knights still held themselves like lords in whom the race of Númenor ran true. ...
And yet -- when they had gone, the shadows closed on men again, and their hearts went cold, and the valour of Gondor withered into ash. And so slowly they passed out of a dim day of fears into the darkness of a desperate night. Fires now raged unchecked in the first circle of the City, and the garrison upon the outer wall was already in many places cut off from retreat. But the faithful who remained there at their posts were few; most had fled beyond the second gate.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 4, The Siege of Gondor
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 3Sep04
