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Timeline Event

Théodred, Théoden's heir, slain in the 1st Battle of the Fords of Isen

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Date: February 25, 3019

Description:

An event in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen; see that entry for an overview:
It was clearly seen in Rohan, when the true accounts of the battles at the Fords were known, that Saruman had given special orders that Théodred should at all costs be slain. At the first battle all his fiercest warriors were engaged in reckless assaults upon Théodred and his guard, disregarding other events of the battle, which might otherwise have resulted in a much more damaging defeat for the Rohirrim.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

As soon as the enemy had gained possession of the eastern end of the Fords there appeared a company of men or Orc-men (evidently dispatched for the purpose), ferocious, mail-clad, and armed with axes. They hastened to the eyot and assailed it from both sides. At the same time Grimbold on the west bank was attacked by Saruman's forces on that side of the Isen. As he looked eastward, dismayed by the sounds of battle and the hideous Orc-cries of victory, he saw the axe-men driving Théodred's men from the shores of the eyot towards the low knoll in its centre, and he heard Théodred's great voice crying To me, Eorlingas! At once Grimbold, taking a few men that stood near him, ran back to the eyot. So fierce was his onset from the rear of the attackers that Grimbold, a man of great strength and stature, clove his way through, till with two others he reached Théodred standing at bay on the knoll. Too late. As he came to his side Théodred fell, hewn down by a great Orc-man. Grimbold slew him and stood over the body of Théodred, thinking him dead; and there he would himself soon have died, but for the coming of Elfhelm.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

The axemen were now caught between the surviving defenders and the onslaught of Elfhelm.... They fought on, but before the end were slain to a man. Elfhelm himself, however, sprang up towards the knoll; and there he found Grimbold fighting two great axemen for possession of Théodred's body. One Elfhelm at once slew, and the other fell before Grimbold. They stooped then to lift the body, and found that Théodred still breathed; but he lived only long enough to speak his last words: Let me lie here -- to keep the Fords till Éomer comes!

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

When Théodred was at last slain Saruman's commander (no doubt under orders) seemed satisfied for the time being, and Saruman made the mistake, fatal as it proved, of not immediately throwing in more forces and proceeding at once to a massive invasion of Westfold; though the valour of Grimbold and Elfhelm contributed to his delay.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

Contributors:
Lyllyn 6Sep03
Elena Tiriel 5Feb05

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