I like the fact that Legolas can see the march of the Ents, but doesn't find out what it is until quite a few pages later.
Pretty tense battle scene. I spent the whole chapter hoping desperately that nothing would happen to characters I really liked (someone posted a warning in one of the recent feedback pages that one of them would die!! :-().
Love the friendly rivalry between Gimli and Legolas to see who could bring down most of the enemy.
Heartstopping moment when Aragorn stumbled on the stairs, nearly being munged by the Orcs had it not been for Legolas with his last arrow.
Things don't seem to be going so well for the good guys. I hope Gimli's okay... :-(
Replies: 7 comments
that's so sweet, you actually care for them *sniff*
Posted by yiorgos @ 2001 May 21 02:10 PM EST
The Helm's Deep battle is my favorite scene in the whole trilogy. Such stirring writing - "suddenly and terribly, the sound of the great horn of Helm rang out." Then the arrival of the Huorns, then Erkenbrand, then Gandalf! Makes one want to strap on a sword and kick some orc tail!
Posted by Charly @ 2001 May 21 02:12 PM EST
I'm a sucker for battle scenes. This one is actually quite complex - try working out what the actual geography of the battlefield is from the description!
Anyway, I have to agree with the comment about Legolas and Gimli. Much-needed comic relief when things are looking grim.
Posted by Keith Fraser @ 2001 Jun 01 06:02 AM EST
Interested in the last post... The Geography of Tolkien areas and battles has always confused me, I guess I don't have a good head for that stuff. I think that next time I read LoTR i'll map everything in detail.
Posted by Glen @ 2001 Jun 01 02:43 PM EST
Intersting detail that you like their competition :)
I haven't heard of any reader who didn't think that it was fun :)
And, that, if you think about it, is quite axtraordinary, that there actually is jokes in the wolrd which everybody understand :)
Posted by Turin @ 2001 Jun 14 03:55 PM EST
I remember the second time I read LOTR (actually the first time my father read it TO me when I was in fourth grade) and this was some years later. I blush to admit, I couldn't REMEMBER what the outcome of this battle was. I read this chapter straight through until four in the morning on a school night because I couldn't wait to see what happened. Then I had to go on! Definately suspenceful!
Posted by GEM @ 2001 Jul 05 03:32 AM EST
One of the greatest battle scenes ever written; chaos, terror, bravery, graveyard humour - the ebb and flow of forces and the final unexpected outcome - brilliant stuff
Posted by Diarmuid @ 2001 Jul 20 11:59 AM EST
