"No one can choose me! Gandalf, if you ask me to take your place and assist King Théoden in guarding the Horn Keep, isn't this pushing the Kingdom of Rohan into a pit of fire?"
Gandalf: "..."
Russell was heartbroken: "Gandalf, you are a thick-browed guy. Théoden regards you as a close friend, and you actually want to harm him. What grudge is there?"
Gandalf: "..."
"Don't look at me like that, I'm telling the truth. Even the people of Rohan can't fill this pit like mine!" In order to prove himself, Russell shouted from the front: "Aragorn, are you willing to believe me?
"
Aragorn didn't look back, he didn't even move on the horse, and his ears were deafened as if they were disconnected.
"You see, I am quite confident in this aspect!"
Russell clapped his hands. Gandalf was quite smart, so why did he lose his mind?
Could it be that he drifted away after being promoted to white robe?
Seeing Russell blaming himself crazily in order to shirk responsibility, Gandalf almost spat blood on his face. Of course he knew Russell was a trap, but did he have a choice now?
It’s because I have no choice that I still jump into it even though I know it’s a trap!
"Ahem!"
Gandalf coughed slightly, and Xiaozhi reasoned with emotion: "Russell, the geographical location of Rohan is very important. If it is occupied by Isengard and attacked in tandem with Sauron of Mordor, Gondor will definitely be defeated.
"
Russell said nothing and looked down at the two ants fighting.
Gandalf gritted his teeth and continued: "The elves are gradually declining and heading to Aman one after another. The dwarves' hometown of Moria has been destroyed and is only active in a few areas. Only the human kingdom is struggling to resist Sauron's power. Rohan cannot afford to lose.
"
Russell didn't say anything. He found that both ants were male.
Gandalf's face twitched and he said again: "Russell, I know your strength very well. You will definitely have a place in the Holy White Council. As long as you become serious and take Rohan's national crisis as your own business, there will definitely be a shock in Helm's Deep."
No risk.”
Russell said nothing. He had made a mistake just now. One of the ants looked male, but it was not.
Gandalf took a breath and unleashed his trump card: "When it's done, I'll teach you... the art of lighting!"
Russell trampled the two ants to death, raised his head and looked at Gandalf: "Don't even try to lie to me, that is not a lighting technique at all, but the power of God. Even if you teach me step by step, I can't learn it."
"No, I guarantee you can learn it!" Gandalf said firmly.
"make a deal!"
Russell also nodded decisively: "Gandalf, you can go with peace of mind. Leave Helm's Deep to me and everything will be safe."
Gandalf frowned: "What you said is wrong, it's Gandalf the White. Although I have never taken white robes or gray robes to heart, this is a matter of faith and cannot be lost."
"Sorry, let me say it again...Gandalf the White, you can go in peace!"
"Well, I'll leave it to you then!"
After saying that, Gandalf the White Rider disappeared into the distant forest. There is no need to worry about his safety. Gandalf has three magic weapons to travel across Middle-earth. He has a black heart, a ruthless hand, and many friends. The first two need no introduction.
, Saruman’s ending proves that, in the end, the tree people must have already established a good relationship.
…
"What, you said Gandalf went to find reinforcements?" King Théoden of Rohan was wearing armor and had a blond shawl like a lion. Hearing that Gandalf had left, there was some displeasure on his brows.
"Your Majesty the King, Gandalf was worried that Saruman had other sources of support, so he went to the forest to find strong support." Seeing Theoden's unhappy expression, Russell explained to Gandalf.
"No, you misunderstood, Wizard Russell. I don't think Gandalf ran away from the battlefield. We have known each other for many years, and I understand his character."
Théoden waved his hand, and there was another reason for his unswerving expression: "The Horn Castle has gone through many battles and has never been captured. At this time, there are 2,000 guards in the city, all of whom are elite warriors of the Rohan Kingdom, and there are 2,000 cavalry in the valley.
Waiting for orders in the grassland outside. Attacked from two sides, Isengard's army will definitely be defeated. Gandalf is too cautious."
Théoden's unhappiness comes from his sense of honor. The hussar king on horseback feels that he has been underestimated. Even if the orcs have thousands of troops, the victory in this battle can only be Rohan.
He firmly believes in this, there is nothing to be afraid of, and there is nothing to be afraid of!
"Report!"
Outside the hall, the messenger rushed in without waiting for Théoden to respond.
"Your Majesty the King, the scouting horse has come to report that Essinger's army has come out in full force..." The messenger's hands were shaking when he said this: "The number of enemies is as many as 30,000!"
"30,000!?"
Théoden suddenly stood up, his face full of disbelief: "Impossible, there can't be 30,000 strong orc army, Isengard can't support so many soldiers."
In the hall, Aragorn and others' faces turned pale. With 30,000 orc soldiers, Saruman could conquer Middle-earth without Mordor's help, but... isn't 30,000 too many? Isengard is just one.
The fortress is not a country, so how can it have such big arms?
Not only Aragorn and others did not believe it, Russell also did not believe it. Although he knew very little about Middle-earth, the logistics aspect was common to any world.
Isengard can't afford 30,000 mouths, and even Saruman can't afford it even if he sells the mage tower!
"Among the 30,000-strong army, only half of Isengard's strong orcs are half-orcs. The rest are half-orcs. Tan Ma also saw the Nazgul riding a flying dragon..." The messenger swallowed and said with difficulty: "We have more than one enemy.
It's Isengard, and Mordor."
Théoden almost fell down as if struck by lightning. Aragorn asked aloud: "Have you misunderstood? Mordor's power is far away in the east, and the orcs are blocked in the Paliano Plains. There is no reason for them to suddenly appear behind us?"
"
The messenger didn't know either. He just recounted the information sent back by the detective horse.
"It doesn't matter whether there are orcs in Mordor or not. The number of enemies far exceeds ours. We cannot sit still and wait for death..." Théoden regained his momentum and ordered: "Let the cavalry on the grassland evacuate and avoid contact with Isengard's army.
Use surprise tactics when necessary."
"Yes, Your Majesty the King!"
"Recruit the people in the city to join the battle, let the women and children take refuge in the caves, and the others go to the weapons depot to get equipment. This battle is related to the survival of Rohan, and no one can escape." Théoden issued the second order.
"As you command, Your Majesty the King!"
"Launch the militia and cut down some rolling logs before the enemy arrives. They will be used when defending the city..." At this point, Théoden turned to look at Russell: "Wizard Russell, did Gandalf say,
When will he arrive with reinforcements?"
Russell was silent for a moment and said to Théoden: "Your Majesty, Gandalf will arrive at the last minute."
Théoden was stunned for a moment, then reacted and smiled bitterly: "At the last moment, I really wish it had been earlier..."
Théoden understood what Russell meant. The so-called last moment was when the Horn Castle was about to be breached, and reinforcements arrived to boost the morale of the defenders.