The Battle for Helm's Deep

The Battle for Helm's Deep, also known as the Battle of the Hornburg, takes place in Book Three, chapter seven of the Lord of the Rings. King Théoden and his army, along with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, prepare for a desperate battle to hold the Hornburg fortress against vast and outnumbering forces. This scene is full of tension—it is the first major battle of the Lord of the Rings, and as such plays a pivotal role in the novel; and Saruman, who for long had been considered the wisest and most knowledgeable ally, had chosen to join Sauron's evil forces.  The army of Rohan is tasked by king Théoden to fight a hopeless battle under Gandalf's vague counsel. I say vague because Théoden primarily accepted Gandalf's counsel on account of a dramatic scene in which Gandalf helps him regain his strength from his perceived dotage, further facilitated by Gríma's (Wormtongue's) false direction. Yet Gandalf and Théoden did not adequately discuss strategy and the implications of riding to war against Sauron and Saruman's forces—certainly not adequate for a choice that may decide fate for Rohan and its people: Gandalf says "Every man that can ride should be sent west at once, as Éomer counselled you; we must first destroy the threat of Saruman, while we have time," and Théoden answers "This counsel seems good to me now." The counsel of Éomer, Théoden's nephew, was scarcely more thoughtful. 

While it is arguable that this section deserves criticism for misrepresenting wisdom and kingly duty, namely that of ensuring the kingdom's wellbeing and prosperity, the reader knows that Théoden made his choice correctly: there is no ambiguity of Good versus Evil in Lord of the Rings. Any cooperation with the forces of Evil would be an error of judgement and surely lead to a sorry outcome. It seems, rather, that it is not strategy that makes King Théoden admirable to the reader, but that he is willing without question to do what he knows to be right. Gandalf is in charge of organizing the forces of Good, and his counsel is correct without much ambiguity: it is this lack of ambiguity that makes this section function as a test of Théoden's character and his ability to resist doubt. 

The battle is about to commence, and as king Théoden and the company make their way to Helm’s Deep, Gandalf gazes north toward Isengard then leaves, seemingly on a whim. He would be hard-pressed to explain that he rides to Isengard to ask Ents for their assistance, but it is also quite characteristic of Gandalf to leave without explanation. Without his guidance, Théoden's character is put to test: he had heard that Isengard is to attack with all its forces; the sky seems foreboding, and one of his best Rohirrim, Erkenbrand, along with most of his company, are missing, likely to have fallen in battle. Moreover, his men had begun to question Gandalf’s sincerity after he left. It is necessary in order to convey to the reader the difficulty of Théoden’s position that he experiences horror and doubt, and Tolkien knew this. Therefore, there is only one instance in which Théoden expresses doubt. During battle, and while the Hornburg is surrounded by an endless sea of enemies, he says: “How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate? Had I known that the strength of Isengard was grown so great, maybe I should not so rashly have ridden forth to meet it, for all the arts of Gandalf. His council seems not now so good as it did under the morning sun.” This is similar to Denethor’s position in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Théoden responds with unapologetic faithfulness and decides to continue fighting. He rallies his forces against all hope, saying to Aragorn "maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth a song—if any be left to sing of us hereafter." His will transcends glory and fame, for he is willing to ride even if all falls and no one remembers their sacrifice. Whereas Denethor, much more strategic and thoughtful in comparison to Théoden, fails the tests miserably. The Battle for Helm’s Deep then is not about strategy (and there are many critiques of the section on that level), but rather symbolizes the internal struggle of making the right decision in the face of tempting rationalizations and overwhelming horror.