After hiking north along the orc-road overnight, Sam and Frodo hide for the day. Sam gives Frodo the last water, leaves him asleep, and finds a trickling spring at the head of the valley. He barely returns in time to scare off Gollum. Frodo takes the next watch so Sam can sleep.
The Battle of Dale: Easterlings defeat King Brand. The Dwarf-King Dáin II opens the Gate of Erebor to the refugees from Dale. King Brand dies fighting before the Gate. King Dáin—though more than 250 years old—stands over Brand’s body wielding his axe until he also falls.
Three thousand mounted Rohirrim ride back north along the road from the City, and find the Orc-army that tried to stop them from reaching Minas Tirith for the Battle of the Pelennor. They offer battle and drive the Orcs towards Cair Andros.
Three days after fleeing Cirith Ungol, its Orc-captain reaches the Barad-dûr carrying Frodo’s mithril-shirt and elven-cloak, and Sam’s Barrow-sword. He reports the brief capture of only one hobbit; but their friends will recognize the gear of both Frodo and Sam.
Sam finishes telling Frodo the full tale of how he rescued Frodo from the tower. Frodo gives him Sting: ‘I have got an orc-blade, but I do not think it will be my part to strike any blow again.’ Now that it is safely dark, Frodo and Sam start moving north again along the valley.
A few miles past the huts and cave of an orc-hold, Frodo and Sam hide from a pair of Orcs who are tracking them. They overhear that Gollum has not only been seen nearby but briefly captured. After a fatal quarrel between the Orcs, Frodo and Sam decide to hide until nightfall.
After a discussion, the captains in council agree to Gandalf’s plan: an attack on Mordor that cannot succeed, to hold the Eye’s full attention—and, hopefully, to empty Mordor for Sam and Frodo. To leave Minas Tirith with some defence, they plan to take only seven thousand men.
Gandalf speaks to the captains. ‘Hardly has our strength sufficed to beat off the first great assault. The next will be greater. This war then is without final hope.
‘We cannot achieve victory by arms, but by arms we can give the Ring-bearer his only chance, frail though it be.’
Legolas and Gimli climb to the Citadel, where Théoden lies in state, and tell the Prince that Aragorn requests his presence at a council. Then they go find Merry and Pippin. On a high wall, watching the morning light shine bright on the Anduin, they sit and share their stories.
Aragorn asks for athelas. The healers don’t usually collect it; a search is made. Six leaves of the herb are found. In Aragorn’s hands, they gain sudden power, and he is able to call Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry back out of the darkness.
