Book 5, Chapter 2 Summary

Aragorn, Merry, Legolas and Gimli ride with Théoden toward Helm's Deep. However, Merry feels more like baggage than like a companion. Along the way, they meet thirty Rangers and two of Elrond's sons. The Rangers were looking for Aragorn, though Aragorn did not send for them. Once they are together, one of Elrond's sons tells Aragorn, "If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead." (758) However, Aragorn replies that he would have great need of haste to travel there. Finally, Aragorn learns that one Ranger, Halbarad, carries a rolled-up banner.

The company rides to the Hornburg in order to rest before they continue their journey. As the company dines, Merry offers his services to Théoden, who accepts him as an esquire. The men sit in conference in order to consider what to do next. Aragorn decides to...