Summary

Chapter 2, which is called “The Passing of the Grey Company,” opens with Riders of Rohan returning from Isengard. Aragorn tells Gimli, Legolas, and Merry that he has to go to Minas Tirith by a darker, as yet undetermined route.

On the way to Rohan, the group comes upon thirty Dunedain of the North. They have received a message requesting them to aid Aragorn. Elrohir gives Aragorn a message: “If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.”

The group reaches Helm’s Deep, and Merry is delighted when Theoden asks Merry to ride with him for the rest of the journey. He offers Theoden his sword in service of Rohan, which the king gladly accepts. As the group prepares to continue on their journey, Aragorn is missing. When he reappears, he decides to take the Paths of the Dead. Theoden and the...