May 1, 2003

In Response to Mr. Underhill's Bad Advice
Beleg Strongbow

I think that Gandalf's advice made at least a litte sense. At Helm's Deep they were backed into a corner with all the women and children and no way out. But if Rohan had met the Uruk-hai out in the open (as they did in the movie in the first Warg attack), without the women and children, they would have somewhere to retreat, and they might have lasted long enough for Gandalf and Eomer to get to them.

Gandalf obviously thought that Helm's Deep was no more than a trap, and if Eomer hadn't come Rohan would have been dead, along with the women and children. However, if they had met them out in the open (in an advantegous position) they could retreat if they needed to. And even though they had never been defeated at Helm's Deep, they would be, just because of Sauruman's cunning.

They did last longer becuase of the Deeping wall, though. It makes you think.

P.S. I don't know if a Maiar would say something unless it was thought out. It would be interesting to see what PJ has to say about it.