(I) Book V
Gandalf comes with Pippin to Minas Tirith. Feb 5 or 6 [later > 6].
Faramir. The allies come in. Urgent messages are sent to Théoden. (Messages (27) must bid Rohirrim assemble at Edoras as soon as may be after the Full Moon of Feb. 6. Théoden reaches Dunharrow Feb. 8. Edoras Feb. 10...)(28)
Denethor only willing to hold his walls. Knowing war drawing near he has long sent out summons to allies. They are coming in. But the messengers to Théoden, his chief ally, have not returned yet. Gandalf tells of Théoden's war. Gandalf and Pippin on battlements. See shadow as Nazgûl sweep over river. Faramir comes on night of Feb. [7 >)8. At same time [> Next day) comes news of war at Osgiliath. Orcs led by Nazgûl have crossed river. Fleet from Umbar is approaching mouths of Anduin.
Faramir supports Gandalf's policy of attack by sortie on the plain. The first battle. The mountaineers drive the orcs back and burn ships. But orcs [?win through]. Nazgûl. Minas Tirith forces driven back. Still Gandalf .... [?on] the battlements.
Théoden leaves Edoras Feb. 11 with Eomer and Éowyn. Ents drive off the attack in north of Rohan. They drive back orcs out of west [?Anórien] and [struck out: Feb. 15 Last Quarter.] Reach battle Feb. 15.(29) Siege relieved by the Rohirrim and the allies of Lebennin. Gandalf comes forth and the enemy driven off. Théoden slain and Éowyn slays the King of the Nazgûl and is mortally wounded. They lie in state in the white tower.(30) Gandalf ..... [?Aragorn]. Cross the River at Osgiliath. Elves and Ents drive Orcs back. They reach Minas Morgul and press on to Dagorlad. Parley with Sauron.
Another outline, 'II', gives a brief, and increasingly brief, pencilled synopsis of each of the ten chapters that were to constitute Book V and complete The Lord of the Rings.
(II) Bk. V
1. Gandalf goes to Minas Tirith. Mustering of forces. War breaks out. Gondor driven back. No sign of Riders.
2. Théoden comes to Dunharrow. Beacons. Messengers a."rive from Minas Tirith. Also from far afield reporting orcs across the river in Wold.
Théoden rides on the evening of Feb. 8.(31) Éowyn goes with him.
Gamling is left in command in Westfold. The old seneschal of Edoras in Eastfold (Dunharrow).
Aragorn and Eomer ride to beat off orcs. They come back and rejoin main body reporting that Ents and Lórien Elves have driven back the north thrust. They ride to Minas Tirith.
3. Charge of the Riders of Rohan breaks siege. Death of Théoden and Éowyn in killing the Nazgûl King. Gondor destroys ships of Harad and crosses into Ithilien.
4. Sack of Minas Morgul. Victorious Gandalf [?pursues] on to Dagorlad. Elves of Lórien and Ents come from North. Parley with Mor ..(32) Sauron's messenger.
5. Frodo from high tower sees the coming of the hosts of the West and the great assembly of secret army of Sauron.(33)
Rescue of Frodo by Sam.
[?This army) goes out, as he and Sam pass into Gorgor all is still and empty and the noise of the war is far away.
Gandalf is ambushed in Kirith Ungol and comes to edge of defeat.
6. Destruction of the Ring. Fall of Baraddur. Allies enter Mordor. Rescue of Frodo by Eagle.
7. Return to Gondor. Crowning of Aragorn. Funeral of Théoden and Éowyn.
The Hobbits depart north. [Struck out: Pass Lórien and) Fall of Sauron.
Galadriel's land ruined.(34)
8. Rivendell.
9. Shire.
10. Epilogue. Sam's book.
There is no clear indication in this synopsis or in synopsis I that Aragorn entered Gondor by a different route (indeed in II, 5 2 the reverse seems to be implied).
This page carries also two notes deriving from the same time as the synopsis by chapters. One of these reads:
Gandalf keeps back, not to reveal himself. As the siege grows and the armies of Gondor are pressed back he looks in the Palantír. He catches sight of Frodo in tower and then Sauron cuts in. Gandalf gives a great shout and hurls the Stone from the battlements. It slays ? a captain. Gandalf is now revealed. He rides forth. Nazgûl come. [?Host] comes out of Dagorlad.
Above the third sentence is written: 'Sauron holding the coat'. - With this note cf. the words 'Episode of the Palantír and Gandalf' in outline A for 'Minas Tirith', p. 231. This is the original germ of the story of Denethor and the Palantír of the White Tower, and also perhaps of that of the revelation of Aragorn to Sauron in the Hornburg.
The second of these notes is as follows:
The Firien (Firgen) [added: or the Halifirien] is a hill surrounded by a dark pinewood (the Firienholt). In it is a great cave, the Dun. harrow. No one has ever been in the cave. It is said to be a haliern,(35) and to contain some ancient relic of old days before the Dark. ?
It is 22 miles up Harrowdale from Edoras.
This statement clearly agrees with the idea of Dunharrow that entered in the typescript H (p. 251), where the hill, clothed in a dark wood but with bare head, is named Firien and the wood Firienholt; and where it is told that 'in living memory none had ever dared to enter' Dunharrow. Perhaps this synopsis II and accompanying notes immediately preceded H.(36) The addition 'or the Halifirien' is not obviously later than the rest of this note on Dunharrow; it was presumably rejected at once, for in the companion typescript C of 'Minas Tirith' the names of all the beacons are in the final form, ending with 'the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan' (p. 233).
On the same piece of paper as synopsis II is a small sketch-map very hastily drawn in ink; this is reproduced on p. 258. At the top is Edoras at the entrance to the long valley of Harrowdale, through which flows the Snowbourn, rising in the Starkhorn at the head of the valley. The distance from the Starkhorn to Edoras is marked as 75 miles; on the First Map (IV(E), VII.319), where the valley runs south-west, the distance between Edoras and the mountain against which is written 'Dunharrow' is also 75 miles.(37) About half-way up the valley the path taken by Théoden and the Riders, following the course of the mountain-stream, is seen descending into Harrowdale from the west; this path crosses the stream before it joins the Snowbourn (whereas in all early versions of the opening of 'The Muster of Rohan', including (Harrowdale.) the typescript H, the stone bridge is over the Snowbourn itself), and turns north towards Edoras, ending at a place marked by a small circle but without a name. The circle is enclosed within two lines forming an oval shape. It can be seen in the original that the lower line is the course of the Snowbourn as first drawn, and that the upper line was put in with a subsequent stroke. However these markings, and the detached crescent line above them, are to be interpreted, there can be no doubt that this is the site of Dunharrow; both from the fact that the path leads to it, and from the statement in the time-scheme D (p. 141): 'Théoden comes out of west into Harrowdale some miles ahove Dunharrow, and comes to Dunharrow before nightfall'
As regards the distances, if the Starkhorn is 75 miles from Edoras, then Dunharrow on this map is considerably less than 22 miles from Edoras (as stated in the note on the same page, cited above), indeed scarcely more than half as far; but perhaps the discrepancy can be accounted for by supposing that it was 22 miles on foot by a winding track, whereas the 75 miles is shown as a linear distance between two points.
An explanation of this curious stage in the evolution of the geography of Harrowdale can be found by combining the evidence of synopsis II, the time-scheme D, and the narrative opening of 'The Muster of Rohan' in the typescript H. Abandoning the idea that Dunharrow was a cavernous hold opening onto the green mountainfield that was called the Lap of Starkhorn (p. 245), and that within it there was a huge feasting-hall, to be used that very night to celebrate the King's return, my father at the same time moved its site far down the valley towards Edoras, and made it a cave or caves in a hill ('Firien') some 50 miles or so from the Starkhorn.
A third outline ('III') also sets out a scheme for Book V by chapters, but does not proceed very far.
(III) Book V.
Ch. 1. Gandalf and Pippin reach Minas Tirith (Feb. 6 morning). They see Denethor. Reasons
for the beacons: (a) news from scouts in Ithilien. (b) news reached Denethor on Feb. 5 that fleets of Southrons had set sail. Gondor musters its forces. Pippin sees full moon rising and wonders where Frodo is. No sign of Rohan.
2. Théoden comes to Dunharrow. Pûkel men. (Feb. 6 [> 5)). Beacons and messengers [added: morning 6]. Tidings of orc- invasions of Wold. Théoden rides out on night of Feb. 8 [> 6]. Eomer and Éowyn ride with him. Gamling is left in command in Westfold. The old seneschal of Edoras in Eastfold. [Aragorn and Eomer ride north to beat off orcs. They come back >] Eomer rides north to beat off orcs. He comes back and rejoins main body, reporting that Ents and Lórien Elves have destroyed the northern diversion. They all ride to Minas Tirith. Where is Aragorn? He went with his rangers over the mountains.
3. Great Darkness. Faramir returns (8). Host of Morghul crosses River (9). Southron fleets assail the south of Gondor (10 [) 9]). Gondor defeated and besieged (10 [> 9]). Gandalf in White Tower does not yet reveal his power or ...... [?name].
Final assault on Minas Tirith [added: [11 >] 10 night]. Nazgûl appear. Pelennor wall is taken. Sudden charge of Rohan breaks siege. Théoden and Éowyn destroy Nazgûl and Théoden falls [struck oat: Feb. 12]. Aragorn arrives (having crossed the mountains with his rangers, he drove off the Southrons). Aragorn enters Minas Tirith and meets Denethor and Faramir.
4. [Added: 12] Gandalf and Aragorn and Eomer and Faramir defeat Mordor. Cross into Ithilien. Ents arrive and Elves out of North. Faramir invests Morghul and main force comes to Morannon. Parley.
A suggestion that Aragorn should cross the mountains into Gondor is found in the notes E on p. 243; in these notes is found also the first mention of the coming of Rangers from the North, referred to also in the narratives F and G (pp. 247, 249). The Pûkel-men entered in F (p. 245), where they are called Hoker-men, Hocker-men; in G they are Pookel-men (p. 248), and in typescript H Pûkelmen (p. 251).
The text that I give next, 'IV', is reproduced on p. 261. This is a very battered page (38) of great interest, since it carries what is undoubtedly the earliest drawing of Minas Tirith, around which is written an outline in faint pencil. The line that runs up to the right of the White Tower indicates the mountain behind the city, with the name Mindolluin written across the summit. Whether my father already conceived the 'Hill of Guard' to be joined to the mountain mass by a shoulder cannot be said.
The outline reads as follows (with contractions expanded and some punctuation added):
(IV) Gandalf and Pippin reach Minas Tirith dawn. Description of Minas Tirith and its huge 'cyclopean' concentric walls - it is in fact a fort and town the size of a small mountain. It has 7 circles with 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 gates before the White Tower is reached.
They are challenged on the borders of the Cityland, Pelennor,(39) about which ruins of an old wall ran. Gandalf [?carries messages] from Rohan and speaks some pass[?word] and they let him by in wonder. So he rides up to the 6th court and dismounts. There Pippin is re..... They pass into High City (Taurost) and so come before Denethor who at first does not recognize Gandalf.
(The earliest sketch of Minas Tirith.) Denethor comes out to his [? throne]. News. Denethor has lit the beacons because what his spies tell. Faramir. Boromir.
Throne empty. Denethor has seat in front. He comes in after Gandalf arrives. He has a secret letter from Faramir (telling of Boromir's death and meeting with Frodo, but not overtly mentioning Ring).
This seems to have been my father's first setting down on paper of his conception of Minas Tirith.
The next two outlines ('V' and 'VI') were developed from III, and are very closely related: they were certainly written at the same time. From the rejected sentence in VI 'He has a secret' it is seen that my father had IV in front of him, for in that text appears 'He has a secret letter from Faramir'. The rejected reference in V to 'Dunharrow under the Halifirien' relates this outline to the note on Dunharrow in II (see p. 257). There is thus good reason to think that V and VI derive from 1944 rather than 1946, and it is notable that in V appears the first glimpse of the story that would emerge as the passage of the Paths of the Dead.
(V) Book V.
Gandalf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith (3-4, 4-5 arriving at sunrise on 6). Interview with Denethor - reasons for the beacons: a great fleet from south is approaching mouths of Anduin. Also messages from secret scouts in Ithilien report that 'storm is about to burst'.
Muster of Gondor (Forlong the Fat etc.). Pippin on the battlements sees the full moon; and thinks of Frodo.
Théoden reaches Dunharrow [struck out: under the Hali- firien] (Feb. 5 evening). Pûkel-men. They find muster already begun and not at Edoras. Rangers have come! Gandalf had been at Edoras and issued orders: Nazgûl crossed the plain (3-4 and on 4). Beacons are reported that night. Messengers arrive in morning. Théoden prepares to ride. Gamling in charge at Helm's Deep. Galdor the old seneschal (40) of Edoras in Eastfold. Éowyn rides with Eomer and Théoden.
Théoden sets out at nightfall (6). At Edoras they hear tidings of invasion of Wold. ? Eomer rides off north but rejoins main host later with news that the Ents have come out of Fangorn and destroyed this N. diversion. They pass on at all speed into Anórien.
Aragorn is not there. He had fallen into converse with the messengers of Gondor and getting guides from the men of Harrowdale had passed into the mountains with his Rangers.
Great darkness over land (Feb. 8). Faramir comes. Host of Morghul crosses Great River at Osgiliath (night of 8) and assails Gondor (9). At same time S[outhron] fleets come up the Great River and send a host into Lebennin, while another host from Morannon crosses River to north on a boat-bridge and links with the Morghul-host. Gondor is defeated in night battle 9-10. Gandalf in White Tower does not yet reveal himself. [In margin: Gandalf looks in Palantír?] Black hosts gather about the wall of Pelennor. Morning of 10 Nazgûl are seen: men fly. At sunrise on 10 there is a sound of horns. Charge of Rohan. Rout of the enemy. [Scribbled in margin: Eomer wounded.] Théoden is slain by Nazgûl; but he is unhorsed (41) and the enemy is routed. [Added: Gandalf leads charge in white.] Théoden is laid in state in tomb of kings. [Struck out: Great grief of Merry. Meeting of Merry and Pippin.]
[Added: News comes that fleet is coming up River......] News comes from South that a great king has descended out of the mountains where he had been entombed, and set such a flame into men that the mountaineers (where the purer blood of Gondor lingered?) and the folk of Lebennin have utterly routed the Southrons, and burned [> taken] their ships. The fleet sailing up the River is an ally! Aragorn reaches Osgiliath by ship like a great king of old. (Frodo's vision?)(42) Meeting of Gandalf and Aragorn and Faramir at Osgiliath evening of 10.
Closely related to outline V is the following text ('VI'), which I incline to think was written second.
(VI) Gandalf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith (3-4, 4 - 5, 5-6) arriving at the Outer Wall of Pelennor at daybreak and seeing sunrise on the White Tower on morning of Feb. 6. On night of 5-6 they see the beacons flare up, and are passed by messengers riding to Rohan. Pippin sees moonrise about 9 p.m.
Description of Minas Tirith and its 7 concentric walls and gates. Gandalf and Pippin come into the presence of Denethor. Empty throne. Denethor has a seat in front. [Struck oat: He has a secret] They exchange news. Reasons of Beacons: news of scouts in Ithilien that 'storm is coming'; Southrons are marching in; most of all - a great fleet from South is approaching the mouths of Anduin. Muster of Rohan [read Gondor) is going apace- catalogue.
(7) Great Darkness spreads from East. Faramir returns. Pippin on the battlements.
Théoden reaches Dunharrow (5 evening). Merry sees Pûkel- men. They find Muster has already begun, owing to special instructions by Gandalf, who had stayed at Edoras on 4 and owing to passage of Nazgûl. Rangers have come! [Struck out: Aragorn and Eomer already there?] That night the beacon lights are reported. In morning messengers arrive from Gondor. Théoden gets ready to ride. Éowyn and Eomer go with him.
[Struck out: But Aragorn (afte
r secret converse with Aragorn
takes Merry]
Here outline VI ends, but the lower half of the page is taken up by a map, which is redrawn in part and discussed in a note at the end of this chapter.
NOTES.
1. The illegible word might be already, in which case my father omitted the words been riding. The word I have given as four might be read as fire.
2. The words by nightfall tonight are perfectly plain, but my father must have intended something else, since it was now several hours after nightfall. In the outlines V and VI (pp. 262-3) the messengers from Minas Tirith reach Edoras the following morning (6 February).
3. As in text B, the moon rises 'round and full out of the eastern shadows' ('now almost at the full,' RK). - At this stage the beacons were fired on the last night of Gandalf's ride; in the final form it was on the night preceding the last (the journey taking four nights), and so when Pippin woke in the dawn beside the wall of the Pelennor 'Another day of hiding and a night of journey had fleeted by' (RK p. 20). This sentence was added to the text of the chapter much later.
4. Possibly this means 'longer than the time that they had in fact taken'.
The History of Middle Earth: Volume 8 - The War of the Ring Page 33