Meanwhile, Théoden and the Riders reach the outer hills of Rohan after a hard three days’ journey. Éomer urges his uncle not to go further east, but Théoden insists on going to war. Gathering the remaining Riders of Rohan, Théoden decides to ride to the Hold at Dunharrow, where the people of Rohan have taken shelter in anticipation of war. He finds Éowyn, the Lady of Rohan, waiting there among her people, and he orders the host to rest for the night.

At dinner, Merry waits at Théoden’s side, fulfilling his duties as the king’s new squire. Théoden further explains to Merry the legend of the Paths of the Dead, speculating about whether or not Aragorn will survive. A messenger from Gondor enters the tent. Merry is startled by the man’s armor, as it reminds him of Boromir. The stranger brings a Red Arrow—a summons, sent only in times of great peril—from the Steward of Gondor. Théoden states that six thousand Riders will set out for Minas Tirith in the morning, but that they will not reach Minas Tirith for a week.

There is no sunrise the next morning; a great Darkness has descended, and all the land is buried under a terrible gloom emanating from Mordor. As the host prepares to leave, Théoden asks Merry to stay behind when they pass the city of Edoras. The ride to Gondor will be hard and swift, and none among the Riders can afford the burden of carrying the hobbit along. Merry is sorely disappointed, but the king has made up his mind. Éowyn, however, escorts Merry to a small booth and outfits him as best she can in the armor of the King’s Guard. She bids Merry farewell and returns to her tent.

In Edoras, Merry loses all hope of going to Gondor until a young and slender Rider offers to carry Merry with him secretly to battle. The Rider introduces himself as Dernhelm. Merry gratefully accepts, and soon Théoden’s host departs for Minas Tirith.

Four days into their journey to Minas Tirith, Merry remains hidden among the Riders of Rohan. He worries that he is a burden to the Rohirrim, and he feels unwanted and small. While the group rests, the Riders encounter the Woses, the Wild Men of the Woods. Troubled by Orcs, the Woses offer their services to Théoden. They are a little-known yet ancient people, stumpy and brutish. The Woses’ leader informs Théoden  that all roads to Minas Tirith are blocked, save the secret ways the Woses know. The Wild Men promise to show the Riders through these paths, though they will not fight alongside Rohan.

The Riders emerge from the forest just north of Minas Tirith. The Woses bid them farewell and vanish. To Théoden’s dismay, the Riders discover two dead bodies, one of them the earlier messenger from Gondor, still clutching the red arrow. Apparently, Minas Tirith does not know the Riders are coming to its aid. Dernhelm, still carrying Merry, breaks rank and draws closer to Théoden as the Riders reach the out-walls of Gondor; the Rammas Echor.