Helm's Deep.
Once the valley of the former kings of Rohan, it is now filled with the corpses of Uruk-hai.
When Éomer led two thousand of Rohan's elite warriors to the scene, they were stunned by what they saw. Corpses of Uruk-hai were piled high under the defensive walls and Hornburg, some places nearly level with the height of the walls.
The Uruk-hai's fighting spirit was shocking. Even Rohan's most elite soldiers found it hard to achieve such a fierce battle stance, fighting relentlessly to the last man without retreat.
Outside the valley, on the plains.
Gandalf turned around, and seeing the shocked expressions on the Rohan soldiers, he knew he had to say something. Otherwise, these elite cavalry might fear fighting the dark forces in the future.
"Éomer, this is Saruman's evil magic. He has poured a great deal of power into it!"
From atop his horse, Gandalf pointed his two-meter-high staff at the Uruk-hai, who bore a white handprint on their armor.
"Saruman used his power not only to give the Uruk-hai the ability to withstand sunlight but also to corrupt their minds, turning them into pure killing machines."
"But fortunately, his power is limited. We will not see such enemies again in the future."
As Gandalf explained, Éomer's expression relaxed. The cavalry's greatest fear was such death-defying enemies.
A charge halted could spell disaster for the cavalry.
...
As if to confirm Gandalf's words, the horns sounded in Fangorn Forest.
The Ents, who had slumbered for thousands of years, awoke once more, drawn by the horns to the edge of the ravaged forest.
The forest was angry.
Countless Ents awoke in ancient Fangorn Forest.
These giant beings, averaging ten meters tall, moved slowly but covered great distances with each step.
In their anger, they charged towards Isengard.
This intense fury, or rather the sound of the Ents' horns, made Saruman aware of their awakening.
But the current situation left the White Wizard powerless. His strength had been spread thin. Although each Uruk-hai required only a small amount of his power, the cumulative effect of thousands was substantial.
...
On the vast plains of Rohan.
A seemingly endless sea of people. After clearing the main force of the Uruk-hai, Théoden ordered a return to Edoras.
The capital of Rohan could not be abandoned. It was not just a matter of honor but also a symbol.
As long as the flag of Rohan flew over Edoras, these vast lands would not be invaded by other forces.
Unlike the grim faces before departure, the returning troops were filled with joy.
Even young children and elderly women understood that the war in Rohan had ended.
The darkness that had ravaged these plains had been thoroughly eradicated.
On the return journey.
Ino chose not to ride a conspicuous flying broomstick but instead a Rohan warhorse, leisurely following the main force back.
With Éomer and his two thousand elite warriors escorting them, there was no need to worry about safety. Even if ten thousand more Uruk-hai appeared out of nowhere, the Rohirrim could hold their ground.
Although the ride was leisurely, the horse beneath him was equally gentle in temperament, but there were still some nuisances.
"...So that white light was a kind of power of faith?"
Éowyn, riding a brown horse, asked expectantly.
Feigning deafness, Ino turned his head away, only to find himself facing Théodred.
These two had been chattering non-stop since they left the valley. Although Éowyn did most of the talking, Théodred always responded enthusiastically.
But Ino had his own way of dealing with their curiosity.
"Would you like some candy?"
Ino took out two pieces of butterscotch and offered them to the prince and princess of Rohan.
Théodred, seemingly inheriting his father's sweet tooth, eagerly accepted the candy the moment he saw it.
In contrast, Éowyn did not take the candy this time, her pretty face still full of curiosity.
"If you don't want the candy, how about I give you a weapon? A magical weapon."
Ino recalled the one-handed sword gifted by Old Bance when he ordered a custom instrument. Though it was just a bonus, its toughness and sharpness far surpassed the standard weapons of Middle-earth.
"Sure!" Éowyn agreed readily, but then lowered her head slightly and whispered, "Thank you!"
Théodred glanced at the two, then at the candy in his hand, suddenly finding it less appealing. Who could have known that rejecting the candy would result in getting a weapon?
But it was too late to regret. He could only blame himself for grabbing the candy too quickly.
"Don't worry, there's one for you too!"
Sensing the mood, Ino promised.
...
The return journey was very smooth.
Perhaps because there were no more Uruk-hai, or perhaps because everyone was eager to go home.
In any case, it took just two and a half days for everyone to return to Edoras.
Standing in the white mountain city, though it looked more desolate and broken than before, everyone felt joy from the bottom of their hearts.
It was the joy of survival after a disaster, the simplest human desire in war—survival.
On horseback, Ino quietly felt this emotion.
The emotions of more than ten thousand people of Rohan gathered together. It was the purest, simplest thought of ordinary people, to live in peace.
Without using magic, a faint flame appeared before Ino's eyes, as if an invisible match had been struck.
At the same time, at the front of the returning troops, Gandalf seemed to sense something.
The newly appointed White Wizard smiled and turned his head. Although far away, his eyes seemed to see clearly across the distance.
After a long while, Gandalf retracted his gaze, raising his staff-bearing right hand, and the ring set with a red gem seemed to flash.
...
Night in Edoras was unusually quiet.
After the war, everyone was at peace, enjoying this hard-won tranquility.
Under the night sky, although the city was quiet, a closer listen revealed the life hidden within the silence.
Like seeds buried in the soil, soaked with water, seemingly unremarkable, but they would surely sprout next spring.
In the city center, near the meeting hall on a slope.
A modest room, furnished in a simple, medieval manner.
A bed covered with straw, a simple wooden table with matching bench, and nothing else.
An old bronze oil lamp on the table emitted a warm light, the flame flickering as if alive.
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