March 23rd
The Host passes out of Ithilien.
Aragorn dismisses the faint-hearted.
Frodo and Samwise cast away their arms and gear.
The Host of the West continues their march, but it’s not without delays and pauses. For those not aware, Aragorn, Gandalf, and the captains of Men decided it was best to attack Sauron head on and draw his forces out of Mordor. This desperate plan was formed with the sole purpose to give Frodo and Sam an easier passage through Modor. It’s not to win, or show their strength, it’s to fight and die as a distraction so Sauron may be defeated.
These men are marching to their doom, whatever that may be, and when the host passed out of Ithilien, lands about them became desolate and filled with horror, many men would go no further. Aragorn looked at these men with pity, for many were young, instead of forcing them onward he bid them to go and gave them a task if they should wish to uphold their honor.
“Go!” said Aragorn. “But keep what honour you may, and do not run! And there is a task which you may attempt and so be not wholly shamed. Take your way south-west till you come to Cair Andros, and if that is still held by enemies, as I think, then re-take it, if you can; and hold it to the last in defence of Gondor and Rohan!”
Some men, shamed by his mercy, cast aside their fears and pushed onward. Some did as he said, happy they had something they could do to help.
At this point in there journey Frodo and Sam were weary and down trodden. At this point it was clear that there were few Orcs around them, if there were any at all. In an effort to conserve what strength they had left they cast aside their Orc disguises and pressed on with only what they needed.
Thank you for your time and remember, renewed shall be blade that was broken.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 