July 22nd
The funeral escort of King Théoden sets out.
As promised King Aragorn left with King Éomer to return Théoden’s remains to Rohan, there he will lie with his fathers before him and his son. Éomer and Aragorn went into the tomb and brought Théoden forth on a golden bier. They brought him through this City in silence and laid him on a great wain of the Rohirrim. Merry being his esquire rode on the wain carrying his armor. Frodo and Sam had their own “steeds” and rode at Aragorn’s side, Gandalf rode on Shadowfax, Pippin rode with the Knights of Gondor, and Legolas and Gimli rode together on Amrod.
Queen Arwen also rode with this company, as did Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, and the rest of the Elven folk. Faramir and Imrahil rode, and so did many other captains and knights.
No King of the Mark has had such a large procession as did Théoden, Thengel’s son, when we returned home. This man was honored amongst Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Hobbits like no one else. Maybe Aragorn, but I cannot think of a King of Men who has ever been honored this way.
Take time out of your day, watch The Two Towers, see this great king rise from the ashes, defend his people against a monstrous foe, and ride out to meet his enemy on the battlefield. He rose above Isengard, he fought against the forces of Sauron, and he showed Aragorn what a King of Men could achieve.
Thank you for your time, and remember, from the ashes a fire shall be woken.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 