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Perhaps this appears to be a day of little significance in the grand scheme of things in the War of the Ring, but Tolkien seems to attach great significance to even the smallest details. Théodred, son of the King of Rohan, has just been slain. Saruman discounts the loyalty and the effectiveness of his younger cousin. Remember, Éomer was only 28 at the time.

Today, Éomer defeats the Orcs on the edge of Fangorn. Yet another blunder of Saruman's is that he forgets about the Ents and the powerful force that they can be when awakened. Tolkien begins to pull together all of his resources for Saruman's defeat in Rohan, and it begins today with a small and rather insignificant skirmish just outside Fangorn.