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At daybreak on this day, Aragorn sets out to meet his appointed destiny on the Paths of the Dead, where he hopes to rally the ancient and cursed army to the cause of Isildur's heir, luring them with the promise of their freedom if they fight for him. The journey starts fraught--Eowyn, desperate with both love for him and desire for great deeds, falls upon her knees before him to beg leave to go along. He must refuse her, "and only those who knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he bore."

Tolkien then describes the long hours of a dreadful journey under the mountains of Dunharrow along the Dimholt Road in the company of the Dead--a journey that the Dunedain and their horses, the sons of Elrond, and Gimli and Legolas can bear only because of their love for Aragorn and the strength of his will. When they finally emerge the race is on for the Stone of Erech, which they, and the following Army of the Dead, must reach ere midnight. Along the route people flee and hide in stark terror of the King of the Dead. They reach the Stone, and here the Ranger gives way at last, irrevocably, to the King. Aragorn blows a silver horn made for the purpose, and Dead Army answers.
By the Stone of Erech, Aragorn speaks.

And then for the first time, Aragorn unfolds his royal banner, the one Arwen made for him. The King has returned.

At the same time Aragorn rides out on the Dimholt Road, Frodo and Sam, with Gollum in tow, prepare to leave the last sanctuary they will find before Mt. Doom. Faramir is troubled by their plans to go to Cirith Ungol, but as Frodo says, there is no other way for them to reach Mordor, and they must try it. Faramir gives them food for the journey, walking staves, and his blessing--in fact so important are these words of parting that Tolkien has the scene take place twice--once within the stronghold, and once when the travelers reach the point beyond which they can identify Henneth Annun and the blindfolds they all wore to reassure Gollum are removed. The hobbits' last contact with friends will be an important comfort to them in the days to come--as Frodo tells Faramir, "To have found it turns evil to great good." (The Two Towers) For Tolkien, Boromir's gentle brother symbolizes all that is good in Middle Earth, all that Frodo must carry within if he is to go on.