The Muster of Rohan - Théoden, Merry, Éomer, and the Riders of Rohan ride quickly. When they find out that Aragorn has gone by the Paths of the Dead, they do not have much hope he will survive. A messenger from Gondor arrives and gives Théoden a red arrow—the sign from Gondor that their need is very great. Théoden promises to bring soldiers who will arrive in about a week. The messenger thinks this may be too late to be any help, but Théoden's forces can't travel any faster.

The following morning, Merry awakes to darkness and prepares to leave with Théoden. But Théoden instructs him to stay in Rohan and help Éowyn run things while he is away. Neither Éowyn nor Merry are happy with this arrangement, but later, a young soldier named Dernhelm offers to let Merry ride with him on his horse. Despite the fact he was ordered to stay behind, he takes Dernhelm up on this offer.