Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Gandalf comes to Edoras and heals Théoden. The Rohirrim ride west against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in afternoon. The Ents on Isengard and reach it at night.

The day had been long and hard, as had all of their days since they left the rest of the Fellowship and struck out on their own. Sam wished for the others to be here, to help him watch over Frodo, and so someone could watch Gollum all the time.

In his dreams Gollum cut their throats, carried off the Ring and all was lost. When he awoke he berated himself, for there had been ample opportunity for Gollum to do that very thing. So he did not sleep because he feared what might not be there when he awoke.