Gollum visits Shelob, but seeing Frodo asleep nearly repents. Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath. Aragorn reaches Linhir and crosses into Lebennin. Eastern Rohan is invaded from the north. First assault on Lorien.

Haldir loosed first one arrow, then another, and another, until he lost count. They had not been unprepared for this: the whole of Middle-earth fought once more and it would have been madness to assume Lórien would escape.

But it had been so long; so many years that even the Elves had trouble remembering their last battles. Their peace had only been transitory and so they had enjoyed it while it lasted.

Now it seemed nothing could protect them and the elves of Lórien would fight with the other good peoples of Middle-earth against the darkness that threatened them all.