army of the dead?

[nazgul2k1]

hello all

Very new to this forum, and I actually joined for a particular reason. Like most of you I'm a very big fan, not only of the books, but I also like the movies and thought they were well done.

Waiting for the movie I have started to think about what parts I'm looking forward to, and one of them was Aragorn sailing in during Pellonor Fields with his newly found army of the dead. I believe the movie will be different, and from what I have seen, there will be no ships, and the army will march to Minas Tirith.

I have read the chapter the paths of the dead, many times now, trying to figure out who is exactly following Aragorn and his companions. It never really says, it just says "and the dead followed". So when the ships land, who is actually getting off the boats? It says men, but who are these men? It never really says who they are, or how many there are. Aragorn does say he has sent more men marching from the south, but who's with him?

In the movie, it looks like it will be the undead, but I'm asking about the books. I have actually been thinking about this a long time, any answers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Ed

[Valandil]

Keep reading! :D

No dead men got off those boats... they were filled with men from the southern parts of Gondor who had stayed there to repel the expected attack from the south. Gimli relays (next chapter?) how the army of the dead went with them as far as Pelargir - where Aragorn dismissed them. Then the men got on the ships from Umbar and sailed up the river.

Doesn't the book tell who they were?

[zinnite]

Originally posted by Valandil
Doesn't the book tell who they were?

That they were men who broke an oath to Elendil to fight against Sauron, and who had a curse laid upon them by the king that they will never rest until they fulfill their oath? Yep, that's in there.

[nazgul2k1]

You are correct, I must not have read the chapter the last debate as closely as I thought I had. Legolas and Gimli do discuss how the army of the dead swept away their enemies who were on the boats and the free people of that area mustered and joined Aragorn. Looks like I've beeb searching for an answer that was right under my nose.

Thanks

[Valandil]

Oath actually made to Isildur - if I may be picky! :D

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by Valandil
Keep reading! :D

No dead men got off those boats... they were filled with men from the southern parts of Gondor who had stayed there to repel the expected attack from the south. Gimli relays (next chapter?) how the army of the dead went with them as far as Pelargir - where Aragorn dismissed them. Then the men got on the ships from Umbar and sailed up the river.

Doesn't the book tell who they were?


And if I may be picky, the men who stayed on the ship were captives but then they also filled the boats with the neighboring lands of Gondor, such as Lebennin, Lamedon and Ethir, that trailed the Army of the Dead :D

[Valandil]

Touche'! Ha-hah! :D

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Originally posted by Dunedain
"And if I may be picky, the men who stayed on the ship were captives but then they also filled the boats with the neighboring lands of Gondor, such as Lebennin, Lamedon and Ethir, that trailed the Army of the Dead"
_______________________________________________
And if I may be picky (it's catching:D ) Aragorn put one Ranger (or two?) on each ship to help free the captives and stiffen their resolve in helping Minas Tirith.

(Although the Rangers don't seem to exist for PJ)

[zinnite]

Originally posted by Valandil
Oath actually made to Isildur - if I may be picky! :D

Yeah, I realized my mistake when I read the post... oops! I hate it when that happens...

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by Tuor of Gondolin

And if I may be picky (it's catching:D ) Aragorn put one Ranger (or two?) on each ship to help free the captives and stiffen their resolve in helping Minas Tirith.

(Although the Rangers don't seem to exist for PJ)

Catching? I think you just owned yourself man, lol, no idea what you are talking about :D