
Gandalf offers Saruman a chance to turn away from evil. Gandalf, Theoden, Legolas, and Gimli ride to Isengard, and are surprised to find Merry and Pippin relaxing amidst the ruins. He brings an army of Rohirrim to Helm’s Deep, and they defeat the Orcs, who flee into the forest of Huorns, never to be seen again. Gandalf convinces Treebeard to send an army of Huorns to Théoden’s aid. Meanwhile, the Ents, roused by Merry and Pippin from their peaceful ways, attack and destroy Isengard, Saruman’s stronghold, and flood it, trapping the wizard in the tower of Orthanc. Théoden musters his fighting strength and rides with his men to the ancient fortress of Helm’s Deep, while Gandalf departs to seek help from Treebeard. Gandalf frees Théoden, King of Rohan, from the influence of Saruman’s spy Gríma Wormtongue. Together they ride to Edoras, capital of Rohan. Gandalf assures his friends that Merry and Pippin are safe. He is clothed in white and is now Gandalf the White, for he has taken Saruman’s place as the chief of the wizards. He was also killed in the fight, but was sent back to Middle-earth to complete his mission. Gandalf explains that he killed the Balrog. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas track the hobbits to Fangorn.

Merry and Pippin escape into Fangorn Forest, where they are befriended by Treebeard, the oldest of the tree-like Ents. In the kingdom of Rohan, the Orcs are killed by Riders of Rohan, led by Éomer. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas decide to pursue the Orcs taking Merry and Pippin to Saruman.

Boromir tries to protect Merry and Pippin from the Orcs, but they kill him and capture the two hobbits. Summary - Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersĪ party of large Orcs, Uruk-hai, sent by Saruman, and other Orcs sent by Sauron and led by Grishnákh, attack the Fellowship.
