Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?

Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies surrounded us? Where was Gon… No, my lord Aragorn. We are alone.

Some movie quotes catch on, others don't. Authors and screenwriters generally agree that you can't predict the immortality of a line. Zdeněk Svěrák, one of the most prolific writers of iconic lines, has often said he is always surprised when a sentence catches on and becomes a cultural staple. Often, these are lines he never would have expected to become popular.

Our beloved sci-fi and fantasy genres have plenty of unforgettable quotes. Almost everyone today knows that Arnold always returns because he promises his "I'll be back," or that "The only good bug is a dead bug." A show like Red Dwarf is a literal goldmine of quotes! But let's take a look at Théoden and the Westfold.

The Battle of Helm's Deep is imminent. Rohan is preparing for a siege and trying to secure any help it can. King Théoden has just broken free from Saruman's spells and is already facing such danger. But when Aragorn suggests that Rohan should send a beacon to Gondor, Théoden scowls and utters that memorable line, which quickly became an immortal meme.

However, J. R. R. Tolkien did not put this line into Théoden's mouth. It is purely an invention of the film trilogy's screenwriters, likely to heighten the tension. The Westfold is, however, a "real" place on the map of Middle-earth. It is (quite unexpectedly) the western territory of Rohan. You will find the Gap of Rohan there, guarded by Isengard with the tower of Orthanc. It is one of the few places where you can easily pass through the Misty Mountains from the north and the White Mountains from the south. It is therefore a absolutely crucial location for the defense of Rohan.

Saruman knew this very well and decided to attack at this exact spot. While the Fellowship is peacefully sailing down the river Anduin, the first attack occurs. A few days later (at the time when Boromir dies and the Fellowship breaks), the attack is repeated and the Westfold falls. What's more, Théoden's only son Théodred falls as well. It is no wonder that Théoden feels such pain and bitterness.

Aragorn meant well with his advice. But even if a call for help to Gondor via the beacons had happened, Gondor could hardly have reacted in a reasonable amount of time. After all, there are over three hundred miles of plains and mountains between it and Rohan. At that moment, Rohan was truly alone.

No matter. Théoden said it in the movie and effectively started an almost endless stream of memes and jokes. A very nice source is, for example, the Facebook Westfold group. Activity around such groups even gave rise to a Petition to name new streets on the Rohan Embankment after characters from Rohan in The Lord of the Rings, as we even have a Rohan, or rather Rohan Island, here in Prague.

So, what is the answer to where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? It was at home! No one called for it, and it had enough problems of its own. It couldn't have intervened even if it had a whole herd of Shadowfaxes. Théoden was grumbling for nothing, but he did achieve internet immortality. And that's saying something!

author Karel Krajča