The Oathbreakers

[Calimehtar]

The Oathbreakers
Over the land there lies a long shadow,
westward reaching wings of darkness.
The Tower trembles; to the tombs of kings
doom approaches. The Dead awaken;
for the hour is come for the oathbreakers;
at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again
and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
from the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
The heir of him to whom the oath they swore.
From the North shall he come, need shall drive him:
he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead.


Anyways, that poem doesn't have much to do with my question. I was just wondering if the "Oathbreakers" fought or anything after Aragorn passed through the Paths of the Dead. I mean did they go to Gondor or anything and help fight or did they just go back to the Paths of the Dead or diminish or something.

 

[Sirion]

They go with him and kick the snot out of the fleet of the corsairs of Umbar. After the ships are taken and the battle over:

"Hear now the words of the Heir of Isildur! Your oath is fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again! Depart and be at rest!"
And there upon the King of the Dead stood out before the host and broke his spear and cast it down. Then he bowed low and turned away; and swiftly the whole grey host drew on and vanished like a mist that is driven back by a sudden wind; and it seemed to me that i awoke from a dream.

-Gimli, of Aragorn The Last Debate

 

[Rangerdave]

Originally posted by Sirion
They go with him and kick the snot out of the fleet of the corsairs of Umbar.

Well they do follow Aragorn in his battle with the Corsairs, but the dead need never lift a blade or spear.

But defenders and foes alike gave up the battle and fled when we came, crying out that the King of the Dead was upon them.

There at Pelargir lay the main fleet of Umbar, fifty great ships and smaller vessels beyond count. Many of those that we pursued had reached the havens before us, and brought their fear with them; and some of the ships had put off, seeking to escape down the River or to reach the far shore; and many of the smaller craft were ablaze. But the Haradrim, being now driven to the brink, turned at bay, and they were fierce in despair; and they laughed when they looked on us, for they were a great army still.
'But Aragorn halted and cried with a great voice: "Now come! By the Black Stone I call you! " And suddenly the Shadow Host that had hung back at the last came up like a grey tide, sweeping all away before it. Faint cries I heard, and dim horns blowing, and a murmur as of countless far voices: it was like the echo of some forgotten battle in the Dark Years long ago. Pale swords were drawn; but I know not whether their blades would still bite, for the Dead needed no longer any weapon but fear. None would withstand them.
'To every ship they came that was drawn up, and then they passed over the water to those that were anchored; and all the mariners were filled with a madness of terror and leaped overboard, save the slaves chained to the oars. Reckless we rode among our fleeing foes, driving them like leaves, until we came to the shore.

The living companions of the King kicked butt. The dead just had to show up.

RD

 

[redline2200]

I remember that part quite well but I can't seem to find it. Could you tell me in what chapter that whole passage is at? its been a while since i have read the books.

 

[Valdarmyr]

Originally posted by redline2200
I remember that part quite well but I can't seem to find it. Could you tell me in what chapter that whole passage is at? its been a while since i have read the books.

About 5 pages into the chapter The Last Debate in ROTK.