Grishnákh was an Orc captain of Barad-dur in Mordor under the rule of Sauron. He was the captain of the group of Orcs who had joined Uruk-hai's forces during the War of the Ring in taking Merry and Pippin across Rohan to Isengard. In appearance, he was described as a small creature with broad shoulders, crooked legs, and arms long enough to touch the ground beneath his feet.
History & Origins
Grishnákh had some other plan for the hobbits who were held captives by the joint forces of Orcs and Uglúk. While Uglúk wanted to deliver them unharmed, Grishnákh wanted to take them to Mordor. Since Grishnákh was present at the time of Gollum's interrogation, he knew about the existence of the One Ring. He suspected that the One Ring was in the possession of the two captive hobbits, Merry and Pippin. After overhearing Pippin imitate Gollum's croaking voice, his suspicions were confirmed. [1] When the King of Rohirrim attacked the Orcs, Grishnákh used their fight as a distraction to search the Hobbits for the Ring and even tried to escape with the two of them. Pippin tried to persuade him to let them free in exchange for the information about the One Ring, but Grishnákh did not accept his request and instead tried to take them away. When a Rohirrim rider discovered him, he tried to kill the Hobbits before they escaped or got rescued. But before he could draw his sword, a Rohirrim arrow shot his arm and he dropped the sword. He tried to escape, but he was chased down and killed by a Rohirrim spear.
Portrayal In Adaptations
1978 Film - The Lord of The Rings
In this movie, orcs cannot be individually seen or identified. However, one of the orcs calls out to Grishnákh, looking at another orc when the Rohirrim surround them. In another scene, Merry is shown telling one of the orcs that if the One Ring goes to Isengard, there won't be anything left for "for poor Grishnákh". [2]
2002 - The Lord of The Rings (The Two Towers)
Stephen Ure plays the character of Grishnákh. He is shown as one of the common orcs which is slain by Treebeard while he chases Merry and Pippin into the Fangorn Forest.
2004 - The Lord of the Rings (War of the Ring)
Grishnákh is shown as the captain of the evil troop. His character is voiced by David Lodge.
