At the end of the battle of Helms deep who does Gandalf return with? I know of the Rohhirm (?) that were with Rohan's kings son but it was previously shown there was not many of them when they meet Aragorn Legolas and Gimli. The army Gandalf returns with is large, who makes it up?
shareThe second force of Rohirrim was captained by Erkenbrand, the master of Westhold. Alerted by Gandalf, he regrouped his forces after the Battle of the Fords of Isen and arrived at Helm's Deep in time to route Saruman's army. Erkenbrand was among the Riders of Rohan who opposed Wormtongue's influence over the King of the Mark and faced exile (if I remember correctly).
"Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved." - T. Isabella
Everything the previous poster, Otaku-sempai, wrote is quite accurate...in accordance with the book. I don't think it answers your question with respect to the movie.
You are correct that the first group of Rohirrim that the Three Hunters (Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli) encounter is relatively small - twenty-ish or so by memory, though I never counted - but based on the dialogue in the film we have to conclude that that group was either a detachment of the larger group or Èomer's company grew as they went. Èomer tells Aragorn that his men are loyal to the king but banished, and that they are riding north (destination unknown).
When the Gandalf exorcises Saruman and the situation is being discussed with the king, Aragorn says "You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
Obviously at some point Èomer's band of loyalists grew to a larger number than what is shown in the early scene. Presumably Gandalf catches up to that group (with the aid of the super-speedy Shadowfax) and turns them back to arrive at Helm's Deep "at first light on the fifth day."
Again, all of this is movie-only, at great variance with the book, and requires some supposition based on the dialogue and other things.
Good point. In the film the horsemen are more likely riding under Èomer, the brother of Èowyn and nephew to the King.
"Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved." - T. Isabella
Thanks! It would have been good if there was a segment with Gandalf finding them explaining their numbers but then again the film is almost 4 hours as it is!
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