The company reaches Isengard and discovers that property values have tanked in recent months, and it’s no wonder why when they see how poorly Saruman’s been maintaining his yard. Holes in the ground fume and glow with unnatural light, the place is flooded, and piles of stone and broken masonry hint at some recent battle. But strangest of all to the Rohirrim is what looks like two small people smoking on a rubble-heap. Are they some new monsters? A reason to call child protective services? Maybe we can ask who they are, if Gimli doesn’t strangle them first.
Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings (Mariner Books, paperback) “The Road to Isengard”, pp. 541-45
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) The Silmarillion (Mariner Books, paperback)
Shippey, Tom. J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century (Mariner Books, paperback)
1:20:00, the axes of the Argonath kings. I’m screaming, look at the Bayeux Tapestry! Tolkien evidently knew it, cf Letter 211,.There is a 19th century replica displayed at Reading, not far from Oxford.
The Tapestry shows axes, so-called “Dane-axes”, as insignia of rank as well as weapons, I.e. with Count Guy and King Harold on his coronation.