"Ride For Ruin, and The World's Ending!" The Charge of The Rohirrim and the Christian Life

The Charge of The Rohirrim is easily one of, if not my favorite scene in both literary and Cinematic history. Theoden, king of Rohan, after gathering the Riders of Rohan, rouses them and sends them on an almost suicidal charge in the an army of darkness. They are out numbered, out manned, and Gondor has all but fallen. I believe this beautiful scene is a mindset that perfectly fits the Christian life, one we must all share.



The riders sit ready on the hill. The six thousand Rohirrim look upon an army of over 130,000 orcs and enemies. These men know they will die. And if not them, their sons, their brothers, their fathers and friends. The king, sitting erect, and in a voice more clear than any man had spoke before, pronounces,



"Arise! Arise Riders of Theoden!

Fell deeds awake: Fire and slaughter!

Spear shall be shaken! Shield be splintered!

A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises!

Ride now! Ride now! Ride to Gondor!"



The movie adds, "Ride to Ruin! And the World's ending!"



They go forth charging, and yet, though they know of the doom they quickly approach, "Darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and the fled, and they died and the hooves of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew."



Despite the doubt and fear of what approached, they went forth because, though they knew they were outnumbered, the odds being against them, they knew to withdraw would simply delay their doom. They went forth courageous now, with hope that their current sacrifice would not be in vain, and clearly it was not. They embraced death and ruin knowing it would not be the end, and it was not.



Did not the Saints share this mentality, when they went to their deaths? Did not Saint Stephen proclaim the Faith before he was stoned? St. Bartholomew kept the faith, despite being flayed, having his flesh separated from his body. St. Lawrence, according to tradition, despite being in flames, joked, "Turn me over, I'm done on this side." St. Maximilian Kolbe spared not himself in volunteered to take the place of a Polish prisoner. Countless other deeds could be named here.



We ourselves must embrace this mindset, know that no matter what befalls, us, Christ cannot be overcome. In the darkest hours, we must remember that no matter what happens to us, it is not the end. "And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."(Matt 28:20).



Indeed the Riders' fear was turned into joy, so much that it brought terror over the great army of Mordor, so much so that The Riders of Rohan, "Sang as they slew."



