The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Set 183 years before the War of the Ring, the story begins by introducing Héra, the daughter of the king of Rohan. Éowyn, a distant voice, reflects on how Héra's tale remains forgotten in history, despite her significant role in the events that unfold.

Freca, the lord of Dunland, enters King Helm's hall, bringing his son Wulf along. He expresses his displeasure over Héra's arranged marriage to a lord from Gondor and proposes a union between Wulf and Héra to strengthen his claim to the throne of Rohan.

Tension escalates when Helm and Freca engage in a fist-fight outside the hall, spurred by the latter's attempts to force a marriage. In a moment of fury, Helm delivers a fatal blow to Freca, earning him the moniker 'Hammerhand' and inciting Wulf's thirst for revenge.

Following Freca's death, Wulf, devastated and enraged, disappears for years, plotting his revenge against Helm. The seeds of conflict are sown as he vows to reclaim what he believes is his birthright through force.

In a twist of fate, Héra is kidnapped by General Targg, one of Wulf's generals. She is taken into the forest and brought to Wulf's stronghold at Isengard, where she discovers the extent of Wulf's power as the High Lord of Dunlendings.

Seeing the devastation that Wulf's actions could bring to Rohan, Héra offers to marry him in a bid to stop his impending attack. However, her attempts at diplomacy are thwarted as Wulf's ambitions drive him to invade Rohan.

As war looms, Helm's nephew Fréaláf suggests evacuating Edoras, which Helm dismisses as cowardice. Helm prepares for battle while Héra, sensing the impending doom, devises a plan of her own.

The battle begins, and Héra takes action by evacuating Edoras to the Hornburg, realizing that her father's soldiers are severely outnumbered. Wulf begins a ruthless siege that lasts throughout the winter, erecting a massive siege tower.

In a desperate act of bravery, Helm slips out at night to fight Wulf's men, determined to uphold his honor. Ultimately, he meets his end frozen in place outside the Hornburg gates, forever guarding his kingdom.

During a search for her father, Héra stumbles upon two orcs from Mordor scavenging the dead. They are obeying orders from their master, highlighting the sinister forces at play in the midst of the chaos.

In a moment of urgency, Héra sends an eagle carrying Helm's armor to Fréaláf, seeking reinforcements. The message symbolizes hope in the darkest hours of the siege, as she prepares to confront Wulf directly.

Disguised as a bride, Héra rides onto Wulf's siege tower to challenge him in combat. Her bravery distracts Wulf's army, allowing the Rohirrim to escape through a secret passage, a tactic inspired by her father's own raids.

With Wulf defeated after a fierce duel, Héra makes her stand, forcing him to honor his word to surrender. Fréaláf arrives with cavalry in a timely rescue, using Helm's armor to invoke fear among the Dunlendings.

With Wulf's death at Héra's hands, the war comes to a close. However, the victory is bittersweet as the losses sustain deep scars among the Rohan people, forever marking their struggle.

In the aftermath, Helm becomes synonymous with the Hornburg's legacy, while Saruman takes control of Isengard. Héra, uninterested in ruling, seeks out new adventures, setting her sights on encounters with figures like Gandalf.