Em nosso mundo, antes da invenção do rádio, as únicas maneiras de se comunicar durante uma batalha eram pelo som ou pela visão a longas distâncias ou por mensagens pessoais.
- Trombetas (ou cornetas ou cornetas) podem ser ouvidas a grandes distâncias. Diferentes músicas e ritmos podem ser usados para transmitir ordens como avançar ou recuar. Os tambores podem ser usados da mesma maneira em distâncias mais curtas.
- Bandeiras são hasteadas em prédios e navios para indicar qual grupo as controla.
- Bandeiras que acompanham um líder dizem às tropas onde elas devem estar e ajudam a identificar os inimigos.
- Os comandantes que não estão no mesmo local podem se comunicar enviando uma mensagem escrita ou verbal através de um mensageiro a cavalo.
Muitos desses métodos foram usados na Batalha dos Campos de Pelennor.
Quando os Rohirrim chegam ao muro norte, todo o Pelennor é ocupado pelo exército de Sauron e o céu está escuro. O plano de batalha de Théoden é, necessariamente, simples.
‘Éomer, my son! You lead the first éored,’ said Théoden; ‘and it shall go behind the king’s banner in the centre. Elfhelm, lead your company to the right when we pass the wall. And Grimbold shall lead his towards the left. Let the other companies behind follow these three that lead, as they have chance. Strike wherever the enemy gathers. Other plans we cannot make, for we know not yet how things stand upon the field. Forth now, and fear no darkness!’
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 5: The Ride of the Rohirrim
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Depois de saber que o vento está começando a soprar as nuvens escuras, Théoden lança seu agitado chamado às armas e soa uma buzina para o ataque. Isso comunica a presença dos Rohirrim ao exército de Gondor.
With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 5: The Ride of the Rohirrim
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A investida dos Rohirrim limpa o exército de Sauron da parte norte do Pelennor e permite que o exército de Gondor saia dos portões agora destruídos de Minas Tirith. Depois que Théoden é morto, Éomer guia seus homens para o sul, enquanto os homens do rei carregam o corpo de Théoden e Éowyn em direção aos portões da cidade. No caminho para os portões, eles encontram Imrahil liderando o exército de Gondor em batalha. Este é o primeiro registro de diálogo entre os dois exércitos durante a batalha e Imrahil descobre que Théoden está morto e que Éomer agora lidera os Rohirrim.
It was through a mist that presently he saw the van of the men of Gondor approaching. Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, rode up and drew rein before them.
‘What burden do you bear, Men of Rohan?’ he cried. ‘Théoden King,’ they answered. ‘He is dead. But Éomer King now rides in the battle: he with the white crest in the wind.’
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 6: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
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À medida que a batalha avança e começa a virar o favor de Sauron, Aragorn se aproxima de Harlond nos navios dos Corsários. As pessoas em Minas Tirth tentam usar sinos e trombetas para recuperar seu exército (pensando que os navios são reforços para Sauron). Esta tentativa de comunicação não teve êxito.
‘The Corsairs of Umbar!’ men shouted. ‘The Corsairs of Umbar! Look! The Corsairs of Umbar are coming! So Belfalas is taken, and the Ethir, and Lebennin is gone. The Corsairs are upon us! It is the last stroke of doom!’ And some without order, for none could be found to command them in the City, ran to the bells and tolled the alarm; and some blew the trumpets sounding the retreat. ‘Back to the walls!’ they cried. ‘Back to the walls! Come back to the City before all are over- whelmed!’ But the wind that sped the ships blew all their clamour away.
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 6: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
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Éomer acredita que a batalha está perdida e se prepara para uma última batalha até que Aragorn comunique sua chegada, exibindo o estandarte real de Gondor que Arwen lhe enviara.
And then wonder took him, and a great joy; and he cast his sword up in the sunlight and sang as he caught it. And all eyes followed his gaze, and behold! upon the foremost ship a great standard broke, and the wind displayed it as she turned towards the Harlond. There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the sunlight, for they were wrought of gems by Arwen daughter of Elrond; and the crown was bright in the morning, for it was wrought of mithril and gold.
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 6: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
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Aragorn encontra Éomer no meio da batalha e eles conversam.
And so at length Éomer and Aragorn met in the midst of the battle, and they leaned on their swords and looked on one another and were glad. ‘Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us,’ said Aragorn. ‘Did I not say so at the Hornburg?’ ‘So you spoke,’ said Éomer, ‘but hope oft deceives, and I knew not then that you were a man foresighted. Yet twice blessed is help unlooked for, and never was a meeting of friends more joyful.’ And they clasped hand in hand. ‘Nor indeed more timely,’ said Éomer. ‘You come none too soon, my friend. Much loss and sorrow has befallen us.’ ‘Then let us avenge it, ere we speak of it!’ said Aragorn, and they rode back to battle together.
The Lord of the Rings Book Five, Chapter 6: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
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