Crossings of Isen

Those wishing  to  cross  the  Gap of  Rohan  found  themselves  blocked  by the  raging  river  Isen. No bridges  spanned this mighty  waterway,  and  all  had to travel to the fords to gain passage. The Rohirrim patrol  this  area  as  best  they could, for it marked the main entrance into their lands from the west, and the Men of Dunland  had  often  taken  control of the  fords,  demanding  payment  in exchange for passage, especially during the time  of  the  Dunlending  occupation  of  Nan Curunír. Also called  the Crossings of  Isen,  the  fords  had been  the site of  a  battle  between  King  Helm Hammerhand and Wulf I  in  TA  2758. Later, during the War of the Ring, Saruman’s forces and the  Rohirrim  waged  two  fierce battles here. Three rows  of  broad,  flat  step-ping-stones   proceed   straight   across the waters, with graded fords between them for  horses. The path  led  over a sandbar lingering in the centre. The rushing  waters   usually   babbled   and churned over the stones, offering only a minor impediment  to  those  keeping to the ford. During Saruman’s rise to power however,  he  dammed  the  Isen near Orthanc,  diverting  much  of  its flow, reducing the current at the fords to a  mere  trickle  and  eliminating  the river as  a  viable  defence  against  invasions from the west