The advantages of this plan were numerous. By separating the agrarian and production areas, Thalion was confident that efficiency and productivity would increase. Padjajaran could focus on maintaining agricultural sustainability and the quality of life for its citizens, while Talaga Manggung would become a dynamic center for innovation and processing raw materials. The integrated waterway system also facilitated the circulation of water and goods, while maintaining the environmental balance.
To protect these two areas, Thalion envisioned a robust second defensive wall, which would later be named Kremlin. This wall would encircle both Padjajaran and Talaga Manggung, forming a protective fortress that would safeguard Rohan's core territory from external threats. With a sturdy and strategic design, the Kremlin would not only be a physical wall but also a symbol of Rohan's strength and resilience under Thalion's leadership.
In the map of Middle-earth, the territory of Rohan is surrounded and traversed by several important rivers that could be optimized for Thalion's planning:
Entwash River — Flows from the White Mountains to the Great Sea, forming a delta in northern Rohan. Snowbourn River — Flows near the city of Edoras, an important water source in the central region. Westfold Stream — A small river in the western region of Rohan. Limlight River — Located near Rohan's southwestern border.
Thalion planned a system of canals and waterways connected to these four rivers to irrigate Padjajaran (agriculture and residential) and Talaga Manggung (artificial lakes and workshops), as well as provide water for King's Landing and Bandung, the capital of Rohan.
Entwash as the primary source: The main canal would draw water from the Entwash due to its large and stable flow. This canal would flow south towards Padjajaran, branching into smaller channels to irrigate fields and gardens. A gravity-fed system and sluice gates would regulate the flow to prevent overflow during the rainy season and ensure sufficient water during the dry season. Snowbourn as reserve and humidity control: The Snowbourn would be integrated as a backup waterway to irrigate the western part of Rohan and help maintain soil moisture during the dry season. Smaller canals would also connect the Snowbourn to Talaga Manggung to maintain the lake volumes. Westfold Stream and Limlight for local irrigation and drainage: These two rivers would serve as local irrigation systems in the western and southwestern parts of Rohan. Besides providing water, a good drainage system would be designed to prevent pooling and flooding during heavy rains.
In addition to irrigation, the rivers also played a strategic role in Rohan's defense:
Rivers as natural fortresses: The Entwash and Snowbourn rivers would serve as natural barriers, making it difficult for enemies to attack Rohan directly. Thalion envisioned adding forts and guard posts at critical points along the rivers to monitor and deter enemies. Defensive canal system (Water Moat): The canals connecting the rivers and artificial lakes in Talaga Manggung would be designed to form a water moat surrounding the second defensive wall, the Kremlin. These canals could be filled and drained by regulating sluice gates, complicating enemy troop movements. Water Gates: At the Kremlin wall, water gates that could be opened and closed would regulate the flow of rivers and canals. When a threat arose, these gates would be closed, isolating the inner territory and utilizing controlled flooding to protect the Padjajaran and Talaga Manggung areas. Evacuation and supply routes using boats: The waterways connecting the rivers and lakes could also be used for rapid transport—moving troops, weaponry, and logistical supplies without the risk of being trapped on land. The Concept of Bandung's Rivendell-like BeautyArchitecture in Harmony with Nature
Buildings would be designed organically, flowing, made from natural stone and carved wood, with many arches and large windows allowing natural light to enter. Large trees, colorful gardens, small waterfalls, and reflective ponds would be scattered throughout the city. Winding pathways would be adorned with mosaic stones and dimly lit hanging lamps at night.
Dominant Presence of Nature
Bandung would be surrounded by mountains and dense forests—featuring vast botanical gardens and green open spaces for relaxation and meditation. Small rivers and clear water canals would flow serenely through the city, creating a peaceful and refreshing impression.
Central Buildings: Palace & City Council
The Palace would be made of white marble with silver ornaments and colorful stained glass, layered with terraced gardens full of flowers. The City Council would be housed in a magnificent building connected to a Zen garden and a large library, reflecting a center of wisdom and peace.
Robust Security like an Iron FortressTiered Great Walls
Bandung would be surrounded by thick, tiered defensive walls, made of dark basalt stone that was almost impenetrable. These walls would feature tall, armed watchtowers, strategically positioned for 360° surveillance. The walls would include embrasures for arrow launchers, ballistae, and other defensive traps.
Main Gate and Innermost Fortress
The main gate would be a large iron door reinforced with advanced locking mechanisms, guarded by elite troops. Within the walls, a second fortress would serve as a last refuge in case of a major attack. This fortress would be equipped with soldier barracks, weapon storage, and provisions.
Water Moats and Defensive Canals
Water moats would encircle the city walls, connected to a river and canal system whose water levels could be regulated to be filled or drained as needed for defense. Inner-city canals would also serve as evacuation and supply routes for fast boats.
Alarm and Signal Systems
Signal towers at high points of the city with bonfires and trumpets for rapid communication during emergencies. Guard forces would be deployed in shifts with neatly planned patrol routes.
Harmonizing Beauty and DefenseDefense Hidden in Beauty
Many defensive elements would be hidden behind artistic ornamentation: for example, watchtowers camouflaged as flower garden towers, and walls covered with vines and moss but incredibly strong. Traps and defensive mechanisms would be concealed within pathways and gardens.
Safe Zones and Public Zones
The city would be divided into several zones:
Core zone: The palace and defensive fortress, highly guarded. Elite residential zone: Large homes with extra security and private gardens. Public zone: Markets, social areas, parks, and public gathering places with security but an open and friendly atmosphere. Transportation and Access System
Main roads would be wide with smooth stone paving, but entry to the core zone would be restricted and guarded. Water transport via inner-city canals would also facilitate mobility without opening vulnerable land access.
Additional Elements for Bandung's CharacterMagical and Mystical
A sacred ancient tree would stand in the city center, regarded as a symbol of life and the city's protector. Annual light festivals would illuminate the city with lanterns and fireworks, enhancing its charm and the citizens' spirit.
Cultural and Educational Life
Art schools, martial arts academies, and large libraries would fill the city as intellectual and artistic centers. Its inhabitants would be known for being friendly and cultured, making Bandung not just a fortress, but the heart of Rohan's civilization.
In the stillness of the night, Thalion stood on a hilltop overlooking Helm's Deep, Rohan's legendary fortress that had long been a symbol of last-stand defense against waves of darkness. His eyes swept over every curve of the ancient, sturdy walls and towers, which were now aging and needed rebuilding to withstand the increasingly severe threats.
"Helm's Deep must be more than just a fortress," he murmured softly. "It must be a blend of beauty and strength, a place that not only strikes fear into enemies but also inspires those who defend it."
Thalion envisioned the massive, towering rock face behind Helm's Deep as an unshakable natural defense. This stone mountain would be reinforced with hidden tunnels and passages known only to the fortress's inhabitants.
"This mountain is our natural fortress," he thought. "I will create secret paths penetrating deep within the mountain's belly, a hidden exit leading directly to the Adorn River. If desperate, troops and citizens could retreat safely without enemy detection."
At the front, Thalion wanted something as grand as Minas Tirith's fortress, yet with a softer, more harmonious artistic touch.
"Solid white stone walls, adorned with delicate carvings and reliefs depicting the history of Rohan and its heroes," he imagined. "Tall, gracefully arched watchtowers, with small gardens at each corner to keep the air fresh and the soldiers' spirits calm."
The main gate was designed like Minas Tirith's gate, but with a more artistic arch, decorated with patterns of climbing plants and carvings of oak trees as symbols of life and resilience.
Thalion knew the battle at Helm's Deep would be the ultimate test for Rohan's soldiers, so he designed various advanced defense systems:
Fortress within a fortress: Behind the main wall, there would be a second fortress, serving as a last stand if the enemy breached the outer defenses. Hidden arrow slits and ballistae: These would line the walls, disguised with natural elements to make them difficult for enemies to detect. Sharpshooters could then attack from safe positions. Trenches and water canals: Deep trenches and canals, fillable with water from the Adorn River, would serve as additional obstacles to slow the enemy's advance. Mountain evacuation and supply routes: Secret passages in the mountain would connect the fortress to the Adorn River, allowing troops to retreat, send supplies, or receive aid undetected by the enemy.
Imagine late afternoon turning into evening, as the sky began to redden. The soldiers of Helm's Deep were busy preparing: some sharpened swords, others readied ballista bolts, while some stood guard in the towers with watchful gazes. Amidst this activity, the small gardens and mini waterfalls within the fortress created a peaceful atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the tension of war.
"This is not just a fortress," Thalion whispered to himself. "This is home, the last bastion protecting Rohan's hope."
Under the starlit night sky, Thalion sat cross-legged in his hidden chamber deep within Meduseld, Rohan's Golden Hall. Around him, small candles cast soft flames, dancing with the cold drafts that seeped through the stone crevices.
He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and allowed his mind to drift far from the world's clamor. In that silence, Thalion began to meditate, emptying all noise and doubt from his heart. He knew that what he was about to do was not merely an ordinary human endeavor, but a plea to something higher—the Gate of Truth, a mystical portal that could unveil hidden knowledge and wisdom.
With deep humility, he focused his intention. The image of the mystical gate began to form in his mind: a luminous archway separating the real world from the highest dimension of truth. He imagined himself standing before the gate, humbling himself and pleading: "I, Thalion, protector of Rohan, humbly request knowledge to prepare this land for the wars of the next sixty years. Grant me wisdom regarding the equipment and preparations we must ready so that Rohan remains steadfast and unshakable."
A wave of silence enveloped the room, but soon after, as if from the depths of his soul and the universe, a flow of knowledge began to pour in. Images appeared in his mind: iron to be forged into swords and spears that were not only sharp but light; shields that were strong yet flexible, capable of withstanding heavy blows while being easy to carry; accurate bows and arrows, combined with ballistae and trebuchets that could shatter enemy ranks from afar.
He saw designs for armor made of layers of light metal and strong leather, interspersed with magical materials capable of deflecting blows and providing flexibility. He also envisioned plans for building workshops to efficiently produce all this equipment, surrounded by an irrigation network that would facilitate material supply and distribution.
Besides weapons and protection, knowledge also taught him about other essential equipment: rapid communication tools for the battlefield, long-lasting food supplies, and healing systems for wounded soldiers. Thalion could feel the presence of ancient teachers, legendary blacksmiths, and strategists whispering their secrets.
As Thalion remained engrossed in meditation, the flow of knowledge from the Gate of Truth extended further, bringing intelligent visions of how to utilize Rohan's surrounding natural resources—especially the four great rivers flowing around it: Anduin, Snowbourn, Westfold, and Eastfold.
Visions emerged of simple yet effective irrigation systems, employing natural principles and local wisdom already known to their ancestors. From these four rivers, Thalion saw how water could be channeled through a network of open canals built with stone and wood, connecting these water sources to the agricultural lands of Padjajaran.
Artificial lakes were also depicted, strategically located as water reservoirs that could hold reserves during the rainy season and serve as irrigation sources during dry spells. These lakes also functioned as natural flood retention zones, reducing the risk of river overflows that could damage land and settlements.
He received images of simple sluice gates made of wood and stone, capable of being opened and closed to regulate water flow to rice fields and plantations. This system allowed for fair and controlled water distribution, maintaining soil fertility while avoiding waste.
Thalion also saw how this canal system served a dual purpose as a water transportation route, facilitating the movement of goods and agricultural produce from Padjajaran to Talaga Manggung, where workshops and product processing took place. Small boats with simple paddles would glide calmly along these canals, carrying fresh produce to artisans and merchants.
Furthermore, in terms of defense, the water flow from the rivers could also be utilized as natural moats and strategic barriers. Water canals connected to the rivers could be flooded to slow enemy movement, while wooden dams could be constructed to regulate water flow, allowing it to be altered into traps or defensive barriers.
The technology suggested by the Gate of Truth was perfectly suited to the world of Middle-earth—relying on the power of nature, local materials like stone and wood, and carpentry and masonry techniques passed down through generations of Rohan's inhabitants.
Thalion regarded the vision with awe and gratitude. With this knowledge, Rohan would not only be prepared to withstand a harsh war but would also prosper sustainably, maintaining the balance of nature and the lives of its citizens.
Dawn began to paint the sky with a golden-orange hue as Thalion slowly opened his eyes. His face remained serene, but his eyes shone like embers finding their wind. He rose from the cold stone floor, then strode purposefully to his study—a simple chamber containing a wooden table, ink, parchment scrolls, and old, yellowed maps of Rohan.
He sat down. There was no hesitation in his movements.
His hands began to dance across the parchment, etching every detail of the vision that had just been imparted to him through his meditation with the Gate of Truth. He drew irrigation systems from the four great rivers: the Snowbourn, which would flow north; the Anduin, which would be channeled to artificial lakes south of Padjajaran; and then two tributaries from the Westfold and Eastfold, connected through layered stone canals, forming a gigantic irrigation network that would sustain fields, plantations, and provide water power for the workshops in Talaga Manggung.
He sketched designs for wooden sluice gates and simple manually adjustable dams, as well as a system of reservoir lakes as the people's water stores. He depicted the dual function of the canals as transportation and defense routes, and how they could open or close flows for tactical purposes during war.
Then he drew a renovated Helm's Deep: the front wall mimicking Gondor's elegance, with gardens and white stone courtyards, yet its rear remained integrated with the sturdy mountain cliff. There was a secret tunnel penetrating the belly of the hill and exiting directly to the Adorn River—an evacuation and supply route if all gates were blocked.
Next, he began to write down the details of weaponry: designs for longbows, light spears, armor layered with light leather and metal. He even added notes about weaponry workshops hidden beneath Talaga Manggung, concealed but connected by secret canals. He even drew ancient symbols to ensure that workers and artisans worked in harmony with nature and Rohan's values.
When everything was written, drawn, and bound into one large scroll sealed with red wax—Thalion stood. He looked at his work, not with arrogance, but with confidence.
That very day, he donned his finest robe, tied back his long hair, and called his servant to prepare his horse. Outside the royal hall, Rohan's nobles had gathered as commanded by the King, Thalion's father. They did not know what the young man would bring, but all knew: Thalion had not come to speak of dreams, but to present a real plan that could change the future of their land.
And on the stone steps leading to the Meduseld Throne Room, Thalion walked slowly but steadily, carrying the scroll of his grand plan in his hand. In his heart, he knew: today was not just the beginning of war preparations. This was the birth of a new Rohan.