The Dunlendings said that if he could find no food he ate men. It was believed that if he bore no weapon no weapon would bite on him.
He would go out by himself, clad in white, and stalk like a snow-troll into the camps of his enemies, and slay many men with his hands.
Helm grew fierce and gaunt for famine and grief and the dread of him alone was worth many men in the defence of the Burg. In Helm's Deep there was a great hunger after Yule and being in despair, against the king's counsel, Háma his younger son led men out on a sortie and foray, but they were lost in the snow. Both the Rohirrim and their foes suffered grievously in the cold, and in the dearth that lasted longer.
Soon afterwards the Long Winter began, and Rohan lay under snow for nearly five months (November to March, 2758-9).
