How did it happen in the movies?
After seeing Denethor’s death, we cut to the battlefield in front of Minas Tirith, where Éomer, Théoden, Éowyn and Merry fight Orcs. At first they succeed in driving the Orcs back, away from the city, but suddenly a horn is heard and Haradhrim with their Mumâkil appear and trample a number of the Rohirrim.
Chaos emerges as everyone tries to avoid the feet of the beasts and Éomer succeeds in killing one of the Mumâkil
In the turmoil, Éowyn rescues Théoden from a few Orcs, staying unnoticed herself. At the end of the scene she succeeds in putting down the pink headed-Orc.
How did it happen in the books?
This scene matches a brief description in the books, of only a paragraph long…
Théoden, King of the Rohirrim, led his army to take the northern half of the Pelennor Fields. The Orcs were fleeing for the river for the Rohirrim. But the Haradrim saw this and their leader displayed his standard, attacking the King. Théoden killed the chieftain of the Haradhrim, but Darkness fell again and frightened Snowmane. While Théoden’s horse stood up on high, a black dart was shot in his direction and pierced Snowmane. He crashed down, with Théoden underneath him.
