The twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, in whose days the kingdom, stretched past breaking, was saved by strangers. When the Balchoth horde overran Calenardhon and trapped Gondor's army, Cirion's summons — carried by Borondir, who alone of six riders got through — brought Eorl the Young and the Eotheod riding five hundred miles to the Field of Celebrant. In gratitude Cirion did a thing no Steward had authority to do and did it anyway: he granted Calenardhon to Eorl's people outright. On the hallow of Amon Anwar, over the tomb of Elendil, Cirion and Eorl swore the Oath that bound Gondor and Rohan in friendship — an oath kept across five hundred years, redeemed at the Pelennor Fields.