just a little thing first. its the little mistakes that sometimes urk me more than the 'big' ones. "They're taking the hobbits North East to Isengard". Sorry can't buy this one. North WEST you silly elf!
I can come up with an answer for Legolas looking to his left towards the Orcs on the Western Shore whilst on the river (he was going through the bit of the RIver where it loops around near the Wold), but I can't figure out a way around North East.......