TTT, Book 3, Chapter 8 - The Road to Isengard

[Notta Hobbit]

Summary

In the evening of the battle day, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Theoden, and Eomer lead a small group to Isengard to "parley" with Saruman. We learn that Hama the Doorwarden has been slain and is buried in a place of honor. Gimli lyrically describes the Caves of Aglarond, and he and Legolas promise to visit each other's favorite attractions (Legolas's is Fangorn). As the party leaves they see some Ents returning to Fangorn. At the Ford of Isen, they find it almost dry. Gandalf explains some of what he was doing last night – rounding up survivors of the battle here and sending them to Helm's Deep or to Edoras. Camping outside Nan Curunir for the evening, they see smoke or steam in the valley. Gandalf appears not to know exactly what it is. In the night they are passed by large groups of Huorns. After that, "the voice of the river beside them suddenly awoke."

The next morning the group finds the ruined gate and its two hobbit gatekeepers, who are expecting them. They are well-fed and smoking pipes, and verbally joust with their old friends.

Questions

1. Does Gandalf really not know why the river is dry and there is steam in the valley? Hasn't he already discussed this with Treebeard?
2. Pippin's character seems the same here, but Merry seems subtly different. Would he have dared to scold Gandalf before, even gently?
3. We don't hear much more of the Caves of Aglarond, so why spend so much time on it? And When did Gimli have time to see all that, anyway?

[Arvegil]

We don't hear much more of the Caves of Aglarond, so why spend so much time on it? And When did Gimli have time to see all that, anyway?

Well, I suppose that it is important because it deepens the Legolas/ Gimli interaction. Also relevant for the epilogue, Aglarond is where Gimli establishes his own domain and becomes a Dwarf-Lord himself.

[Morwenna]

Regarding Merry: I think his new brazenness is born of experience. Since Moria, they've been to Lothlorien, been captured by orcs, effectively rescued themselves (with a little help from orkish greed), met the ents, and started the ball rolling for the defeat of Saruman. I think that earns the hobbits the right to a little chutzpah.