
Summary
The four travelers arrive at Edoras on the morning of the next day after a long overnight ride. They are somewhat reluctantly admitted to Meduseld but are required to leave their weapons at the door. Aragorn has especial trouble parting with Anduril. Hama allows Gandalf to keep his staff even though that has been expressly forbidden. Theoden, under Wormtongue's influence, considers Gandalf nothing but a bad-news bearer. Wormtongue insults Gandalf, and Gandalf magicks him to the floor (yay!). With this and with Gandalf's encouraging words, Theoden begins to cast off Wormtongue's influence and regain his nobility. At Gandalf's urging he releases Eomer from prison (where he had been put for disobeying orders regarding the orcs) and Eomer offers the king his sword in service. Theoden accepts and asks for his own sword and to see Wormtongue. He offers Grima the choice of going to war against Saruman with him, or leaving forever. Wormtongue leaves. Gandalf has advised that all the Rohan noncombatants go to Dunharrow for protection. Theoden assigns Eowyn to this duty and names Eomer his heir, since his own son Theodred has been killed in the orc battle. At Gandalf's request, he also gives Shadowfax to Gandalf. The army begins to move toward Isengard.
Questions
1. If Eomer is Third Marshal of the Mark, who are First and Second?
2. Why do the king and even Grima himself allow everyone else to call the counselor Wormtongue?
3. What is the purpose to the story of having Eowyn fall in love with Aragorn?
4. Gandalf is coming "back" to Meduseld after a recent visit. When was that visit and why? (I think this question is actually answered later, but I can't remember where.)