The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall (Part Six)

Hama comes back with Grima Wormtongue, who looks very white, cringing between two guards. Hama gives the King his ancient sword Herugrim, which Wormtongue had locked away in his chest and didn’t want to give up. Wormtongue protests that Theoden himself gave the sword into his keeping and tries to deflect things by saying it’s time to eat. Won’t he go to the table?

Theoden says certainly, and that those that Grima calls ‘irksome guests’ will join him. For the host will ride forth today. All who bear arms or can ride a horse must be off two hours after noon. And Wormtongue must ride with them. Grima whines that he doesn’t want to leave his side, and the King says that’s good, because he himself will be riding out. He bids Wormtongue join him to show his faith.

The counsellor quickly changes his tune. It’s a very noble desire for one of the House of Eorl, but shouldn’t he leave a faithful steward behind him to watch over the kingdom until his return … if he returns? Eomer laughs at him for trying to worm his way out of going, but Gandalf has had enough of Wormtongue’s temporizing.

With a terrible voice and piercing eyes, he accuses Wormtongue of being an agent of the traitorous wizard Saruman, working to weaken Theoden and Rohan. What was his price, the pick of the treasure and to take the woman he desired, Eowyn, the King’s niece? Eomer grasps his sword in anger, but Gandalf stays his hand, saying she is safe now. But, he advises Grima, he should probably return to his true master before Saruman forgets his bargain.

Wormtongue says he lies; Gandalf replies that he uses that word too often. The wizard turns to Theoden and says the choice is his. It isn’t safe to either take Wormtongue with him or to leave him; it would be just to slay him, but once upon a time he served him in his fashion. What is to be done? Let Grima choose, and by his choice judge him.

Theoden agrees and tells Wormtongue the choice: to ride with him to battle, or to leave to go wherever he wants. Theoden will not hinder him if he goes, but if they ever meet again, he will not be so merciful.

Wormtongue slowly rises and looks at them all, especially Theoden, assessing his chances. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but suddenly draws himself up, hands writhing, eyes glittering with malice. With a hissing breath he spits at the feet of the king, then turns and flees.

Theoden sends a guard after him, not to stop him but to keep him from harming anyone. He may take a horse (if any will have him, adds Eomer). The other guard goes out and brings water in his helmet and washes ‘the stones that Wormtongue had defiled.’ 

Bits and Bobs

What does Gandalf know about Wormtongue, and when did he know it? How does he know it? In the Bakshi movie, Gandalf sees Wormtongue at Isengard; in the Jackson films, he knows it from his connection to Saruman’s ‘spell of possession’. Both very cinematic. In the books, Gandalf seems to divine it from Grima’s actions, from his pressing a soft position on Saruman, from his very character itself. Whatever the case, when presented with his treachery, he cannot ‘worm’ his way out of it, and instead flees to his true master, revealing where his loyalties lie. His snake-like writhing, hissing, and spitting emphasize his poisonous character. All-in-all, Theoden is very lenient with him; perhaps he thinks his reception at Isengard after his failed mission punishment enough.

The name of Theoden’s sword, Herugrim, means ‘very fierce, savage. It had green gems on its scabbard. It is found sealed away in Grima’s chest, along with many other items men have missed; he is a thief as well as a spy. That he has had the King’s sword locked away in his keeping is an apt symbol that he has had control over his kingdom, his power, even his manhood - er, valor.