Théoden offers Wormtongue one last chance to redeem himself, but the counsellor is disinclined to acquiesce to his lord’s request. As Gríma’s stain is (literally) washed away, Gandalf and the king catch up on the history of Saruman’s treachery and the damage already done in Rohan before resolving to ride out and do something about it, leaving the fearless and high-hearted Éowyn in charge. All this, plus we discuss Rohirric lines of succession, close the book on the color of Shadowfax, and investigate the meaning of pity in a new Philology Faire.
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Recommended Reading:
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings (Mariner Books, paperback) “The King of the Golden Hall”, pp. 507-13
Carpenter, Humphrey, ed. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien (Mariner Books, paperback)
As regards Gollum not being a traitor, I would submit that murdering one’s cousin is a pretty big betrayal.
About Gollum and Grima: I would think that neither of them deserved mercy, but that mercy is unrelated to whether a person *deserves* it or not. I think it’s more about being compassionate and pitying a person for their own sake, implying, refusing to punish them for wrongdoings in order to be kind to the person and help them.