Éomer, Third Marshal of the Riddermark, demands proper identification from the Three Hunters, and Aragorn gives it to him by name-dropping a lineage going back three thousand years and unsheathing a sword even older than that. In one of the greatest “okaayyy” moments in Tolkien’s legendarium, Éomer accepts their explanation and proceeds to catch them up on current events in this region where Saruman’s betrayal is more than just a rumor. Also, word-nerdery on another Old English word for a horse… hint: it’s not coconætt.
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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 Riders of Rohan”, pp. 423-27
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) The Silmarillion (Mariner Books, paperback)
Hello from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada!
I was thinking about the Haldir/Eomer contrast, and I wonder if there is something that hasn’t been considered. I’m an army brat, and so familiar with the chain of command and “RHIP” – Rank Hath its Privileges. Eomer, as the Third Marshall of the Mark, the nephew of the King and now the heir apparent, had the clout to lay aside the rules, or at least temper them with wisdom. He had the authority to be lenient with the Three Hunters. Similarly, Faramir had that authority over the issue of what to do with two wandering hobbits. However, Haldir, being (apparently) just a foot soldier of the Galadhrim, did not have such authority. He was under the command of someone too far away to consult, and therefore had no choice but to take the “visitors” to by judged by the Lord and Lady.
By the way, speaking of Celeborn, is there any information about why he is called “The Wise”? He doesn’t appear to do anything particularly wise in his dealings with the Fellowship.