Book 3, Chapter 6 Summary

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli ride to Edoras but at the gates, they learn that Wormtongue told the guards not to let anyone in. However, they convince the guards to permit them entrance and they travel through the city until they come to the door of Théoden's hall. There, Háma -- the doorwarden -- demands that they all leave their weapons behind, including Gandalf's staff. However, Gandalf tricks him into allowing him to keep his staff.

The four companions enter the hall to find that King Théoden is weak and ill under the counsel of Wormtongue. In fact, Théoden is so defeated that he has imprisoned his own nephew, Éomer. Of course, Théoden does not want to see Gandalf because he always brings bad news, but Gandalf heals him and brings him outside into the air...