towers

680 the two towers
was in them that men stepped back from him. He bared his
teeth; and then with a hissing breath he spat before the king’s
feet, and darting to one side, he fled down the stair.
‘After him!’ said Théoden. ‘See that he does no harm to
any, but do not hurt him or hinder him. Give him a horse, if
he wishes it.’
‘And if any will bear him,’ said Éomer.
One of the guards ran down the stair. Another went to the
well at the foot of the terrace and in his helm drew water.
With it he washed clean the stones that Wormtongue had
defiled.
‘Now my guests, come!’ said Théoden. ‘Come and take
such refreshment as haste allows.’
They passed back into the great house. Already they heard
below them in the town the heralds crying and the war-horns
blowing. For the king was to ride forth as soon as the men
of the town and those dwelling near could be armed and
assembled.
At the king’s board sat Éomer and the four guests, and
there also waiting upon the king was the lady Éowyn. They
ate and drank swiftly. The others were silent while Théoden
questioned Gandalf concerning Saruman.
‘How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?’ said
Gandalf. ‘He was not always evil. Once I do not doubt that
he was the friend of Rohan; and even when his heart grew
colder, he found you useful still. But for long now he has
plotted your ruin, wearing the mask of friendship, until he
was ready. In those years Wormtongue’s task was easy, and
all that you did was swiftly known in Isengard; for your land
was open, and strangers came and went. And ever Wormtongue’s
whispering was in your ears, poisoning your
thought, chilling your heart, weakening your limbs, while
others watched and could do nothing, for your will was in
his keeping.
‘But when I escaped and warned you, then the mask was
torn, for those who would see. After that Wormtongue played