Usually when no Hobbits are abailable Gimli fills the gap. But it is
doubtful that Gimli spoke East Mersian.
Is it usual to have this many guards at the gate or did the Rohirrim feel so
threatened by the approach of the strangers that they called for extra men?
a: I'd say the lookout notified the oficer of the Guard as soon as he
detected strangers, and the full watch was turned out. That's pretty much
normal in wartime.
Gandalf just finished telling the others to "speak no haughty word", yet he
immediately confronts the first person he meets. What's up with that?
a: The situation is unexpected, and Gandalf is taking its measure.
Is the guard really as hostile as he sounds, or is he just doing his job?
I can understand him suspecting that the grey-cloaked strangers are spies, but
phantoms?
a: He's mainly doing his job, but he's suspicious about the horses,
especially Shadowfax. And he likely has never seen a Dwarf or an Elf, and
may consider them legendary.
Are Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli really the strangest looking people the
gate guards have ever seen? After all, these men see dead orcs.
a: It is an oddly mismatched company, and as above, Dwarves and Elves may
be considered fictitious. What would YOU say if Gimli and Legolas knocked
on your
door?
