I've been thinking about how Legolas and Gimli "begged leave" to go up to the
city. One presumes they asked Aragorn if he minded if they went. If it didn't
matter much, and it was just them letting Aragorn know where they were going as
a courtesy, then why would Tolkien have used a formal phrase like "begged
leave?"
It strikes me as indicative of the change from them all working together in the
Fellowship under Aragorn's general leadership and his transition to now being a
general of an army. We have discussed Gondor's more rigid military structure
compared to Rohan before, and Tolkien himself was certainly very familiar with
army command structure. Soldiers don't just wander off to visit their mates
without being given permission. It also reflects both ancient and medieval
command practice - you asked the commander's leave before doing things. Not
that Aragorn considered himself to be in command of anyone, let alone Legolas
and Gimli, but they still observe the forms. It's part of Aragorn's transition
from member of the Fellowship to overall command of the Armies of the West.
It contrasts strongly with the less rigid atmosphere in Rohan - when Legolas
and Gimli inspect the breastworks at Helm's Deep, I doubt they asked Aragorn's
(or Theoden's) permission to wander around.
It also shows that in a real way why Legolas and Gimli don't need to be
at the Council. They aren't in command. Neither of them is experienced in
planning military operations and they will follow whatever Aragorn
decides.
