Ferthu Theoden Hal! - Page 4
© Michael Martinez
Twelve years of warfare (2968-80) would be a long time for Theoden to serve as a soldier. It's doubftul that the Rohirrim conducted full campaigns during those years. They probably maintained strong patrols and may have occasionally crossed over into Dunland or other neighboring lands to pursue raiders. And it's not likely the raids would have stopped simply became Theoden had become king, although he might have decided upon different policies from those of his father.
Eomer and Eowyn therefore not only had a special relationship with Theoden, who was their uncle, but they were also quite probably raised in the house of a warrior king. Theodred, 13 years older than Eomer, was ready to serve in the Muster if he was not already doing so when Eomer came to live in Edoras. Twelve years later (3014) Theoden's health began to fail, and Eomer would himself had probably been serving as a Rider of Rohan for several years by that time. In 3017 Eomer was promoted to Third Marshal of the Mark.
Grima tried to portray Eomer as a rival to Theodred, and it certainly could have seemed like the two young men were in competition. Theodred was made Second Marshal of the Mark and given command of the West-muster, while Eomer took command of the East-muster. Both men had to defend Rohan against incursions, but Theodred, older, more experienced, and the King's Heir, was given the much more difficult task of holding the border with Isengard and Dunland.
Theoden's reasons for assigning Eomer to the East-muster rather than the West-muster should have been both practical and sentimental. In Eastfold Eomer could follow in his forefather's steps and not be a hindrance to Theodred. Grima's influence thus must be discounted. That is, it doesn't seem like Grima would have wanted two capable commanders in charge of Rohan's most active armies. The Muster of Edoras seems to have been relatively inactive in these years, although it's clear from "The Battles of the Fords of Isen" that the Muster of Edoras was used to reinforce either army if necessary.
We can thus conclude that Theoden must have been relatively clear of mind when he appointed Eomer Third Marshal in 3017. It would not be until 3018, when Gandalf arrived with the dire news that Isengard was preparing for all-out war with Rohan, when Grima would have to turn up the juice, so-to-speak. Theoden's gradual decline may have become accelerated.
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