Theoden's selective outrage

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Saruman has made out that the conflict is a sort of misunderstanding due to Theoden being beset by "unwise and evil counsels" and reproaches Theoden for the injuries done to him! It would have been easy to say "But you murdered my son" but for all that he was targeted, Theodred was a great warrior and died a warrior's death. Mutilating the dead and killing children are war crimes and show that the conflict is deeper and nastier than some sort of border skirmish.

That's a good point. Théoden's lack of tunnel-vision where his son was concerned also probably was a source of comfort to the rank-and-file soldiers, especially those of Westfold, who may have suffered terrible personal losses themselves. If the King could control his grief and fear for the time being, so could they.