At the time Gandalf and the Three Hunters arrived at the Golden Hall in Edoras, Theoden, and his palace was under the control of Saruman's servant, Wormtongue, who he had made his advisor. Under Wormtongue's influence, Theoden's mind had dulled, he was under a depressive spell, and his mind was poisoned against his friends. He was cured when Gandalf and his companions finally gained entrance, and Wormtongue was cast out.