the confusing doors of Meduseld

[mindstalk]

From The Two Towers:

The guard still hesitated. ‘Your staff,’ he said to Gandalf. ‘Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors.’

...

The guards now lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly inwards grumbling on their great hinges. The travellers entered.

...

Slowly Théoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again. The woman hastened to the king’s side, taking his arm, and with faltering steps the old man came down from the dais and paced softly through the hall. Wormtongue remained lying on the floor. They came to the doors and Gandalf knocked.

‘Open!’ he cried. ‘The Lord of the Mark comes forth!’

The doors rolled back and a keen air came whistling in. A wind was blowing on the hill.

So... is Theoden locked into his hall, unable to leave without guards outside to work the door? Is the door barred on the outside?

Comments

[hhimring]

I suspect this has more to do with Theoden's dignity.
Maybe these are the big doors and there is a smaller door for less official exits.

[anna_wing]

Kings do not open their own doors.