Why was 🧙Gandalf not able to read the runes?

[Red Leaf]

There is perhaps a very simple explanation - Gandalf and the gang are in the middle of enemy/unfriendly territory, and have just had an unpleasant experience with some trolls. Gandalf may have taken the view that sitting about trying to read marks on a couple of swords was not, in fact, a sensible way to spend the next few hours.

The wording is ambiguous - it certainly does not say that Gandalf could not read them. The word is 'may' which is as much about opportunity as it is about capability.

 

[Elthir]

That could work Carallas (🍁) . . . on the other hand, it's only two words (at least the sword names anyway)

. . . but on the other, other hand, Gandalf may have not thought this matter important until later.

🐾