Meriadoc Brandybuck and Théoden

Meriadoc Brandybuck, the hobbit known as Merry, enters the service of King Théoden of Rohan in a moment of profound personal loyalty, transforming from a reluctant passenger into a sworn knight of the Mark. Their bond, forged in the shadow of war, becomes one of the most poignant relationships of the War of the Ring, defined by mutual respect, a fatherly affection from the aging king, and Merry's desperate courage to stand by his lord in his final battle.

The Oath of Fealty

At the Hornburg, after the Battle of Helm's Deep, Théoden, preparing to ride to Dunharrow and then to war, offers Merry a place as his esquire. Merry, who had felt himself a burden, is deeply moved. He draws his small sword from its black sheath, kneels, and kisses the king's hand, crying: "May I lay the sword of Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, Théoden King? Receive my service, if you will!" Théoden, laying his long old hands on Merry's brown hair, blesses him and declares: "Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of Meduseld! Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune!" Merry replies, "As a father you shall be to me," to which Théoden answers, "For a little while." This formal oath binds Merry to the king's service, giving him a purpose and a place in the coming conflict.

Service and Separation

Merry rides with Théoden from the Hornburg to Dunharrow, sharing the king's company and learning tales of the Mark. However, when the host of Rohan musters for the ride to Minas Tirith, Théoden tells Merry he must remain behind, as his pony, Stybba, cannot keep pace with the great horses of the Riders. Merry is devastated, begging to be tied to a saddle or to run on foot. Théoden, with a smile, refuses, but promises to bear him to Edoras. It is only through the secret aid of Éowyn, disguised as Dernhelm, that Merry defies the king's command and rides to the Pelennor Fields, hidden before Dernhelm on the great horse Windfola.

The Last Stand and the King's Fall

On the Pelennor Fields, Merry is thrown from the horse when the Witch-king's fell beast attacks. He crawls, dazed and sick with horror, but is roused by the sight of Dernhelm (Éowyn) standing alone against the Lord of the Nazgûl. Pity and wonder fill his heart, and the slow-kindled courage of his race awakens. As the Witch-king prepares to kill Éowyn, Merry stabs him from behind with his barrow-blade, shearing through the black mantle and piercing the sinew behind his knee. This blow distracts the Witch-king, allowing Éowyn to deliver the final, fatal stroke. The sword of the Barrow-downs, work of Westernesse, is consumed by the deed, its blade smoking and withering away.

After the battle, Merry finds Théoden dying. The king opens his eyes and speaks his last words to the hobbit: "Farewell, Master Holbytla!... Grieve not! It is forgiven. Great heart will not be denied. Live now in blessedness; and when you sit in peace with your pipe, think of me! For never now shall I sit with you in Meduseld, as I promised, or listen to your herb-lore." Merry weeps, unable to speak, and later laments that he will never be able to smoke again without thinking of the king.

The Legacy of the Bond

After the war, at the funeral feast of Théoden in Edoras, Éowyn and Éomer give Merry a parting gift: an ancient silver horn, an heirloom of the House of Eorl, made by Dwarves and taken from the hoard of Scatha the Worm. Éowyn tells him, "He that blows it at need shall set fear in the hearts of his enemies and joy in the hearts of his friends, and they shall hear him and come to him." Merry accepts the horn, kisses Éowyn's hand, and is embraced by both. He then rides away from Rohan, carrying the memory of the king who was a father to him for a little while, and the horn that forever binds him to the Mark.