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Merry seems to be one of the most overlooked members of the Fellowship. In fact, I started this fanlisting because I discovered that Merry was the only one of the Nine who didn't have a fanlist. True, he doesn't do much in Fellowship, though he demonstrates his bravery simply by insisting, along with his best friend Pippin, that he be allowed to accompany Frodo on his dangerous quest.

In The Two Towers, Merry really begins to emerge as a personality separate from Pippin. By the end of The Return of the King, Merry has sworn loyalty to and wept over King Theoden; has accompanied Eowyn into battle; has helped Eowyn slay the Witch King; has been healed by Aragorn; has helped rid the Shire of the last remnants of evil; and has seen Frodo leave the Shire forever.

He grows old with his friend Pippin, and neither of them loses the exuberant manner that endears them to readers from the beginning. Both Merry and Pippin are finally buried next to King Elessar himself.