Lead, Follow, of Go Over the Sea

Bravery and a drive to lead by example are what Tolkien emphasizes in Theoden, and these make his presentation one of a good leader to his men and to Merry

Love for Theoden and adherence to his oath make Merry face his own fears and help Eowyn slay the Nazgul Lord:

Merry crawled on all fours like a dazed beast, and such a horror was on him that he was blind and sick.

"King's man! King's man!" his heart cried within him. "You must stay by him. As a father you shall be to me, you said" (V, 115)

Merry's sword had stabbed him from behind, shearing through the black mantle, and passing up beneath the hauberk had pierced the sinew behind his mighty knee (V, 117)

This bravery is completely selfless, and Merry's loyalty to Theoden gives him the strength to revenge his lord and to help fight the shadow that is reaching across his land.

As Merry grieves that he has disobeyed Theoden's command, Theoden forgives him and commits a final act of bravery as he faces his own death:

"...I shall not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!"

Merry could not speak, but wept anew. "Forgive me, lord," he said at last, "if I broke your command, and yet have done no more in your service than to weep at our parting."

The old king smiled. "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!" (V, 118)

Just as Wiglaf showed bravery and loyalty in aiding Beowulf until the time of his death (Beowulf, 2752-2755), so too does Merry, and Theoden himself is still a noble leader even in the last moments of their relationship.

In contrast to Merry and Theoden whose individual traits served them well in forming a relationship based on leadership and servitude, the traits of Pippin and Denethor make them less than ideal individuals to form a northern heroic bond. The traits emphasized in Pippin through the first half of the trilogy are his impatience, curiosity, and rudeness. He is quick to snap at others, even though there is a slightly jesting tone to his words at times:

"Sam! Get breakfast ready for half-past nine! Have you got the bath water hot?"

Sam jumped up, looking rather bleary. "No, sir, I haven't, sir!" (I, 81)

"Water!" shouted Pippin. "Where's the water?" (I, 82)

When the fellowship has come to the gates of Moria:

"Why doesn't Gandalf do something quick?" (I, 321)

His curiosity is shown when he drops a stone into a well in the Mines of Moria and Gandalf rebukes him (I, 326-327). Later, his impatience and curiosity to see the Palantir lead to his sneaking a glimpse and he nearly betrays his companions’ location to the Enemy as a result (II, 196-198). Pippin is a constant source of irritation to Gandalf throughout the trilogy, and as the Wizard is one of the guiding forces behind the quest to destroy the ring and thwart Sauron, Pippin’s actions make him a less idealized figure than others such as Frodo, Sam and Merry who do little to test Gandalf’s patience.