“Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!”

Pippin cringed. That had hurt, but it was no more
than he deserved, he realized. What was he thinking
of, making a noise like that? It could bring every orc
in Moria down on them. Well, it was too late to do
anything about that now. All he could do was keep
silent and pray that his mistake would have no serious
consequences. No one else seemed angry with him,
so Pippin assumed he would be forgiven if nothing
happened. Even so, he found it difficult to forgive
himself, or shake off the crushing guilt and feeling
of impending doom.

“We must have a look and see what the hammer and the
anvil have done to you.”

That was the last thing Frodo wanted. Bilbo had told
him to keep the mithril shirt a secret, an obvious
impossibility now, and removing it would hurt even
though Aragorn would do it very carefully. Frodo shut
his eyes tightly as this was done, and opening them
slowly to see the Fellowship's reaction, he was
touched by the obvious joy and relief that he noticed
there. Aragorn gave Frodo a smile as he very gently
tended to his injured side. The scent of athelas
filled the air and Frodo smiled back, almost content
in spite of all that had happened.

“No living man am I! You look upon a woman.”

Of course! Dernhelm was really Eowyn. How could
Merry not have known? No matter, he had pledged
to serve King Theoden and by extension Eowyn his
successor and if there was ever a time Eowyn
needed him it was now. He was only a small hobbit,
but he had to do something. He would not die like
a coward or worse, let Eowyn die while he did nothing.
It was just so wrong that this evil being held so much
power. Merry grabbed his sword and stabbed at the
Witch King with every bit of strength and determination
he had.

“Praise them with great praise, the Ring-bearers Frodo and Samwise.”

Sam looked completely nonplussed when he heard
those words. Why praise him, he wondered. Frodo
deserved the praises. Yes, he had stayed by Frodo's
side the whole time, but that was his job. He had
saved Frodo's life many times during the quest, but
Frodo was the Ring-bearer on whom all of Middle-earth
depended. Sam thought he had only done what was
sensible, as well as morally right. Even so, the king
wanted to honour him and clearly Frodo would have
it no other way, so how could Sam object? And deep
down, he rather liked it.