[Published: 30.07.2020]

"What on earth--" (Y/N) could hardly supress her laughter, as the Brandybuck approached her in full apparel, carrying a sword. She meant not to be malicious. It was rather amusing, considering it was Merry. It didn't exactly help when he pouted beneath the helmet and crossed his arms like a child.

"Shut up! I'm going to be a great soldier of Rohan! I'll be a master of the sword, fearsome with my trusty blade! Orcs will revel at the name Meriadoc!"

"Dear Merry," she snickered. "You're brave and true, but most of all, you are cute,"

"Do not say that! Men in the presence of beautiful ladies are subject to misunderstandings!" though he laughed, a blush tainted his cheeks.

"Beautiful lady? I didn't take you for a sweet talker," she chuckled.

"It's not something I thought one of the big folk would fall for,"

"Ah, yes. The nickname for my race. Do you think humans are not won over by complements?"

Merry shrugged sheepishly, despite his face reddening. An answer had formed in his mind, but he did not think it appropriate to say aloud. He quickly jogged to her side, and sat down. "Well, Master Brandybuck? Excited for your first battle?"

"I wouldn't say excited...I would say I'm nervous, a little unsure, and quite possibly extremely scared," he said. He turned to her, eyes staring into each others souls, before shaking with laughter.

Bearing without Pippin had been near impossible. Merry found himself mourning for his friend's absence. He'd hear news of sieges and isolated battles, and he'd worry desperately for his old friend. Luckily, he had made new friends to bare the burden of loneliness. Éowyn, lady of Rohan had been a pleasure, assisting him with all sorts. Her presence had been soothing to him, but did not fill the void.

Then, there was (Y/N). Beautiful (Y/N). When he had first saw her, Merry mistook her for an elf, and had bowed down to her. He had then noticed her simplistic clothes, and realised she was a mere peasant of Rohan. It was evident to most that he had formed a crush on her. He would stared at her (E/C) orbs, day after day, wondering why he found them so beautiful. How could he become so infatuated? The way she laughed, the way she smiled at the little things, how she always curtseyed to him. He was yet to see her with a sword, but he was waiting for that day to come.

"Oh, dear Merry. It's okay to be scared. In all honesty, I think every man on this field is scared. We'd be fools if we weren't. But we're all here for a reason, and despite our fear, we have courage,"

"Aye. What do you fight for, (Y/N)?" Merry asked. The girl paused, contemplating. A sad smile settled on her lips. "I fight for my freedom. For all those who cannot fight, I fight for them too. For the unsung heroes. And you, Merry? What do you fight for?"

"For Frodo."

(Y/N)'s smile faded, her expression turning somber. She inhaled deeply, before grabbing Merry's helmet off his head. She chuckled as he pulled a face at her, reaching over to retrieve the piece. "Oi, that's mine! Get your own helmet!"

"Merry, you can't expect to sleep in your armour too!"

"Maybe I will! Maybe I want the full experience as a soldier!"

"Merry!" she laughed. Her laughter echoed, and Merry giggled at his own comment.

"Speaking of sleep..." Merry yawned.

"You've got a big day tomorrow, halfling. You should get some sleep,"

"Aren't you fighting with me?"

"Maybe...I mean, of course! I just... I'm worried for you, that is all. I want you to be fully rested. No good being faced with an orc and still be snoring,"

"I do not snore!"

"Merry, you do. All the time,"

"... really?"

"Yes, or I wouldn't be saying it,"

"My mother always said I was a peaceful sleeper,"

"Merry, she was your mother. She'd probably lie so she wouldn't hurt your feelings. Now,"(-she placed his helmet to the side, and shoved Merry to the floor-)"Go to sleep! It's dark already!"

Merry sheepishly obeyed, quickly pulling his armour off (with a little help from his friend) and settled himself next to (Y/N). She turned to him, eyes glimmering in the starlight. He held his breath, but turned to the sky- his cheeks heated up. Merry prayed she couldn't see his red cheeks in the dark.

"(Y/N)?"

"Yes, dear Merry?"

"Tomorrow...do you think we'll win?"

"...I don't know, Merry. I don't know if I'll even survive..."

"I don't think I will. I've barely fought in my life, and I have less experience than a doorknob. It will be a miracle if I survive." (Y/N) scanned her eyes over his face, noticing a solemn calmness.

"You have so little faith in yourself... you're so certain that you will die?"

"Oh yes. Though, I want to prove my worth. I want to fight for Rohan. I want... I want my effort to help Frodo. And even if I die, I'll have my friends, and you to remember me,"

Merry turned to face her, a sincere beam forming on his lips. (Y/N) couldn't help but give a look of concern. Her heart pounded for the Hobbit, and she found herself sadly admiring him. "Dearest Merry. You are perhaps the bravest fool I've ever met,"

"I'll take that as a complement,"

She smiled.

It was not long till fatigue took them.

When they woke to battle, they separated and took to the field. It was many hours of arduous work, and it seemed all was lost. When victory was declared, the army could not bring themselves to cheer, for the number dead was beyond compare.

(Y/N) sat by the silent Éowyn. The lady had been injured beyond usual methods of healing, and no one knew whether she'd make it through to the other side. For now, they said she was stable, and apparently only resting. (Y/N) was constantly feeling her friend's pulse, scared if she stopped doing so, Éowyn really would slip away.

The woman had little to nothing left except from her friends- she needed them. She had visited Éowyn everyday for a week. When she wasn't with the lady of Rohan, she was out on the field, searching desperately for Merry. She had encountered a friend of his, Pippin, who was as eager as she to find him. When they decided to break, they would laugh sadly at stories of Merry's schemes, as a way to keep themselves motivated.

(Y/N) had taken a moment away from searching the battlefield to sit with Éowyn. She didn't know what was better- searching for a friend that may never be found, or waiting for a friend that may never wake up. She rarely ate. Her sleep was hindered by dreams of the battle. Her mind was often riddled with the trauma suffered. She hadn't even had a chance to cry. She couldn't break down now- she needed to be strong.

The woman left the lady of Rohan to search the field once more. Pippin was fatigued from previous ventures, and took a pass on that one. (Y/N) honestly preferred the isolation; it helped her concentrate. As she stepped through the sea of bodies, she held her stomach as it threatened to hurl. Being there, over and over again, it was as if she reliving those moments. The torture. The agony. The fear.

"MERRY!" she cried. Her heart jolted as she heard the echo- was she any closer to him? Would he ever be found at this rate? She called his name again, her voice breaking on the R's. Clutching a hand to her heart, she fought the urge to cry. That poor Hobbit. That foolish, brave Hobbit. What horrors he must've endured. Why wasn't she there to protect him? To aid him? The woman scoffed at herself, contemplating how she couldn't protect herself from her own trauma. But Merry...

When she had first met him, she had never met such bright eyes. He was full of energy, cheeky, and rather cute. What would he be now? Would he be devoid of his flavour of life? She gritted her teeth, before roaring out his name.

"MERRY!"

Stumbling forward, she passed an Oliphant, and grimaced at the dead men that lay beside it. Orcs scattered next to them, awkwardly situated with limbs missing. Her eyes caught hold of a particular orc that was slightly elevated from the ground...

"Merry!" she gasped. (Y/N) scrambled over, pushing the orc off, revealed the small face of the Hobbit. His lip was cut and dripping with blood and eyes half open. Quickly placing her fingers to his neck, she sighed in relief at his slow pulse. She smiled as she did on the night before the battle, and sniffled.

"(Y/N)..." he whispered. "I knew you'd find me..."

"Don't worry, Merry... I've got you. You'll be healed soon...and Pippin's here! He'll look after you!"

"Pip's here? I--" he coughed, and (Y/N)'s heart panged.

"Merry...dear Merry..." she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "I thought I was going to loose you, Merry..."

"You haven't. It takes a lot to get rid of me," he replied. She smiled at him, and he blushed. Quickly wiping her tears, she lifted Merry in her arms, and carried him to the houses of healing.

"You're a true friend, (Y/N)."

"And you're a hero, Meriadoc of the Shire."

"I told you before! Men in the presence of beautiful ladies are subject to misunderstandings!"

"I am not beautiful... especially in this chainmail."

"You're beautiful no matter what, (Y/N) of Rohan."

"Aww, Merry... you're making it sound like you have a crush on me..."