Merry delivered arguably the most important blow to the Witch-King of Angmar himself. Not to diminish the importance of Eowyn, but her stab wouldn’t have killed the Witch-King if Merry hadn’t dispelled his magic first.
(Merry’s enchanted blade, found in the Barrow-downs and given to him by Tom Bombadil, was specifically-designed by the Dunedain of Cardolan as an anti-Witch-King weapon.)
Every instance of a hobbit being ‘good at fighting’ is a case of highly contextualised, highly circumstantial violence that involved more determination and luck than skill or aggression. They’re written as unlikely heroes, and it’s at best disingenuous to reframe that as their having any particular facility with combat.
That was just Bullroarer setting the standard for Tookishness, an unpleasant chore that couldn’t be avoided under the circumstances. I’m sure after the battle he was back to eating soft cheeses and twitching his curtains at the neighbours like a normal hobbit.
Merry delivered arguably the most important blow to the Witch-King of Angmar himself. Not to diminish the importance of Eowyn, but her stab wouldn’t have killed the Witch-King if Merry hadn’t dispelled his magic first.
(Merry’s enchanted blade, found in the Barrow-downs and given to him by Tom Bombadil, was specifically-designed by the Dunedain of Cardolan as an anti-Witch-King weapon.)
Every instance of a hobbit being ‘good at fighting’ is a case of highly contextualised, highly circumstantial violence that involved more determination and luck than skill or aggression. They’re written as unlikely heroes, and it’s at best disingenuous to reframe that as their having any particular facility with combat.
Tolkein is very explicit in that you should not fuck with a hobbit who’s got a rock and a sling.
Or an apple, yes I know
Reminder that the hobbits won the Shire from the goblins through battle and mettle while inventing the game of Golf for Middle Earth.
That was just Bullroarer setting the standard for Tookishness, an unpleasant chore that couldn’t be avoided under the circumstances. I’m sure after the battle he was back to eating soft cheeses and twitching his curtains at the neighbours like a normal hobbit.
Yeah, that’s probably part of why D&D halflings get luck bonuses. But still, they get results!