But she is not taking a male appointed role. She is taking the role she chooses for herself - and the greatest healers in Middle Earth are men!!! Elrond & his sons, Aragorn..the houses of healing is run by a man.
However maybe, at the risk of sounding very patronising, it takes age and experience to "get" Eowyn. I thought much the same at your age though I loved Eowyn, I felt she had got a lesser fate. Only later and after much more careful reading did I realise she hit the jackpot. It is quite clear to me that she will be Galadriels to Faramir's Celeborn (albeit a rather more interesting Celeborn
). Eowyn will never be passive and I doubt that is what Faramir would want. Far less lame than dying for love like Luthien and her mini-me.
Incidentally when she was given the opportunity to lead her people she didn't take it. She has spirit certainly but I think in times of peace she would not seek battle for its own sake. I see no blood lust in her. Her mission is to defend her king not simply fight else she would have stayed with Elfhelm's Eored.
Anyway
++Merry. He is a splendid hobbit. He is observant, curious but thinks first unlike Master Took. he is a scholar (a philologist what is more) but not a bore. He is a bon viveur without being decadent and though a smoker has the decency to do so outside. He is a great friend and shows true courage. Sam's bravery stems from his devotion, Frodo has his duty, Pippin to an extent is along for the ride but Merry has more understanding of what he is letting himself in for and still goes. Then he is a Brandybuck and has that "Celtic" quirkiness I can relate to. And he hates places that are too noisy ...I am quite one to prefer a quiet walk and a breath of air over a crowded bar at times.
I keep thinking of him as a "Spook" now.... maybe Harry. He has always been one of my favourite characters whereas the canary is fighting it out with Bombadil for most hated.
++Meriadoc Brandybuck