I do not want to take part in this discussion as I have no real interest in the answer - why dont I have interest? Simply because Tolkien never gave a direct answer to it.
I do however wonder at the fact that none of you have grasped at this quote from the last pages of
The Black Gate Opens where Merry thinks to himself:
Quote:
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‘If only I could smite that foul Messenger with it, then almost I should draw level with old Merry. Well, I’ll smite some of this beastly brood before the end. I wish I could see cool sunlight and green grass again!’
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The word
almost being my point...
Cheers T