How does this relate to our discussion of the black breath in our Faramir and Eowyn posts? Does this track with the sorts of dreams, and with the despair and depression that people suffered with after encountering the Nazgul during the war in Gondor?

For once Pippin is the one showing wisdom and caution! But I also see it as the usual give-and-take among hobbits of the same class, I think. Even someone who has something of the role of a leader can't lord it over his equals and continue to get along with them.

What other time or times, I would think mostly in the future, was Merry both of those things, either separately or at the same time?

What might this show about his character and resilience? Is it simply naïveté, or is he truly “tough in fibre” as was said later by Warden of the Houses of Healing, referencing all hobbits (but with only Merry as an example)?

Even someone who has something of the role of a leader can't lord it over his equals and continue to get along with them.
Thoughts?

Interesting that he mentioned no horse. What might he—or Tolkien—have had in mind?

....it looked like a dark black bundle left behind. But as they looked it seemed to move and sway this way and that, as it searching the ground. It then crawled, or went crouching, back into the gloom beyond the lamps.

What other time or times, I would think mostly in the future, was Merry both of those things, either separately or at the same time?

. I could hardly help myself. I seem to be drawn somehow.

'I had an ugly dream, which I can't remember. I went to pieces. I don't know what came over me.' 'I do,' said Strider. 'The black breath.'

Merry is not heard from again until they are well on the way to Weathertop, where he comments that the stones of the path reminded him of his episode in the barrow. I find it interesting that he recognized the same type of building stone and style.
Does this show more than just intellectual curiosity? Does his status as a scion of Brandybuck bring with it an interest in more than just plain Hobbit practicality?

Sam and Pippin stay with the pony and Frodo and Merry climbed Weathertop with Strider.
Does this show that Merry is considered and still considers himself part of the leadership group?

And later on “‘How far is it to Rivendell?’ asked Merry, gazing round wearily. The world looked wild and wide from Weathertop.”
Where has Merry's confidence gone?

Does this show that Merry is more alert, vigilant, and also more responsible in a broader sense than Sam and possibly in every sense than Pippin—in other words still possessed of a leaders personality, if not so much anymore the opportunity? Or is it because he's encountered them before and was more sensitive to their presence? Both? Neither?

Next, we see Strider choosing Merry to survey the country in the Flight to the Ford chapter.
Is this a fairly random choice, or after Merry’s spotting of the Nazgul from Weathertop, does Strider think that Merry has some thing of a gift for scanning terrain at a distance and spotting things others might miss?
And again, when they encounter the troll–hole, it's Strider and Merry who go in first.
Do you think Strider chose Merry for this initial foray, or was it simply natural for Merry to want to go in first before the other Hobbits?

Merry and Pippin were "indignant when they heard that Sam had crept into the council, and had been chosen as Frodo's companion."
Were they angry with Sam and Elrond both, or just with Elrond/powers that be?

Later on, in the days leading up to their next journey, the Hobbits divvy themselves up into Merry and Pippin, who it says "were out and about," and Frodo and Sam spending time mostly with Bilbo in his room, largely in literary pursuits.
Is this a natural circumstance to come about, based on mutual interests among each set? Or is there some other reason?

Is it likely that this early "baptism of fire" has begun to grow both his courage and competence, possibly even just in seed form, preparing him for his further adventures, and eventually for his final Nazgul encounter?

Is it significant, also, that it is Merry all along who keeps finding, spotting, or encountering various and sundry Ringwraiths?

In summary, does it appear that Merry evolves or in any way changes as a person, or is he the same person reacting to sets of circumstances which he has never encountered before?

Merry is realizing that he is not as competent as he might have thought himself back in the Shire.

Merry has taken blows to his self-confidence in the Old Forest, in Bree and on Weathertop. He is determined to continue on with Frodo, regardless, and puts friendship above all other concerns. We shall see what he learns from his mistakes, and if he builds on his strengths.

Does this show both leadership and courage at this point?

In summary, does it appear that Merry evolves or in any way changes as a person, or is he the same person reacting to sets of circumstances which he has never encountered before?

Or does moving on make him seem foolish for what would happen to the Shire...would they be guilty of not returning when they had a chance?

Pity filled his heart and great wonder, and suddenly the slow-kindled courage of his race awoke. He clenched his hand. She should not die, so fair, so desperate! At least she should not die alone, unaided.
The face of their enemy was not turned towards him, but still he hardly dared to move, dreading lest the deadly eyes should fall on him.

Suddenly a sense of urgency which he did not understand came to Sam. It was almost as if he had been called: ‘Now, now, or it will be too late!’ He braced himself and got up. Frodo also seemed to have felt the call. He struggled to his knees.
‘I’ll crawl, Sam,’ he gasped.