"It all depends on what you want. You can trust us to stick to you through think and thin—to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours—closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there is it. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid—but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds."

— Merry Brandybuck (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)