Hama-4
Merry-4
Gimli-4
Hmmm. It's, er, quite close...
EDIT: Lalaith, you skirted the Romanticism point! Anyway, because Gimli carries Galadriel's favour, all his subsequent valiant deeds count as in her service-and are in her service, as they are in the service of all the Free Peoples.
Galadriel's message sent after Gimli, calling him Lockbearer, shows she is aware and appreciative of his valour. Note his joyous reaction to this.
In more practical tems, Gimli twice challenges the far larger and probably more powerful Eomer over Galadriel's beauty and virtue, defending her from any insult. Let me sum up this dutiful service-
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sir Gimli the Chivalrous
Then I must go for my axe.
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The clincher-Merry commits a crime which no true Romantic or hopelessly valiant Cavalier would stoop to. He marries and settles down!