The Meaning of Pity and Mercy...what is the RIGHT thing to do?

[Kuruharan]

I can't say I know for sure how I would react, but I think a WWGD? (what would Gandalf do?) attiude is a step in the right direction.

It bears remembering that Gandalf had no objection to hacking orcs to pieces if the situation called for it.

If it were a fight I would defend myself to the best of my ability (human instinct being what it is).
It the individual in question were at my mercy, that would be a different matter. I would hope that I would show mercy. But, never having been in that situation I don't know for sure.