Merry's oath
'May I lay the sword of Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, Théoden King?' he cried, 'Receive my service, if you will!,' 'Gladly will I take it,' said the king; and laying his long old hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit, he blessed him. 'Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of Meduseld!' he said. 'Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune! '
'As a father you shall be to me,' said Merry.
'For a little while,' said Théoden.
The Return of the King: The Passing of the Grey Company