Merry lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep because his mind was swirling with the words from Éowyn's letter.
I am with child. It is yours.
He supposed he could give it to his mum. She'd been making hints about grandchildren ever since he came of age. He sighed. But he didn't even know how his parents would react, especially to a grandchild who was half Big Folk. Besides, it was cowardly to pass his responsibilities to his mum. He was the one who had lain with Éowyn without any regard to consequences. It was his responsibility to deal with.
Well, Pippin had said he would help. Merry frowned, a little frustrated. Pippin didn't seem to appreciate the seriousness of this. He was still a child himself, really--though Merry would never actually say it within earshot of his cousin--and Pippin only saw the fun in having a new baby cousin to play with. He didn't have to worry about having another person completely dependent on him.
Merry sighed again, contemplating his future. The Quest had changed him in so many ways, but this would be the biggest change. In December he would become a father.