Peregrin Took: Knight of Gondor
Peregrin Took I, commonly known as Pippin, was a Hobbit of the [[The Shire]] and the heir to the title of [[Thain]]. Born in the year [[2990 Third Age]], he was the youngest member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. Though initially characterized by his youthful impulsiveness and lack of gravity, he became a pivotal figure in the defense of [[Minas Tirith]] and the eventual downfall of [[Sauron]].
The Shadow of the Took
As a member of the illustrious [[Took]] family, Peregrin was naturally adventurous. He was one of the original "conspirators" alongside [[Merry Brandybuck]] who helped [[Frodo Baggins]] escape the Shire. However, his curiosity often led to peril—most notably in the [[Mines of Moria]], where his accidental disturbance of a well alerted the [[Orcs]] and the [[Balrog]] to the Fellowship's presence.
The Palantír and the Road to Gondor
Following the breaking of the Fellowship and his escape from the [[Uruk-hai]], Pippin’s fate took a cosmic turn. At [[Isengard]], he recovered the [[Palantír of Orthanc]] from the water. Driven by a compulsive curiosity, he looked into the stone and was confronted by [[Sauron]] himself. This encounter, while terrifying, actually served the West: it convinced Sauron that the Hobbit with the [[One Ring]] was in [[Isengard]], drawing the Eye's attention away from [[Mordor]].
To keep him safe and to account for his "theft" of the stone, [[Gandalf]] took Pippin to the kingdom of [[Gondor]].
Guard of the Citadel
In a moment of uncharacteristic solemnity, Pippin offered his sword to [[Denethor II]], the Steward of Gondor, as payment for the death of [[Boromir]]. He was sworn into the [[Guard of the Citadel]], wearing the livery of the black and silver. During the [[Siege of Gondor]], Pippin played two vital roles:
- Saving Faramir: He alerted Gandalf to Denethor's madness, preventing the Steward from burning his son, [[Faramir]], alive on a funeral pyre.
- The Battle of the Morannon: He fought at the [[Black Gate]], where he famously slew a [[Hill-troll]] officer, proving that even the smallest person can bring down a giant.
The Thain and the Fourth Age
Upon returning to the Shire, Pippin (having grown taller due to the [[Ent-draught]]) was a primary commander in the [[Scouring of the Shire]]. He eventually succeeded his father as the [[Thain of the Shire]], representing the King's authority in the North.
Like his friend Merry, Pippin spent his final years in the South. He and Merry traveled to [[Edoras]] and finally to [[Minas Tirith]], where they died in the year [[64 Fourth Age]]. He was afforded the highest honor of being entombed among the Kings of Men in the [[Hallows of Gondor]].