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.