Merry/Pippin

(Dominique Monaghan/Billy Boyd)

Meriadoc Brandybuck (known as Merry) was born in TA 2982 to Saradoc "Scattergold" and Esmeralda Brandybuck. He was Frodo's first cousin once removed, and Pippin's first cousin. Merry arranged for Frodo's move to Crickhollow, and was among the conspirators who eavesdropped to learn about the Ring. (See the entry on Pippin for how Merry met up with Frodo in the movie.) Merry, along with Pippin, was captured by the Uruk-hai, but he managed to escape, thanks to Pippin cutting his bonds with the knife of a dead orc. The hobbits both escaped into Fangorn Forest (see preceding entry). After Pippin and Gandalf rode off to Minas Tirith, Merry offered his sword to King Theoden and became the king's esquire. Merry disobeyed Theoden's command to stay in Rohan, and rode along with the king's company to Minas Tirith, hitching a ride with the rider "Dernhelm", who was really Éowyn in disguise. Merry fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where he assisted Éowyn in destroying the Witch-king. There he fell under the deadly Black Breath of the Witch-king, and was healed by Aragorn. After the War of the Ring, he returned to the Shire and fought as one of the commanders in the Battle of Bywater. He married Estella Bolger, sister of Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger. Merry's Hobbitish name was Kalimac, which meant "Jolly [or Merry]". Merry was 36 years old when Frodo left the Shire.