Peregrin 'Pippin' Took
Pippin was born in 2990, the only son of Paladin Took and Eglantine Banks Took. Pippin's father farmed the lands around Whitwell near Tuckborough, and he also held the title Thain Paladin II. The Thain was master of the Shire-moot and captain of the Shire-muster and the Hobbitry-in-arms. These titles had become largely nominal dignities, but the Thain was accorded a special respect among Hobbits. As the Thain's heir, Pippin was a young gentlehobbit of rank and wealth.
In addition to their wealth and social standing, the Tooks were also noteworthy for the adventurous streak that ran in the family. This quality was apparent in Pippin, who, along with his close friend Merry Brandybuck and Frodo's gardener Sam Gamgee, conspired to uncover the cause of Frodo's mysterious behavior in the spring and summer of 3018. But it was more than adventurousness that prompted Pippin to decide to leave the Shire with Frodo; friendship and loyalty were equal factors.
In the Old Forest, on the first stage of the Hobbits' journey, Pippin and Merry fell asleep against a willow tree. A crack opened in the trunk, and Pippin was swallowed up inside the tree while Merry was trapped in the crack. They were rescued from Old Man Willow by Tom Bombadil, but the experience was disturbing.
At the Prancing Pony in Bree, Pippin began telling humorous stories about the Shire in the common room. He foolishly allowed himself to get carried away by the attention - and perhaps by too much ale - and he came dangerously close to mentioning Bilbo's disappearance at his birthday party, courtesy of his magic ring. Frodo tried to distract the crowd with a song, but ended up accidentally putting on the Ring himself and disappearing. A Ranger called Strider came to their aid and hid the Hobbits in another room. The inn was attacked during the night, but the Hobbits remained unharmed. They left Bree the next morning.
The next stage of the journey was difficult. Frodo was wounded by the Witch-king at Weathertop and seemed close to death. But at Rivendell, Frodo was healed and Pippin's high spirits returned, and even a lecture from Gandalf could not dampen them. But after the Council, Pippin was dismayed when it appeared that Frodo and Sam were going to continue the quest to destroy the Ring without him.
When it came time for Elrond to select the members of the Fellowship who would accompany Frodo, he was inclined to send Merry and Pippin back to the Shire to raise the alarm.
Pippin found an unexpected ally in Gandalf, who said that the Hobbits' friendship should be considered in their favor. So Pippin was chosen as the ninth member of the Fellowship, and departed with the Company on December 25.
Outside the Gates of Moria, Pippin tried Gandalf's patience by questioning the wizard while he tried to find the spell to open the door. Once inside the Mines, Pippin again incurred Gandalf's ire when he dropped a stone down a well and drums sounded in the deep as if in response.
Pippin was given the first watch that night and felt miserable, but Gandalf took pity on him and relieved him. Two days later, Gandalf fell into shadow confronting the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dum.
The Fellowship passed through Lothlorien, where Galadriel's people offered them assistance and clad them in grey cloaks with leaf-shaped brooches. The Company proceeded down the Anduin to Amon Hen, where Frodo went off on his own to decide what to do. Pippin was concerned about his friend.
When Frodo did not return, Pippin and Merry went off haphazardly to look for him and ran straight into a band of Uruk-hai who had been sent to find halflings. Boromir tried to defend the Hobbits, but he was slain and Pippin and Merry were carried off toward Isengard.
To learn more about Pippin and his adventures during the Quest to destroy the One Ring, visit The Thain's Book.