Meriadoc Brandybuck

Of the two younger Hobbits in the Ring Company, Meriadoc was from the first the more savvy and mature. Known universally as Merry, this young Hobbit became known for his scholarship as well as his heroism. Born in T.A. 2982 in Buckland. Merry was the only child of the Master of the Hall, Saradoc "Scattergold" and his wife, Esmeralda Took. Since Esmeralda was the sister of Thain Paladin II, Merry was the cousin of Peregrin "Pippin" Took, who also became his lifelong friend. Merry was also Frodos second cousin once removed, and shared all the Fallohidish Hobbits' adventurous traits. As his name implies. Merry had something of an irrepressibly optimistic temperament.

When the company reached Rivendell, Merry demonstrated his scholarly tendencies. He spent hours in Imladris libraries studying the maps of the lands which he would soon enter, bul had never known before. And on the journey itself. Merry did not suffer from the same sort of clumsy yet innocent errors which plagued his comrade Pippin. However, he did not demonstrate the power of his character until late in the struggle. And he did occasionally make the social error of spouting off about his broad knowledge at just the wrong time, such as the incident when he felt compelled to teach King Théoden about pipeweed at the time when Gandalf was trying to speak with the King about the imminent dangers which surrounded them all. But it should be noted that before Minas Tirith, both Hobbits had been instrumental in negotiating the attack of the Ents on Isengard. With Pippin, Merry also drank the Ent-draughts, and together they were the largest Hobbits ever. Merry formed his gestures, expressions, and character in keeping with his heritage. When he pledged his services to King Théoden, Merry won the old King's heart. The Hobbit rode with the Riders of Rohan on their epic journey to relieve the besieged warriors of Gondor. And finally, on the Pelennor Fields, Merry stood by Théoden even when the Lord of the Nazgul attacked him.In an incredible display of courage, Merry stabbed me Chief Ring wraith with his dagger, distracting him and weakening his defenses sufficiently for the warrior maiden Éowyn to behead the monster. Indeed, as the wraith's doom was foretold, he was struck down "by no man". In that legendary conflict. Merry was afflicted with the black breath of the Witch-king and nearly perished. The powerful herb Athelas in the hands of the king, Aragorn, brought the Hobbit back from death. For these great works on behalf of the Rohirrim, Merry was given rank — that of a knight-esteem, and the name "Holdwine" in their own language. Merry became a close friend of the young king Éomer and stayed in contact with Rohan for the rest of his life, visiting there often and mastering its language. Merry noted the similarities between the language of the Rohirrim and the Hobbitish dialect, and produced a learned study entitled Old Words and Names in the Shire. Merry later developed expertise both in botany and the reckoning of calendars. He wrote the work called Herblore of the Shire and the important Reckoning of Years, which was compiled in Buckland early in the Fourth Age. But the accomphshment which earned Merry the most esteem in the eyes of his people in the Shire was his efficient captaining of the Hobbitry-in-Arms during the Scouring of the Shire. Although his deeds in far away places were more profound in impact, the Hobbits, like some Men, were infinitely more concerned with their provincial matters. Merry succeeded his father Saradoc as Master of Buckland, and was two years later appointed by King Elessar as Royal Counsellor of the Northern Kingdom, along with Pippin. Merry was wedded to Estella Bolger, who bore him at least the son who later inherited the Mastery of the Hall. It is likely that the couple produced many more children. Finally, in F.A. 63, Merry and Pippin resolved together to resign their offices since they were by that time old, and they did so the next year. Both left the Shire, never returning again. And before they rode on to Gondor, they first passed through Edoras in Rohan where Merry could greet his old friend, King Éomer, for the last time. Éomer died that autumn, full of years, and with a good reign behind him. The Hobbits then rode on to Gondor where they spent their last years dwelling with King Elessar in royal company and honor. They were both laid to rest in the Hallows, the House of the Kings.