Peregrin Took

Also known as Pippin, Mr. Peregrin Took, Master Pippin

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 4

Gender: male
Age: late teens
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 4
Books: 3

Peregrin Took begins The Lord of the Rings as the youngest, most impulsive member of the Fellowship—a wide-eyed, mischievous hobbit whose curiosity often lands him in trouble. Across the trilogy he matures from a sheltered Shire lad into a battle-hardened esquire of Gondor, serving Steward Denethor, fighting at the Black Gate, and ultimately returning home to help cleanse the Shire. By the saga’s end, the once-carefree Pippin has earned knighthood, forged lasting bonds with kings and wizards, and emerged as a steadfast defender of both Gondor and the Shire.

Description

Peregrin Took is the youngest of the hobbits, with a slender build, a bright, eager face framed by tousled sandy-brown curls, and wide curious eyes. His round cheeks flush easily and his expression is often one of wonder or mischief. He wears spare hobbit garments suitable for winter travel and carries a sword from the barrow. Later he dons an elven cloak of shifting grey-green-brown fastened with a green leaf brooch veined with silver, plus a small silver belt with a golden flower clasp. A small hobbit the size of a child to human eyes with a healthy vigorous build and renewed strength that allows him to climb and move with ease. His thick curly hair waves and stands full upon his head above a round youthful face with fair skin bright eyes and a cheerful expression. Barefoot and grey-clad in a simple jacket he leans back at ease sending up rings of pipe-smoke or bows politely with an air of innocent resilience. A small, slender hobbit, about four feet tall, with a bright, eager face, round cheeks, and tousled sandy-brown curls. He looks youthful, like a lad, despite being nearly twenty-nine; he is unusually large and strong by hobbit standards. His height increases by about three inches after drinking ent-draughts.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Meriadoc Brandybuckconflicting source relationships
Pippin’s closest kinsman and lifelong friend; together they endure capture, fight in major battles, and jointly lead the eventual scouring of the Shire.
Aragornconflicting source relationships
Evolves from distant guardian to trusted comrade; Aragorn rescues the captured hobbits, later welcomes Pippin’s homage in Minas Tirith, and includes him among the captains at the Black Gate.
D
Denethorconflicting source relationships
Pippin enters Denethor’s service as esquire, remains loyal despite the Steward’s growing despair, and ultimately witnesses his self-immolation while trying to save Faramir.
Frodo Bagginscompanion
Begins as Frodo’s younger cousin and co-conspirator; their bond deepens through shared peril and culminates in a warm reunion at the Field of Cormallen, where they exchange accounts of their separate quests.
Gandalfconflicting source relationships
Initially exasperated by Pippin’s recklessness, Gandalf becomes his guide and protector in Minas Tirith, relying on him for vital intelligence and entrusting him with dangerous errands.
B
Beregondfriend
Forms an immediate camaraderie in Minas Tirith; Pippin later confides in him to thwart Denethor’s madness, cementing a friendship that spans the siege and its aftermath.
T
Treebeardhost and guest
The ancient Ent rescues and shelters Pippin and Merry, becoming an unlikely ally whose decision to assault Isengard is partly spurred by Pippin’s testimony.
S
Sarumanadversary
Indirectly contributes to Saruman’s downfall by prompting the Ents’ march, then directly opposes the wizard’s despotic rule when the hobbits liberate the Shire.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings
- Joins the conspiracy to hide Frodo’s departure and is reluctantly accepted into the Fellowship by Elrond.
- Acquires a Barrow-blade and an Elven cloak with a silver-veined leaf brooch.
- Triggers the Watcher in the Water at the Gates of Moria, nearly dooming the Company.
- Peers into the Orthanc palantír, alerting Sauron to the hobbits’ survival.
BOOK 2The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of the Lord of the Rings
- Captured by Orcs at Amon Hen and carried toward Isengard.
- Escapes into Fangorn Forest with Merry and befriends Treebeard.
- Persuades the Ents to march on Isengard, precipitating its downfall.
- Reunites with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli after the destruction of the Ring of Isengard.
BOOK 3The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
- Swears fealty to Denethor and serves as esquire in Minas Tirith’s Tower Guard.
- Alerts Gandalf to Denethor’s plan to burn Faramir alive, helping save the Steward’s son.
- Fights in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and later at the Black Gate.
- Returns to the Shire, rallies its defense, and helps overthrow Sharkey’s regime.