Two of the most beloved characters in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King are the brave and endearing hobbits, Merry and Pippin. After defeating Sauron and the armies of Mordor at the end of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Merry, and Pippin returned to the Shire alongside Frodo and Sam. However, in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books, the four Hobbits returned to a very different Shire than in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. In the books, the Shire was captured by the armies of Saruman, forcing Merry and Pippin to go to battle once again.

They ultimately succeeded in reclaiming the Shire and brought peace back to their own corner of Middle-earth. A little over two years later, Frodo departed the Shire for the Undying Lands, an emotional farewell that left Merry, Pippin, and Sam in tears as their dear friend left Middle-earth for good. With Frodo gone from Middle-earth, Merry and Pippin continued their lives in the Shire. However, they didn’t stay still for long, as their journey was far from over. It’s known from Tolkien’s work that both characters had other adventures outside of what was shown onscreen.

What Tolkien Revealed About Merry’s Life After Lord Of The Rings

Merry The Scholar

As the appendix in the Lord of the Rings reveals, Merry’s adventures persisted after its story concluded. Rather than simply retire to enjoy mead and pipeweed, he wrote extensively about his adventures, wars, and experiences within the Fellowship. Tolkien noted that Merry documented the histories and mysteries of the world beyond the shire that many of his kin had only ever heard tales about. His writings became valuable resources for future generations, preserving the legacy of the Fellowship and the defining events that took place at the end of the Third Age.

Merry eventually inherited the title of Master of Buckland after his father’s death, taking on serious responsibility. As Master of Buckland, Merry was responsible for overseeing Buckland’s affairs and upholding its traditions. More crucially, Merry also maintained strong ties with past friends and allies, like King Éomer of Rohan and King Aragorn of Gondor. He visited the respective realms several times throughout his life. His travels strengthened the bonds of friendship between the Shire and the wider world and signified the lasting effect his adventures in The Lord of the Rings had on him.

What Tolkien Revealed About Pippin’s Life After Lord Of The Rings

Pippin’s Unlikely Life As A Leader

Pippin’s (Peregrin Took) life after the conclusion of the Lord of the Rings was somewhat unexpected. For all Pippin’s strengths, it seemed unlikely he would go on to become a leader in later life, yet that’s exactly what happened. After his father, Paladin Took II, passed away, Pippin became Thain of the Shire. As Thain, Pippin effectively governed the Shire and served in that role for many years. In typical Pippin fashion, he ensured the hobbits of the Shire were well looked after.

Throughout his life, Pippin, like Merry, remained in touch with Aragorn, King Éomer, and other leaders he had met during his adventures. He frequently corresponded with them, remaining aware of events in the wider world and ensuring that the Shire remained connected with its allies. Pippin also traveled with Merry to Gondor and Rohan multiple times, maintaining and strengthening these bonds of fellowship. The legacy of the Fellowship of the Ring remained a strong presence throughout his and Merry’s lives. Their link to this part of their past never faded, and neither did their friendship and trust in one another.

Where Merry & Pippin Were Buried (& Why It’s Significant)

One Last Return To Gondor

While Merry and Pippin were both born in the Shire, their lives did not end there. After great and influential lives spent living at peace in the Shire, the two friends reached the end of their days in the city of Minas Tirith, home to their dear friend and King Aragorn. Their final resting place was in Rath Dínen, also known as the Silent Street. This was where the kings and stewards of Gondor were laid to rest, and their burial there symbolized just how respected they were by both Aragorn and the people of Gondor.

The significance of their burial was twofold. Firstly, it commemorated the impact that these two, once ordinary, Hobbits had on the world of men and their kingdoms, such as Gondor. Their role in the Fellowship helped save the city of Minas Tirith, defeat Sauron, and rid Middle-earth of his evil once and for all in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Secondly, it signified the lasting friendship they held with Aragorn, who hosted them in their final years. It was a symbol of a bond of fellowship that was undying, exemplified when upon King Aragon’s death, the trio were all laid to rest together.

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  The Lord of the Rings

  The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

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  The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

  The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship’s quest to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron’s reign of terror. As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom, accompanied by Gollom, the rest of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron’s forces. The film’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Vigo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.