Meriadoc

Meriadoc Brandybuck, commonly called Merry, is a fictional hobbit from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. A member of the Brandybuck family of Buckland in the Shire, he is a cousin of Frodo Baggins and a close companion of Peregrin Took in the company known as the Fellowship of the Ring.

In the narrative of The Lord of the Rings, Merry joins Frodo on the quest to destroy the One Ring and proves resourceful and steadfast. He develops a strong bond with Pippin and contributes to the Fellowship's efforts by offering courage, practical skill, and leadership. After being separated from the group, he and Pippin are captured by Orcs but escape with the aid of Treebeard, the Ents, and a growing alliance against Saruman.

During the War of the Ring, Merry fights in key battles and plays a role in the overall victory, including aiding the defense of Minas Tirith and the campaigns that lead to Isengard's downfall. His experiences deepen his leadership abilities, which are noted in the later chapters and appendices.

In the aftermath, Tolkien notes that Meriadoc Brandybuck becomes a civic leader in the Shire, traditionally identified as Master of Buckland and an influential figure in Shire governance. The character has been depicted in adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, notably in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, where Merry is portrayed by actor Dominic Monaghan.

See also: The Lord of the Rings, Buckland, Brandybuck family.