"Ernil i Pheriannath!" Such were the cries on the streets of Minas Tirith as Peregrin Took, newly sworn-in guard of the citadel passed by, "The Prince of Halflings!" And we laugh at this title, as Pippin was far from princely, Billy Boyd's version even more so than Tolkien's. But was this title actually very far from the truth? With a little toe-dipping into Peregrin's family tree and an ankle splashing of Shire/Arnor history, ironically this title proves to be incredibly accurate. Whether or not this was by the design of Tolkien is unknown. Let me elaborate.
  Pippin's father, Paladin Took, was the undisputed Thain of the Shire, a hereditary title which made him their military leader in highly improbable times of crisis. Now, in The Shire, as there had been no need for a Thain in a terrible long count of years, this title didn't mean a lot, and outside The Shire, where it's affairs were considered frivolous and of no consequence, except by Gandalf, it didn't mean a whole lot more, but the history of this title has surprising significance. You see, after the fall of the Kingdom of Arnor, and there was a King in the seat at Fornost no more, the hobbits of The Shire, who had held Aragorn's ancestors their rightful King, didn't know what to do. They'd never considered that there might not be a King anymore. And so they appointed a Thain, their military leader and stand-in for the King, until such a time as the rightful King should return.
  And so, in actual fact Paladin the Thain, was actually a stand-in King, like Denethor was a steward of Gondor. A care-taker, until such time as the rightful King, Aragorn as it turned out, should return. This makes Pippin, his son, or Peregrin as we should call him, being so high and mighty and above such nicknames, the equivalent of a prince of The Shire. A Prince of Halflings!
  Although Peregrin adamantly denied the claims that he was a prince, did he himself make this connection? Did Tolkien make this connection? Well, he wrote it all, down to the last word. In an entire history of a world, written by one man, is anything a coincidence? I think not. But Pippin, well he seems to have been blissfully unaware of his high and mighty connections, and this is probably for the better, as the thought would probably have shocked the fur off his overlarge feet! A prince of halflings that sneaks around with his friend Merry (who could also be considered a prince of a sort, being the son of the Master of Buckland) and steals mushrooms from Farmer Maggot! That sounds like hobbits to me!

Objections!
By Perian.

  Pippin was an extremely important member of the Fellowship, whether everyone admits it or not. No, he was not the strongest, nor the bravest, nor did he have the kind of inner resolve necessary to bear a Ring of Power. He placed them all in danger more than once, and Gandalf’s exclamation of "fool of a Took!" was appropriate, if not kind. He quailed at the sight of the Nazgul, rather than attacking them (as Frodo did, *cough* Tsk, Peter! *cough*) or successfully stabbing them (as Merry did). And for as much as he ate he apparently didn’t even know how to cook. So why was Peregrin Took so indispensable? Other than for the comic relief, that is.
  Quite simply, Pippin functioned as a sort of devil’s advocate for the Fellowship. While Boromir made suggestions more often than was desired, they were all self-focused. Pippin, on the other hand, was a voice for no one in particular.
  This came naturally to him. After all, he was a Took. He came from the longest line of eccentrics in the Shire. An eccentric is a form of objection against the hive mentality. These sorts always become leaders, and so he did, but that’s for another issue.
  Even among the Tooks, however, he was an exception. At Bilbo’s birthday party, he was the only Took to enjoy Bilbo’s behaviour and not think it absurd. Uh oh! Here was a Took who was also a follower of Mad Baggins. He might become adventurous and thoughtful and interesting and for the Shire’s sake don’t let that happen to the lad! Oops. Too late.
  From that point on he never seemed to agree with anyone. When the black rider turned up on the road, matching the description Sam gave of a stranger who had come to Bagshot Row earlier, it was Pippin who denied the connection. While this may seem a foolish thing to do, you have to consider that we know the ending and he did not. He was the only hobbit open to the possibility that other creatures were pursuing them. Denial is always a great morale booster.
  He continued this for quite some time. "Shortcuts make long delays," "You slept late, you mean," "What are you going to do, then?" and of course his most famous contradiction in going against Denethor’s orders and saving Faramir. His most important objection, however, is one not given much attention, save perhaps in the form of a chuckle. After the Council of Elrond he made a statement which changed the course of Middle-earth’s history:
  "We hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party."
  Never was a truer word spoken, even if Elrond might have been thoroughly irked at this. Hobbits should stick together (right, Prongsie?). Sam stuck through to Frodo to the very end of all things… well, maybe not the end of all things. The end of the Ring, at least, though. So Frodo has a melodramatic streak. And Merry stuck to Pippin, right up until the time when he was left behind in Rohan, leading to the friendship with Eowyn’s alter-ego, and so on and so forth. You should know the results by now. Pippin, in his obstinacy, saved the world. Now doesn’t that make him feel special?
  Not only that, he became a king in his own right. Och, lad I don’t know where you’ve been, but it seems you’ve won first prize.

 Mmmm…. Mmmm Good.
By Padfoot

Pippin - Princeling or Pilferer?
By Xara.

  It had been my original intention in writing this article, to draw attention to the differences in the portrayal of Pippin between Tolkien's and Peter Jackson's versions of the Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson, I thought, had shown him as more foolish than the poor hobbit really was, whereas Tolkien had portrayed him as a rather naive but reasonably intelligent young hobbit, worthy of the name Pheriannath, prince of halflings. And so I set to work, finding a good decent quote from Pippin from FotR before he begins to learn about the ways of the wide world, that would back me up.
  Nothing! I could find nothing! All the good serious, intelligent things I seemed to remember Pippin saying, had really been said by Merry. My memory it seemed, had failed me. I had intended to show you a Pippin quote from the movie, and a Pippin quote from the same place in the book to highlight the differences, but instead, I have only quotes that show similarity:
  "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest, thing..."
  "I shall go, unless they chain me up. There must be someone with intelligence in the party."
  Yes, Peter changed the wording a bit to get more of a laugh, but the character is the same. I'm sorry Pip, I went searching for a princeling, and all I found was a pilferer. Although I am quite interested to see if anyone can prove me wrong. Which one is he? You tell me!

The Many Sides of Peregrin Took

By Ivy.

Close your eyes (Well, not really, just mentally) and picture this: Light brown curls that shine gold in the sunlight, tumbling down into emerald green eyes. Down a long, thin nose to a mouth complete with a mischievous grin ready to break out at any moment. Sounds like bliss, doesn't it? Actually, it sounds like Pippin! But there is more to this hobbit than just his gorgeous looks and readiness for trouble. Don't agree? Then allow me to help shed some light.

Peregrin the Authoritative.

What? Pippin Took, giving orders? Unheard of! On the contrary, it's often heard when in the presence of this hobbit. Many of his first quotes book-wise are giving out orders, and isn't that what a Thain should do? After all, leaders must have some authority, no matter how much of an oxymoron it sounds like to have 'Pippin' and 'authority' in the same sentence unless it's something like 'Pippin has a complete lack of respect for authority'. He must have grown out of that, though, or else the Shire might still be in chaos!

Peregrin the Romantic.

You must agree, if you were a hobbit lass you would be head over heels for him. (Well, I would be). Again, close your eyes (And again, not really) and imagine: On a warm summers' day you're sitting beside the banks of the Brandywine river, feeling the breeze in your hair and the grass between your fingers. All of a sudden, a certain Took plops down beside you, curls shining, and hands you a massive bouquet of flowers stolen straight from the Bag End garden with a big, lopsided grin on his face. Awww. How else did he win one of the jewels of Long Cleeve?

So, you see, no matter what Pippin may seem like, there is more to him than those lovely eyes and that drool-worthy little smile. Perhaps now, if you didn't before, you can view him for what he really is: Peregrin Took, Thain.

  "It is settled then. Eiliandel will try to clear this weather and that should allow us to assess how much military power we have. Then we will plan our next move." Aragorn closed the informal meeting. They all rose, heading towards their rooms. The storm was still raging outside, leaving Aragorn to wonder if Nenwen and Eladrion had opened any windows. He accepted Neva from Meluiwen as she passed and headed towards his own rooms.
  The rain felt like ice, driven from the winds continuous gusting. Arwen shivered in the cloak that her captor had wrapped around her. She had woken up just as he had settled them onto a large horse. She'd tried to protest, but a quick look from him had silenced her, not that it had mattered. The howling winds were too loud for her to even hear over, much less shout. He'd directed them around the gate and outside the city walls, although he could barely see ahead of him. He kept a tight grip on her as they rode on, to what destination, Arwen did not know.
  "Arwen?" Aragorn called softly, giving a knock on the door. He entered the room and stopped short. The bed was empty. Putting Neva in her crib he began to look around. "Arwen!" he called loudly. He received no answer from anywhere in their chambers, so he headed towards the hall. "ARWEN!!!" he shouted. His voice echoed down the hall. He receive no answer from her delicate voice.
  Legolas, the twins, Ciryawen, and Meluiwen came running down the hall, followed closely by Eiliandel and Novrion, along with the children. "What is......?" Legolas asked.
  Aragorn cut him off, "She's gone. I can't find her!". Legolas paled, "Perhaps she went to the library and cannot hear you." he suggested hopefully. Aragorn shook his head, "There are too many stairs to the library, she is unable to climb out of bed with ease, much less climb the stairs!" he protested. "What's that?" Elrohir asked, pointing to Arwen's side of the bed. There was a neatly folded square of parchment resting where she would normally lay. Aragorn picked it up, and read it, his face blanching. "Return our treasure and we shall return yours," Legolas read over his shoulder. Elladan looked up, "Talath," he said in a low dangerous tone that caused Ciryawen to look at him in concern. "He took her."

  Thurin looked at the back of the sleeping elvish woman's head. She had fallen asleep and Thurin had covered her with his cloak and continued riding towards Talath's stronghold. He shifted her grasp on her as the horse sped up to a smooth gallop. She leaned limply against him, unaware of her surroundings.
  Eiliandel's shoulders relaxed as she released her breath. Opening her eyes, she saw the sun, "It worked!" she heard Faramir exclaim behind her. She nodded, looking at her handiwork. A circle of dark clouds and fog encircled the city, but did not enter it. The wolves remained within the fog banks, making the city safer. "The weather is that of a spell. I have created a thicker air barrier between the city and the fog and wolves. It will hold against Talath's spells." Eiliandel said as Legolas and Aragorn approached. "It is settled. We'll go get her." Legolas said firmly. Aragorn nodded, their last idea was the best. Eomer, Faramir, Eowyn and Novrion would remain the city, along with the children. Aragorn, Legolas, the twins, and all three of the elvish women would go in search of Arwen. Quickly, they gathered weaponry and supplies that they would need for the journey, and gathered horses for all of the members of the search party. No one needed a saddle or bridle, so they were able to hurry about their departure, Aragorn stopping for a moment to grab a cloak for Arwen when they found her. As they began to leave, Novrion grabbed Legolas's arm, "My friend. Take care of my wife." with that, he backed up and watched as Legolas bowed his head slightly, in acceptance of Novrion's wish and moved to ride near Eiliandel, vowing to do his best to protect her. "Aa’ menle nauva calen ar’ ta hwesta e’ ale’quenle." Novrion said solemnly as they began to ride off.

* * *

  "Walk." Thurin ordered Arwen as he pulled her off the horse. Arwen landed gracefully on her feet, wincing as she landed, but remaining as stoic as she could. Thurin took a firm hold on her arm as they approached Talath and Haradion's stronghold. An imposing structure, built of stone, it reached towards the sky, lit with a menacing reddish light, contrasting with the blackness of the sky. Arwen did not know if it was night, but she did not inquire. Wolves lurked around the stronghold, snarling and growling as they moved about. Arwen watched them with concern, but they remained away from her and Thurin as they walked towards the building. Thurin escorted her up a staircase, allowing her no rest even when she tired, forcing her farther into the darkness of the building. He shoved her through a door, Arwen straightened nobly as she saw who was standing in front of her. "Ah! I do hope you enjoyed your journey here, my Queen." Talath sneered at her. Arwen looked at him haughtily, her elvish height bringing her to his eye level, she gave him no reply, causing him to scowl. "Very well. Where did your husband hide our treasure?" he loudly asked her. Arwen stared ahead, offering him not even the bat of an eyelash. Talath growled, "Answer me! Answer me!" Arwen gave him a cold regal look before returning to stare ahead again. He glared malevolently and backhanded her, causing her to stumble backwards. Thurin watched with a bored expression from behind her, making no move to catch her. Arwen recovered her balance and gritted her teeth. She would give him nothing. Talath was extremely angry now, he paced around her, "So, you think to remain silent? Do you think that will have me leave you alone?" he grinned to Thurin, "Lock her away." Thurin wrenched her arm as he dragged her off.

  "All right, Eiliandel, clear the path." Elrohir said. Eiliandel began to concentrate, pushing the fog away, allowing the sun to grace their faces. The wolves had been found to retreat with the fog, so Eiliandel had only to push away the fog to keep them safe. They rode forward, Eiliandel creating a circle of safety around them. Legolas looked at her, wondering at Novrion's request. Eiliandel could defend herself, she had many times before, yet Novrion seemed convinced she would need help before she returned. Aragorn urged his horse to a gallop, the twins and Meluiwen and Ciryawen helping to track the path of Arwen's captor.

  "Estel," Arwen whispered as she pulled herself into a corner of the room she'd been locked in. A faint smile graced her lips as she pulled his face from memory. He would come for her. He would search to Valinor itself until he found her. With this thought, Arwen steeled her resolve. He would not leave her, in return, she must not say a thing to her captor. Turning she stared out the window, staring at the dark sky.

  "They passed through here." Ciryawen's voice seemed to come form a distance as she searched near the edge of the circle of sun that Eiliandel maintained. Aragorn hurried over and studied the track, "Eiliandel! Are you able to come this way?" he asked. Atop her horse, the enchantress did not respond, her dark hair shimmering in the light as she concentrated on keeping the fog away from them. Legolas pressed his hand against her horse's neck, guiding it after Aragorn and the others. "Is she all right?" Elladan asked Aragorn quietly as they rode forward. "Eiliandel's strength is unusual," Aragorn said slowly, "She will defend us until her life is spent. Only then will her resolve fail and her strength wane." Elladan cast a look back at her. She had her eyes closed as she concentrated, evidently focussing on something he could not see. "Why would she......?" he trailed off. "I don't know what we did to deserve such loyalty, but she holds herself to it." Aragorn answered.

* * *

"Eladrion! Come on, lad!" Eomer smiled at the child as he ran to keep up with Eomer and Nenwen. Eomer had found that the two were far more entertaining than any general or warmaster could ever be. Faramir had taken over that duty and Eomer had decided that he would take the children on a walk through the garden. Eladrion ran up to Eomer proudly handing him a frog that he'd caught. "Well, isn't that nice!" Eomer congratulated him. Eladrion laughed and darted ahead to find more. Eomer bent and let the frog go near the bottom of a bush, quite sure Eladrion would find another. Nenwen stood next to him as she had for the entire walk, clutching a flower in her tiny hand. "What do you have there?" Eomer asked her kindly, realising that she had never spoken to him. "Eirien. "she said softly, offering it to him.
  "Excuse me?" Eomer asked confused. Nenwen's little face showed disappointment. "She doesn't speak the language of men," Eowyn's voice came from ahead of him. Eomer looked at his sister, "She only speaks elvish?" he asked. Eowyn nodded. Eomer looked at the little girl looking sadly up at him, not understanding why he hadn't answered her or taken the flower she held, "Well then!" Eomer sat on a bench and pulled Nenwen up next to him, taking the flower from her hand, "This is a flower. Flower," he pointed to the daisy. "Eirien..." Nenwen said softly pointing to it.
  "Yes, yes, eirien. Flower," Eomer tried again.
  Nenwen looked at him curiously, "Flower," she repeated in a delicate elvish tone.
  "Very good!!!" Eomer gave her a hug. Nenwen smiled, suddenly realizing what he was trying to do.
  She grabbed his hand and led him through the garden, trying to learn as much as she could. Eomer laughed as he followed her.
  "That woman has too much confidence," Talath said to Haradion, "She doesn't answer any questions." Haradion held up a hand, "I will deal with her, you take the majority of our forces and retreat to the other stronghold." Talath made a face, but left, collecting the forces as he went. Haradion signalled to Thurin to follow him, "Come. We must talk to the elvish queen." Thurin bowed his head and willingly followed him. Haradion took a long time to climb the stairs to the room where Arwen was, but once he reached the top, he straightened and pounded on the door. Without waiting for an answer, he simply entered the room. The beautiful elf stood by the window, not even bothering to look at them, her long black hair forming a river down the back of her delicate night-shift. "I heard that you are not co-operating with Talath, my little elf. Now why would that be?" he said in a false tone as Thurin shut the door behind them. Ever regal, Arwen refused to turn to acknowledge him, instead remaining at the window, watching something far in the distance. Haradion's face hardened as she failed to fall for the bait, he stepped towards her, "You do not understand what you are doing, do you?"
  Haradion's voice took on a mocking aspect, "You think you will defeat us by your silence, not so little elf, not so! Your husband and children are still the palace - which, may I add, I control. The wolves, weather and even your abduction were all my doings. I control your family, and I hold you captive. If I were to destroy the city, the palace, your children and your beloved husband, your silence would have done nothing but sentence them to their deaths." Haradion stood directly behind her, waiting for his words to sink in. True to her elvish nature, Arwen's appearance seemed to have remained the same. She still stood at the window, her back still turned, her voice still silent, but Thurin and Haradion sensed a stiffness about her. She had heard his threat towards her family, whether or not she was willing to show it. She thought of Estel and all that they had been through. She thought of Eladrion and his laughter as he ran around the palace. She thought of Neva and her beautiful little face, so trusting that her mother would care for her. Steeling herself, she chose not to respond, her heart thudding in her chest as she did so. "So you choose to kill them?" Haradion said loudly.
  Arwen did not turn to face him, not out of spite, but for the tears running down her face. Haradion turned on his heel, heading for her door, "You shall see what you have chosen, little elf, and you shall regret it!" he informed her as he left, Thurin shutting the door.
  As soon as the door shut, Arwen sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. She curled up tightly in a ball, resting her forehead on her knees and wrapping her arms around her legs as she cried. Arwen tired to convince herself that Haradion was making empty threats, that he still needed Estel to get what he wanted and that he was merely tormenting her while he could.
  Not trying to stifle her tears, she quietly began to whisper the Lay of Luthien, as Aragorn often did. Her hand rested against where the Evenstar used to hang, slowly regaining her composure with each whispered line. She did not know that on the other side of the door, someone listened, realizing that which he should have acted upon earlier.